Escape From Reality

by Adriana Hunter

  “Thank you, Cheryl. It means a great deal to hear you say that. Now what? What’s the next step?”

  “You have a manuscript to be proud of. I suggest you set it aside for a few weeks, let it rest in your mind. Then give it a very good read through, looking for any typos or missing words, plot holes, inconsistencies.”

  Cheryl smiled. “I must admit, I’m notorious for leaving out words in my first draft. My brain goes much faster than my fingers can. And then, well…you’ll submit your manuscript.”

  Cheryl reached for a small card, sliding it toward Leila. “This is the contact number for my agent. I’ve let her know about you.”

  Leila was stunned. She accepted the card from Cheryl, a broad smile on her face. “Oh, Cheryl, thank you! I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this.”

  Cheryl held up her hand. “Please, Leila. It’s my pleasure. But your manuscript will have to stand on its own merits. My agent isn’t taking a look just because I’ve been working with you.”

  “I understand. And I appreciate that. I really do.”

  “It’s what writers do for each other. Someday, you can help someone else.”

  “So this is it, then?” Leila sat back. “I’m headed home.”

  “You are. And you’re ready. Believe me, it’ll be work, but you can do it, Leila. Here.” She slid a thick envelope across the table toward Leila. “Your manuscript. The original.”

  Cheryl rose. “Come. Dominick will walk you down to the dock.”

  Leila followed Cheryl down the hall to the front door. Dominick was waiting, holding her overnight bag. Leila turned back.

  “Cheryl, it’s been an honor. Thank you again.” Leila extended her hand, but Cheryl ignored it, drawing her into a hug.

  She patted Leila’s back briefly before holding her at arm’s length. “Dear, you’ll be just fine. Work hard, don’t hold back…and be authentic, write the truth. That’s all I ask.”

  Leila held the envelope and the card in her hands. Dominick opened the door, holding it for Leila. She walked out into the bright morning sunlight.

  They walked to the dock in silence. At some point, Leila became aware of the drone of the seaplane. She looked up, shaded her eyes, and watched as it circled the island, dropping below the trees.

  “She’s right on time. You’ll have no trouble in Miami meeting your charter.” Dominick turned, smiling. “Your return trip should be trouble free.”

  They reached the small beach. Leila watched as the plane came slowly toward them. Dominick repeated his earlier performance of grabbing the strut and guiding the plane against the dock. Joely cut the engine and Dominick opened the door to the plane. He called to Leila.

  “Ms. Connors? If you’re ready?”

  She wasn’t, but it was time to leave.

  * * *

  She watched the castle through the plane window as they circled the island. Then Joely turned the plane across the ocean, and the island slid out of sight.

  Leila was silent as they flew toward Miami. She had no questions to ask Joely on the return trip, at least none she could possibly answer.

  They landed smoothly. Leila thanked her and quickly climbed out of the plane. She was met by Mr. Hayward, just as impeccably dressed as he had been when she first met him. He escorted her into the terminal. Instead of the calm, ordered space she’d seen last time, there was a noisy group occupying the waiting area.

  “Welcome, Ms. Connors. I trust you had a pleasant visit.” Mr. Hayward raised his voice over the noise of the group, in particular a blonde girl with a loud voice, currently with a cell phone held to her ear.

  “I did, thank you, Mr. Hayward.”

  “Excellent. Your charter is waiting.” He hesitated, his cheerful façade fading for an instant. “There is, however, a small, shall we say, alteration in the plans.”

  Leila frowned. “Alteration?” She glanced at the group milling around.

  “Just a slight change. There will be a few other passengers on your flight to New York. It seems there was a bit of confusion with their return flight and, well…” He spread his hands.

  “They’d be stranded otherwise?”

  “So you see the dilemma. I do apologize. But I have no control over who flies on which plane. I only check passports.”

  “I see.”

  Leila’s mood deteriorated quickly. Mr. Hayward did what was necessary with her passport and she was led to a much larger plane than she’d ridden in from New York. The group she was with were noisy, the voluptuous blonde’s attitude almost larger than life. She made it clear she was unhappy with the alterations to their travel plans, although the rest of the group seemed to be taking the change of plans in stride.

  The group had boarded the plane first, leaving Leila to take the last available seat near the front of the plane next to a tall dark-haired guy who glanced up briefly as she sat, then gave her a long lingering look and a smile that told her he was going to be nothing but trouble on the flight home.

  “I’m Jeremy.” He held out his hand. Leila looked at it a moment, then shook it.

  “I’m Leila.”

  “Leila. Pretty name. Little old-fashioned, but pretty.” He leaned on the armrest between them. “Like you.”

  “Jeremy, for God’s sake. We’re not even off the ground yet.”

  Leila glanced at the man who spoke, a dark-haired, wildly gorgeous man sitting across the aisle from her. He frowned at Jeremy before turning away.

  Jeremy chuckled and turned back to Leila, leaning on the armrest between them. “Ignore my band mate. He’s just a little uptight from being away from his girl Kate for too long.” He tapped his temple. “Thinks too much.”

  Leila nodded absently. “I see.” She avoided eye contact, hoping he’d give up the chase. She watched the flight attendant make her way down the aisle, offering drinks.

  “You know who we are, right? This here is Gage Stevens, international Rock God.”

  Jeremy sat back as if it was a foregone conclusion Leila would know what that meant. She shook her head.

  “Sorry. I’m not much on current music.”

  “Well, then tonight’s your lucky night.” Jeremy grinned. “You can come to the show, be my guest. Backstage passes, after party. The works.” He leaned closer, his hand on her arm. “I can make it an evening you’ll never forget.”

  Before Leila could answer, the engines of the plane revved and the plane started its taxi down the runway. Excited murmurs rose from the other passengers, drowning out her thoughts.

  The flight home seemed even longer, and far more tedious, than her trip to the island. Her mind kept going back to the last time she’d been with Sebastian in the garden. Her skin still tingled at the memory, a deep warmth lingering deep in her center.

  But then images from her dream crowded in: the man taking her so ruthlessly in her bed and how much she wanted him. And then Sebastian’s face, filled with pain, filled with betrayal. Her betrayal.

  Jeremy kept up a steady chatter in her ear, leaning closer, first resting his hand on her arm, and then, to her astonishment, sliding his fingers down to her knee.

  That was more than Leila could stand. Her hand shot out, covering his. At first, Jeremy’s eyes lit up, but then he frowned as she pried his fingers away from her leg.

  “Stop, Jeremy. Please. I don’t want to be rude, but…I’m not interested.” Despite trying to keep her voice down, it rose above the other voices in the plane. There was a beat of silence and then she heard scattered laughter from the back.

  “Shot down again, Jeremy? Your streak’s unbroken.”

  Leila looked up. A full-figured brunette stood in the aisle next to their seats, her long brown hair tied back, a mischievous grin on her face.

  “Dana Marshall. So cruel. I’m not shot down…Leila just needs to spend a little more time with me to understand my charms.”

  “Leave the poor girl alone.” Dana shook her head, walking back to her seat.

  Jeremy turned back to Leila, hi
s next pick up line already on his lips, but he was interrupted by the flight attendance’s appearance at the front of the plane. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re ready to start our descent into New York City. If you’ll take your seats, please, and fasten your seat belts, we’ll have you on the ground shortly.”

  Leila busied herself with her seat belt, relieved they were finally close to landing. Her nerves were frayed, not only from sitting next to Jeremy, fending off his advances, but with thoughts of Sebastian and the disturbingly arousing images from the dream. She was ready for her apartment.

  The plane made a smooth landing at the airfield. Much to her relief, Jeremy became engrossed in a conversation with a man with piercing blue eyes and what looked like another rock star…Logan MacKenzie, she thought someone called him. When he turned away to answer, she hurried down the steps, out of the plane, and onto the tarmac.

  She stopped short. This was a different airstrip than where the helicopter taken her on Sunday and where the smaller Learjet had left, bound for Miami. She was momentarily confused, trying to get her bearings. Behind her, she heard Jeremy’s voice calling to her. All she wanted now was someone to take her to the next plane, or helicopter, that would get her closer to her apartment.

  “Ms. Connors?”

  Leila turned toward the voice. A man dressed in a crisp limo driver’s uniform and hat stood, hands folded in front of him, smiling.

  “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you home.”

  * * *

  The ride was surprisingly brief. Leila sat in the backseat of the long black limo, in air-conditioned silence, watching New York flash past her windows. The limo turned down her street, and then it pulled up in front of her building.

  The driver stepped out, walked around the limo, and opened the door for Leila. She hesitated in the open door, looking up at her apartment building, then stepped out onto the sidewalk. New York came rushing up to her, all the sounds and smells, traffic noises, the diesel fumes surrounding her. Finally, she was home.

  Chapter Ten

  The elevator stopped at her floor, the doors sliding open. Leila stepped into the hall, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over her. Shaking her head, she walked down the hall to her apartment door, half-expecting to find a note slipped under her door, another adventure waiting for her.

  But there was nothing tucked under her door this time, and so she quickly unlocked it and stepped inside. It smelled like dust and stale air, but otherwise, everything was the same as she’d left it.

  She sighed, closing the door behind her. It felt as if she’d been gone for far longer than just a few days. So much had changed. She’d changed. For one thing, she had a completed first draft manuscript of a romance novel, and she’d been coached by one of the best writers in the business.

  For another, quite possibly, she’d met the man of her dreams. And lost him. If he ever even truly existed.

  She pulled the manuscript from her bag and settled on the couch. Flipping through the pages, she began reading her story. The words were vibrant, the story fresh, her characters alive on the page. Certain scenes still made her smile, and when her characters were torn apart, tears pricked her eyes.

  At the end, she sighed. Her characters were reunited, secure in their love. She set the manuscript beside her on the couch. Certainly there were sections that needed tightening, maybe a few scenes that could be expanded. And, as Cheryl had advised her, there were places where she could give her characters more emotional depth. A rueful smile tugged at Leila’s lips. There still was the missing…physical description of her hero. Leila knew now exactly what to write for those scenes and exactly how her heroine should feel.

  The light was fading when she heard noises in the hall. There was a thump, then a louder noise, a man’s muffled voice. Her heart sank: Jordon Richards.

  The knock on the door made her jump. The last person she wanted to see was Jordon, at least until she’d gotten a good night’s sleep, or three. Maybe if she ignored him…

  The knocking came again, louder this time. With a sigh, Leila rose. Jordon wouldn’t give up until he’d at least talked to her or tried to make a move. Knowing him, he’d been watching her from his door. She was surprised it had taken him this long to make his presence known.

  Leila looked through the peephole then drew back in surprise. All she could see was the back of someone’s head. Her hand trembled as she reached for the doorknob, slowly opening the door.

  “Can I help you?”

  The man turned back to Leila. For a long moment, they held each other’s gaze, Leila finding herself lost in the green depths. Her eyes widened: those beautiful green eyes, the startling blue circle ringing the iris.

  After a long moment, the man spoke. “I’m sorry to bother you. I just moved in…” He turned and gestured to the apartment across the hall. Turning back, she caught a look on his face, a flash of recognition, maybe, or confusion.

  Leila blinked. The voice was the same, deep and masculine. The eyes, the hair…but did he know who she was?

  “I’m sorry. I’m being rude.” He held out his hand and smiled. Leila’s heart sped up and she suddenly found it hard to catch her breath.

  “I’m Sebastian Phillips.”

  She looked down at his hand for a moment and then, as if in slow motion, reached out and took it. His grip was strong, his skin warm and very familiar. Her hand lingered in his for a moment longer. A fleeting look of bewilderment crossed Sebastian’s features, matching hers. But Leila voiced her confusion first.

  “I’m Leila Connors. You’re moving in across the hall? But that’s Jordon Richards’s apartment.”

  Sebastian shook his head. “I don’t know who that is. I just moved to New York…a friend gave me a list of places to check and this building had a vacancy. I called, saw it Monday, and the landlord just called to say my references checked out. It’s all mine.”

  The confusion on his face deepened, his dark brows furrowed.

  “Oh…”

  “I came to ask you…I don’t have my keys.” He tilted his head, suddenly hesitant. “I’m sorry, I know this is going to sound crazy.”

  He took a step toward Leila. She held her breath.

  “I…have you ever have that feeling like you know someone, even though you just met them?’

  Leila nodded. “I have.” Her voice was nothing more than whisper.

  Sebastian took another step. Leila could feel the warmth of his body, and she waited.

  He reached out, tentatively, then dropped his hand. His eyes searched hers and in that moment, she saw a flash of emotion. “It’s like I know you…more than just know you. I mean, like I’ve met you before. It’s like we…” His voice was low, intense.

  “It’s like we were together, somehow…somewhere.” He shook his head. “I know. That all sounds crazy. I sound crazy…”

  “No…” She reached out, her hand on his arm. “Do you believe in fate, Sebastian?”

  Leila took a step forward, reached up, and touched Sebastian’s cheek. Wordlessly, he folded her into his arms, the truth hanging heavy in the air around them.

  His lips found hers, and they felt just as she remembered, warm, strong, and just as possessive. The kiss deepened and every emotion she’d felt on the island came rushing back, and she poured it all into their kiss, giving herself freely to him.

  Sebastian finally tore his lips away with a growl, holding Leila at arm’s length, eyes searching hers.

  “Fate, you say?” He shrugged, smiled, and in that smile, Leila saw the confidence she’d known in Sebastian on the island. He pulled her against him once again, his arms banding tightly around her, and pressed his lips to her ear, his voice a low growl.

  “In that case, there’s no sense in fighting it.”

  He brushed her hair back from her neck, his mouth lowering to hers. This time his kiss was soft and slow, nipping at her lips and stroking her tongue.

  Leila moaned, losing herself in his powerful embrace. She wasn�
�t sure how their story would end, but she had a feeling that she’d have a lifetime to figure it out.

  * * *

  About the Author

  New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Hunter writes contemporary and paranormal romance stories that feature irresistibly powerful alpha heroes and beautifully curvy heroines.

  Connect with Adriana on her website at http://www.AdrianaHunter.com and subscribe to her official newsletter at http://www.SpicyTales.com for details on upcoming books!

  Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAdrianaHunter

  Invitation To Eden

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  For more information about the island of Eden, check out our website!

  March 2014

  Master of the Island by Lauren Hawkeye

  April 2014

  Random Acts of Fantasy by Julia Kent

  Yours Truly, Taddy by Avery Aster

  Escape From Reality by Adriana Hunter

  May 2014

  Hydrotherapy by Suzanne Rock

  Fight For Me by Sharon Page

  His Fair Lady by Marian Tee

  June 2014

  Breaking Free by Cathryn Fox

  Hold Me Close by Eliza Gayle

  Queen’s Knight by Sara Fawkes

  July 2014

  How To Tempt A Tycoon by Daire St. Denis

  Dare to Surrender by Carly Phillips

  The Capture by Erika Wilde

  August 2014

  Rough Draft by Mari Carr

  Blurring The Lines by Roni Loren

  Return to Sender by Steena Holmes

  September 2014

  Pleasure Point by Eden Bradley

  Wild Ride by Opal Carew