Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  “Then break out of the bloody rut.” Maddy jerked her hand. “Even the ferries take a different route now and then. What are you waiting for? You want him. He wants you. Simple.”

  She knows me too well. “I’m not ready for any kind of romantic relationship.”

  “Bloody bull crap.” Maddy snorted once more. “You told him about Randy’s death, the cause and reasons, when he came to the funeral.”

  Christine swallowed. “You came too, stayed with me, helped the kids, and made life bearable again. I’m forever grateful.”

  “Hush with the grateful talk.” Maddy looped an arm around her shoulders. “You’re my best mate. Of course I’d be there for you and the kids. They’re like my own, especially since we could never have any.”

  “You handled so many things for me in those dark days and made it easier for me to do all I had to do.” Christine smiled at her. “You refused to let me sink into depression.”

  “Charlie came too. He listened and didn’t judge. Let him help you now.”

  “I can’t.” Christine pushed the hair blowing in the breeze behind her ear. Even short it had a habit of being in her face. “The whole office talked about what had happened to Randy, especially after the idiot lawyer served me court papers at the office and humiliated me.”

  “You told Charlie about the charges and court cases before the papers were served.” Maddy lowered her arm. “Plus what happened after he left, right?”

  “Yes.” Christine studied the brick walkway under the bench where they sat. The water birds were calling, people were laughing and talking. The breeze contained the scent of sea water, smoke from the ferries, coffee and cooking food. She could almost feel the excitement of tourists gawking at the majestic Opera House and towering Harbor Bridge. It seemed a million miles away even though she sat in the midst of it all. “Can I take a chance on gossip flaring again once word gets out Charlie and I have some sort of thing going on?”

  “No one has to be aware you two are intimate.” Maddy blew out a breath. “It’s not like you have a web cam strapped to your back.”

  “Word always gets out. I can’t make Charlie the center of a storm of ugliness, especially when he’s up for promotion soon.”

  “He had his own storm.” Maddy twirled her cup around and around. “He must have weathered it just fine if he’s up for promotion.”

  Christine shifted on the bench. “I can’t lose him as my friend.”

  “You can’t deny whatever this is between you two forever either.” Maddy tapped her with a finger. “I saw it when he came for the funeral. Those looks he gave you, the way he touched you. There’s something there. You owe it to both of you to find out what it is.”

  “He flirts with me sure, but he flirts with everyone.” Christine raised her head. “We are friends. The romance part of my life is over.” It’d been over for a long time, if it ever really had begun.

  Maddy’s platinum hair whipped around her head in frenzy as the wind blew. “Honey, your marriage died long before Randy did. The best thing for you and the kids was his death.”

  “Don’t!” Christine yelled, drawing startled glances. She shook her head in apology as Maddy drew back. “I’m sorry. Please don’t say it.”

  “You can’t keep punishing yourself for his choice.” Maddy appeared angry enough to slap her. “He was a selfish bastard to the end. He’s gone, thank God. You aren’t. You’re a young and beautiful woman. You just don’t recognize it. Charlie does. He’s showing you. Take the bloody next step. Show the world you’re alive.”

  “I am. Coming to Australia, fulfilling this dream, is the closest I’ve felt in a long time to being alive.” Christine swallowed. “Thanks for having me.”

  “You’ve been through hell.” Maddy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s time you started to live again. Flirt back with Charlie. See where it can go.”

  Christine threw up a hand, palm up. “How? It’s been years, and I do mean years, since I flirted or dated.”

  “So? He’s incredibly sexy.” Maddy gave a low wolf whistle. “You aren’t so bad.”

  “Men don’t look at me.” Christine laughed. “Even sitting here, they all see you and not me.”

  Maddy pointed at a young man walking down the quay, soon to pass the bench where they sat. “See him? Give him five more years and he’ll be an eight. Wink at him as he walks by and see what he does.”

  Christine rolled her eyes. Maddy’s grading system whenever they people watched hadn’t changed a bit from high school. She’d never found anyone she gave a ten. Maybe because she had Mark, her perfect ten. “Nah, he’s still a five. I don’t wink at anything less than a nine.”

  “You’re too bloody hard to please.” Maddy chose another. For the next few minutes they went back and forth comparing people and numbers or listening to the various accents and languages. “Stop in Hawaii on the way back.”

  “Are you insane?” Christine choked on a sip of coffee.

  “Charlie’s a nine.” Maddy winked at her. “You’re bloody stupid if you’re this close and don’t stop to see him.”

  “My flight is nonstop to LA.” Christine drank the rest of her coffee.

  “Change it.” Maddy crushed her empty cup.

  “Too late, I leave in a few hours.”

  “Oh for bloody lord’s sake.” Maddy tossed her cup in the nearest recycling bin. “Quit being such a stick in the mud.”

  “I’m not a stick in the mud.” But she could be. Even her kids said so.

  “You’re in a bloody rut.” Maddy waved her hands. “You’re lonely and don’t recognize bloody flirting when it smacks you in the face. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  Christine tossed away her own empty cup. “He could turn me down.”

  “Well, shoot, if you don’t bloody try, how the bloody hell will you ever find out?” Maddy demanded.

  “I’m not changing plans—and non refundable tickets—just on a whim that maybe something could happen when something probably won’t.” Christine gritted her teeth. “When did you become so Brit, by the way? Bloody this, mate that. Geez, you’d think you were raised here or something.”

  “When Down Under one becomes an Aussie.” Maddy stood. “Come on then, mate. Let’s have a bloody last drink before you bloody well leave Sydney for your bloody boring little life you like so much. Now, him? He’s a definite six.”

  ***

  Charlie returned from a pre-dawn run, turned a corner, and almost knocked over his next door neighbor and best friend. Harry halted and struggled to balance an arm full of printouts from one side to the other. Charlie caught a few papers as they started to slide. “Sorry for almost knocking you down. What’s the hurry?”

  Harry glanced at him as he took the papers back, his glasses just off center on his nose. “Thanks. I have to get to the airport. We’ve a huge one coming, emergency landing. Problems with the engine.”

  Charlie whistled long and low. “Good God, any idea what’s wrong with it?”

  Harry shrugged. “Not sure until I get to the ‘port.” As supervisor of the airport and staff, he had a high stress job Charlie didn’t envy.

  “Some tourist throwing a fit because he just found out native flowers and fruits aren’t allowed in the plane cabin?” Charlie smiled and tried to lighten the mood for his way-too-serious-most-of-the-time friend.

  Harry didn’t smile back. “There are three hundred and fifty two souls aboard this jumbo. They’ve had problems since leaving Sydney. It’s a miracle they aren’t already down from what I hear. This could be one of the worst avian accidents in history, especially since our small terminal isn’t equipped to handle something on this scale.”

  Charlie grabbed his arm. “Where was it headed?”

  “LA like usual. They aren’t going to make it. They might not even make it here.” Harry shook off his hand. “Sorry, I have to go. Talk to you soon.”

  Charlie stood motionless as Harry dashed away. Christine’s plans incl
uded a flight home today through LA. Could she be on the crippled plane? He raced inside his apartment and pounded his keyboard to pull up the email which detailed her travel. Jumbo flight back to the mainland, today’s date to land in LA mid-morning. Oh dear God. Charlie showered and changed in record time. He pictured her, dark eyes wide with terror as the plane interior filled with smoke as she strapped an oxygen mask across her lovely face. Or could she be trapped inside as water flooded the cabin after a crash into an unforgiving ocean where it would be weeks before anyone found them?

  He broke out in a cold sweat and started to run. He ignored the startled glances of people around him. Few people rushed, unless they were tourists trying to make a tour bus or boat. Islanders had no need to hurry in this laid back world of paradise. Most went about the daily routines, waited for something different to happen, rarely diverting from the norm. Had he waited too long?

  ***

  Crash position had to be one of the most uncomfortable positions in the world. Christine leaned forward along with everyone else and began to pray. And I said I wouldn’t stop in Hawaii.

  The entire flight had been troubled. The pilot assured everyone the plane suffered only minimal damage from a blown tire at take-off. But the shaking continued until the flight crew wore forced expressions of calm. Rumors soon spread through the plane. They were in trouble, something with the engine. Nothing but deep ocean stretched between Australia and mainland USA except little Hawaii and some uncharted islands.

  “I really don’t want to see the Pacific up close and personal this way without my surfboard. And I really don’t want to live like the characters on Lost.” Davy, the young boy beside Christine, said his voice muted and shaky.

  Christine entwined her hand with his. He gripped her fingers so tight she almost cried out in pain. He was around her daughter Anna’s age, barely in college. He had his whole life ahead of him. They’d talked, joked, and tried to ignore the plane shudders until the announcement and instructions to assume crash position came from the pilot. She wished Charlie could be with her. Then she gave thanks he wasn’t, especially if they crashed.

  “Holy shit!” Davy yelled as a huge bump shook the entire plane and jarred her very bones. “Did we hit the water? Oh, God, please. I don’t want to die.”

  “Shh. We’re okay. It’s okay.” Christine tried to push her fear aside and reassure him. She lifted her head to look out the window; nothing but darkness could be seen. A loud grinding noise, echoed by a few thin screams from other passengers, filled the cabin as their seats thumped. The engines screamed like nails on a chalkboard. Christine saw the flash of asphalt and runway lights as they jolted with bone rattling intensity. “We’re on the ground. Oh thank you, God, we’re safe on the ground. Davy, look. We’re okay. We’re on land not water. See? It’s an air strip.”

  Davy lifted his head to peer out the window. “We are! Oh my God, we made it! We really made it! It’s Hawaii!”

  Davy released her hand, and Christine waved her throbbing fingers in the air. There was scattered clapping, muted prayers, and general chaos as everyone stood at the urging of the flight crew. Outside the plane more flashing lights and sirens from emergency vehicles filled the dark air. Davy yanked Christine with him, moving them into the evacuation line. She slid down the rescue ramp into the humid air. Charlie lived in this air. She smelled the acid scent of smoke. Fire trucks converged on the other side of the plane as shouts filled the air. Some passengers began to scream and run. Davy pulled Christine toward the small building as dozens of people pushed past them.

  Inside, several men dressed in white shirts and dark slacks directed them to customs lines with calm firmness. Their tranquil tones accented with native speech were just what everyone needed to remind them they were safe and in paradise. People also began to quiet as it became apparent from the wall-to-ceiling terminal windows the plane would not explode.

  “They sure didn’t expect us,” Davy muttered as they waited for their luggage.

  Christine shrugged. “It’s pretty early in the morning. Let’s hope they have coffee somewhere.”

  After they had their bags, they joined the growing line at the two small stations. Both were manned by smiling, dark-haired girls who worked with pleasant efficiency, just as their male counterparts in customs had. First class passengers were accommodated first. Some of the men brought around coffee, Danishes, and water. They told jokes, sang native songs, and tried to lift the passengers’ spirits.

  “Why isn’t the airline just sending another plane to get us?” demanded one man. “It makes better sense than you people trying to get us on other flights out of here.”

  “I’m so sorry, but we’re not really large enough for huge planes such as the one you flew in on to land here, especially with all our regular traffic. You were very lucky indeed your plane made it safely down. The airline decided to route you all through existing flights.” An airport worker held out coffee. “Please bear with us as we do our best to accommodate all of you.”

  Christine sat on the floor beside Davy and other passengers who alternated between grumbling impatience and resigned acceptance. She sipped coffee and glanced around. Poor little Hawaii, having to deal with so many unexpected people, all wanting off the island most people spent a lifetime saving to visit.

  “So what happened?” Davy asked the man in front of him. “What made us come down?”

  “Not sure. But someone up front said the right engine caught fire.”

  No one voiced the words they all thought. Everyone was wondering just how close to death they’d come. “Hey, what do you think?” Davy slumped so his head rested on his duffle bag. “Did the engine really catch on fire?”

  Christine shook her head. “I have no idea. But we’re safe.”

  “Yeah, like, we could have ended up slamming into the ocean.” He yawned, his billowy T-shirt faded with the name of some new age band. “My mom, she’s got this big welcome back planned at the airport. Man, she’s gonna freak when I’m not there on time. The whole family is supposed to be there to welcome me back from this graduation present before I settle into college.”

  Christine nodded, but her mind couldn’t focus on what he said. She felt shudders deep inside, a delayed shock reaction. I’m okay. I really am. The plane had an emergency. It could have been horrible. But they were alive and safe. She thought about Maddy’s urging to branch out, take a chance and celebrate life. Should she call this a sign? What would Charlie do if she telephoned right now and said, ‘I’m here. Come get me.’?

  “Go ahead of me.” Christine nudged Davy awake as the couple ahead of them finally got their turn at the counter. “Get your flight.”

  “I can’t go ahead of you. It’s not gentlemanly and my mom wouldn’t like it.” Davy yawned.

  “Your whole family’s waiting for you.” Christine pushed at him as the couple gathered their things to leave. “Hurry before someone jumps ahead.”

  Davy went. He came back after a few moments and hugged Christine. “I got stand by, so I bet you will too. But thanks for letting me go first.”

  “No worries.” Christine grinned as he carried her suitcase to the counter. “Your mom would be proud.”

  He grinned back. “After I call and tell her I’m here, I’m going to grab some food, see the beach, and maybe spend the day there. Might as well make the most of it, huh? You gonna be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine. You go have fun. Take care, Davy.” She watched him dash off and missed her children. She’d need to call them and make them aware she was safe but delayed.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, all we have left are stand by seats,” the pretty young clerk said. “We’ve been authorized to issue you a hotel room, free of charge, of course, in case the 1:30 pm flight remains full. There will be another flight out tomorrow at 1 pm.”

  Christine summoned a smile. She heard mutters and groans behind her as word spread about no more space on flights out. Yet another sign?

  “We’re so sor
ry for the inconvenience.” The girl tapped away on the keyboard and then handed her a pile of papers. “This is your stand by notice, your hotel reservation, and flight out tomorrow. Please don’t leave the terminal until after the 1:30 pm flight has its final boarding.”

  Christine glanced at the line of passengers behind her and thought of Davy. “It’s all right. Let someone else take stand by in my place. I’ll just go ahead to the hotel now. Tomorrow’s flight is fine.”

  “Thank you so much, ma’am.” A spark of relief filled the girl’s face which only cemented Christine’s decision. “I’ll have your luggage transferred now. Check in at the hotel isn’t until later, so here’s a voucher for breakfast and lunch here in the airport. If you need anything else, please come see me. I’m Elizabeth and will help any way I can.”

  “Thank you.” Christine kept her laptop case and purse as another worker came to take her bags. There were no coincidences. Things always happened for a reason. Her mind spun with words and thoughts. Branching out. A Gem in the Path...Look and Seek and Find.

  She didn’t think. She didn’t question. She didn’t debate. Christine pulled out her cell phone and dialed. She got his message system. “Hi, it’s me. We had an unexpected landing here in Hawaii, and I thought maybe we could have lunch or dinner or something. I’m at the terminal but will be at the Sands Hotel, Room 512, in a bit if you want to stop by. Or give me call.” As she disconnected, she shook and laughed. She’d done it. She’d really done it and taken the first step. He had to take the next.

  Christine dialed her son then her daughter, reassuring them both her travel plans had changed a bit and she was fine. Then she glanced around, seeing the shops and venders were open for business. She might as well grab more coffee and something to eat. Christine wanted a shower the minute she could get into her hotel room. Then she’d do like Davy, see the beach, explore a bit, and maybe, just maybe, meet Charlie.

  ***

  Christine had been on the flight. Charlie watched emergency vehicles zoom toward the airport as he also ran toward it. He had to stop, catch his breath, and pray. Let her be safe. Please let her be safe. Sirens filled the air as he resumed his dash to the small whitewashed terminal. They weren’t big enough for jumbo jets. All the fire trucks and ambulances meant trouble. He glanced up at the sky. Just past dawn. He’d be able to see and smell smoke if the plane had crashed. Wouldn’t he?