by Amanda Boone
“So ah, where are we going?” she asked nervously as he pulled away.
“I have been asked to convey you to the airport, Miss Daniels, just north of Crutch Corners.” He glanced at her in the rear-view with a kind smile.
The airport? Where the hell are we going for dinner?
While Raine pondered this question, her cell phone bleeped at her, a number she didn’t recognize appearing on it.
“Hello?”
“Raine,” Antony’s voice dripped from the speaker. “I can’t apologize enough for not being there in person.” His French accent was as alluring as it had been that morning, and she smiled.
“I suppose I’ll have to make do with Carson for company.” She glanced at the older man but he was concentrating on the road, “What’s all this about an airport?”
“We will be taking a short flight, and for this, we need an airport,” he teased.
Raine shook her head. “Yes, I know you need an airport to catch a plane, but why do we need to catch a plane?”
“Because it is faster than driving.” She could hear the humor in his voice and gave up. “Tell me what you are thinking?” he asked.
“I’m thinking this is all a surreal dream, and I’ll wake up soon to find I’m in my old room in Crutch Junction.” Raine replied without thinking.
“When you get here to me, I’ll make you see this is no dream.” Antony promised, “See you soon, mon cher.”
Before Raine had a chance to reply, he hung up. She looked out the side window, seeing the dereliction and decay of her hometown fully for the first time since being back. It was disheartening.
Carson drove straight out onto the runway and parked beside a Learjet, right next to the lowered stairs. The driver opened her door for her and escorted her to the bottom of the stairs. Looking up, she saw Antony beginning to descend towards her. He was immaculate in a tailored black suit and tie with a single white rose in his lapel. He halted as soon as he saw her, his eyes roving over the black dress she had chosen to wear. While it wasn’t too revealing, Raine had made sure she had a little cleavage showing. It was tight, clinging to her curves and showing off her ample body. Carrying a small bag in both hands made sure her breasts were shown to full advantage, and the look on Antony’s face was priceless. As if awestruck, Antony reached out and took her hand to lead her up the steps.
“You look...magnificent,” he said as she boarded the private plane. His compliment made her stomach flip and brought a blush to her cheeks.
Dark-brown leather seats and a deep pile carpet graced the jet’s interior. The cockpit was curtained off as was a section at the rear of the plane. Raine picked out a couple of seats and a small table, a monitor or TV set into the side of the plane and a laptop which had about eight different windows open.
Antony escorted her to a seat and held her hand as she lowered herself into it.
“Something to drink?” He asked as the stairs folded into the side of the aircraft.
“White wine?” Raine asked. This whole experience was way out of her comfort zone and she didn’t have a clue as to what she should ask for.
I don’t think a beer’s the right choice though.
Antony spoke to someone beyond the curtain and Raine heard the engines begin to cycle up while he poured a glass of wine and grabbed himself something in a small glass containing ice.
“You should wear your belt as we take off,” He advised her, setting her glass down and taking a seat opposite and fastening his own.
Raine gripped the arms of her seat as the Learjet taxied down the runway, gathering speed for takeoff.
Antony studied her as he sipped his drink. “Not much of a flier?” He asked when she had finally managed to open her eyes again.
“What gave it away?” She said, panting and reaching for her glass and draining half in a big gulp.
“Intuitive guess,” he replied glibly. “You’re completely safe.”
“As if telling anyone that made a difference when they’re scared,” Raine chided him. Antony smiled and her stomach clenched again.
“How was the rest of your day?” he asked as the jet streaked East.
“Monstrously uneventful,” she said, happy when he chuckled at her. “I drove home so my mom could tell me how awful I am, did a little reading and prepared for tonight. You?”
“Business meetings all day. I did a little reading of my own though.”
“Really? What are you reading?”
“Articles from the Chicago Tribune,” Antony replied, meeting her eyes.
“Really?” she said in a false voice. “Whatever about?” She couldn’t stop her smile from spreading.
“Oh, you know. This and that, many topics.” He said with a grin. “One of the journalists seemed quite talented,” he added.
“Yeah? Would I have heard of them?” She was quite enjoying this little back and forth they had going, and it took her mind off the fact she was airborne.
“Possibly, have you heard of Sam Carter?” He grinned. Raine almost spat her wine all over him, not expecting that answer.
“Yeah, I’ve heard of him,” she admitted.
Lived with him, shared his bed.
Antony studied her face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It was supposed to be a joke.” His look of contrition seemed genuine.
“No, I’m sorry. It’s just Sam and I...we had a little history and of all the names you might have picked...” She was unable to think of what to say next, so they both fell silent for a while. “How long have you known Carson?” she asked.
“Carson?” Antony asked, genuinely shocked, “Carson’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember.” His eyes went distant. “It feels as if he raised me, sometimes.”
“Why did you ask me out tonight?” Raine asked abruptly. Antony looked at her in shock for a second before bursting into laughter.
“So I could get to know you better. Why else?” He finally managed. Raine sipped her wine, and Antony frowned. “What is the problem?”
“I’m not your normal type, so I just wondered why you asked me out.”
Antony’s face changed. “Ah, so now I know what you were reading about.” He smiled, “And of course everything you see and read on the Internet is true so...” He shrugged. “Let me guess, you looked at a few articles which showed me with tall, thin, blonde women?” Raine nodded. “And you assumed they were girlfriends of mine?” She nodded again, and he smiled. “Did you bother to look up anything about them? Find out who they were employed by?” Raine shook her head. Antony paused and rolled his glass between his palms, “They were all escorts.”
“What?” she asked in surprise.
“Escorts. I don’t even know what their names were. The company arranges them for me to maintain some kind of...image.”
“Oh, well now I feel stupid,” she admitted.
“So you should.” Antony grinned, and Raine grinned back. “More wine?”
“Trying to get me drunk?”
“Will it work?” He retorted, taking her glass.
“Depends on what you have in mind.” She played along. Antony gave her a look so full of lust that it made her breath stopped.
“Oh, Raine. I don’t know if you’d be happy with what’s in my mind.”
She swallowed, sensing the atmosphere in the cabin had changed. He returned, handing her glass back, but he had changed from the playful, happy gentleman she had met this morning into something predatory, dangerous.
And oh so very sexy.
Antony drained his own glass and looked into Raine’s eyes for a few seconds.
“I cannot abide this current obsession with skinny women.” Antony declared hotly. “Women who look like little boys! If I wanted to have little boys I should be locked away!”
“Or join a church.” Raine managed to add before Antony carried on.
“No,” He growled in a low voice. “Give me a curvy woman any day. When I am with a woman I want to know it, see it, feel it.
Women should be round and full bodied.”
“Like wine?” Raine asked. He looked at her with an amused expression on his face.
“This is why I asked you out tonight. You are very funny as well as very sexy.” Raine was about to answer with some witty reply when she felt the Learjet drop as their descent started. She yelped at the shocking sensation and gripped the seat once more.
“Where are we?” Raine asked when they had disembarked and climbed into the back of a black Mercedes-Benz.
“Houston,” Antony told her. “I know a little place.”
“Houston?” She almost screamed, “That’s like, five hundred miles! For dinner?”
Antony took her hand, stroking his thumb across her knuckles. Worth it though,” he said simply.
He’s mad! I thought it was extravagant renting out an entire hotel, but this? What about mom? She’s miles away and on her own!
Raine looked over at his profile as they moved through the streets.
Good Lord, but he is hot.
“Er, will there be time to get me back tonight?” Raine asked meekly. “My mom kind of needs me now.”
“Don’t worry about your mom,” Antony told he. “She’ll be fine without you for one night.”
I suppose that’s true. Wait what does he mean ‘one night’?
They pulled into the front of a massive building, garnished by flags, a monolithic sign reading The Moorcroft Hotel grew from a small garden opposite the main door. Their driver opened the doors for them, taking Raine’s hand as she climbed out. Antony joined her, and they walked up the four stairs, hand in hand. The door was held open by a man dressed in a top hat and tails who seemed to know who Antony was, greeting him by name as they entered.
Inside, the palatial hotel was polished in marble from floor to ceiling, with silent staff flitting around other users of the place like ants running their colony. Raine had only ever seen this kind of luxury from a distance, and she felt a little self-conscious walking through the middle of the massive foyer as if she owned the place.
What if he does own the place?
They approached an internal set of doors – the wood polished to such a high shine that Raine could see her own reflection – which were opened for them by yet another member of staff to gain entry to a cavernous dining room.
“Mr. DuBesne, such a delight to have you here again.” The maître d’ spoke as if Antony was a regular. “If you would follow me.” He led them between tables of people dining to a more intimate area, where a smaller table had been laid with two places. Unusually, they sat almost beside each other, with Antony sitting on Raine’s right-hand side.
Raine looked at Antony, feeling drawn to him regardless of the small fortune he must have spent so far.
“This is amazing,” she told him. “Thank you for bringing me.”
“Believe me, mon cher, the pleasure is all mine,” he said.
Raine had felt a little shiver the first time he had called her that, and it came again this time. Antony asked what she would like to eat, apparently there were no menus, so she told him some of her favorites. When the waiter approached, Antony ordered for both of them in French.
“I usually prefer to order my own food,” she said with a hint of annoyance. “What am I having?”
Antony looked at her. “Wait and see,” he ordered her. “You will love it.”
Raine shook her head and surveyed the place. From their vantage point, she had a near perfect view of just about every table and made a mental note of the people at each one. Most of their fellow diners were either businessmen and women or couples. Raine couldn’t see any families, no children. There was an almost subdued atmosphere to the place, with the waiting staff dashing around in near silence. Raine had always frequented noisy bars and dined in steakhouses. This opulent and reserved place was as far out of her comfort zone as she had ever been.
“You don’t really like it here do you?” he asked, making her jump. A guilty blush crawled up her face – it was as if he could read her mind – and she turned to him.
“I love the place,” she said, “but it’s the kind of place people like me never go, and it’s all so new to me.” Raine tried to explain how she felt. “It’s the same kind of thing I felt when I moved to Chicago,” she added. Antony took her hand again. “It is great but also a little...daunting.”
He pursed his lips and tilted his head. “So you’re nervous about...?” He let the question trail off.
“Messing up, looking stupid and making a fool of myself by doing or saying the wrong thing.”
He nodded, at least pretending to understand. “You could never look stupid,” he told her, “and I promise not to let you make a fool of yourself. Would you prefer to go somewhere else?”
Raine was shocked. The amount of time, planning and money he had spent just to come there must have been astronomical, and he would drop it all down the toilet if she wanted to go?
“Antony! No, I don’t want to go anywhere else.” She thought for a second. “Do you?”
“As long as you are there, it is where I want to be.” He threw this out as if it was nothing, as if they hadn’t met less than twelve hours ago.
He’s mad! Batshit crazy if he thinks I’m anything special.
That thought stung.
“Aha! Food.” Antony announced. Waiting staff appeared, apparently from nowhere, with covered plates, setting them down in front of Raine and Antony.
At least I’ll find out what he ordered me.
Raine could do nothing but stare at the feast he had ordered her when the waiter took the cover away. Rather than the tiny morsel of French cuisine she expected to find, sitting on her plate was a large steak, oozing juice and surrounded by bright yellow, thick cut fries. Raine was speechless.
He could have bought me this about ten miles outside of town! There was no need to fly us halfway across the state, to get steak.
“I know what you are thinking,” Antony said.
“I really don’t think you do.” She retorted, and he laughed.
“You think I am some kind of madman to bring you all the way across Texas just to get a steak.” Making a face, Raine nodded. “And I would be.” He grinned, “But this is the best steak money can buy.” Raine had started to feel a little unwell, and he noticed immediately. “Do not worry, Raine, the jet was scheduled to come here anyway. I just took advantage of an opportunity to show you a good evening.” He shrugged and cut at his own steak.
Alright you can breathe a bit now. He’s not as crazy as you first thought. Just taking advantage of the jet...
“If the jet was coming here,” she asked him, “will it be going back?” He made a face that she had trouble interpreting.
“About that, ah, how do you feel about hitchhiking?”
“You actually think you’re funny don’t you?” she asked with a smile.
“Eat your steak,” Antony ordered her, gesturing with his own knife. Raine did as she was told and the pair ate in companionable silence.
Sipping the coffee he had ordered, Raine was quietly satisfied with the evening so far. The steak had been good, there was no doubt about that, and his company was exquisite.
“Thank you for this evening,” she said again. He smiled at her, and her stomach flipped.
Jesus, I only just met him today, but my body’s ready to let him have his way with me!
“Are we going back to Crutch Junction soon?” Raine asked, half hoping the answer would be a firm ‘no.’
“The jet will not be leaving until tomorrow morning,” Antony told her. “There are rooms in this hotel we can use.”
“And when were you going to let me know all this?” she demanded, getting cross when he just shrugged in reply. “What about my mom? She needs me there to make sure she’s okay?”
“Your mother is being taken care of,” he said flatly. Raine went cold as visions of someone creeping into her house flashed through her mind.
“What have you done?” she
demanded in a dark voice. Antony looked at her with some concern.
“Oh, Rainey, nothing like that!” he said with a laugh. “I mean I sent someone round to be with her while you were with me.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, “Who do you think I am?”
“I’m beginning to wonder,” Raine said sarcastically, “You’ve basically kidnapped me, flown me halfway across the country and then got strangers to look after my mom.”
“Call her and see if she is okay,” Antony suggested gently. Raine opened her purse and dug her phone out, giving him a raised eyebrow. Antony sat back and nodded at her with a smug grin on his face.
“Hello?” Her mother’s voice sounded odd. “Who’s this?”
“It’s me, mom. How are things there?”
“Oh we’re having a great time here, honey,” Her mother chuckled. “Susie got all the old board games out, and we’ve been playing poker for the last half hour.”
Raine heard someone shout in the background. “Your mom’s a cheat!” Her mother laughed harder than Raine had heard in years.
“I’ve got to go, baby, you have fun now.” And with that, her mother hung up. Her eyes fell on Antony, who just raised his own eyebrows in response.
“Couldn’t you just have told me?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Fun!” she cried. “Making me worry like that is fun?”
“All right, All right. I’m sorry. I should have told you,” he admitted. “But admit it, you’ve been having fun.” Raine sat back in her chair and offered him a skeptical look.
“Maybe a little.”
“Do you want to see your room?”
“Is this where you get me upstairs alone and try to have your wicked way?”
“Did someone tell you?” He joked, looking around as if to see who had ratted him out. Raine giggled. “It’s all very above board,” he explained. “The company keeps a suite of rooms here, so there’s plenty of privacy.” Raine was surprised at the stab of disappointment she felt when he told her this.
Antony escorted her to the bank of elevators, producing a key when they were inside and inserting it to gain access to the very top floor. Raine’s nerves jangled as they rose quickly. The small space and close proximity to Antony gave her a heady mix she felt in every fiber of her being. The doors opened onto a pristine sitting room, which had several sofas and a fairly large dining table.