“Oh, or maybe a prince. I know!” I snap my fingers. “Prince Charming!”
A blast of air escapes him, as if he’s caught between a laugh and outrage but really wants to go with outrage. Then he stills. And I feel a moment’s trepidation, because he’s obviously realized that I’m making fun of him. I hadn’t noticed how well-built this guy was until now.
He’s probably over six feet, his legs long and strong, encased in deep blue slacks.
Jesus, he’s wearing a sweater vest: dove gray and hugging his trim torso. He should look like an utter dork in it, but no… It only highlights the strength in his arms, those muscles stretching the limits of his white button-down shirt. Unfair.
His shoulders are so broad they make the massive first class seats look small. But he’s long and lean. I’m guessing the muscle definition under those fine and proper clothes is drool-worthy too, damn it all.
I take it all in, including the way his big hands clench. Not that I think he’ll use his strength against me. His behavior screams pompous prick, but he doesn’t seem like a bully. He never truly raised his voice with the flight attendant.
Even so, my heart beats harder as he slowly turns to face me. An evil smile twists his lush mouth.
Don’t look at it. He’ll suck you into a vortex of hot, and there will be no return.
“You found me out,” he confides in a low voice that’s warm butter over toast. “Prince Charming, at your service. Do forgive me for being short with you, madam, but I am on a mission of the utmost import.” He leans closer, his gaze darting around before returning to me. “I’m looking for my bride, you see. Alas, you are not wearing a glass slipper, so you cannot be her.”
I glance at my bare feet and the red Chucks lying on the floor as he does. He shakes his head. “You’ll understand that I need to keep my focus on the search.”
He flashes a wide—albeit fake—smile, revealing a dimple on one cheek, and I’m breathless. Double damn it.
“Wow.” I give a dreamy sigh. “It’s even worse when you smile. You really should come with a warning, sunshine.”
His smile drops like a hot potato, and he opens his mouth to retort, but the flight attendant is suddenly by his side.
“Mr. Scott, would you like a preflight beverage? Champagne? Pellegrino, perhaps?”
I’m half surprised she didn’t offer herself. But the implication is there in the way she leans over him, her hand resting on the seat near his shoulder, her back arched enough to thrust out her breasts. I can’t blame the woman. Dude is potent.
He barely glances her way. “No, thank you.”
“Are you sure? Maybe a coffee? Tea?”
One brow rises in that haughty way only a Brit can truly pull off. “Nothing for me.”
“Champagne sounds great,” I say.
But the flight attendant never takes her eyes from her prey. “I really do apologize for the mix-up, Mr. Scott. I’ve alerted my superiors, and they shall do everything in their power to accommodate you.”
“Moot at this point, but thank you.” He’s already picking up his magazine, the cover showcasing a sleek sports car. Typical.
“Well, then, if there’s anything you need…”
“I don’t know about him,” I butt in, “but I’d love a—hey! Hello?” I wave a hand as she saunters away, an extra sway to her hips. “Bueller?”
I can feel him smirking and give him a look. “This is your fault, you know.”
“My fault?” His brows lift, but he doesn’t look away from his magazine. “How on Earth did you come to that conclusion?”
“Your freaky good looks made her blind to all but you, sunshine.”
His expression is blank, though his lips twitch. “If only I could strike women speechless.”
I can’t help it, I have to grin at that. “Oh, I bet you’d find that marvelous; all of us helpless women just smiling and nodding. Though I’m afraid it would never work on me.”
“Of course not,” he deadpans. “I’m stuck next to one afflicted with an apparently incurable case of verbal diarrhea.”
“Says the man who is socially constipated.”
He stills again, his eyes widening. And then a strangled snort breaks free, escalating into a choked laugh. “Jesus.” He pinches the bridge of his nose as he struggles to contain himself. “I’m doomed.”
I smile, wanting to laugh too, but holding it in. “There, there.” I pat his forearm. “It will all be over in about seven hours.”
He groans, his head lifting. The smile he wears now is genuine, and a lot more deadly because of it. “I won’t survive it—”
The plane gives a little shudder as it begins to pull out from the gate. And Mr. Sunshine blanches, turning a lovely shade of green before fading into gray. A terrified flyer. But one who clearly would rather the plane actually crash than admit this.
Great. He’ll probably be hyperventilating before we level out.
Maybe it’s because my little sister is terrified to fly as well, or maybe because I’d like to think Mr. Sunshine’s horrible behavior is fear-based and not because he’s a massive dickweasel, but I decide to help him. And, of course, have a little more fun while I’m doing it.
END
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Playlist
Django Reinhardt, Limehouse Blues
Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit
The Black Keys, You’re The One
Sinead O’Connor, The Last Day of Our Acquaintance
The Beatles, In My Life
Bon Jovi, Wanted Dead or Alive
Pearl Jam, Indifference
Alice in Chains, Man in the Box
The Beatles, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Mary J. Blige, Right Now
Nirvana, Heart Shaped Box
Prince, Cream
Prince, Darling Nikki
Wilco, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Cat Power, Sea of Love
The White Stripes, Hotel Yorba
Acknowledgments
Huge thank you to my go-to beta readers Kati, Sahara, Tessa, Elyssa, and Monica. Copy editors Dana Waganer and Jessica Royer Ocken. My awesome cover designer Sarah Hansen. To Dani for her PR excellence and all around hand-holding. And Natasha for…you know what. ;-)
And a special thank you to all the bloggers and readers who help spread the word about my books and for being so supportive.
All my love!
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