Sinful Desire

She’d spent a restless night thinking about whether or not to reach out. She’d tossed and turned, debating whether to give him the space he seemed to need, or to reassure him of how she felt. But then she’d recalled her mother’s advice: “Always talk. Always be honest. Never go to bed angry. Make time for kisses and meals, dance under the stars, and dream together.”

Though she was flying across the ocean, the advice about not going to bed angry still seemed to apply, as well as talking, being honest, and making time for each other. She wanted him to know she was here for him. The reality was, he had a more complicated life than she, and if that was what she was signing up for, he was worth it.

Love was a choice, one that sometimes came with rampant uncertainty.

She might never have stability with him. She might always experience moments, and even days, of pure unsteadiness. But what they shared was worth the risk, the anxiety, and the utter unpredictability of his family life. She’d confronted risk head on as a businesswoman, and surely she could weather the ups and downs in a relationship.

For so long, she’d been seeking what her parents had, that perfect kind of love, with passion, support, and security. But she might not ever have security with Ryan Sloan, and she was going to have to buckle up and enjoy the highs and lows, the thrills and drops of loving that man.

The second her phone warmed up, she tapped out a text. I’ll be thinking of you the whole time I’m gone, and I’ll be looking forward to our rollercoaster ride when I return. Every second of it. Love, always. Your Sophie.

There. Done. Said.

It was enough, and she was choosing to believe in the two of them rather than listen to her own fears.

She was about to tuck her phone into her purse when she found a new message from him, just as the car pulled to the curb at Las Vegas International Airport.

The time on her phone screamed at her. She was really late.

Oh God.

Nerves swamped her. She was dying to read his note, but she needed to get inside. Now.

Jamming her phone into her purse, she raced to baggage check-in, then on to the TSA pre-screen, making it through security without having to slip off her shoes.

Safely on the other side, she took out her phone.

Opened the message.

And burst into a wild, wicked, happy grin.

I meant it when I said I can’t stay away from you.

She spun around, hunting for him, half expecting to see him. He wasn’t there, of course. But that was okay. He’d sent this beautiful note. He’d reached out.

These words were all she needed before she left the country—the reassurance that they were fine. After rushing to her gate, she showed her boarding pass to the agent and headed onto the plane, taking her seat in first class in the second row.

From the cool and comfort of her cushy gray leather chair, she started a reply. She stopped typing when she spotted someone standing by her row. Her skin prickled with awareness, just like it had at Aria. Before she even confirmed with her eyes, her body knew.

Her gaze roamed up the jeans, the trim waist, the pullover shirt, the day-old stubble, the soft lips, the nose, the navy blue eyes, the golden brown hair.

The face of the man she adored. Her heart danced in mad circles, like a wild bird.

“You’re here,” she said, stating the obvious.

He gestured to the seat next to her. “This may be presumptuous of me, but is this seat taken?”

She patted it. “Would you like this seat?”

He looked at his watch. “For the next twelve hours, yes.”

“It’s yours.”

He sat down, and didn’t say a word. He placed a hand on her cheek, pulled her gently to him, and breathed her name as if it were his oxygen. “Sophie.”

The way he said it sounded like a poem, like a love song. He swept his lips over hers. She shivered. She shuddered. She soared.

“Hi,” he said when he broke the kiss.

“Hi.” She was on cloud nine. She was floating high above the earth and she didn’t want to come down.

“Do you want company for your trip?”

“I want your company.”

“Good, because I took the liberty to buy a ticket.”

“I can tell. But is this really your seat?”

“Mine’s one row up. When the person who has this seat shows, I’ll convince him or her to swap.” He looked her square in the eyes as he ran a finger over her cheek. “You once told me the things you want from me don’t cost money. Well, the ticket cost money, but that’s beside the point. The point is you told me that you wanted to go for a ride together in your new car. And I’d like to go with you.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You’re joining me for the car?”

He shook his head. “I’m here for the girl,” he said, his voice so sexy, so certain, so full of passion.

Her eyes fluttered closed momentarily and happiness rushed through all the highways inside her body, infusing her heart and soul with joy. When she opened her eyes, she asked, “Are you taking off work for the whole time?”

He nodded. “I told Michael to run the shop without me.”

“Where’s your dog?”

“Colin has him.”

“When did you plan this?”

He looked at his watch. “It’s six-thirty now, so, about two hours ago.”