Chapter Five
Audrey
I’ve never once been flagged at an airport. Still confused when the plane landed, I gathered my items and made my way down the aisle, wondering if Wolf was going to try to stop me. He didn’t come out of the cockpit. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
But he also said he’s staying in the same place as I am, which is a ways from the airport. Just because we’re at the same place doesn’t mean we’ll run into each other. I thought he’d try to stop me from exiting the plane. Again, I know I sound crazy. I can’t seem to help myself.
None of that matters now, because some person with a badge seems to have a power trip going on at the moment, and there’s nothing I can do about it unless I want to never be able to fly again.
After stepping off the plane with the rest of the sleepy herd of passengers, I was making my way toward the exit when a very serious-looking TSA agent stepped in front of me.
“Ms. Audrey Beach?”
I looked up and blinked. “Yes?” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to acknowledge my name to the man who looked far too serious.
“You’ve been selected for a secondary security screening. Please come with me.”
And that’s how I’ve ended up walking side by side with this man while passengers skirt around us, grateful they aren’t in my position, instead of traveling to the quaint little bed and breakfast that seems even more appealing than before.
My stomach twists as we silently walk. “Is something wrong?”
He doesn’t answer; he gestures me toward a sterile-looking hallway off to the side, somewhere I could easily disappear from. A shudder runs through me as I contemplate making a break for it. To hell with traveling. I’m fine staying close to home from here on out.
Two uniformed guards flank the entrance to a room. Have I been placed on some sort of watchlist I wasn’t aware of? Did someone plant something in my bag? I’ve heard of this happening before, and I have to admit I get distracted by my phone and computer when I’m waiting to board a flight. It wouldn’t be that difficult to sneak something into my bag if the person was quick enough.
I silently curse as I remember every true crime show I’ve ever watched about fake security and taking people who are never to be seen again. That doesn’t happen inside the US, though, does it? I’m led through the door into a small windowless room with a metal table and plastic chairs. The man asks for my ID.
He asks where I’ve flown from, where I’m staying, do I have more luggage, what I’m doing in North Carolina, how long I’m staying, and on and on and on. I honestly answer every question as he tries to trip me up by repeating various questions in a different way.
By about the dozenth time I’ve answered that I’m a travel writer visiting a bed and breakfast in Beechwood Springs, and I have zero plans of overthrowing the government or transporting any exotic livestock, I’m seriously considering whether sarcasm counts as a federal offense. I’m losing patience and growing irritated as the minutes pass. How long can they keep me in this room?
“I don’t understand what’s happening here, but this seems absurd,” I finally snap.
The agent glances at me, not unkindly, but with a practiced neutrality that all government employees seem to master their first day on the job. He doesn’t crack a smile or show any emotion in his gaze.
“I’m simply following protocol, ma’am.” I mumble about being a prisoner which he chooses to ignore.
The door opens behind me with a loud click. I turn, expecting to see the police holding handcuffs, ready to haul me off to some secret prison where they’ll attempt to use torture to get me to confess to some crime I haven’t committed.
It’s not a police officer, though. That would be too predictable. It’s him, the man I’m about to stab, the man who’s about to make this a true crime episode... Wolf Young. Everything clicks into place.
He leans against the doorway with a smug smile that definitely needs to come with a warning label. I should’ve known he had something to do with this.
“Captain Wolf Young,” he says to the TSA officer. I don’t say a word, too worried I’m going to levitate from the ground and start spinning in circles if I so much as twitch right now.
“I didn’t see anything suspicious,” the agent says. “She’s all yours.” The man then departs the room as if it’s just another casual Monday.
With barely leashed control, I turn and glare at Wolf. “You did not have me detained!” I say through clenched teeth.
He doesn’t look at all worried, which tells me he doesn’t value his life all that much. “I did,” he cheerily tells me. “I asked to have you held for questions.”
“Why?” I gasp.
He’s utterly relaxed. “I had to get creative since you’re so good at running away from me. I had paperwork to finish and couldn’t chase you down the terminal.”
“So you put a security check on me?”
He shrugs. “Let’s call it a strategic delay.”
“You’re a menace to society,” I say as I stand. I’m still a bit worried about levitation, but I do have to admit the man isn’t intimidated by me. He certainly checks that box on my unrealistic list of expectations.
“You’re not the only person to tell me that,” he says with a shrug. “But, we’re both still here, and it’s clearly fate that keeps bringing us together, so we might as well roll with it.”
My mouth gapes open as I stare at him. “Do you honestly think I’m going on a date with you after this?”
“I have no doubt,” he says, not even a single hair ruffled by my wrath. The man seems unshakeable.
“You’re going to be sadly disappointed,” I tell him as I brush past him and march from the room. My bags are waiting for me with another TSA agent. I want to take my mood out on them, but it isn’t their fault. I gather my bags, then rush through the airport... with Wolf easily keeping up with me.
“I have a vehicle waiting. This way,” he says, placing his hand on my back and steering me in a new direction from the shuttle lane.
I should fight him, should punch him in his smug mouth, but somehow, I’m being led by him in a new direction. I’m furious with this man. I shouldn’t accept a ride with him. But for some strange reason my body isn’t listening to my brain.
Before I have time to stop it, my body is sliding into the passenger side of a large SUV. He thanks the man who brought it to the curb, then jumps into the driver’s seat. I’m glaring at him as I cross my arms and watch him enter the address to Beechwood Springs. What am I doing? How is this man controlling me?
He starts driving. “This is kidnapping, you know?”
He chuckles. “You voluntarily got into the vehicle.”
“Under duress.”
“You don’t seem too worried.”
“You should be the one worried; you could easily end up on an episode of Snapped before this night is over with the mood I’m in.”
He laughs hard at this, clearly not worried about his own death at my hands. I’m much stronger than I appear. He might find out how strong I truly am before this night is over.
Silence hangs over us as we roll through the hills of the North Carolina countryside, the city fading into long stretches of pine trees and charmingly crooked fence lines. My tension begins to lessen as the miles roll by. I should be more irritated, not less. He had me detained . Who does that? Apparently, a man I’ve challenged.
Wolf starts telling me a story about his first time flying solo and how he accidentally tuned the radio to a country station instead of the control tower. My lips start twitching, making it impossible to hold my irritation.
“So, I’m trying to report to the tower, and instead of airspace clearance, I’m getting Brad Paisley telling me to check for ticks.”
I choke on laughter, unable to keep it back. “Really?” I’m failing to keep my vow of silence any longer.
“Dead serious. The instructor nearly had a heart attack as he listened in, thinking I was going to crash and burn on his watch.”
“How in the world did you get your license?”
“Because I’m the best.”
“In your own head you are,” I tell him, still chuckling. I guess I can’t stay mad at this man. He’s charismatic, and it doesn’t matter that he knows it, because I’m certainly charmed.
He briefly glances at me. “You have an incredible laugh. It fills any space you’re in with joy.”
“Well, don’t get used to it,” I warn, caught off guard by his compliment. He winks at me, once again not fazed by my attempt at keeping him at arm's length. He continues telling me stories, the miles getting eaten up rather quickly.
When we turn onto a narrow gravel road and a cottage comes into view, I gasp. The bed and breakfast looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Ivy clings to the stone walls, climbing toward a steeply pitched roof with little dormer windows peeking out like sleepy eyes. A wooden sign with swirling letters says The Wild Wisteria Inn , and yellow tulips line a cobblestone walkway.
“If Snow White and the Brothers Grimm collaborated on the perfect getaway home, this would be it for sure,” I whisper, instantly enchanted. I should put on a Disney dress and sing to the woodland animals.
“It’s pretty spectacular,” Wolf agrees.
“It’s perfect,” I say.
We park the vehicle and walk through the doors to the front desk. It doesn’t take long to check in. She hands us our room keys that happen to be side by side, then offers a late dinner for us in the garden courtyard. Wolf accepts before I have the slightest chance to turn her down. I am hungry, though, I tell myself. It’s not like it’s an official date or anything.
We walk away to freshen up in our separate rooms. “Did you arrange dinner as well?” I ask.
“I plead the fifth,” he says with a wink before he disappears inside his room. I let out a sigh as I enter my own. It’s absolutely wonderful. I’m going to enjoy my stay here, and then tell the world all about this secret little paradise.
I quickly freshen up as my stomach growls, then rush back downstairs to the back of the inn, where tables are set up beneath a pergola wrapped in fairy lights. Candles flicker on a white-clothed table set for two. I feel like I’m being wooed by a romantic getaway package from every chick flick I’ve ever watched. I don’t hate it. Nope, honestly, I like it.
Wolf’s waiting at the table as I approach, and he holds out my chair. I take a seat without any fuss. The waiter quickly appears with bread and takes our drink order. I sit back as Wolf and I talk while our food is quickly served.
Roasted chicken with lemon and rosemary, grilled asparagus, and a cheesy polenta make me reconsider my stance on low-calorie food.
I don’t want to admit it, but Wolf’s a perfect dinner companion, funny, clever, and a great listener, not trying to dominate the conversation by selling himself like so many men do. As the incredible wine loosens my tongue, I tell him about my old lighthouse and secret inn blogs, and he listens as if I’m the most interesting person in the world.
Light jazz filters through the garden, and when our meal’s finished, Wolf stands and holds out his hand. I only hesitate for a moment before accepting his offer. He pulls me into his arms and we sway beneath the stars and twinkling lights, our bodies brushing in the most intimate way. I’m quickly falling under a spell that I don’t want to wake from.
“I don’t ever do this,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.
He leans back the slightest bit. “Dance?”
“Connect,” I admit, meeting his gaze. “I run away. It’s my thing.” I’m shocked to admit this to him. Wolf doesn’t look pleased as his jaw clenches slightly. He relaxes again so I wonder if I interpreted that wrong.
“I get it. I’ve done that a lot myself,” he finally says.
“Why? Do you like being a playboy?” It’s not an accusation. It’s clear he’s a bachelor and can probably have any woman he wants. He pauses for a moment as if thinking of his answer. He gives me a soft smile, the most genuine one he’s given so far.
“I’m used to women liking the idea of me, the image of me. I’m a pilot among other things. I’m flirty, confident, and not bad on the eyes. With you, though...” He trails off. He looks into my eyes as if searching for something. His gaze is intense, making my heart skip a few beats. “You haven’t fallen for any of that... and I like it.”
I don’t know what to say. These aren’t flippant words. We don’t know each other. We’ve only had two random meetings. This is only a fluke... right? I don’t want to lie so I choose to say nothing. He looks straight into my eyes as his head begins to lower. He’s moving slow, giving me a chance to turn, to stop this. But I don’t want to.
His lips brush mine, soft, coaxing, a promise for this and so much more... if I accept the offer. My breath catches, my heart thunders, those butterflies in my stomach take flight, and I don’t think they’ll ever land.
He pulls back far too soon, his lips still a breath from mine. I’m expecting him to ask me to his room. I’m not sure if I’ll accept or not. But his next words shock me to my very core.
“Think about how good we can be together,” he murmurs. He lets me go, turns, and walks away, his gait full of confidence. I take a step toward him, my knees shaky, my heart racing. I barely stop myself. What spell has this man put me under?
I stand in the moonlight, trembling like a fool who’s just been kissed by a man who might be my undoing. I’m in trouble, huge trouble, and there’s no one around who can save me... especially myself.