CHAPTER THREE
HEATHER
Bags ready to go.
New hair style.
Sexy, flowy beach wear.
Check. Check. And check.
But what I really need is a net to wrangle the horde of butterflies taking up residence in my stomach. Miranda found me a date. She told Tamara who my “date” is, but they decided it would be more fun if I were surprised while assuring me the guy ticks off all the items on my list.
Forty minutes later, I’m fidgeting in my seat.
My heart threatens to jump into my throat with each person entering the luxurious private plane belonging to Stefan’s mysterious rich friend.
Trusting two of my closest girlfriends to have my back and help me show my ex he messed up royally has turned out to be harder than I expected.
I mean, they love me. I love them and they want the best for me, so I’m sure the guy I’m being set up with is going to be great, right?
Oh my god, where is the puke bag? The flight attendant greets someone new and I can’t look. Behind me, Tamara and Stefan are oblivious to everyone else and Ben and his girlfriend, Lucy, are laughing and carrying on.
Breathing deep, I look back toward the front of the plane. My breath freezes. On the verge of hyperventilating, somehow, I plaster a fake smile on my face.
Walking toward me, a devilish grin on his too handsome face, is Rex Stafford. A beautiful bouquet of red roses in his large hands. Not that I notice. The size of his hands, that is.
What is Miranda thinking? I haven’t seen him since I transferred out of the ER last year and haven’t thought about him since.
Well, that may not be exactly true, but she knows how I feel about heartbreaker firemen.
This one in particular. Plus, I never thought his flirting was real, just a reflex, when he directed it at me.
Watching closely as he closes the distance between us, I notice a slight limp in his stride. Dropping my gaze to his feet, I don’t see any reason for his unusual gait. Suddenly, the flowers appear in front of my face, their scent an instant balm on my nerves and my confusion.
“Hey, babe. Thanks for understanding my schedule. I brought you an early Valentine’s present.
” Rex’s smoldering gaze knocks me back into my seat as he thrusts the flowers into my hands, takes his seat, and kisses me.
A kiss so full of passion I forget everything and everyone around us.
My hands grab his shoulders and I hold on tight.
His full lips cover mine in a too quick, yet hot kiss I’ll be dreaming about for probably forever.
The butterflies in my lower belly ramp back up, triggering a rush of warmth between my thighs.
Well, I never said I wasn’t attracted to him.
I just find him cocky, almost too handsome, and definitely out of my league.
I never thought he’d really found me attractive.
But the look on his face as he pulls back… Our gazes lock, full of everything I want from any man, especially a fake boyfriend— desire with a touch of mystery and a whole lot of naughty intention.
Lost in his gaze, Tamara’s far off voice finally filters into my brain. “Aren’t you two just perfect for each other? Introduce us, Heather.”
“Huh? Oh yeah.” Turning toward the others, I make the introductions. “Everyone, this is Rex Stafford.”
Greetings ring out, except from Ben. I know his voice well enough to know he remained silent, not saying anything.
Knowing him, he was too busy sizing Rex up through a superficial lens.
Always focused on someone’s financial worth, he’s surely picking apart Rex’s casual clothes, which fit him as if they’ve been tailored for his muscular frame.
Lord, what did I ever see in my ex?
Tugging me close, Rex whispers into my ear. “Relax. We’re supposed to be in love and having incredible, non-stop sex.”
He does that chin nod thing that guys do toward Ben.
I peek at Ben to see his reaction. My ex’s gaze narrows. His lips twitch in that annoying way I’ve always hated, but all I can think is he can see right through our playacting.
Dang it. Could Ben be wondering why someone like Rex is with me? Did I blow this before even leaving the ground? Forget that.
Gazing into Rex’s handsome face, hoping I look properly smitten, or at least in heavy like with the sexy firefighter, I touch his knee, giving it a light squeeze.
Sucking in a hiss, Rex covers my hand with his. Seeing real pain in his eyes, that grimace is real.
Concern fills me. What’s going on?
“You okay?” I can’t help it. Being a nurse is all I have ever wanted to be and taking care of people, even him, will always be a priority.
“Don’t worry, Babe. My injury isn’t going to keep us from having a good time.” Winking at me, he turns to answer a question I hadn’t even heard Stefan ask.
Nope. Not gonna happen. He can forget spending the weekend using “Babe” or “Baby” with me. After we are in the air, and everyone is occupied with other things, we are so having a talk.
My first priority, however, is finding some ice water to cool the fire his touch unexpectedly ignites. Excusing myself, I walk back to the galley. Discovering a bottle of water, I down half of it in one gulp.
Someone comes up behind me, but before I can move out of the way, hands grip my hips. I spit water against the wall, going ramrod straight.
“Shh, it’s just me. I want to make sure you’re okay?” Rex splays his fingers wide, then lightly squeezes my flesh. The searing heat penetrates my clothing. I feel branded. Visions of the two of us naked on a blanket on the beach slam into me.
“Um, yeah. Fine. I’m good. Thirsty. How about you? What’s up with your leg?” Closing my eyes, embarrassed at my own rapid-fire questioning, my cheeks warm.
Awkward much, Heather? Tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, I turn to face him.
He releases his hands but doesn’t step back. His front, inches from my stomach. Sucking in a breath, I worry he’ll be put off by the softness of my middle should our bodies touch.
Looking over his shoulder, then back to me, in a low, husky whisper he says, “Long story short, my last call was to the Shanty on Main, drunk guy with a knife. Correction, drunk mountain of a guy with a knife. Doc says there’ll be no lasting damage, just need to rest it, stay away from the saltwater, and report any new headaches. ”
“Headaches? Wait, what happened besides the knife wound?” Forgetting to keep my body still, my stomach brushes against his very toned thigh.
Except that it feels different. And so not his thigh.
What I feel is his rather large, very hard erection, and just like that, my face heats.
Rex’s lips lift in another sexy grin. How many versions did he have of those?
My body betrays me, relaxing as my nipples stand at full attention, and my knees turn weak. Circling my waist, he holds me against his hard… not-a-thigh.
I may just whimper. Scratch that, I absolutely do whimper. What is going on with me? I have never felt such an instant physical connection toward a man and damn, it feels so… right.
“Excuse me, but the captain has turned on the seat belt sign and is ready for take-off. Please take your seats.” The attendant interrupts us, her knowing gaze briefly landing on where our bodies touch.
She’s probably seen a lot of couples in compromising situations, but this felt intimate and more real than fake.
“I think you can dial back the, uh, affection,” I whisper.
Peeking over his shoulder, I notice everyone settling into their seats, except for Ben, who quickly averts his eyes after I raise an eyebrow.
“I’m not sure what Miranda told you, but making out in front of everyone is not necessary.
Hand holding and gazing at me like a puppy dog will do.
I don’t expect you to actually be attracted to me. ”
In response, Rex takes one of my hands, placing it on his chest, rubbing my sensitive flesh until I try to tug my hand away. Holding tight, he refuses to let me go. Absorbing his heat, I hold his gaze in a silly standoff.
“This may have started as a favor or whatever, but make no mistake, Heather, what I feel for you has been on a slow simmer for a while. And now I get to touch you. Nothing, not even your insecurity, will keep me from showing you how good it can be between us. And right now, what is currently pressed up against all your sexy curves is very real. For you.”
My breath hitches at his words, the truth of his body’s reaction to mine sinking in.
He isn’t playing a role.
Rex is all that I requested and more to help me make my ex regret treating me so badly. And I want to believe him.
But can I? And more importantly, can my heart survive the next few days of playing a role and then walk away when it’s over?