He smiled and put his glass down, letting go of her hand. “Please, excuse me. It was a bit forward to suggest you stay with me.”

  “It’s not that, just that, well—”

  Grant placed his hand over hers again and tingles rippled across her flesh. “Just know that the offer stands.”

  What happened to the girl of moments ago throwing caution to the wind? Had she just lost an opportunity? She cast around for something else to talk about.

  “You said you had a brother?” Dared she ask more? Yep. “No significant, ah...other?”

  He raised his eyebrows, as if in surprise at her question, then shook his head.

  “How about you? Any romantic connections?”

  “No. No time and too much trouble.”

  “Trouble? How’s that?”

  Lana sighed, not really wanting to delve into it. But he’d responded to her questions, so she gave the bare minimum answer. No point going into all the gory details.

  “I’m busy trying to get my career established. Relationships conflict with the travel I have to do.” She waved her hand indicating the plane. “The perks are nice, though. First class is awesome. It’s hard to meet new people and I abhor office romances, since most of them end with cheating and lying.”

  He laughed. “Very insightful. You’ve had an offensive experience with office romance?”

  “Good God, no, but I’ve seen it and the wake of destruction it causes. I’ve had a few sketchy times with men that can’t appreciate my career path. Now I like to keep my personal and professional life separate.” She looked him squarely in the eye, curious what his reaction would be.

  The flight attendant broke the moment by setting down a delicious-looking cheese tray for them. After she strolled off, Grant still had his fingers interlaced with hers. It was only a tad awkward to nosh and drink, but the touch of him was too new and exciting, and she wasn’t ready to let him go just yet.

  A few moments later, Grant reached into his shirt pocket and pulled a leather case out. He opened it with his thumb and retrieved a card, placing it on the table.

  Lana glanced down.

  Grant Rankin

  President & CEO

  Rankin & Lean Industries

  “Take it and call any time.”

  Lana looked at him. Had she really only met him a few hours ago? It seemed as though she was with someone she’d known forever. She had to remind herself they’d just met and she didn’t know him from Adam.

  “Thank you.”

  He smiled at her and she returned it, loving the way she warmed under his gaze.

  “Do you have a card?”

  “Ah, yes. But, it’s in my luggage. What do you do for business?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing special. Enough to pay the bills and keep things exciting. Imports, acquisitions. I’m trying to grow my present business a little.”

  “Oh, really. Maybe we could talk about it sometime. I might be able to help with that.”

  He smiled and her belly tumbled over itself. Lana barely heard his reply and nodded dumbly, focusing on his kissable lips. This man was distracting her in such a sweet way. The end of this grueling trip was definitely looking up.

  A short while later, Grant excused himself and wandered back to the lavatory. It was now or never. Lana dashed back to her seat and fished for her purse. She rummaged through it, looking for the condom she knew was in there somewhere. Lana found it tucked between sanitary napkins and pushed it into her pocket. As she made her way up the aisle, the cabin was dark, the quiet broken only by the hum of the engines as the plane flew north.

  * * *

  GRANT WASHED HIS hands and looked in the mirror. He was getting sick of these overnight flights. In fact, of flying in general. But the expansion of his business demanded it. On a positive note, it allowed him to meet a variety of people. He smiled, thinking of Lana. What a treat she was. Vibrant, and bubbly, and he was pretty sure she had no idea her sex appeal was so strong. Her ambition and seemingly carefree attitude was catching, and her smoldering allure reached right inside him and hit him hard.

  He’d surprised himself by inviting her back to his house. Normally he was very cautious with women, keeping them at arm’s length until he was sure about their intentions. Which meant there hadn’t been many women coming to his home since his divorce. He thinned his lips thinking of that debacle. Thankfully he’d been wise enough with his business, investments and prenup that she’d only been able to get her hands on just over a quarter of his net worth. Fuck. Losing the assets he’d worked so hard for still burned his ass, but sometimes you had to pay to get rid of poison.

  Grant was splashing water on his face when he heard a soft knock at the door. Grabbing a towel he wiped his face and slid the lock aside. In the blink of an eye the door was open, closed, locked and Lana had her arms wrapped around his neck and her mouth on his.

  “What?” He couldn’t have been more shocked.

  She lifted her lips from his and laughed, a deep, husky sound that sent shivers down his spine and made his balls tighten. This woman was full of surprises.

  As she tipped her head sideways and smiled, he ached to kiss her glistening lips again.

  “So, are you a member of the Mile High Club?” Her seductive tone mesmerized him.

  “No. Are you?”

  She shook her head and tipped her face up, her eyes drifting closed, and in that moment Grant thought she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Pale skin, thick dark hair straight as a die hanging to her shoulders, eyes he wished she would open. He wanted to see her passion in those violet depths.

  “Then I think we should rectify that,” Grant whispered. He felt her tremble, and the flush that bloomed over her cheeks was enchanting. She opened her eyes and his breath caught. “What do you say, gorgeous?”

  She raised her hand and he looked at what she had in her fingers. He grinned and plucked the package from them. Grant guided her to sit on the sink and leaned toward her. A soft sigh escaped her when he pressed his lips to the column of her neck, the quickening throb of her pulse encouraging him.

  He circled her waist, sliding his hands up her back, pressing her to him. The fullness of her breasts against his chest made him want to rip that top off. With one hand at the back of her neck, he pushed his fingers into the silky thickness of her hair and held her head steady.

  Nibbling along her jawbone until he found her mouth, Grant ran his tongue over her lips. She opened for him and he didn’t wait, sealing his mouth on hers, his cock straining in his pants. Lana wrapped her legs around his hips, and he pushed into her heat, their clothing a frustrating barrier. He was about to reach down when she beat him to it.

  Her hands, frantic on his belt and zipper, freed him quickly. He groaned when she curled her fingers around his cock and slid them along the shaft, giving a squeeze at the tip. Reaching for her, he grasped her thigh and slid his hands up to cradle her ass, then under her skirt. He slid his fingers under her panties along her slick, swollen folds. She moaned into his mouth and Grant deepened their kiss, sucking on her tongue while he thrust his finger into her.

  With her hands on his cock and his fingers inside her, Grant knew it wouldn’t be long before they both came. The risk of discovery, being in a public place, only heightened his arousal. A quickie at 40,000 feet was a first for him and he hoped wouldn’t be the last with her.

  He lifted his head and Lana opened her eyes. They gazed at each other for the briefest moment until they turned their attention to the package he ripped open. She was nodding but not saying anything, and Grant quickly sheathed himself.

  “Yes or no?” Grant looked deep into her eyes to make sure this was what she really wanted. “There’ll be no going back in a few seconds.”

  “Wasn’t it me that got this ball rolling?” She smiled and raised her knees, giving him more access. “If I didn’t want this, I wouldn’t be here.”

  Grant held his cock and bumped gently against her opening, liking how her eyes fluttered shut and she licked her lips. Her hands rested over his on her thighs and she pulled him toward her. He needed no other invitation, with no time to woo or seduce her here in the confines of an airplane bathroom—that would come later, he would make sure of it—Grant drove deep into her waiting heat.

  He felt her hand between them, and he fucked her with deep pulsing thrusts while she swirled her fingers on her clit. She tightened around him and sucked in a breath. Instinctively he knew she was going to come so he held off his own release. Her body tensed and bucked against him. Grant closed his arms around her to hold her tight, not wanting her to hurt herself in the confines of the lavatory. Trying to keep the noise to a minimum, Grant covered her mouth with his and kissed her deeply. She cried into him as her orgasm overcame her. One final, deep thrust and Grant released into her. His legs spread wide, he braced his feet against the wall and pressed into her with an orgasm that nearly turned him inside out.

  Lana’s head fell back against the mirror. Grant got his feet back under him and disposed of the condom. Seeing Lana sprawled as she was on the counter with her knees spread wide, her glistening pussy still swollen and pink, eyes closed, chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, Grant thought he’d never seen anything more damn sexy in his entire life. He wanted her again. But not here. He would make love to her next time, not just have a quick fuck. He wanted more. To get to know her. Discover her. Explore her.

  “Come on, gorgeous, we’ve probably been in here long enough, ya.”

  Lana sat up with a sigh, blinking as if she didn’t know where she was. Grant lifted her down and fixed her skirt, then placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

  “Yes, you’re right,” she murmured.

  “Here.” Grant handed her a damp towel and she wiped her brow.

  She glanced up at him with a smile that worked its way into his heart. Yes, he definitely was going to get to know her better.

  “We’ve both been initiated. Not everyone can say they’re a member of the Mile High Club.” She laughed and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Now, can we get back to our seats without everyone guessing what happened in here?”

  2

  LANA STOOD ON the balcony overlooking water. It was a spectacular view but something was missing. She thumbed the business card in her hand and dared to think of calling Grant.

  After their tryst in the bathroom, they’d talked the rest of the flight, laughing softly in the hushed and sleeping cabin and sharing breakfast as they flew into the rising sun. She was intrigued by him and wished they could have spent more time together. The closer they flew to their destination the more upset Lana felt. Not over the fact they’d had frantic sex in the lavatory—she didn’t regret that for a minute and she hoped he didn’t, either. It was leaving him once they arrived in Honolulu that had her all twisted up inside. When they’d parted at the airport, Lana was a hot mess of emotion, which she carefully kept concealed from Grant.

  He’d taken her into his arms, held her tight and kissed her goodbye. The feel of his lips on hers still lingered, as did the tenderness between her thighs. She touched her fingers to her mouth now, reliving the moment. It had started out gentle and friendly, but in a blink of an eye he had deepened the kiss, demanding she give more to him—and she did. No words had been spoken as raw emotion ripped them both open there on the sidewalk outside the arrival terminal.

  Lana had clung to him, not wanting to let him go. When he fisted her hair as if he didn’t want to let go either, she’d melted.

  He’d offered her a lift in his chauffeur-driven vehicle. She was tempted, God how she was tempted. But she didn’t accept. After too many heartbreaks, she’d decided men were not worth the trouble of a full-blown relationship. A fling in an airplane, fine. She was thankful to Grant for breaking her sexual dry spell, getting her back in the saddle, so to speak. But this couldn’t be anything more. So she’d taken a taxi. He’d accepted her decision and didn’t press her, but she did see a flash of disappointment in his eyes.

  Grant had seen her into the cab and paid the driver before she could argue about it. He stood on the curb, a pink lei around his neck, long blond hair lifting in the sweetly scented breeze with his hand raised in farewell. Would their paths ever cross again? He’d grown smaller as they drew farther apart and she almost had the cabbie stop when the welling sense of panic seemed as if it might suffocate her.

  Now she wished she had stopped him so she could have raced right back into Grant’s arms.

  A sob caught in her throat. What the hell is the matter with me? He was just a man she’d met on a plane and had a fling with before they both moved on. A lovely distraction, this interlude with a gorgeous man. Lana studied the card. She itched to call him. He told her to call her any time, but maybe that was just in the heat of the moment. Had he meant it? Could she call him?

  Everything in her screamed yes. Was there anything wrong with a holiday fling? Technically, she wasn’t on holiday, she was on a business trip with an extended layover in Hawaii she was calling a vacation. Next week she had to meet her tetchy boss on his own layover. He would be headed to Australia with information she needed to provide. Lots of work was in front of her, so maybe it was for the best. She needed to focus on her job. Right? After all, she was climbing that corporate ladder and was only a quarter of the way up. Then again, the meeting was a week away. She had time to enjoy a few days of rest in paradise.

  Lana stayed on the balcony, staring out over endless waves. The sun sank below the horizon into a spectacular sunset. Was Grant thinking about her?

  She gripped the balcony railing, needing to pull herself out of this. It was stupid. Why should she be so upset about a man she’d met, banged and left? That was all it was. A sweet, no-strings tryst between two strangers. Yet she was overcome with a sense of loss. I still can’t believe I did that, by the way. So the chances of him being the one was remote, indeed. The tear that dripped down her cheek surprised the hell out of her and she wiped it away. Snap out of it, already. No man is worth the emotional mess. She turned her back on the glorious sunset and stepped into her room, tossed the business card on the table beside her phone and did her best to forget about both.

  * * *

  GRANT POURED HIMSELF a glass of wine. He only had a couple of Bellingham locked in the wine cooler, saving them for a special day, but decided he needed the superb taste to quell the lingering scent and exquisite taste on his tongue of Lana. Annoyed, disappointed, horny and mad as hell at himself for letting Lana go so easily, he yanked the chair around to the railing but didn’t sit. He hadn’t gone all caveman and thrown her over his shoulder, but it had taken all his control not to.

  Grant raised the glass to his nose and inhaled the fragrance. A good vintage. This trip would be chaotic, with the major meeting next week falling in between the vineyard negotiations. He wanted the ancient earth lands in South Africa something fierce. Grant swirled the glass to release the bouquet of the wine and then sipped. Delicious.

  Just like Lana. She had been a delight to talk to on the plane. Each minute they were together she’d enchanted him more. Not only did she have a sultry allure that had effectively snagged him by the balls, she was damn smart. A refreshing change. And as far as he could tell, she didn’t know who he was, which was even more intriguing. They’d talked nonstop on the long flight and he felt as if he’d known her for years. Yet, he sensed she’d been holding back. Which made him curious about her. The fact she was vehement about office flings made him cautious—not that they were coworkers. But they were both flying in for meetings and Grant thought he recognized her description of her boss. Maybe it was a coincidence, but...

  Still, he couldn’t discuss it with her due to the level of secrecy needed for this venture.

  He was still shocked that she’d come to him in the bathroom. It turned him on now to think about it. Shit, it was one of the sexiest things he’d ever experienced. The fact that it was all her doing was even more exciting and made him wonder what else was up her sleeve.

  Grant raised his glass and sipped the wine, trying to appreciate it. He watched the sky darken, revealing an explosion of stars. His surroundings faded as he relived the last kiss they’d shared at the airport. She certainly had gotten under his skin very quickly. He even missed the sound of her voice, the scent of spicy citrus coming from her dark hair, which had been like pure silk between his fingers.

  She was different, independent and not clingy. She seemed determined to do her own thing. He wanted Lana. And what he wanted, he usually got. Or took. Why hadn’t he persuaded her to come with him?

  Grant tossed back the last of the wine and slammed the goblet onto the antique koa table. The stem snapped off and he frowned. Abandoning the broken crystal, Grant rested his palms on the wood railing, an idea forming. In business he made quick decisions, able to see the pros and cons almost immediately. This decision took a bit more thought. He had to do it right. Or he’d wind up right where he was now.

  Alone. Frustrated.

  Why couldn’t he get her out of his head? Perhaps the fact that she hadn’t come with him was what set her apart. And, he had to admit, their sexual frenzy a mile high had him wanting more of her.

  “Right, then.” His mind made up, he left the lanai and grabbed the keys to the vintage Ferrari.

  Grant smiled when the roar of the engine filled the night air when he turned the key. He loved his cars. Right up there next to wine and, of course, women. He backed out of the garage, where he housed his babies, past his loaded off-road Jeep and the 1965 Porsche Speedster. The rest of his collection was at home on the Cape. Maybe if what he had planned tonight worked out, the Jeep would be in business tomorrow. Wheeling around he stepped on the gas. The tires spit the crushed shells from the driveway when he peeled out onto Ke Nui Road.