Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded (Summer Lake, #4) (18 page)

“I still want to go with you, if you still want to take me?”

He couldn't resist teasing her. “Oh, I want to
take
you, lady. I'll always want to do that. But apparently you're not up for it anymore. So instead I shall simply invite you to come spend the weekend with me. No sex, no obligation.” He pressed his lips together to keep the smile away. The look of disappointment on her face was the perfect confirmation of everything her kiss had told him. Maybe
not
having sex could be fun too.

***

A
s Smoke taxied off the runway and towards the hangars at Summer Lake, Laura watched the mountains grow dark. She was starting to love this place. She already loved flying in here, looking out for the lake as they flew over the mountains. Seeing it appear, shining like a fragment of broken mirror way, way below them, then watching it grow bigger and bigger as they descended. The way the mountains that looked so small rose up to meet them, and then huddled around them like protective giants once they were on the ground. Her mind strayed back to the house they'd looked at last weekend. That would be something—to buy that place and work from there. She'd have the little store at Four Mile whenever they got done building it. Smoke's voice filled her head through her headset.

“Would you like to have dinner at the resort with everyone?”

She turned to look at him. She'd assumed they'd be going to the cabin, by themselves.

He was giving her that wicked grin of his. “No sex, remember?”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but said nothing. He was enjoying this way too much. They'd agreed that they needed to talk, but that it was better to wait until they got up here to do so. She was hardly going to say anything while he was flying and he'd said if they were going to leave they'd have to be quick about it. There was a weather front coming through and they'd have to get out ahead of it.

Now she had a feeling he was going to play this for all it was worth and make her regret ever having implied that he only wanted her for sex. Just being around him again reassured her that wasn't true. And the way he'd kissed her in the parking lot? That had told her so much more than words ever could!

“I think we probably should, don't you?”

He shrugged innocently. “I said we might stop in, but I'm sure no-one really expects us to join them. We could go home and...just talk.”

“You know damned well that's not what I mean, you wicked man,” she said with a laugh. “I think we should go out for dinner with the gang, because the minute we are alone you are going to torment me and make me pay for doubting your intentions. Aren't you?”

Smoke shut down the engines and took his headset off. He waited until she'd taken hers off then put his hand on her thigh as he unfastened her belt for her. “You still have such a low opinion of me don't you, lady? It's just that I understand your concerns and would like to do my best to prove you wrong.”

Just the feel of his hand had her wanting him. And he knew it. This was going to be torture!

She followed him out of the cockpit and waited as he let down the steps. “Dinner at the resort it is then. I hope the band is playing ’til really, really late.”

He grinned at her. “Me too. Dancing will be fun.”

She tried to glower at him, but she couldn't help laughing.

***

T
he band was playing when they got there, and the place was packed. Laura had thought it might be quieter since the summer season was definitely over, but it seemed that Ben had managed to build a regular base of weekend visitors that came year round. Of course there were plenty of locals, too. She spotted the gang. They were sitting inside tonight, having pushed a couple of the high top tables together to make room for everyone.

“Hey you two!” shouted Pete. “Glad you decided to come, we saved you a couple of seats.” His lips quirked up in a knowing smile as he shook Smoke's hand. Laura had to wonder what that was about.

“I thought you were going to London this weekend?” Missy was looking at her, puzzled.

“Not ’til Sunday night. I wanted to come up here first.”

Smoke caught her eye and shook his head with the briefest flash of that evil smile.
Oh, God.
She hoped he wasn't saying he wasn't going to make her
come
up here. She was so over her doubts and all she really wanted was to get back to the cabin with him.

He pulled out a stool for her to sit, then leaned against the back of it, standing close enough that she could feel the heat of his body. He really was planning on tormenting her. He rested his arms against the back, and leaned his head over her shoulder, making her body heat up with need. At the same time he was making it clear to everyone that the two of them were together.

Emma smiled at her. “You will be back in time for the fundraiser won't you? I'm so excited that we're all going!”

Laura nodded. “I will. I'm looking forward to it too.” She felt Smoke lean a little closer—apparently so was he. She looked around for, Ben, wanting to ask him about Leanne. She hoped they would have a good time together, but was concerned that Leanne might be a bit much for him—she was such a strong personality. She couldn't see him anywhere.

“Hey, Dan. Leanne sends her best. She came into the store the other day and we had coffee.”

Dan grinned. “I must call her. Did she tell you she's coming to the fundraiser, too?”

“Yep, she's excited.” Laura didn't know if the others knew about the plan with Ben, so she didn't mention it.

Jack looked at Smoke. “And you're really not flying that night?”

Laura turned to look up at him. She was surprised when he rested a hand on her shoulder. “No. I'm not working it. I'm bringing my lady.”

He certainly knew how to go for effect! Her three girlfriends grinned happily at her while Jack and Pete both looked at Smoke in shock.

Michael stepped in to fill the silence. “Blimey, guys. Don't look at him like that. So, he wants the night off to focus on his girl instead of playing air taxi for you.” He winked at Laura. “It's hardly surprising!”

Laura was liking him more all the time. “What about you?” she asked. “Are you coming?”

He hung his head and looked out at them sideways. “Nah. Nobody loves me, darl'. Just call me Cinders. I'll stay home, all alone, while you all go to the ball.”

Missy gave him a push. “Michael Morgan! Stop going for the sympathy vote. If you'd stop putting moves on women that are already spoken for and try finding one of your own then you could come too! There's still time.”

Michael laughed. “Not for me there's not. I'm destined to remain forever alone. I never get the girl. I just act as a catalyst to help other guys get it together.” He grinned at Dan, then looked up at Smoke. “Isn't that right, mates?”

Ben appeared at that moment and sat down next to Michael. “Sorry guys. Seems that everything that can go wrong is going wrong tonight. How's everyone doing? What am I missing out on?”

Michael looked at him. “We're missing out on this big party they're all going to, mate. Unless we can find a couple of hot chicks to invite.”

Missy laughed. “Ben's not missing out, it's just you.”

Ben grinned. “Yeah, Dan already set me up, with a stunner apparently.”

Michael shook his head and gave an exaggerated sigh. “What did I tell you? Just call me Cinders.” He looked at Dan, “And with all I've done for you, you didn't find me one?”

Dan laughed. Laura loved seeing the way he'd come out of his shell so much since he'd started coming up here. “Sorry, Michael. Bad timing I guess. Although,” he looked at Missy, “isn't that when your friend is going to be in LA? We could invite her as Michael's guest?”

Laura was surprised at the look Missy gave Dan. It seemed she didn't like the idea one bit.

“Which friend?” asked Emma.

It was obvious Missy really was not happy about this. Instead of looking at Emma when she spoke, she looked directly at Ben. “Charlotte is coming over from England. We're planning to meet up.”

Talk about a bombshell! Laura had no idea what it was all about, but all the color drained from Ben's face. Emma and Pete were both looking at him with a mixture of panic and sympathy and Missy looked like she might cry. “I'm sorry, hon. I was going to tell you.”

Michael looked at Ben, apparently trying to make him smile. “No need to look like that, mate. I'll trade you. I'll take your stunner and you can take Charlotte.”

Ben stood up. “You know,” he looked at Dan. “That's a better idea. Let Michael take Leanne. I'll probably end up getting stuck here with something anyway and not be able to make it. I'd better go check on the kitchen.” He turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving them all staring after him.

Pete looked at Missy. “Are you going after him, or should I?”

Missy was already on her feet. “I'll go. I was going to get him on his own and tell him, I just haven't had a chance yet.”

Dan looked miserable. “I'm sorry, Miss, I had no idea.”

Laura's heart melted a little, seeing the way Missy reassured him with a hug. “It's not your fault, Danny. You couldn't have known. I'll be back.” She went after Ben. She may only be tiny, but she parted the crowd like Moses in her determination.

“Is he okay?” Holly asked Pete.

“He will be.”

Pete looked at Emma. “Did you know she was coming?”

“Miss had mentioned a while ago that she might be over this fall. We'd talked about maybe getting together in the city. She was hardly going to come up here.”

Pete nodded.

Michael looked around. “So I guess I screwed up there! I thought he'd be glad to take Charlotte.”

Emma shook her head. “You missed a lot after you left for Australia.”

“Yeah, I gathered! What's the deal? ”

“She's married,” said Pete.

“Ah!”

“Are you sure?” asked Dan. “Missy didn't mention a husband coming. Just that Charlotte was.”

Emma nodded sadly. “Oh, he'll be coming.”

“So what's the story?” asked Jack “Is anyone going to explain it to those of us who didn't grow up here?”

Pete shook his head. “Not me. It's Ben's story. It's up to him if and when it gets told.”

Laura listened to the exchange, hoping that Ben was okay, and that Missy would talk him into coming to the fundraiser anyway.

T
hey left the pickup in the square and took the waterfront path back to the cabin. Smoke slung an arm around her shoulders as they walked. She smiled up at him.

“I feel so bad for Ben. I don't know what the story is, but he looked devastated.”

Smoke nodded. “Poor guy. It sucks when the past sneaks up on you out of the blue like that.”

“That sounds like the voice of experience?”

“It is.” He really did not want to go there right now, even though he knew that if he was going to keep seeing Laura, he'd have to someday.

“But you don't want to talk about it, right?”

“Right.” They walked on in silence. His arm tightened around her shoulders. “We'll get around to it, gorgeous, but not tonight, huh?”

She nodded. “You're right, not tonight. Seeing the way Ben looked, I don't feel like opening up old wounds either.”

“So, are you going to tell me your story someday, too?”

She nodded. “It looks like that's where we're headed, doesn't it? But we can do it when we're ready.”

Smoke stopped walking and took her face between his hands, kissing her deeply. When they came up for air she was breathless, but looked puzzled. “What was that for?”

He planted a kiss on her forehead and took her hand as he started walking again. “Just for being you.”

The smile on her face had his chest buzzing with that happy feeling again. She wasn't like any other woman he'd ever known. Well, he hadn't really known many, other than physically. In fact he'd only really known one. And Laura was sure as hell turning out to be nothing like
her
. He was starting to think that maybe Pete was right. That everything he had thought a woman wanted and needed was based on Anabel's twisted ideas, and not on reality.

When they got to the cabin, he unlocked his door and let Laura step in ahead of him. He couldn't help but watch her ass sway as she walked down the hallway in those heels. He took a deep breath and adjusted his pants before following her. He wasn't going to have sex with her again until she begged him. He knew she would. Part of it was about making her pay. He'd already done so much for her that he'd never done for a woman before. Part of him resented that she couldn't see that, and was hurt that she could doubt his motives. Another part of him understood completely and wanted to reassure her. He could satisfy both those parts by making her want him so badly she would beg for it. Then he would thoroughly satisfy her—and himself—and the issue would be settled.

She stood in the kitchen, leaning back against the counter, smiling her sexy smile. “So, Captain Hamilton, you've got me here, and we've already established that we don't want to talk, so what do you suggest we do?”

Jesus, he was going to need some will power if he was going to be able to see this through. He stepped towards her, caging her there with his arms, just like he had that first night. He felt her body respond, going soft, yielding to him as he leaned his weight against her. He brushed his lips over hers and then stood back.

“I thought perhaps a glass of wine on the deck?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “If that's what you want.”

This would be fun—if he could keep it up. He brought the bottle and a small box outside, then poured just one glass. It was much chillier now; the seasons were changing. “I'll go get us a blanket.”

When he returned she was sitting huddled on the sofa hugging herself against the cold. “Come here, that's my job.” He sat down next to her and wrapped the blanket around them. “Better?”

She snuggled against him and nodded. “A little. I think shared body heat is supposed to help, isn't it?”

He laughed and hugged her to him, rubbing her arms briskly. “How's that.”

She looked up into his eyes and pouted. “It's not quite what I was hoping for.”