Page 25 of The Maverick

Rachel couldn’t keep from smiling.

Nick scratched his head with one hand and had the other on his hip. “I don’t know how to fault their logic.”

She burst out laughing. “Well, since we have the okay to go on the date, how about we start there and see what happens. Where are you taking me for dinner and dancing?”

His lips quirked up at the corners. “It’s a surprise, but I know you’ll like it.”

She lifted one brow. “Oh, yeah? Sure of yourself aren’t you, Kincaid.”

“Very sure, Rachel.”

Rachel was glad he didn’t call her Bennett. She should have changed to only her maiden name when the divorce was final, but all she’d wanted was out. And she wanted to have a shared name with Jake. She thought it would be easier with the school stuff if he and Jake had the same last name. Though now that she thought about it and wasn’t just trying to get away from Greg, her last name wouldn’t matter. How many kids shared their parent’s name or step-parent’s name? She’d been ridiculous in her haste to be free.

Look how well that turned out. He followed her. Threatened her. Tried to kill her. What would she do now?

CHAPTER7

One week later, at four o’clock in the afternoon, she was dressed in her best little black dress. With twinkling crystals on the bodice, spaghetti straps and a deep ‘V’ neckline. She was glad she’d been able to go back and get more clothes for her and Jake. She knew she was supposed to attend an event for the hospital in a couple of weeks and didn’t know how long she and Jake would be here.

Rachel was ready for her date with Nick. Afraid she might be overdressed; she was glad to see Nick in a black suit with pinstripes that were almost invisible unless you were right next to him. His tie was dark red silk with black stripes set at an angle.

She held her small beaded black clutch and twirled in a circle.

“You look beautiful, Rach.”

She looked him up and down. “You clean up pretty good yourself. So, where are we off to?”

“It’s a surprise. Come on. Let’s go.”

She thought he must be taking her to some gala or fund-raiser for it to start so early.

He helped her into the Camaro, and they drove west. Finally, he pulled into the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.

“We’re flying somewhere?”

“We are.” He pulled up next to a hangar with a large plane parked outside. “The pilot’s here and ready to go. Shall we?” He went around the front of the car and opened her door.

She was careful as she got out, so she didn’t flash him. The way her dress fit didn’t allow for any type of undergarment. The dress slinked over her body like a second skin. She hadn’t wanted to buy it but Greg insisted, and then he never let her wear it anywhere. This was the first time she’d worn it out of the house.

They walked to the plane, and she was very glad her dress was for summer because the sun beat down on her. She was afraid she might sweat, and that gave her just one more thing to worry about.

Rachel was careful as she ascended the stairs, so she didn’t get a heel caught.

Once on the plane, she saw that it wasn’t like any plane she’d ever traveled on. On her left were four black leather chairs facing each other, with a small table between them. On the right, were two more chairs in the same configuration. Nick sat in one of the chairs on the left and put on his seat belt.

Rachel sat across from him and did the same. “Is this your plane?”

“It is. One of the perks of being a billionaire and having offices all over the world. Mostly, I can run my business from home, but I like to visit our other offices and keep them on their toes.” He winked as he rested his arms along the armrests and crossed his legs. Leg room wasn’t a problem even with his tall frame and long legs.

After the plane took off, the pilot came over the speakers. “We are now at our cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. You may walk about the cabin.”

Nick unbuckled his seat belt. “Are you ready for the tour?”

She unfastened her safety belt. “You bet. I can’t wait to see the rest. This is nothing like I’ve ever seen before.

He stood and held out a hand. “Come on then, my lady.”

Rachel giggled. She hadn’t done that in years and stopped herself with fingers over her lips. She took his hand. “Lead on, mighty knight.”