Page 30 of Plane Passion

Her heart melted a little at his words. He really did care about her, even if his protectiveness was misguided. “What happened to ‘death or glory’?”

“You don’t need to risk death to find glory. You’ve already found it. You have fame, wealth, acclaim. You don’t need to do this.” He punctuated each “you” with a finger tapping on the table.

“But I do. Not for the same reasons as you. You’re right, I don’t need to do this to survive or support a family. But I do need it. Challenges are what make life worth living. There’s something deep inside me that craves them. I don’t know why, but it’s who I am. If I don’t have a challenge to overcome, I’m lost. And I’ll tell you what. When you argue, it only makes me want this more. It makes the challenge richer and victory sweeter.”

Millie stared at her drink, worried that perhaps she’d been a bit too honest. She was wearing her emotions on her sleeve, and no good could come of that.

Every time their eyes met, something stirred inside her, and she didn’t like it one bit. She knew what these stirrings meant. Barney made her feel those same things not so long ago. And look what that had gotten her.

Men and their wiles. She was finished with them, no matter how her heart might betray her in Ernie’s magnetic presence. And there was far too much at stake for them both if they gave in.

“I think I should head home. It’s a long trip back to Manhattan, and we have to get up early tomorrow to fly. Thanks for the drink.” It was time to get out of here before she did something she regretted.

“It’s the best non-date I’ve ever had, despite the company.” She knew from his smile that he was teasing her.

“So rude!”

Still smiling, he shook his head. “All you’ve done is argue with me the whole time.”

“There were moments of civil small talk. I enjoyed learning about your family, for instance.”

“Can we end the evening civil, do you think?” He raised his glass. “Truce?”

She smiled back at him and raised her nearly empty glass. “Truce.”

She watched as he raised his glass to his lips and let out a quiet “mmm.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Oh, she had it bad.

In one gulp, she drank down the last of her martini, wishing it would drown out the giddy sensation she couldn’t escape when he was near.

He stood up and offered his arm. She took it with some trepidation. It was no good being so close to him. It set her body aflame in ways she swore she’d never allow again after Barney. There was nothing to do but ignore it as best she could.

She walked with him to the door, keeping an eye on the booth where their colleagues sat. Oh, no! They were getting up.

She leaned close to Ernie and whispered, “Don’t look now, but I think your friends are leaving. Let’s walk fast and see if we can lose them.”

As soon as they were out the door, they hurried to the nearest alley. He shielded her from view with his body as brisk footsteps passed them by. They waited together for a long moment, hardly breathing, her face inches from his chest. The tug between them that she’d been trying to ignore was almost painful with him up against her.

The footsteps retreated and disappeared into the night.

“You’re too close,” she said, not retreating an inch.

“Much too close,” he agreed without stepping back. His scent washed over her—soap and aftershave and man. It went straight to her head.

“You should step back,” she said, leaning in closer, making the mistake of looking up at his face. His eyes flickered with heat. Her gaze dipped to his lips. That was a mistake. They were right there…

“We both should. Why haven’t you?” His ragged breath ruffled through her hair.

“Why haven’t you?”

She stared at his lips, leaning in, caught up in forces beyond her control. “You are impossible. Do you know that, Ernie? You are⁠—”

Her lips collided with his. Oh, no. He kissed her back, hard and demanding, and she answered with equal fire. The taste of him was intoxicating—whiskey and desire. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and she parted for him, allowing him to deepen his kiss and meeting him with equal fervor.

She couldn’t be doing this. It was exactly the opposite of what she intended. She’d set out to reform him, and now she’d succumbed to him. And oh, God, surrender tasted sweet. She kissed him more furiously, as if trying to gain the upper hand. Could a kiss have a winner? If so, she was determined to emerge victorious.

No. This was madness. She had to stop. It was delirious, delicious madness. His tongue twined with hers, and she was lost. All her good intentions washed away in a wave of sensation.

His hands pressed her tight against him. She could feel the hard muscles of his chest, and the hard… Oh, my. She was almost disappointed that he didn’t run a hand up her skirt as Barney would have done. Almost.