Tempted and Taken, page 8
This afternoon, fate had given her the middle finger, ensuring she had more than enough time to grab the stupid laptop.
She sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand, determined she wasn’t going to cry or throw something or both. God, she really wanted to do both, wanted to pitch the mother of all fucking temper tantrums.
Sliding the strap of the laptop case over her shoulder, she left her office, locking it behind her, trying to ignore the way her knee was screaming at her. Every time she bent it a little bit too much, it started to bleed again. She needed to sit down and clean it up, but she’d decided to stop here before heading back to her apartment. Because once she got there, there was no way the tears weren’t going to start flowing, and once they started, she feared they wouldn’t stop until tomorrow.
“Liza?”
She turned at the sound of Charles’s voice.
“Shouldn’t you be on a plane to Hawaii?”
Liza started to reply—but then Matt stepped out of Charles’s office.
She hadn’t seen him since the day they’d decided the one-night stand and New Year’s kiss had been one-offs. Matt had made his choice—though she couldn’t for the life of her understand why he would choose Patricia. She’d spent too much time the past three weeks trying to figure it out, and all she could come up with was perhaps he preferred to date rich women so that he wasn’t in danger of falling for a gold digger—not that she was one. It was twisted logic, but somehow it was easier to swallow that bitter pill than accept that she’d come in second place after Patricia Eddington.
“Hello, Liza.” Matt’s gaze slid down, taking in her torn, muddy jeans.
“Hey.” She waved somewhat awkwardly, as the laptop case slid off her arm and she almost dropped it.
“Are you okay, Liza?” Charles asked. “Why aren’t you on the plane?”
“Because Murphy’s Law decided today was my day.”
Charles frowned. “Oh dear. What does that mean?”
Maybe someday, many, many years from now, she could find the humor in this situation and get a few laughs out of the story, but today was not that day. “I got a later start than I wanted to, leaving for the airport. My suitcase broke.”
The pull bar on her suitcase had broken just as she was on her way out of the apartment, the whole thing sliding out completely, making it utterly useless. She’d considered saying fuck it and dealing with the broken bag, but it had been heavy—she’d overpacked—and too awkward to drag without the handle, so she’d decided to repack everything in a different case, which had taken some time.
“Then I got a flat on the highway.”
“Were you able to call someone for help?” Matt asked.
Liza scowled. “Why would I call someone? I’m perfectly capable of changing a tire.”
“That could have been dangerous,” Matt said, frowning.
She blew off his concerns. “My oldest brother, Bruno, is a mechanic. He’s also the one who taught me how to drive. He flat-out refused to put the key to the ignition in my hand until I learned how to change a tire, check the water and oil, and a few other things he insisted I had to know in order to be safe on the road.”
Charles smiled, clearly amused. “That’s a fine big brother you’ve got. Every teen should have such a good driving instructor. I must confess, I don’t have a clue how to change a tire. It’s why I belong to AAA.”
“Blasphemy,” Liza joked.
Matt wasn’t as amused. “Did you get the tire changed?”
She nodded. “Eventually. But one of the nuts was tight as shit and the ground was slick, thanks to the couple inches of snow we got last night.” She gestured to her ripped jeans. “I fell trying to loosen it and tore my jeans, skinned my knee.”
“Your knee is still dirty, Liza. You need to clean that up.” Matt was looking down at her injury.
“Yeah. I will when I get home.”
“I’m guessing all of this is leading up to you missing your flight,” Charles said.
She tapped her nose. “You got it in one. I got to the airport, checked my bags, but because the universe hates me, the security line was a hundred and fifty miles long. By the time I got through and ran to my gate, I could see the plane backing away from the terminal.”
“There wasn’t another flight?” Charles asked.
“The next available flight is the same time tomorrow, so I’ve lost a day in Hawaii and my luggage, torn my favorite jeans, I’m flying standby—which means I won’t get a wink of sleep all night worrying—and… Screw it.” She shrugged. “I’m going home and falling into a bottle of wine. Maybe two. Then I get to try all of this again tomorrow.”
Apparently, her tale of woe was boring Matt, who’d pulled his cellphone from his pocket to text.
She shot a dirty look at the top of his head, then turned her attention back to her boss. “I forgot my laptop yesterday, so, since I have plenty of time, I thought I’d swing by and grab it.”
Charles shook his head. “I told you not to work. It’s a vacation.”
She nodded, not bothering to argue. She was too depressed.
Charles placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Liza. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip. And while I know it sucks now, losing one day isn’t so bad. You’ll be on that beach drinking cocktails before you know it.”
If there was one thing she loved about her boss, it was his optimism. But right now, and for the first time ever, it was grating on her nerves. She wanted to treat herself to the pity party of the century, so the last thing she needed was someone trying to make her feel better.
“Thanks,” she muttered. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
If I ever get there, she silently added.
She was surprised when Matt followed her to the elevator, the doors sliding closed behind them. “Is your meeting over?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m finished for the day. Just needed to confer with Charles on one thing, and now, I’m on my way to the airport.”
She gave him a sidelong glance, trying to decide if he was joking. “The airport?”
He nodded. “My driver is downstairs waiting for me. I was wondering if you would like to come with me?”
“To the airport? I told you, the next flight isn’t until tomorrow.”
“But my private jet is leaving for Hawaii within the next two hours.”
“You’re going to Hawaii?” If this was a joke, Liza didn’t get it.
“I’ve been invited to the same wedding as you.”
“Arnold and Johnnie’s?”
There’s no way in hell Arnold wouldn’t have told her that he’d included Matt on the guest list. Unless…
Oh God. Unless he was playing matchmaker.
“I didn’t realize you and Arnold were so close,” she mused.
“To be honest, I didn’t realize it either. I was surprised when he called to invite me. I’d intended to give my regrets, but Arnold Jackson is the most persuasive man I’ve ever met. Only surpassed by—”
“Johnnie,” she interjected.
“They’ve invited me out to dinner a few times since New Year’s. They’re really good company.”
Liza was going to have a long heart-to-heart with Arnold when she got to Hawaii because her friend had clearly been holding out on her. Then she pictured Johnnie and Matt having dinner together. “Johnnie must love you,” she said with a grin.
Matt narrowed his eyes, catching her drift. “He’s a shameless flirt.”
“Let me guess, he’s trying to convince you to bat for the other team.”
Matt sighed. “It would be annoying if it wasn’t so damn funny.”
Liza had to admit he’d summed up Johnnie perfectly, which meant he really had spent some quality time with the two men.
“Anyway, Arnold wouldn’t take no for answer, so here I am. On my way to Hawaii,” Matt said.
“Beats the hell out of Philly in mid-February.”
“It really does. I’m afraid I’m on a tight timeline because my flight schedule is locked in, so there’s no time for you to take your car home.” The two of them stepped off the elevator and crossed the foyer to the exit.
Liza blinked a couple of times. “You were serious about me coming with you?”
“Of course I was. Why would you wait an extra day when I can get you there today?”
Part of her thought she should say no. They had agreed to maintain a professional relationship and nothing more. And by they, she meant him. Because she had wanted to expand on the one-night stand.
But Matt had chosen Patricia.
Shit.
Patricia.
There was no way in hell Liza was hopping on a plane for fifteen hours with that woman.
“I don’t think it’s such a good idea.”
Matt tilted his head, clearly surprised she was turning him down. “Why not?”
“To be perfectly honest, I can’t spend fifteen minutes with Patricia, let alone fifteen hours.”
“Patricia isn’t coming.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure what to make of that. Patricia didn’t seem like the type of woman to turn down a trip to Hawaii.
“Will your car be okay if you leave it here?” It felt like Matt was taking the decision away from her.
“Bruno can come get it,” she said. “He was going to replace the spare with a new tire anyway.” She’d called her brother right after missing her flight to see if he could do it tonight, as she thought she was going to be making another trip to the airport tomorrow.
“Very good. Is there anything else you need from your car?”
She shook her head. “No, my luggage is already en route, so this is all I have.” She lifted her shoulders, gesturing that she was good to go with just her purse and laptop.
“Great.” Matt pointed to a large black SUV waiting by the curb. The driver had gotten out and opened the back door.
Liza thanked him, climbing in, as Matt crossed behind the vehicle and took the bucket seat next to her rather than riding shotgun.
The first thing she noticed when the two of them were closed in together in the backseat was the way he smelled. God, she loved the cologne he wore. She’d noticed it the night of the gala when they’d been dancing. There had to be some sort of aphrodisiac mixed in with the scent, pheromones or something, because damn if it didn’t get her motor revving.
She was glad she’d tossed her vibrator into her luggage at the last minute. She had considered leaving it at home, but her sex drive had kicked in big-time these days, and now that she knew Matt was going to be walking around the same Hawaiian resort, she was going to need a way to burn off the excess hormones.
Matt pulled out his phone, texting. “Let me confirm with the flight crew, tell them there will be another passenger.”
Oh my God.
What the hell was she doing? The reason she’d excelled at maintaining a professional relationship with the man was because she hadn’t seen him since that day in his office. To be honest, their paths rarely crossed, so she figured she’d have at least a couple months to get her act together before having to face him again.
Three weeks hadn’t been enough time. Nowhere near enough.
She still spent practically every waking hour thinking about him, lusting over him. This flight—hell, this whole week—was going to test her, tempt her.
Matt tucked his phone away. “All good. I assume you got a room in the hotel Arnold suggested.”
“Yes. You?”
“I was fortunate to be able to reserve an oceanfront suite, considering it was such short notice.”
She snorted. “Of course you got a suite.”
Matt’s smile was smug. “When I travel, I like to do it right.”
“Well, I don’t do it wrong,” she countered. “I just do it on a budget. Since private planes and fancy suites are out of my price range, I’m forced to fly economy and make do with a plain old hotel room.”
Matt pretended to shudder. “Economy?”
She smacked his shoulder. “Snob,” she teased. “Oh shit, let me text Bruno really quick about the car.” She grabbed her phone from her purse, firing off a text to her big brother, asking if he could tow her car back to his garage.
Her brother’s response was immediate.
Get an earlier flight?
Yes
She skipped over the finer details, like she was going on a private plane with Matt Russo. Because that information would go over like a lead balloon.
I’ll take care of the car. Safe flight.
She loved her big brother. He always had her back. She sent back a heart emoji and put her phone away.
“All taken care of?” Matt asked.
Liza nodded.
The rest of the trip to the airport was made in silence as Liza gave herself the mother of all pep talks, reminding herself that Matt was dating a woman she found abhorrent, that he was uninterested in pursuing anything with her, and that—goddammit—she was a professional. Or, at least, she was playing one on TV.
Because her thoughts of Matt were anything but professional as she snuck a glance at him. It was hard to keep her attraction to him under control now that she knew what he looked like underneath his bespoke Tom Ford suit. That knowledge was hell on her libido.
Forcing herself to stop looking at the pretty man, she realized they weren’t headed to Philadelphia International.
“Where are we going?”
“Northeast Philadelphia. That’s where my jet is.”
Jesus. She couldn’t imagine how much it must cost to own and park a private jet.
When they arrived at the airport, the SUV drove right onto the tarmac, coming to a stop next to a jet. It was larger than she’d imagined. Liza had done a bit of traveling when she was in her early twenties, though she hadn’t lied to Matt about being on a budget. Her destinations were typically a lot less exotic than Hawaii and much closer to home. As such, she was no stranger to puddle jumpers, the small planes airlines used for their shorter flights.
Matt’s jet was bigger than those planes.
“Overcompensating much?” She decided the only way to get through this trip was to keep her sense of humor firmly intact.
Matt reached over, his hand cupping the back of her neck, tugging her toward him. She forgot how to breathe when his lips brushed against her ear.
“We both know I’m not.”
He released her, and Liza felt herself weaving a bit, suddenly light-headed. This was not going to end well.
The driver opened the door for her, and it took her a moment to steady herself enough to climb out. She wondered what the chauffeur must think of her, with her lack of luggage and ripped, dirty jeans. A big chunk of hair had escaped her ponytail holder, a chilly breeze blowing it into her face. She’d broken a sweat hauling ass across the airport earlier, trying to catch her plane, so she knew she looked like a hot mess right now. Probably nothing like Matt’s typical parade of wealthy, elegant arm candy.
“Thank you,” Matt said, when the driver retrieved his luggage from the back of the SUV. Matt took the suitcase from him, then tilted his head toward the plane. “Your carriage awaits.”
“Do carriages usually fly?”
“This one does.”
She snickered then walked to the plane, climbing the stairs that had been wheeled to the open door.
Liza had only taken a few steps inside when she stopped in her tracks. “Holy fuck.”
Forced to pull up short, Matt stopped right behind her. His hand touched her lower back. “Liza. Are you okay?”
“This is your plane?”
He followed her gaze, and she could tell he didn’t seem to understand her question. “It’s just a plane.”
“Jesus, Matt. I don’t know when you last flew commercial, but this is not just a plane. This looks like something from a James Bond movie. It’s gorgeous, luxurious. Bigger than my apartment.”
Matt chuckled, then gave her a gentle push down the aisle. The flight attendant stepped out of an alcove at the front of the plane, taking Matt’s suitcase from him.
“Shall I put this in the bedroom?” the woman asked.
“That would be fine,” Matt replied.
The attendant glanced to see if Liza had anything that needed to be stowed as well. “Do you have anything you’d like me to put in the room for you?”
Liza shook her head. “No, thank you.”
The flight attendant walked away.
“There’s a bedroom?” Liza murmured, glancing at Matt, who was amused by her reaction to his bougie-as-fuck private jet.
Matt led her to an oversized seat, and she slipped her laptop case off her shoulder, placing it on a side table. Then she pulled her cross-body bag off, putting it on the floor before sitting down. Matt took off his suit jacket, draping it over the back of a nearby chair, then claimed the seat across from her.
“Dinner will be served about an hour after takeoff.” He loosened his tie. “Where do you stand on red meat? Because I’d arranged for filet mignon before I realized I’d have a guest.”
“I love steak.” Liza recalled the snacks she’d packed for her “dinner” on the flight she’d missed. She wasn’t going to have a problem pitching the ham and cheese sandwich she’d made before leaving home. “It sounds wonderful.”
“The jet can’t fly directly to Honolulu, so we’re stopping in Denver to refuel before continuing on. That’ll take about an hour.”
“Okay.”
“Then we’ll be on our way to the islands. We should, if all goes according to plan, land in Hawaii at three a.m. their time. I realize that is less than ideal, but I had several meetings scheduled for today and I couldn’t leave any sooner.”
“Lucky for me. My original flight had me getting in around eleven p.m., so being four hours late versus twenty-four hours is a gift. Matt, I really appreciate you letting me hop on board.”
“You’re helping me reduce my carbon footprint,” he said, winking shamelessly.
