Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded (Summer Lake, #4) (2 page)

She turned to face him with a smile. “I am, but all we've got time to do is head to Summer Lake for Missy's party. I really wanted to show you round San Francisco before we had to leave.”

Smoke stepped towards her. She was tall, and in those heels her eyes were almost level with his. “It's you I want to get to know, Laura, not San Francisco.”

She smiled and took a step towards him, too. “We'll have to see what we can do about that, won't we?”

He wanted nothing more than to pull her to him and kiss her. From the way she was smiling at him, he got the impression she was hoping he would.
Damn.
He couldn't though. He was working. He reached down and took her bag. “We will,” he said. “Once we get to Summer Lake.”

A look of disappointment crossed her face before she followed him into the building.

He let her climb the steps of the plane ahead of him, his gaze fixed on her perfect ass. Did they really have to go to Summer Lake? Smoke would rather stay here, take her out to dinner, just the two of them—and see where the night went. He secured the door ready for takeoff. Laura sat in one of the big club seats.

“Wouldn't you rather sit up front with me?” he asked. It was only a short hop up to the lake, but he'd waited so long to be able to see her again. He wanted her close, not back here.

“Would that be alright?” She looked thrilled.

“Seems like it's the only way I'm going to be able to get you alone.”

She smiled and stood up. “Hopefully not the only way, but it'll do for starters.”

He let her into the cockpit. Once she was settled in the right seat, he pulled the seat belt down over her shoulder and clasped it to the lap strap before buckling her in. He watched her breasts rise and fall, pleased to see that their proximity was clearly affecting her in the same way it was him. He placed the headset on her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her gaze was fixed on him as he deliberately brushed her cheek before adjusting the mouthpiece for her. He closed his eyes and forced himself to sit down, buckle in to his own seat, and focus on the job at hand. It may only be a short hop, but he needed to focus.
Fly the damned plane, Smoke!

***

L
aura kept quiet until they were up in the air. Fascinated, she listened as first the tower then Air Traffic Control gave him instructions, and watched as he input numbers and adjusted settings. She found it incredibly sexy to watch his big, capable hands working the instruments. She hoped that someday soon she'd feel those hands on her.

He turned to her. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Just admiring a cool, calm professional at work.”

He smiled as the ATC's voice came through the headset and he turned his attention back to the instruments to adjust course.

She'd been starting to think that Smoke was destined to be just a fantasy for her. Ever since they'd met, that day the girls came shopping, it seemed that events had conspired to keep them apart. There had been plenty of opportunities, but all they'd managed were a few snatched moments here and there. A quick hello with the whole gang around, or a plan to meet that got messed up by one of their schedules changing. She'd been so grateful to her cousin Dan when he'd arranged it so Smoke would be spending a few days in San Francisco before flying her up to the lake for Missy's birthday party. Yet again it had been another missed chance. The people from Levy had shown up on Thursday morning and she'd spent every waking moment of the last three days with them. It was a huge honor that they wanted to work with her. They were one of the few remaining family-held diamond companies and they wanted her to design an exclusive line of jewelry for them. It was a fantastic opportunity, and one that would give her chance to travel to London. She'd get to meet their design team and spend some time in their flagship store there. She just wished they could have arrived next week, instead of coming to town on the only couple of days Smoke could be there. It couldn't be helped though. She'd just have to make the most of the chance they had now. She smiled to herself, glad that she'd decided to spend the week at the lake instead of just the weekend. She hadn't mentioned that yet, though; she'd see how tonight went first.

She listened to Smoke talk into his headset as they made their final approach to Summer Lake. The water sparkled and the mountains huddled together as the sun sank behind them. It was so beautiful up here. However things went with Smoke, it would be great to spend the week here to relax and let her creative mind get to work on design ideas for this new line. She looked across at Smoke, who was concentrating on making the landing. She wondered how much she'd get to see of him while she was here.

He shot her a smile as he taxied the plane towards the FBO building. “Are you okay with getting changed into your costume here?”

She nodded. She wasn't normally one for costume parties, but she was excited to wear the angel outfit she'd picked up—she knew how good she looked in it. And Smoke, in cowboy gear? Yes, please! Though she doubted it could be any hotter than his pilot's uniform. “Yeah. Em and Jack will probably be waiting so it'll be a quick change and off to the Boathouse, I expect.”

Smoke grinned. “I hope you're going to dance with me.”

“You bet I am.” She held his gaze. “As long as nothing else comes up. It seems every time we try to do anything together, something else comes up to stop us.”

The look Smoke turned on her as he shut the engines down set Laura's heart racing. “Something might come up, Laura. But nothing is going to stop me from dancing with you tonight.”

That look made her think the dancing he was talking about was the horizontal kind. Although that wouldn't be happening tonight, she hoped that it would happen at some point in the not too distant future. The way his gray eyes were boring into her, all she could do was nod. No, it wouldn't happen tonight.... That would be too soon...wouldn't it?

“Come on,” he said, nodding through the window to where Jack and Emma were standing outside the building. “We can't keep them waiting.” He rested a hand on her thigh as he unbuckled her belt. “Much as I would like to. Let's get in there and get changed.”

She nodded up at him.

“Be warned though. Once I'm out of this uniform, I'm off duty. My ability to remain cool, calm and professional may just evaporate.”

“Oh, I hope so,” she said with a smile.

***

“S
o, tell me about the diamond people,” said Emma. “It sounds so exciting, but it's a pity they had to show up this week.”

Laura nodded. It was. “It wasn't the best timing,” she agreed, “but it is a wonderful opportunity. They want me to design a new line for them, and it will mean at least one trip to London.”

They were sitting at one of the big picnic benches out on the deck, where Emma had dragged her so she could meet Missy's brother, Chance. Dan was out here too, but Laura kept glancing back inside to where Smoke stood talking with Jack. She hoped tonight wouldn't be yet another missed opportunity. She looked up as a hand came down on her shoulder.

“Hey, Laura. Glad you could make it.”

“Hey, Ben. How are you?”

“I'm great.” He handed her an envelope. “Your key is in there and I had the guys take your bag down to your cabin. I think you'll like it. I gave you one of the ones down by the water.”

“Aww, thanks, Ben. You didn't need to do that.” Laura was thrilled; she'd booked a room at the lodge, not a cabin.

“I didn't need to, no. But I checked when you called about staying the week and there was one available. I thought you might enjoy it.” He gave her a mischievous grin. “You can thank me when you leave. If I did the right thing.”

She looked at him, puzzled, but he just gave a shrug before heading back inside.

“You're staying the week?” asked Emma.

“Yeah, sorry I didn't tell you. I just decided after talking to the Levy guys. It's a good week for me to take a little break, start thinking about this new line and catch up with you guys.” Of course she was also hoping she'd get to see some more of Smoke too.

“You could have stayed with us.”

“I know. Thanks, Em. I wanted some alone time though. I've been under a lot of pressure these last few weeks. You don't mind, do you?”

Emma smiled. “Of course not. I understand. This is a great place to decompress. As long as you know you're welcome at our place any time.”

“I do. Thanks.” Laura's attention had drifted back to Smoke. Was he ever going to come out here?

Emma dug her in the ribs. “Can you at least pretend to be listening to me?” she said with a laugh. “He'll be out here soon enough.”

“Sorry, am I that obvious?”

“'Fraid so, but I can't say I blame you. You still haven't had chance to spend any time with him, and now Jack's got him cornered. Tell you what, I'll go and get Jack and bring them out here.”

She was up from her seat and gone before Laura could reply.

***

“S
o, it didn't work out for you this week?” asked Jack.

Smoke shook his head. He was treading carefully around Jack when it came to Laura. Jack was a good friend, had been since college, but he was also Laura's cousin. Smoke knew he was very, perhaps overly, protective of the women in his life.

As if reading his mind, Jack grinned. “Well, you get to see her tonight. I'll do my best to leave the two of you alone and not hang around and chaperone. You know what I'm like, though.”

Smoke nodded again as Emma appeared at Jack's side and put a hand on his arm.

“Will you leave the poor guy alone, Jack. Laura's sitting out there all by herself.”

Smoke laughed as Jack turned to scowl at Emma.

“
You
dragged her out there so you could see Chance!”

Emma hung her head. “I thought you'd follow us.”

Jack wrapped his arms around her. “And why would I follow my wife just to watch her throw herself at another man?”

Emma wriggled and laughed, but Jack wouldn't let go as he laughed with her. She looked at Smoke. “I'd make a break for it if I were you. I think I can keep him distracted for a while.”

Smoke grinned and left them to it. He quickened his pace when he saw the guy they'd called Chance lean in to talk to Laura. That was all he needed—to have some good looking cowboy make a move on her now!

He reached the table and stuck his hand out in front of Chance. “I'm Smoke. Nice to meet you,” he said as he slid onto the bench next to Laura and put an arm around her shoulders.

While Laura's smile was filled with surprise, Chance's was one of understanding. “You too, Smoke,” he said with a nod. “Nice talking to you Laura.” He stood up and disappeared into the crowd.

Laura shook her head. “Smooth, Smoke! Not subtle, but smooth.”

He laughed. “I can't afford subtlety at this point. No way is some guy making a move on you tonight.”

She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Not unless it's me, anyway.”

“Less smooth.” She laughed.

“Tell you what, how about you come dance with me. I'm real smooth on the dance floor.” He was relieved when she stood to join him. All he wanted to do was hold her against him, feel her gorgeous body moving with his. The dance floor was as close as he was going to get. For now.

His throat went dry when she reached her arms around his neck. He placed his hands on her waist, holding her just a little away from him as they swayed to the music.

“Are you keeping me at arm’s length?” she asked, her smile teasing.

“I think I have to.” If he held her to him the way he wanted to, she'd know the dance floor wasn't where he really wanted to be. The angel costume she was wearing barely covered her ass and her endless legs seemed even longer in another pair of sexy heels.

“What are you afraid of, Smoke?”
Damn
, she really enjoyed teasing him, her eyes sparkled with mischief. She knew damned well what she was doing.

He chose to ditch subtlety completely. “The only thing I'm scared of is scaring you off before I get into your panties.”

She arched an eyebrow. “I don't scare easy.”

“Good,” he breathed as he closed his arms around her. He drew her closer until they were touching from knees to chests.
God,
she felt so good!

The little pink stains appeared on her cheeks, but she tightened her arms around his neck. Lifting her chin, she pressed herself against him. “And this is supposed to scare me?”

“Hell, no! It's supposed to make you want me.”

She was tormenting him as she moved to the music, rubbing her hips against his. She brought her lips up to his ear and whispered. “It's working.”

***

B
y the time they made their way back outside the gang had grown to the point where they'd had to pull two picnic benches together. Smoke enjoyed hanging out with these guys. It was a good thing he did since it was looking like Summer Lake was now going to be his new home base, not Santa Monica. Jack was already living up here and Pete was spending most of his time here too, even though his house wasn't finished yet. If he stayed with the Phoenix Corporation, Smoke could see himself living here quite happily.

He watched Laura jump up to join the other girls. Where were they off to? He'd been lost in thought. He watched as the guys followed them. Seeing the girls climb up on the bar to dance, he grinned and headed over there too.

How the hell could she dance in those heels, and on the bar too? He envied Pete, who was pawing at his girl's legs. Smoke wanted to paw at Laura. What he really wanted to do was get her down from the bar and take her back to his cabin. He tried to get a grip as the song came to an end. Dan was lifting Missy down. Pete and Jack had their girls. Hell, he wasn't going to miss a chance like this. He stood in front of Laura and reached his arms up to her, and she let him lift her off the bar. He held her up high for a moment, then loosened his grip so that she slid down his front 'til her feet hit the floor.

The way she smiled at him, he didn't care where they were, or who they were with, he needed to kiss her. He lowered his head, but a hand on his collar dragged him away. Dan and Jack were up on the bar now and Ben was pushing Pete and pulling Smoke to join them. As he danced and clowned around up there, Laura's eyes never left him. When the song ended and Dan and Jack started line dancing to some country song, Smoke jumped down. All the girls watched, transfixed as Chance joined the Benson boys. Hmm, maybe that country stuff wasn't as corny as he'd thought. It certainly seemed to do it for the ladies.