Free The Bride Who Bailed by Misty Carrera Page B

wanted him to shut up, and half of me would have listened to him read the phone book. In French. For a week. His eyes were piercing, his hair was just the right length to tangle my hands in it a bit, and his lips were soft and warm looking. I was sure that kissing him would be very rewarding. Well, unless his wife was watching. I realized he was looking at me as if it was my turn to talk.  

    "I'm sorry, what?" I asked, I could feel myself blushing. He laughed with a deep sexy sound that made my toes curl involuntarily.  

    " I asked if you were staying right on the beach in Destin? The views of the gulf are spectacular."

    "Oh, yes. Right on the water. I can't wait," I smiled at him. "I visited this part of Florida once and loved it. The beaches are white like sugar, and the water is emerald green, and so clear you can see your feet as you wade in. I love to swim in the ocean, and the gulf is like a big warm swimming pool. Um, well. With waves. And fish. I'm Cat by the way, Cat Martin" I said, sticking out my hand.  

    "Nice to meet you Cat, I'm Andrew West, please call me Drew . And you, are you traveling for business?"

    "Yeah, kinda, I live in Destin, so I'm heading home."

    Just then the attendant came around and made us sit up straight, I had to stow my purse, she offered a blanket which I took, I am always cold on planes, and a pillow, just in case. Mr. West...uh...Drew was sitting watching me intently. Watch what you wish for, right? I felt him shift in the seat and his arm rested against my hand briefly. His touch sent a shiver up my spine, which was completely unexpected. No more men, no more men, and especially not a married one. God, not three hours our of town and I'm losing my damn mind already. It figures just when you swear off them, one shows up that you'd happily eat with a spoon.  

    Sighing I unfolded my blanket and leaned up against the window with my head on my pillow. In that half sleep haze between dreams and reality I thought I felt something, I turn back to the window of the plane, snuggle in and go to sleep, his my thigh still warm from where he brushed agains my skin.

    The bumping of the landing woke me up, and he and his family were gone. Which is a good thing really, I thought as I wiped away some drool and smoothed my tangled bed-head. No one who actually knows my name should see me this way. I rubbed my eyes, and tried not to think of how I was supposed to be a wife today. I mean, I'm glad I did what I did, but walking away from one future that's clear (even if it's awful) and toward another unknown is hard.

The airport limo pulled up a sweeping drive lined with palms, to a wide open air reception area. As I lifted my bag to walk to the check in counter I heard a familiar voice and turned to see him, the airplane him, chatting with the counter agent. She was laughing and looking up at him adoringly. Of course. Everyone probably adores him. I didn't want him to see me, but I couldn't hide there either, so I straightened my shoulders and checked in.  

    My airplane friend nodded my way and said something else to the counter girl, she glanced down at her computer terminal, then moved down the counter to check me in.  

    "You've been upgraded," she notified me cheerily.  

    "Um, what? I haven't even checked in yet. How do you even know what kind of room I have?"

    "I don't know just yet, but Mr. West has authorized an upgrade for the length of your stay."

    I didn't know what to say, my room was already expensive, I had spent the honeymoon budget on it.

    "That's nice, but not necessary."

    "He said you'd say that, and he insists."

    "Ok, this is going to sound dumb, but um," I leaned forward and whispered "who is he?"

    She laughed and looked at me, then realizing that I really didn't know she leaned in and whispered back "He's Mr. West, he said he met you on the plane. He's the CEO here."  

    "Oh! Well, we were never introduced, I can't believe he's doing this. He doesn't even know