Free Passion Blooms in Paris (Diary of a Free Woman) by Diane Thorne Page A

purse under the seat in front of her before settling into her assigned spot.
    “Ours too. I’m Wynona and this is my husband, Henry.”
    He smiled and gave a nod. “Nice to meet you.”
    “I’m Gwen. Nice to meet both of you.”
    Wynona opened her mouth to speak, but an announcement came over the intercom before she could get a word out. The flight attendant informed them of their destination and estimated arrival time, and encouraged them to secure all bags prior to departure. By the time the attendant finished, Gwen had calmed from her run-in with Mr Sexy.
    Wynona leaned towards Gwen. “Did you bring a book or something to pass the time? It’s such a long flight.”
    “Yes, I have my Kindle.” And now she had a man to occupy her thoughts. Better yet, she had his calling card. But could she send him a message? What would she say?
    “Me too.” The older woman smiled. “I just love it. I take it with me everywhere.”
    As Gwen nodded, a door at the front of the plane thudded. Another announcement from the intercom informed them they were preparing for departure and requested travellers to turn off all electronic devices. Gwen suddenly realised she’d left her phone in her purse and it was on.
    She reached for her bags under the seat in front of her. Hurrying, she dug inside her purse and found her phone. While she held the button to turn the power off, she decided to search for the card Mr Sexy had dropped in her bag. She pried the opening wide and spotted the little card lying on top of her clothes. Smiling, she picked it up. A glimpse at the darkened screen on her cell indicated it had shut down, so she left it inside the purse.
    The glossy card gave a name, Phillip Connor, and personal details such as his business and personal number, and his email address. According to the card, he was the owner of Connor Industries. The company name sounded familiar to her.
    As she relaxed in her seat, she recalled hearing the name mentioned repeatedly in the news. Connor Industries was the leading medical manufacturing company for prosthetic limbs as well as medical instruments, implant devices and machines. They owned several mid and small sized supply chains too. Connor Industries ranked in the billions and their stocks turned over profits annually.
    Gwen’s gaze lowered to the card between her fingers. She read his title again to make sure her eyes hadn’t deceived her. Holy cow, Mr Sexy was the owner. But why would he ride a regular plane instead of a corporate jet?
    One of the attendants appeared in the aisle a few rows ahead and instructed travellers what to do in an emergency. Gwen welcomed the distraction to calm her growing anxiety. Although she’d heard a similar spiel when she was a kid and had taken plane rides to visit family, she still listened to the directions. After all, she’d never flown over an ocean and never been in a plane for more than three hours. A drop dead gorgeous and wealthy man had never hit her on before either. God, she couldn’t get him out of her head, especially now that she knew his name and what he did for a living. Her vacation had started with a touch of embarrassment, but it had quickly transformed into a world of possibilities.
    The plane gently backed away from the terminal. Two female flight attendants walked along the aisle, checking seat belts, under seats, and securing the overhead cabinet doors. Gwen hid Phillip’s card under her thighs, then clasped her hands together. When the attendant finally made it to her row, she glanced at their laps and feet. She gave them a smile and continued forward. Gwen didn’t move an inch until the pilot came on the intercom and attendants disappeared. She slipped the card out from under her skirt and held it above her lap.
    “Afraid of flying?” Wynona asked softly, diverting Gwen’s attention.
    She lowered the card on her leg to hide the wording. “No. I’ve flown on planes when I was a kid.”
    Wynona’s gaze lowered to Gwen’s