Turn Towards the Sun (2 page)

I blink my eyes in an attempt to compose myself. I can’t get lost in his looks.

He’s looking straight at me, obviously waiting for some sort of reaction.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
That’s all I can manage.

His eyes crinkle slightly at the corners when he smiles and damn it if I’m not blushing again.
Geez Ava, pull yourself together.

“Your drink sir.” The flight attendant sets his drink down.

She’s so close she might as well sit on his lap.
Her tight uniform hugs her curves and her top reveals cleavage dangerously close to overflowing.
She’s pulled h
er thick blond hair back from her face with just a bit brushed across her forehead. Her blue eyes shine and gleaming white teeth smile out from glossy red lips. She’s so pretty
and she
exudes sexy efficiency.

I gaze jealously at her for a moment and then look back at Mr. Stoic
. He
doesn’t even seem to notice her.
You’d have to be gay
not
to like this woman.
Lord, please don’t let this beautiful man be gay.

“Miss…?” He keeps his gaze locked on mine.

“Bradshaw.”
I shift my eyes back to the flight attendant, who slightly cooled, hands my drink to me.
She quickly walks away.

“Salute.” Mr. Stoic offers his glass to me for a toast.

“Salute.”
I repeat slowly and clink
his glass.

“What language is that?” I must try to make conversation with the handsome stranger.

“It’s Italian.” He smiles again, all dazzling teeth and twinkling eyes.

My eyes wash over his lovely frame. I’m positive sex with this man would have to be amazing. Maybe there is some wiggle room in the recovery plan.

Stop flirting Ava. The last thing you need is a man. Besides, he’s out of your league sister. That much is clear.

I shake my head trying to quiet my thoughts and enjoy the situation.

“Do you speak Italian then?”

Really Ava, that’s the best you could do?

“Yes. I also speak French, Spanish, and of course, English. I travel a lot for work so it comes in handy.”

“So you’re Italian?”

Again with the stupid questions.

He nods.

Think of something to ask him!

“Is this trip business or pleasure?” 

A sly smile appears on his lips.

“A little of both I hope.” His eye contact is daunting. “I’m headed to Phoenix for a conference. You?”

His expression reads all pleasure and zero business.

“I’m moving to Phoenix, Scottsdale actually.”

He glances at me and then
down at my small carry
on bag.

“With that? Are you running away from home?” He’s smirking now.

“
You know you can check luggage on planes. And I hired a moving company, t
hank you very much.”
Why am I defending myself? I don’t even know this guy.

He playfully puts his hands up. “Excuse me miss, I was just having a little fun. My apologies if I’ve offended you.”

I look away and gulp down my Lambrusco. It looks like red wine but cold and sparkling, almost like Champagne. It slides down my throat, cool and bubbly with a hint of sweetness.

He’s
making me nervous. And when I get nervous, I drink. Or eat. Okay usually I eat.

The flight attendant quickly refills my glass. Fidgety and nervous, I gulp down my second glass, trying to find where I left my cool composure.

Mr. Stoic narrows his eyes a bit. “Well Miss Bradshaw, I do hope you have a designated driver waiting in Phoenix.” 

Shit, he’s right. I just gulped two glasses of wine and I didn’t eat anything today yet. I look at my watch and realize we have thirty minutes before we land- just enough time for me to be shit faced drunk. Super. This is not going well. I shift away from him again and
cross
my arms.

“I’ll be fine.” I mumble.

“I have no doubt you will be Miss Bradshaw.”

We sit in silence for a few moments. I glance back at him but he’s focused intently on his laptop again.

I pick up my magazine completely disinterested now. I wonder what his real name is. I didn’t ask and now I’m fake mad at him for teasing me.

I really want to turn around and study his dark features. He’s so handsome, like a beautiful living sculpture. Could there be anything physically flawed about this man at all? Maybe he has a tiny dick. Nah, I doubt it. He’s legitimately confident, comfortable with himself. No apparent signs of penis envy.

I continue staring, trying to avoid detection. He’s dressed in a grey suit, crisp white shirt and no tie, expensive looking cuff links and very stylish dress shoes. He looks just as comfortable as he would be if he were wearing jeans. He must dress this way a lot.

His hands are nice and masculine but they look soft to the touch. I bet he knows how to touch a woman with those. His wavy hair just
touches the top of his collar. It’s
so dark it actually shines. I imagine twisting my fingers through it.

And his mouth, oh my goodness, that mouth.
My eyes focus on
his
enticing pout and
pure desire explodes deep in my belly
. The thought of sucking on that
mouth
is v
ery tempting indeed.

I may be heartbroken but I’m not dead. Mr. Stoic is pure eye candy with an Italian accented cherry on top.

The fasten seat belt sign comes on again. Over the intercom, the captain announces we are preparing our descent into Sky Harbor Airport.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the local time is 10:20 am. The temperature is currently 102 degrees outside- looks like it’s going to be another scorcher.”

Phoenix! My heart races
.
I’m excited and scared all at once.

I start to g
ather my things
and
realize with horror that I’m very dizzy. What am I going to do? I panic.

Think Ava!

I need to clear my head and
do it
fast.
Okay let’s see, I could wait in the airport for a little while. Maybe by the time I get my luggage and rent a car I’ll be fine.
Oh,
I wish I didn’t drink that wine so fast.

Mr. Stoic fastens his seat belt and stows his laptop once more in a black leather bag.

“Miss Bradshaw, h
ow are you getting home from the airport?”

“In a car.” I don’t want to talk to him and I don’t want to make eye contact.

“Is someone picking you up?”

I shake my head no.

“Please let me offer you a ride.”

I look into his blue eyes and feel my knees weaken. There is no way I’m going anywhere with this man.

“I don’t want to inconvenience you. I’ll be fine.” I hope that’s true. I have no idea where I’m going in a
brand-new
town,
and my head is spinning.

His
expression turns very serious.
“It’s not an
inconvenience,
and I insist. I put you in this
situation
and I feel responsible.”

“You did not put me in a
situation
Mr.…?” I still don’t even know his name.

“You may think you’re
fine,
but you’re fumbling all over your things. It’s obvious the wine affected you.” He ignor
es
my request for his name.

I know he’s right
.
I let out a heavy sigh before respondi
ng. “I was going to rent a car.”

He flashes a brilliant smile. “I can assist with that. M
y driver can take you home
now,
and we’ll ensure you get
a
car tomorrow.”

“It seems I am at your mercy sir.”

His eyes widen
again,
but he says nothing.

Moments
later,
we touch down in Phoenix. At the
gate,
he stands and offers his hand to me. I take it and step into the aisle
, walking slowly behind him. I grip
the seat
in front of me and
try to stop the world from spinning.

We pass Miss Be
autiful Flight Attendant. She flashes
stunning white teeth at Mr. Stoic. She hands him a card on the way out and tells him it was a pleasure serving him on the flight today.

Obvious party of one!

He smiles politely and moves forward. She sees me close behind, his hand on mine, and her smile all but disappears from her pretty face.

“Hope you
enjoyed your
flight,
m
iss.” She musters.

I smile back a ‘
ha
ha, he’s with me’
smile, even though it’s not remotely true.
I do like
holding his hand though.

“Did she give you her phone number?” It’s none of my business
really,
but I ask anyway.

He looks down at the card she handed him. “Yes, she did.”

“Are you going to use it? She’s very pretty.”

“Is she? I didn’t notice.” His voice is flat, giving away nothing.

“I thought so.”

“Would you like her number?” A slight smile appears on his lips.

“No. I like men, thank you.”
I should just shut up. Too much wine and talking to
hot men
is a situation best avoided.

“That’s good to hear.”
He smiles again and tosses the card in a
trash
as we walk by. Hmm, maybe he is gay.

“Miss
Bradshaw,”
he
looks back at me as we
walk through
the terminal. “Do you have the address to your place?”

“Yes.
”
I hand him the internet printout with my apartment information. He glances at it and then hands it to a man in a black suit standing in front of us. The man is tall and muscular with
very short
blond hair.
His blue eyes are very ligh
t, much lighter than Mr. Stoic’
s are
.
His expression is neutral, but imposing.

“Sir.” He glances at the paper.

“Grayson, we need to take a detour and drive Miss Bradshaw to this location.”

“Ye
s sir.” He reaches for my carry
on.

“Um
,
I have some luggage in baggage claim.” All of this feels very awkward.

“Oh yes, I almost forgot. Grayson will bring them to you later. Give him your claim ticket.”

I hand Grayson my baggage check tags.

“All set?” His charming smile fills his face once more.

“Don’t you have any luggage?”

“I have everything I need. Don’t worry.”

What the hell are you doing Ava? It’s nice of him to help but what if he’s some kind of
freak?
Normally,
I do not a
ccept the kindness of strangers
. I mean what if I end up on the ten o’clock news? Or he slips me one of those roofie things?

He seems safe though. He certainly doesn’t look like a serial killer. He turns and gives me a gentle smile that helps calm my fears.
We head outside and as the doors open,
a blast of blazing hot air
hits my face
.
I pause for a moment, startled by the heat. Mr. Stoic turns around and offers his hand.

“I guess you’re not used to the heat Miss Bradshaw?”

I feel nauseous. My swirling head combined with the heat does not make for a good combination. I grab my forehead and sway forward a bit, feeling a little faint.

“One sec,” I mutter.

My knees buckle and
I feel his arms around my waist
,
holding me up
. His commanding accented voice sounds
muffled.

“Grayson,
get the door.”

Cool, supple leather presses
against my back. I blink my eyes open. I get my bearings and realize I’m in the backseat of his car. Mr. Stoic hover
s
over me, concern cracking his demeanor.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm yes, I think so.”

“Here sip this.” He hands me a cup of cool water.

I take a sip. Oh yea
,
that’s much better. Over his
shoulder,
I see Grayson calmly behind the wheel.