Page 58 of Summer Affair
He chuckled. “That’s the point of a surprise.”
“In my world, surprises consist of trips to the ER for stitches or brides wanting to redesign their cake the day before the wedding.”
“This a good surprise. I promise.”
“Okay,” she said through the growing sexual awareness filling the car. “Let’s go see this good surprise.”
Clay got out of the car, and she watched him as he walked around the front. He moved with a masculine grace that hinted at the confident man beneath. He wore a pair of dark jeans, a bright blue shirt that matched his eyes, and no ball cap. Nope, Mr.MVP had ditched the casual vibe, trading it in for a stylish, sex-on-a-stick look that made her panties wet.
Opening the door, he helped her out, then took her hand, leading her across the tarmac. She looked around at the private planes. “Is this where you’d fly into when you get your license?”
“Yeah. I’ve already flown the route with my instructor a few times. Give me another couple of months and I’ll be ready to fly solo.”
Jillian looked up. The sky was a bright blue and the sun was high, casting a long shadow across the blacktop. In the near distance, a small plane circled the airport as if waiting for the go-ahead to land. She never realized how peaceful and empowering that kind of freedom would bring. “Is it quiet up there?”
His expression was one of pleasant surprise. “Even though I’m going almost two hundred miles per hour, it feels still, like everything has slowed and the chaos and fast-paced living disappears, until it’s just me and my thoughts.”
“That sounds nice.” She looked over at him. “Maybe you can take me up some time so I can see your world.”
He slowed but didn’t stop. It was as if her answer gave him pause. “Most people would say football was my world.”
She shrugged. “Football is your career, not who you are. Just like I’m a baker by trade, a mom by choice, but my world is something bigger. I don’t know exactly what that is yet, but I’m hoping to learn.”
“Is that what your list is about?”
“Shh … Don’t say list or Dr.Claire might overhear.”
“Who’s Dr.Claire?”
“The woman behindHear Me Roarand the person who likes to rip up lists. I like my list just the way it is.”
He laughed. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
“And my list is to remind me that I can be a good mom and business owner, but I can also carve out a piece of my life that’s just mine.”
“Where does dating fit in?”
She playfully nudged his shoulder. “Since this is my first, first date in nearly a decade I’ll have to get back to you.”
Again, he slowed as if caught off guard. “This is your first date since the divorce?”
Uncertainty washed over her. “Is that a problem?”
“No,” he said gently. “I’m just surprised. You’re smart and funny and sweet and real and so god damned beautiful I can’t help but stare at you when you’re not looking. I have a hard time believing you’re single, let alone not dating.”
And there went the tingles, from head to toe and all the gooey parts in between. “I haven’t really put off that ‘single and ready to mingle’ vibe.”
“You have with me. And I’m talking before this summer.”
Smooth, Jillian.“I’d hoped I was more stealthy than that.”
He laced their fingers. “I only noticed because I was looking back.”
Her first thought was that she’d wasted a year of watching from afar, but then her brain reminded her that she hadn’t been ready for any guy, let alone one like Clay. Summer fling or not, he was a good and solid man and she wanted to take advantage of the time they did have.
Jillian was about to say as much when they turned right, to go between two hangars, and she came to a full stop.
“What’s that?”
