Read Online Come Fly With Me by Sandi Perry - Free Book Online Page B

those last words with such ease, as if he was saying, “please pass the mustard” with the confidence of a man who knows exactly where he’s headed. Allison followed his line of sight and steeled herself for the landing. She admired his matter-of-fact approach to life; he was non-judgmental and easy to talk to—maybe he was right, and she was starting to like him. The plane dipped a little as it began its descent. She gasped and Alex turned toward her with concern.
    “I’m fine, I just hate flying,” she said meekly.
    “Well, aren’t you just full of surprises,” Alex said.
    ****
    He opened her door of the cab as he dropped her off at the Ritz-Carlton in North Buckhead. “You sure you don’t want to grab a quick bite? You didn’t eat anything on the plane,” Alex offered.
    “I’m fine, it’s late and I want to settle in, thank you, though," Allison said.
    “Okay, I’ll swing by here around eleven tomorrow, and we’ll grab some brunch. We’ll walk around town a little; I’ll give you the full tour. Maybe, I’ll even show you the cell at the county lock-up where I slept for a few nights of my misspent youth.”
    “Alex! You did not!”
    “Yes, Ma’am. Full disclosure, that’s my motto. See you at eleven.”
    He left her standing in the lobby of the hotel . If I weren't so desperate to clear up the mess that was left in my care, I would be back in New York instead of down here in Georgia on a fruitless mission, she thought . Sure, he was charming, and about as lethal as a rattlesnake. She shook her head in disgust as she walked toward the bank of elevators and stabbed at the button with the arrow facing up. She looked at her two button choices. There really should be another button, she thought. How about, 'you're shit out of luck and getting nowhere fast.'
     
     

Chapter 13
    The next morning Alex drove down Peachtree Road and pulled up in front of the Ritz-Carlton. He handed the keys to his classic 1963 Porsche 356 to the valet out front, together with a generous tip, and told him he’d only be a minute. Allison was just getting off the elevator as Alex sauntered through the double-glass sliding doors. Spotting him she called out, “Alex, good morning!" as she waved invitingly at him.
    "You look lovely," he smiled. "Are you ready to greet the day Buckhead-style?"
    "I guess I am."
    They walked out into the bright sunshine and Allison arched an eyebrow as she got into the car.
    “It was a college graduation present. My father was so excited he nearly wept— he never thought the day would come,” Alex said.
    “If high school was such a disaster, how did you get into Harvard?”
    “The next time you’re in Bean town, why don’t you stop by the campus and check out the new Horatio Coventry wing of the library,” he said.
    “Stop it!” she exclaimed.
    “I wish I could, sweetheart, but I'm afraid you've hitched your wagon to a runaway train. But you'll be glad to know that I buckled down and aced my way through college and M.I.T., so I did acquire some actual skills.”
    His eyes crinkled as he good-naturedly poked fun at himself. He was much more than most of the men she knew, Allison thought. She gave him a full smile when he turned to look at her.
    “You’re even more beautiful when you're relaxed,” he said.
    “Thank you. I didn’t expect you to say that.”
    “Why not? It’s true.”
    "But very personal. And…well, we have a professional relationship.”
    . “I think we can manage both,” he said cheekily. “You're in my car, in my hometown, about to meet my family. None of this feels very business-like.”
    “Alex, I’m sorry. You might have gotten the wrong impression. This whole situation is a little peculiar, but I have no desire to take this relationship anywhere except strictly business.”
    They pulled up in front of Mary Anne’s— where it seemed you could get: The best damn coffee, ever.
    “Allison, we’ll continue this discussion at a later date. Right now,