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Authors: Kathy Carmichael
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dived into Alec's lap.
He shot her an accusing look as he picked it up and placed it in the attendant's outstretched hand.
As soon as she'd gone on, Alec whispered in Diedra's ear, "What the hell is going on? First the collar and now the spoon. Where'd you put the magnet this time?"
"Can this wait until after we land?"
Alec shook his head. "You put me off the last time I asked. I want some answers."
"I promise to give you an answer but you aren't going to like it or me. Just let me get onto solid ground and you'll have it."
Alec nodded and took her hand. Why did he have to do that? Didn't he realize that telling him without hoping for more from him was hard enough? His every gesture made it harder and harder to come clean with him. It was inevitable, though. As were the consequences.
She pulled back her hand.
He'd drop her faster than a hot ember. He'd drop her so fast that not only her head would spin but also her heart. Every moment in her past, every experience, every relationship she'd ever had or almost had led her to believe this with every fiber of her being.
It was so good being with him. Why did it have to end before it got started? She leaned forward and placed her arms on the seatback in front of her, fighting tears. She didn't want him to see her like this.
Sure, Alec would help her find Meagan, help her get through this mess, but there wouldn't be any more hand holding, hugs or hot kisses in cars. Instead, he'd keep his distance because distant was the only safe place to be if he valued his safety.
She caught movement out of the side of her eye just as she heard a clang and deep grunt from Alec. She was afraid to look too closely, but she peeked at his face. His eyes were clenched shut. Her gaze drifted downward. Oh, hells bells.
No wonder he was in pain. Glancing at the seat in front of her, she realized that somehow she'd managed to release the AirFone from the seatback, and it had tumbled down. Now it hugged Alec's crotch.
Chapter 9
Both A.C. and Diedra powered up their cell phones as soon as the jet hit the tarmac, but neither of them received a call. A.C. had to curb his impatience getting off the plane. It wouldn't do to climb over the first people to disembark. Jeff had damn well better turn up fast. Perhaps Hawkins, or one of his employees, would be waiting at the gate with information about Jeff's whereabouts.
It was the first time A.C. had hired Hawkins, a private detective based in New Orleans, but the man had come well recommended. A.C. had a tough time letting go of control, especially when releasing it to someone he didn't know. He just hoped Hawkins would live up to his reputation as one hell of a hot shot, do-it-or-die investigator.
As A.C. and Diedra impatiently awaited their chance to enter the crowded airliner aisle, the aroma of old air and scented perfume almost overpowering his senses, she turned and gave him a nervous smile.
She should be nervous.
Right now, when they were chasing down Jeff, trying to find out what had happened to Meagan, wasn't exactly the best time for Diedra to have chosen to play games with him. He'd had more than enough of her practical jokes.
When they finally stepped away from their seats and got off the plane, he gripped his jacket in one hand and her hand in his other. She had a wild look, like a deer about to bolt. She might not know it yet, but she wasn't going anywhere without him. Not until he had an explanation.
"We're supposed to meet Hawkins here at the gate."
Diedra nodded and swallowed, as if stiffening up her courage. She opened her mouth to speak but a man stepped toward them and asked, "Mr. Sparks?"
"Hawkins? Got anything for me?"
"Yes, sir. If you and the lady will follow me, there's a bar around the corner where we can talk."
Hawkins's gaze lingered over Diedra, assessing, admiring. For the first time in A.C.'s memory, he rated another man on his attractiveness. Hawkins had a lanky build and blond-haired
He shot her an accusing look as he picked it up and placed it in the attendant's outstretched hand.
As soon as she'd gone on, Alec whispered in Diedra's ear, "What the hell is going on? First the collar and now the spoon. Where'd you put the magnet this time?"
"Can this wait until after we land?"
Alec shook his head. "You put me off the last time I asked. I want some answers."
"I promise to give you an answer but you aren't going to like it or me. Just let me get onto solid ground and you'll have it."
Alec nodded and took her hand. Why did he have to do that? Didn't he realize that telling him without hoping for more from him was hard enough? His every gesture made it harder and harder to come clean with him. It was inevitable, though. As were the consequences.
She pulled back her hand.
He'd drop her faster than a hot ember. He'd drop her so fast that not only her head would spin but also her heart. Every moment in her past, every experience, every relationship she'd ever had or almost had led her to believe this with every fiber of her being.
It was so good being with him. Why did it have to end before it got started? She leaned forward and placed her arms on the seatback in front of her, fighting tears. She didn't want him to see her like this.
Sure, Alec would help her find Meagan, help her get through this mess, but there wouldn't be any more hand holding, hugs or hot kisses in cars. Instead, he'd keep his distance because distant was the only safe place to be if he valued his safety.
She caught movement out of the side of her eye just as she heard a clang and deep grunt from Alec. She was afraid to look too closely, but she peeked at his face. His eyes were clenched shut. Her gaze drifted downward. Oh, hells bells.
No wonder he was in pain. Glancing at the seat in front of her, she realized that somehow she'd managed to release the AirFone from the seatback, and it had tumbled down. Now it hugged Alec's crotch.
Chapter 9
Both A.C. and Diedra powered up their cell phones as soon as the jet hit the tarmac, but neither of them received a call. A.C. had to curb his impatience getting off the plane. It wouldn't do to climb over the first people to disembark. Jeff had damn well better turn up fast. Perhaps Hawkins, or one of his employees, would be waiting at the gate with information about Jeff's whereabouts.
It was the first time A.C. had hired Hawkins, a private detective based in New Orleans, but the man had come well recommended. A.C. had a tough time letting go of control, especially when releasing it to someone he didn't know. He just hoped Hawkins would live up to his reputation as one hell of a hot shot, do-it-or-die investigator.
As A.C. and Diedra impatiently awaited their chance to enter the crowded airliner aisle, the aroma of old air and scented perfume almost overpowering his senses, she turned and gave him a nervous smile.
She should be nervous.
Right now, when they were chasing down Jeff, trying to find out what had happened to Meagan, wasn't exactly the best time for Diedra to have chosen to play games with him. He'd had more than enough of her practical jokes.
When they finally stepped away from their seats and got off the plane, he gripped his jacket in one hand and her hand in his other. She had a wild look, like a deer about to bolt. She might not know it yet, but she wasn't going anywhere without him. Not until he had an explanation.
"We're supposed to meet Hawkins here at the gate."
Diedra nodded and swallowed, as if stiffening up her courage. She opened her mouth to speak but a man stepped toward them and asked, "Mr. Sparks?"
"Hawkins? Got anything for me?"
"Yes, sir. If you and the lady will follow me, there's a bar around the corner where we can talk."
Hawkins's gaze lingered over Diedra, assessing, admiring. For the first time in A.C.'s memory, he rated another man on his attractiveness. Hawkins had a lanky build and blond-haired
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