Dance Like Nobody's Watching (Summer Lake 3) Page 11

  Dan laughed. Ryan disliked Olivia immensely and loved to tease him about her. “Okay. It sounds good. What needs to happen?”

  “First we'll have to get you a security clearance. That shouldn't take too long, we can expedite it. Then we'll get you read in. You'll have to work remotely, get in past all the firewalls and shit from the outside, just like a malicious hacker would.”

  Dan grinned. It seemed this might be a good fit for the plans he was starting to make. He'd be able to work from wherever he wanted, and he was beginning to think he knew exactly where that was.

  “Sounds good,” he said. “I've been talking to my attorney about this merger and my selling out of the company, this should tie in nicely.”

  Ryan's face was expressionless. “Your attorney?”

  Damn! Why hadn't he thought before he opened his mouth? “Yeah. Leanne.”

  Ryan nodded, a faraway look in his eyes, then his grin returned as if the moment had never happened. “I always knew we'd end up working together someday, nerd!”

  Dan nodded, he had hoped they might. He just wished he hadn't mentioned Leanne.

  Ryan left that subject behind as he continued, “What do you say, want to get some dinner? Maybe afterwards we'll see what we can do about finding you a real woman.” He grinned, “I'll be your wingman, see if we can't get you laid.”

  Dan shook his head. Ryan had always busted on him about women. Ryan himself seemed to attract them like bees to honey and he worked his way through the adoring crowds one after the other—ever since Leanne. “There's no point trying to find me a woman,” he said.

  “Don't tell me you've given up trying, nerd. Never give up! We'll find you one, I'll help,” he mocked.

  “I've not given up, asshole! I've done it all by myself, I've found one.” He rubbed at his face and gave Ryan a look. “And I think she's the one.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes and laughed. “Don't go talking like that nerd, there's no such thing as the one. There's just this one, then that one, then another one, and another one. You get it?”

  “I get that's how it works for you these days, but not for me, you know that.”

  Ryan was serious now. “I do know that. I just don't want you to escape from Olivia only to have some other bitch getting her claws into you, sucking the life out of you.”

  “Missy's not like that, Ryan. She couldn't be less like that if she tried.”

  “We'll see.” Ryan looked skeptical. “And we will see. She'll have to be checked out as part of your security processing.”

  Dan didn't like the sound of that. “Why?'

  Ryan shrugged. “Pillow talk.”

  Dan bit his lip.

  “Don't worry about it, nerd. Come on, let's go get some dinner. You still got the Lambo? Gonna let me drive?”

  Chapter Ten

  “Hey, hero!” Missy couldn't help the big grin on her face as she answered the phone. Dan had been texting all week, but they hadn't spoken since he left on Monday.

  “Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling?”

  “Better! I'm all better, I promise.”

  “Did you get a good rest?”

  “I did. Not that I had much choice with everything you arranged. There was nothing left for me to do but rest. Thank you.”

  “You're welcome. And it was for me as much as for you. I wanted to take you out tonight, but we couldn't do it ’til you were better.”

  “Well, I am now, so where do you want to go?”

  “It's a surprise.”

  “I like surprises.” She couldn't think of anywhere too surprising around the lake, but she appreciated the thought.

  “Good. I should be there by six. Would you mind meeting me at the airport?”

  “Of course. Ben's picking Scotty up at five thirty to take him up to North Cove.”

  “I know.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah, I talked to him earlier. Wanted to make sure he's okay with it all.”

  Missy loved that he had a relationship of his own with Scot, one that wasn't about her. “Thank you.”

  Dan laughed. “I'd say you're welcome, but I didn't do it for you.”

  “I know, that's what I like best about it.”

  “Good. I'm glad you don't mind that he and I have our own thing.”

  “Mind? I love it!”

  “Me too. I've got to go now though. I'll see you at six, okay?”

  “Yep, see you then.”

  “I can't wait.”

  Shivers ran down her spine. “Me neither.”

  Missy hung up and looked around the kitchen, the big silly grin still plastered across her face. Finally it was here. She was going out on a date with Dan! She really did feel better too, maybe not back to a hundred percent, but the tingly excitement more than made up for any lingering tiredness. She went upstairs and knocked on Scot's door.

  “You nearly ready to go, son?”

  “Yep. I've got everything in my bag.”

  “And you really don't mind spending the night at Auntie Em's?”

  “Are you kidding? I can't wait to see Ethan. And besides, it means you get to go out with Dan! I'd stay at Poppy Jim's so you could do that, Mom.”

  She gave him a hug. “Thanks, I am looking forward to it.”

  “You really like him don't you?”

  She smiled. “So do you.”

  “Yeah, but I wouldn't date him!”

  She laughed at that. “I'm glad to hear it. I don't think I could handle the competition.”

  “You've got no competition. He really likes you, too.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

  Scot grinned. “Guy talk, Mom. Don't worry about it. Is it okay if I take my Xbox? Me and Ethan can play while the rest of them yack.”

  “Course you can, but please turn it off and go to bed when Auntie Em says”

  “Sure. Auntie Em's cool.”

  ***

  Dan sat in the right seat next to Smoke. He loved to sit up front, and watch and listen as Smoke flew the plane. He enjoyed it so much he was starting to think about getting his pilot's license. They'd taken off twenty minutes ago and would be up at Summer Lake a little before six. He couldn't wait to see Missy. He hoped she would like the surprise he had in store. That it wouldn't be too much of a surprise. Smoke grinned across at him and spoke into his headset.

  “You've got no need to look so nervous. She's into you in a big way. I can tell.”

  “You reckon?”

  “I do. It was obvious at Jack's wedding. I kept comparing you and her to Ben and Laura.”

  Dan cocked his head. “Why?”

  Smoke laughed. “Because I was trying to reassure myself that Laura wasn't into Ben!”

  “Ah! I forgot you like my cousin.”

  Smoke nodded and returned his attention to flying the plane. He had programmed the autopilot, but ATC had just asked him to adjust course for traffic. When he was done he looked back at Dan. “I do, and seeing the way Missy was dancing with you compared to Laura with Ben, made me feel much better. Thank you.”

  “Hey, the pleasure was all mine.”

  “Looked like it, too. Where did you learn to dance like that anyway?”

  Dan grinned. “Now that's a long story. Jack taught me.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep, really. Maybe I'll tell you someday.

  Smoke nodded.

  It wasn't a story Dan wanted to share right now, so he changed the subject. “Have you seen anything of Laura since the wedding?” He hadn't talked to her in weeks himself, but he hoped she would come up for Missy's birthday party.

  “No. We tried a couple of times, but either her schedule changed or mine did, mostly mine though. We've never quite made it work.” He shot Dan a quick look. “I think she thinks I'm jerking her around, but I'm not. You know yourself how my schedule can change on short notice.”

  Dan had a horrible thought. “Please don't tell me you were supposed to see her last Sunday?”


  Smoke pursed his lips, but said nothing.

  “Shit! I screwed you over by not leaving ’til Monday, didn't I?”

  Smoke shrugged. “It goes with the job.”

  “Oh, man. I'm sorry.”

  “No, don't be. It is what it is.”

  Dan didn't like it. He'd talked to Laura about Smoke. He knew she liked him and was hoping they might go out together. She'd be madder than hell with Dan if she knew he'd cost her a date with ‘her pilot’. Then again, she wouldn't, because she'd understand why. He'd only changed his plans so he could take care of Missy and Scot. Still, he would have to figure out a way to make it up to them. For now though, his own date was most important. He'd had a busy week, despite mostly staying away from the office. He'd met with Leanne a couple of times about how best to deal with the sale of his shares. As he'd expected, she'd dissociated herself from the company and was acting as his attorney. He smiled; she hated Olivia with a vengeance. She'd been excited to hear that he was finally taking Missy out and had wished him luck for tonight. She'd even suggested he wear the black shirt and slacks he had on. He felt good in them, he just hoped Missy would like them.

  ***

  Missy turned the ignition off and sat in the minivan when she arrived at the airport. She had to wipe this silly grin off her face before she went in there. She hugged herself and took a few big, deep breaths. “Get with it, girl!” she muttered to herself. She got out of the van and smoothed herself down. She'd decided to wear jeans and a red top. They were her nice jeans, and the top was dressy enough, with a cowl neck that slid off one shoulder, but it was nothing too over the top for the muted nightlife of Summer Lake.

  As she walked across the parking lot, she saw the plane coming in to land. There were no commercial flights that came into the resort, just private light aircraft. Pete and Jack's plane was probably the biggest of them and easily recognizable, even to her. She quickened her step as she watched it taxi towards the FBO building.

  The girl at the desk nodded to her. “Hey, Miss.”

  “Hi Rochelle.” Rochelle had been a couple of years ahead of her at school and had kids a couple of years younger than Scot.

  “Are you here to meet Papa Charlie?”

  The fact that they all called that big hunk of metal such a silly name always made her smile. “I am.”

  Rochelle grinned. “I love that plane! It delivers hot men to Summer Lake every time it comes. And you never know which one it's going to be. Doesn't matter though, they're all gorgeous, even the pilot.” She looked out of the window as Papa Charlie's steps came down and Dan appeared at the top of them. Rochelle gave a little squeal. “Ooh! This one! He's my favorite. He's like the strong, silent type, you know?”

  Missy had to laugh. “Yeah. This one's my favorite too!” She went to the door and watched Dan stride across the tarmac. There was no question in her mind. He was, for sure, the hottest of all the hot men that traveled in that plane. He spotted her and that beautiful smile spread across his face. She was glad he hadn't shaved off his scruff. He was gorgeous! Dressed all in black. She went out to meet him and caught her breath when she met his twinkling eyes. She felt like she might explode with the excitement, happiness, and desire which all mingled to fill her with that wonderful tingly feeling. He strode right to her and wrapped her in his arms. She reached her own arms up around his neck and smiled at him. “Hey, hero!”

  His gaze softened as he smiled back at her. He lowered his head until his lips touched hers all too briefly. When he straightened up, he lifted her off her feet, pressing her body to him as she clung to his neck. “Hey, beautiful! Are you ready for this?”

  “You'll have to tell me what this is, but yes, I'm ready. Where are we going?”

  He put her down, his eyes shining even brighter. “My place.”

  “What?”

  “We always hang out here. I thought you might like to come see where I live, too?”

  Missy was stunned. “You mean, go? Now? Fly back to San Jose tonight?”

  “Yeah, I do.” He cocked his head to one side and fixed her with his big brown eyes. “Please say you'll come, Miss?”

  How could she no to that? “But what about Scotty?”

  Dan grinned. “I told you. I talked to him. He's cool with it. We'll be back in time for you to see him before you go shopping with the girls.”

  “You mean, not come back ’til tomorrow?”

  For the first time his smile faltered. “We could get you back later, if you want. But,” he brought a hand up to stroke the back of her neck, making her sag against him as desire rushed through her, “I was hoping you might want to stay with me.”

  “I do.” She wasn't going to lie. She'd hoped they would spend the night together, but in her bed, not his! “But, I'd have to bring some things. My toothbrush....” Well. That sounded stupid! But she was trying to get her head around this.

  His smile was a lot cockier now than she'd ever seen before. “Why don't you just grab your bag from the van?”

  She stared at him, not understanding. Then she remembered. Emma! She'd put her overnight bag in the back of the van. She started to laugh. “You mean, you...?”

  “Yep.” He grinned as he nodded.

  She tightened her arms around his neck and reached up to peck his lips. “Well, aren't you full of surprises? How could I say no?”

  He looked way too pleased with himself. “I was hoping you wouldn't find a way to. Let's go get your bag and lock the van up. Smoke is having the plane refueled and then we can go.” They went through the building and out to the van. Missy reached for the bag in the back and Dan took it while she locked up. She grinned to think how sneaky Emma had been yesterday, with her sweet smile and her, I'm not as crazy as I make out.

  Missy was torn between wanting to thank her old friend and wanting to tell her off. As she turned back to Dan, she knew she wanted to thank Emma, and her lucky stars, that she was flying away with this beautiful man. That she would get to spend the night with him, at his place, in a city a couple of hundred miles away from here.

  “Ready?”

  She nodded and he shifted her bag to his other hand so he could put an arm around her as they walked.

  “I want to show you my life, Miss. Take you out for dinner.” He smiled down at her. “Take you back to my place, so you can see it.”

  Her stomach fluttered madly at the thought of going back to his place. As they walked back through the building, Rochelle caught her eye and gave her a big grin and two thumbs up.

  ***

  Missy buckled herself in and gripped on to the arms of her seat.

  “Are you okay? We're not even moving yet,” said Dan.

  She let out a little laugh, but didn't loosen her grip. “I'm fine. I'm just a big old weenie about flying.”

  Dan looked puzzled. “You do realize that, statistically, it's much safer than driving?”

  “Maybe, but I'll bet those statistics aren't much comfort when you're falling out of the sky!”

  He laughed. “Don't worry. Smoke's a fantastic pilot. Little hops like this are just like popping round the corner for him. We'll be there in no time.”

  “I know, I'm fine really. It's just the taking off and landing that get to me. I don't understand how it's possible to get a big hunk of metal up in the air in the first place, or how it can hit the ground at a hundred miles an hour without smashing itself, and us, to pieces.”

  “Ground speed is around sixty-five miles an hour, I think, when we touch down and....” Dan stopped himself and smiled. “You don't want to know, do you?”

  “No, thank you. I do not!”

  He pried her hand off the armrest and held it between his own. “Then how about you hang on to me ’til we get there?”

  Now that was an idea she could go for. “Okay. Thanks, hero.”

  As they thundered down the runway, Missy held on tight and closed her eyes. When she opened them, he was smiling at her. “There. See? We're up.”

  She let go
of his hand and he rubbed it. “Sorry.”

  “That's okay. You've got quite a grip.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. Sorry.”

  He touched her cheek. “Please don't be. I liked it. It makes me feel like I really am your hero. You can hold on to me whenever you're afraid.”

  Wouldn't that be something? To have someone to hold on to when life got scary. Especially if that someone were Dan. Dan with his big, brown eyes fixed on her. She reached out and touched his cheek, loving the stubble under her fingers. “Thank you.”

  He lowered his head towards her, sliding his hand around the back of her neck to draw her closer. She closed her eyes and felt his warm, soft lips meet hers. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip. She kissed him back. His tongue met hers and explored her mouth slowly, gently, driving her crazy. He drew back, gently nipping at her lips. Her breath was coming fast. She wanted more.

  “I've wanted to do that since the first time I saw you on the deck of the Boathouse,” he murmured.

  Missy unbuckled her seatbelt and slid across into his lap. “Me too, and now we've started I don't plan on letting you stop any time soon.” She slid her arms up around his neck and brought his head back down to her. His arms closed around her and she clung to him as their lips met once more. Everything faded away except the feel of him. His lips, his tongue, her breasts pressed against his chest as he held her to him. She could feel him growing hard as she sat in his lap. She could feel herself getting wet as he ran his hand up and down her back, stroking her neck when it reached the top and her ass when it reached the bottom. They may be making out like a couple of kids, but the desires he awakened within her were the adult-only type. She slipped her hand inside his shirt. She needed to touch him, his warm skin, the lean muscles of his chest. He moaned through the kiss as she slid her hand lower. His arms closed around her, holding her against his erection. She wriggled against him, wanting more.

  He lifted his head. “Jesus, Miss! We have to stop.”

  She grinned at him and wriggled some more, knowing she was tormenting him. “I don't want to stop, and besides, we're hardly getting started.”