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She quickly left the kitchen and moved to the living room with no intention of giving him the chance to knock. Grabbing her purse and shawl, she opened the door and stepped out on the porch, locking the door behind her. He had called a few days ago saying dinner plans had been finalized. When she’d asked where and suggested she just meet him there, seeing no reason for him to drive to her house to pick her up, he refused to do that, saying his definition of a date was the guy picking up the woman from her home and returning her there. He never did say where they were going.
She studied him as he got out of the car. He was talking on his cell phone and hadn’t looked up to see her. Since he’d told her to dress casually, she’d opted for a skirt and blouse. It was her first time wearing the ensemble that she’d purchased earlier that year while shopping with her sisters in New York. Her sisters thought she looked good in them.
From the expression that appeared on Jaxon’s face when he put his phone in his jacket pocket and glanced up and saw her, he agreed with her sisters. She thought he looked good, too, dressed in a pair of dark slacks, a tweed jacket and that black Stetson on his head.
He had stopped walking and stood there in a masculine stance that caused her heart rate to increase. The sun was going down behind him and the backdrop—orange and gold over the mountains—was a breathtaking sight that complemented a breathtaking-looking man. Seeing it before her eyes stirred something deep within her and she just couldn’t understand it. She’d been raised around eye candy, ultrahandsome men, mainly the Westmorelands, and then there were the Outlaws. She would even say she’d met a few cowboys in town she thought were good on the eyes. But at that moment, the memory of any other man faded to black. Jaxon Ravnel was in a class all by himself. His lips curved into that killer smile that showed all his dimples as he began walking again.
Nadia drew in slow, steadying breaths and wished Jaxon’s smile didn’t affect her the way it did. Having a handsome man stare at you with male appreciation in his eyes was one thing. Throw a sexy smile in the mix and it was lethal. “Hello, Jaxon.”
“Nadia. You look nice.”
“Thanks. I hope what I’m wearing is appropriate for where we’re going.”
“It is. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
She wished he hadn’t reached for her hand, leaving her no choice but to give it to him. The moment he touched it, goose bumps appeared on her skin. Suddenly, images floated through her mind, namely that of his arms wrapped tight around her as she’d kissed him as deeply and thoroughly as he’d kissed her.
He walked her to his car and opened the door. Releasing his hand, she slid onto the leather seat. She hadn’t missed how his gaze had lowered to her legs when the hem of her skirt had inched up a little. “Is anything wrong, Jaxon?” she asked, after making sure her seat belt was securely fastened.
He moved his gaze to her face and his lips curved into a smile. One that sent flutters through her stomach. “No, nothing is wrong.”
A short while later they had driven past downtown, where most of the popular restaurants were located. She glanced over at him, and evidently anticipating her question, he said, “Where we’re going is a surprise.”
“And what if I don’t like surprises?”
“Then I’ll make doubly certain you like this one.”
When the interior of the car got too quiet to suit her, she said, “I understand you had a meeting with the mayor the other day.”
He grinned and gave her a sideways glance. “Yes, that’s right.”
Was he going to tell her anything? When moments passed and he didn’t, she figured he wouldn’t. Then he said, “That was awful what happened to the Dunnings Financial Group. I understand a lot of people lost their jobs. However, I’m glad they got a good severance package.”
“I’m glad, too, but unfortunately it doesn’t extend to our school.”
He looked at her when he brought the car to a stop. “What do you mean?”
She wished she hadn’t said anything, but since she had, she might as well give him an answer. “Every year the school puts on this huge holiday play. This year a well-known movie director from Hollywood, who is a good friend of Pam’s, is volunteering his time here. It will be the biggest production the school has put on so far and also the most expensive. Unfortunately, Dunnings was our major sponsor. Their bankruptcy pretty much left us in a bind.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Will you have to cancel the event?”
“I hope not. I’m working hard to find a replacement sponsor.” She stopped talking when she looked out the car’s window. “Why are we at the airport?”
He brought the car to a stop and smiled over at her. “Because we’ll be dining on my jet.”
Jaxon thought the look of surprise on Nadia’s face was not only priceless, but it was also one of the most sensuous expressions he’d ever seen. The way her lips parted in an “oh” followed by her eyes lighting up and ending with a smile that spread wide across her lips. That smile went straight to his heart. Not that there had been any doubts about his feelings for her before, but if there had been, they had dissolved at that moment.
“You’re kidding, right?” she asked him, her smile widening ever more.
“No, I’m not kidding.”
When she realized he was serious, she rocked her body in her seat in a happy dance.
He threw his head back and laughed, loving her excitement. He hadn’t been sure what to expect when he’d thought of the idea. “I guess that means you have no problem with flying.”
“Heck no. I think the Denver Westmorelands shied away from owning a corporate jet because of what happened to their parents, but those Atlanta-based Westmorelands have no reservations about it. And flying is a way of life for those Outlaws in Alaska.”
