He laughed at her cheekiness and mimicked her response before asking. “So why were you in New York?”
“I had to go to a funeral.”
“I’m sorry. How did you know someone from New York if you’re from California?”
She smiled at his handsome face and stunning blue eyes. “I went to college there. I just moved back to California a few months ago, after graduation.”
“Oh. So whose funeral was it?”
“His name was Johnny. He was one of my closest friends. A really good guy…you would have loved him.”
“I bet I would have.”
Caroline knew he didn’t try to be charming, but every word this gorgeous farm boy spoke was nothing but.
“More importantly,” she smiled, “he would have approved of you.”
He leaned toward her and kissed the top of her head again and the attraction pulsed throughout her veins. She had to fight off the impulse to tilt her head up and allow him to kiss her lips.
Caroline reminded herself constantly that it was wrong. Even though every fiber of her being screamed out for him, she allowed her conscience to win the battle.
“So why are you flying to California?” she wondered out loud.
“I have some meetings for farm stuff, and my buddy is getting married.”
“Seriously? So how do you have a friend in California, if you’re from New York?” she asked him mockingly.
“He moved out there for work. He loves it. I think he’s crazy.” He shrugged and smiled.
She laughed out loud. “Have you ever been or is this your first trip?”
“First trip.”
“I think you might surprise yourself,” she said and winked at him.
“What do you mean?” He leaned toward her, his eyes looking her up and down.
“I’m just saying, you never know. You might love it there.”
“Do you?” he fired back in response.
She laughed and told him, “Not at all. But don’t get me wrong. I’m from Southern California and Northern is just so different. The weather will be the death of me, I’m sure of it.”
“How did you ever survive in New York?” he teased.
“That was different. I tolerated the weather for the atmosphere and the energy. I love it there so much!”
The teenager tried to interrupt their conversation, but Caroline quickly cut him off. “Not now, boy, you’re on a time-out.”
“For what?” the boy pouted.
“For talking. Quiet time.”
Caroline and her stranger laughed as the teenaged boy slumped into his seat and folded his arms with a grunt. Then her stranger leaned in close and whispered, “I wish I could bring you to the wedding.”
Having his lips breathe words into her ear sent chills racing all the way down to her toes. She could barely handle it as her heart raced and her breath felt sporadic. “I bet we’d have the best time. Do you dance?”
“Of course,” he stated, both confident and sexy.
“Will you think about me?” She played with fire, but thought if he felt the same, then maybe it would make it all less wrong somehow.
“Of course I’ll think about you. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“Well, it’s a wedding. Lots of single girls, I’m sure. You’ll probably have a slew of new fans before the day is over.” She tried to act cool and nonchalant, but deep down she wanted to be the girl who was different—the one who made a guy do things he’d never normally do, behave in ways he’d never behaved, because he met her, or had to have her.
“You’re probably right,” he joked.
Pangs of disappointment darted through her body as she faked a smile.
The plane started to lose altitude slowly and that could only mean one thing. “I’ve been dreading that feeling,” he confessed, interlocking his fingers with hers.
“What feeling?” she wondered, keenly aware of his touch.
“We’re going to be landing soon. I don’t want this flight to be over.” He rubbed her fingers with his thumb.
She was aware of the moisture that started to fill her eyes and she blinked quickly to keep her emotions at bay. “I don’t want to go,” she said and then quickly buried her head into his chest.
“Me either,” he said, and she knew he meant it.
“I don’t want to let go.” Caroline refused to unwrap her hands from his body.
He smiled. “I know exactly what you mean.”
She felt his grip tighten slightly and she took a slow, deep breath before closing her eyes, completely consumed in him. Her heart hurt and she wondered why and how this stranger could affect her this strongly in such a short amount of time.
“I can’t believe this is it.” She lost herself for a moment in the blue of his eyes. She stared deeply into them as every thought she didn’t dare say aloud floated around in her mind. Like how much she wished she could leave with him. How she wanted to see him again before he left town. How desperately she wanted to kiss those full, gorgeous, soft-looking lips. How she couldn’t believe she had to let him go and walk away as though they’d never met.
“I think I’m really going to miss you,” he said, his voice half surprised so it came out weird.
She rolled her eyes. “Wow. That was sweet,” she said, her voice dripping with teasing sarcasm.
She wanted to grab him by the back of the neck and crush her lips against his. The way his lips moved when he spoke tempted her. Everything tempted her. He leaned close to her face and softly kissed her cheek. The brush of his lips against her cheek made her feel flushed. When he pulled away, the heat still lingered. She struggled to catch her breath.