hoped suited her. Her fingers trembled as she nudged it into place; her heart was shaking her in its fury.
A small jet dropped down onto the runway with precision point landing, coming easily to a stop to turn and taxi onto the apron. On the side was painted STEEL AVIATION.
Nikki was already standing on the pavement, her eyes straining to see the door opening in the spill of the nearby streetlights.
A tall, big man in a pale suit came quickly out of it and stepped decisively toward her. Before he made another move, she was running to him, her arms open, her eyes blurring him as tears veiled them.
“Cal!” she cried.
His arms opened as she reached them. He caught her, lifted her, crushed her against him, finding her mouth with his in one smooth, rough motion to take it as if it had belonged to him since time immemorial. She clung, giving him back the kiss, holding him, sobbing wildly as the world melted away in her mind and there was only the feel of his arms and his mouth, the scent of him, the reality of him. It was like coming home after a long, lonely journey.
“Am I hurting you?” he whispered huskily against her mouth. “Nikki, am I hurting?”
“No.” She kissed him back hungrily. “Oh no! Cal, I’ve missed you...”
His mouth broke against hers again and again, tasting, touching, demanding. There had been a slight chill in the air, but she was warm now, wrapped up so closely against his massive frame, safe and protected in the circle of his big arms.
She gave him everything that she had in the way of response, holding back nothing. Her body seemed to burn everywhere it touched him, aching, clinging to the powerful lines of his.
“I’ll always belong to you,” she whispered breathlessly. “Whether you want me or not...”
“I want you,” he said in a deep, rough tone.
She leaned her forehead against his chin, fighting to catch her breath. Her body felt molten, liquid, and she clung to him for support.
His breath came with as much difficulty as hers. He stood quietly, holding her until his hard, heavy pulse calmed, until the faint tremor went out of his powerful arms.
“My aunt’s in the kitchen, cooking,” she whispered. “Can you stay?”
“Only the night,” he murmured quietly, “I’m due in Panama City by six o’clock tomorrow night for an early meeting with some of my staff. I just stopped by to see you.”
“Oh, I see.” She took a small, hurting breath.
“No, I don’t think you do.” He smiled.
“Would your pilot like to come along?” she asked, glancing back toward the plane.
He eyed her with faint amusement. “I founded Steel Aviation and you’re asking who flew me?”
Her eyes went from the plane back to him. “I thought it was oil.”
“Oil came first. When I had the money, I went into hotels and aviation.” He smiled at her confusion. “I like airplanes, don’t you?”
“Oh yes, but I don’t think I could fly a jet. Even a baby jet.”
“I’ll teach you.” He slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close against his side. “Oh God, you feel good to me,” he murmured, brushing his mouth against her temple. “I didn’t know how lonely I was until I left you. I’m sorry this has to be such a short visit. But I’ll be back again in a week—on your birthday. Don’t you forget. I’ll be at your house at 5:00 p.m. sharp to pick you up. Okay?”
She smiled up at him, her face brightening. “Okay.” He held the car door open for her, but when she sat behind the wheel, he slid in and pushed her aside with his bulk. “Move over,” he said. “Nobody drives me except me. Not even you.”
“Well, I like that!” she said indignantly, giving him just enough room to fit under the steering wheel. He slid the seat back to allow his long legs room enough to fit under the wheel and lifted an eyebrow at her.
“Woman’s libber,” he accused.
“Male chauvinist pig,” she came right back.
He laughed as he pulled the car away from the airport. “You color the world for me,” he murmured. “I think I’d forgotten how to laugh, how to play, until you came along.”
She lowered her eyes, the memory of that night between them, but she smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Well, direct me, unless you want to drive around in circles all night!” he teased, and she turned her attention to getting them home.
When they