Nonstop (Open Skies #3) - Becca Jameson Page 0,2

will they?” She smiled.

Damn, he loved her smile.

He slid off the barstool and pulled his keys from his pocket, returning her smile as he dangled them from his fingers. “Bet we can walk right out the garage door and they won’t even flinch.”

She giggled. Even better than her smile. Her hands went to her hair. “I’m a mess, Bracken.”

The sound of his name coming from her lips was musical. “You look perfect.”

She turned around and grabbed a small purse from near the back door. “Give me two seconds.”

He watched her fantastic ass as she fled toward the bathroom.

When Kraft cleared his throat, Bracken begrudgingly faced his friend. “You two have fun,” he teased.

Christa was grinning. Her cheeks were red. Not surprising. Her skin was so fair that her cheeks reddened up easily. Bracken didn’t even want to think about where Kraft’s hands were on his girlfriend. He couldn’t see well over the top of the couch.

“Don’t say a word,” Bracken warned, glancing toward the hallway.

“Wouldn’t dare.” Luckily the two of them went back to cuddling and pretended to be completely unaware as Bex reemerged from the bathroom.

Her hair was down now, the glossy waves brushed out. There was no longer any evidence of flour on her face or shirt. She took a deep breath as she approached. “Should I follow you in my car?” she whispered conspiratorially.

He shook his head. “We can come back for it later.”

“Okay.”

He set a hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the side door. He wouldn’t even be able to say who was playing in the baseball game he’d come to watch, let alone the score. Who the hell cared?

Chapter 2

Bex was extremely introverted and well aware of it. It made dating difficult and often not worth it. Many men gave up trying to lure her into a conversation and never asked her out for a second date. The last man she went out with more than two times had ignored the fact that she was tongue-tied, but he’d gotten frustrated with her unwillingness to “put out” on the third date. He was kind of an ass about it too.

Bracken was not Roger though. In addition, Christa had assured Bex that Bracken was outgoing enough for the both of them, and Bex was relieved to find out that was true.

The man kept the conversation going on the drive to the restaurant and hadn’t stopped after they were seated and had placed their orders. He didn’t even seem the least bit put out by her inability to instigate new topics.

“So, your parents are in England?” he asked, having guided the subject toward her family life.

“Yes.”

“How long have they been living abroad?”

“Five years now. My dad got an opportunity at Oxford University, and they decided they love it there, so they haven’t returned.”

“Good thing you work for an airline then.” He set his elbows on the table and leaned toward her.

“That has been helpful. I’ve gone over to see them twice a year.”

“That’s good. Hell, I don’t always see my parents that often.”

“Where are yours?”

“Maine. They retired to a property on the water. It’s beautiful, but it gets damn cold in the winter.”

Bex nodded. Why was it so hard to come up with follow-up questions?

Bracken reached across the table and picked up her hand. “Relax. You look a bit like you’re at the dentist waiting for them to call you back for a tooth extraction.” He said all this calmly, not looking the least bit put out or frustrated.

She glanced at where his thumb was stroking her hand and then back at him. “I’m not very good at conversation. This is usually the point in the evening when my dates realize I’m not quite worth the effort.” She winced, having no idea why she was bothering to tell him this.

He flinched, a frown drawing his eyes together. “That’s absurd. You’ve been dating some real assholes. I get that you’re quiet and a bit reserved, but it’s fine. It’s who you are. No reason to apologize.”

“Okay.” She drew in a breath.

“If anyone should be uncomfortable, it’s me.”

She met his gaze again. “Why?”

He grinned. “I’m too damn old to ask you out, and yet I did it anyway.”

“I don’t think you’re old. Besides, I’ve always kinda preferred older men.” Her cheeks heated at the admission.

“Is that so?” He was smirking a bit now, but not in a condescending way. “How many older men have you dated?”

“Well…none. I just mean I’m usually attracted to them.”

“What attracts