Waiting for his executive jet to prepare to take off, Richard leaned back in his leather seat and stared at his phone.
No calls. No texts. No emails. No hope to make this right.
The flight attendant popped his head out from the latrine. He spoke with the captain in a low voice, and then they looked over at Richard.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“Um . . .” The captain frowned as the flight attendant grabbed his duffel and exited the plane. “We need a new flight attendant. Jeff’s not feeling well. I don’t want to risk anything happening mid-flight. He’s on his way home, and I’ll have a replacement here as soon as possible.”
“Do we need one?”
“It’s a safety issue. Spoiling you is just a secondary duty. Would you prefer to leave and return, or wait here?”
Richard glanced at his watch, as if he had anywhere else to be. “I’ll . . . wait here,” he finally said.
* * *
Half an hour later, Richard saw the shuttle bring the new flight attendant to the tarmac. The attractive blond took a minute to thank the driver before heading toward the jet in a uniform too short to be considered professional, revealing long, lovely legs. With her waist-length golden hair and broad sunglasses, this girl had good time written all over every square inch of her.
Was he interested? Hell no. Though, it was a long flight. And didn’t they say moving on was the fastest way to mend a broken heart?
Who the fuck says that?
From the window, he watched and waited. Then wondered.
Something about her legs . . .
He pulled his glasses from his pocket and put them on, then pressed the magnification, zooming in on her ankle.
No tattoo.
Was this what he’d be relegated to for the rest of his life? Wondering if every woman who crossed his path was Jaclyn? And why not? He’d probably end up comparing all of them to her just the same. In every hot and heavy way.
Ruined for life.
But it didn’t matter. No one would ever be her.
His future flashed before his eyes, where he was forever destined to a life on the desert island of thirsty obsession. Keeping his gaze averted from the new stewardess, he focused on his laptop.
“Good afternoon, sir.” Her cheery and distinctly British accent was smooth and sultry. “May I offer you a beverage before takeoff?”
Jesus, did she come from her side gig performing phone sex?
“No. Thank you. I’m pretty low maintenance. If I need anything, I’ll let you know. But, um, can you grab the captain?”
“Right away, sir,” she said and walked away on her languid slow-motion legs.
Richard snapped out of his gawking as the captain filled his sight.
“I’m . . .” Fuck, what am I? “I’m thinking about delaying takeoff. What’s the longest we can wait and still meet the DGI transoceanic jet?”
The captain checked his watch. “Not long, I’m afraid. The delay already set us back. They’ll be waiting for us as it is. But I can call ahead. How much time do you need?”
Richard looked down at his phone, wondering why he continued torturing himself.
No calls. No texts.
None. Nada. Zip.
Get it through your thick head. She doesn’t want to see you.
He tossed the phone in his bag. “You know what? Never mind. I’m good. We can go.”
The captain paused, his unspoken “are you sure” obvious as he tipped his head.
Richard nodded, letting the pilot head back to the cockpit.
* * *
After two hours in the air, Richard set aside his laptop and picked up the Wall Street Journal that waited patiently beside him. It had been a while since he’d enjoyed one, and it would keep him from peeking at the legs that flashed in his peripheral vision every now and again.
He couldn’t help it. They were stunning.
And suddenly headed his way.
He snapped the paper open wide, intensely reading whatever riveting story jumped out from the page.
Ah, something about the best apps for women . . . working moms . . . lactation schedules . . . what the—
“Champagne?” the stewardess asked.
“No. I’m good.” Trying to read here.
“Well, the bottle’s already open, and the bubbles are about to fizzle out. Come on. One glass?”
Richard bit back a sigh. Nice legs or not, the hard sell is a turnoff.
“I said no,” he said sternly. “Thank you.”
For the love of God, can I get a do not disturb sign?
“A man who knows what he wants.” Her voice lowered. “I like that.”
Is she hitting on me? How unprofessional.
Sure, maybe back in my heyday. Or last year. Mile-high fun might have been my thing, but that’s ancient history. It might be the place, but it’s hardly the time.
And it’s definitely not the girl.
Ignoring the stewardess, he indulged in another lap of internal ramblings. She started to head back to the front of the plane, then turned, her high heels making way to some seriously tight and toned calves. He shifted the paper, determined to cover his view of the real-life pinup.
“If it’s going to waste, mind if I have a go at it?” she brazenly asked.
I’m at a loss.
“Sure, why not?” he said, unable to hold back his sarcasm. “How about you have a seat? Take a load off?”
His heart nearly stopped as she said, “Don’t mind if I do,” then dropped into the seat across from him.
Below the paper, he watched her feet slip off one stiletto at a time. What the hell?
Then her red polished toes slid their way up into his crotch.
“Hey!” He snarled, snapping up in his seat as he flung the paper aside, and froze.
A very blond, very laid-back Jaclyn was comfortably curled up in the seat across from him, sipping champagne with a ruby-red smile.
“Hey,” she said softly, dropping the faux accent.
She stood for a second, just long enough to transfer all her flight attendant assets from her seat to his lap, seductively draping herself over him. His arms slid reflexively around her curves as he stared at her, stunned.
“Jaclyn . . .”
Breathless and in disbelief, he fumbled for words. But he didn’t have to stammer for long. She kissed him slow and hard, and he poured all his feelings into their tight embrace.
She pulled back, studying the lines of his face. “It’s gonna take me a while to get used to you. Looking all too hot to handle.” She giggled as her finger found her favorite dimple buried beneath the scruff of his chin.
He nodded and wrapped a blond ringlet around his finger. “I know it will. I can always change back.”
Their eyes locked, hers seeming as mesmerized as his.
“No. I want you exactly the way you want me. For who we are. Though I’m not opposed to Clark Kent popping up every now and again. After all, it’s almost my birthday.”
Their light laughter settled into quiet stares.
Her gaze moved from his lips to his eyes. “At least I get to keep losing myself in those piercing blue eyes.”
“And they’ll be lost in you.”
He cupped her face with his hand, gliding a thumb across her lower lip. She placed a kiss on the tip and lightly bit down, teasing him. He sucked in a stuttering breath, riveted, then relieved.
“God, I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.”
“But I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed, Jaclyn.”
She ran a fingertip along his jaw. “Disappointed?”
“Yes,” he said in a frustrated huff. “We’ve been here, together, on a private jet for the better part of two hours. I could’ve spent the whole time spoiling your beautiful body with all sorts of scandalous seduction. Why did you wait so long?”
With a coy shrug, she reached for the buttons of his shirt, tugging them free one by one. “I wanted to surprise you, so I waited until you saw my face. Why did you wait so long to look up at me?”
“Because I was moping. Heartbroken. And hypnotically drawn to your legs.” He lightly massaged her tight, tempting thigh, trailing his hand to her ankle. “Hang on. Where’s your tattoo?”
“Oh, you’re not the only one who can hide in plain sight. I covered it with makeup.” She swung her foot high, holding it to let his thumb swipe her skin. The exposed two-hearted mark made him smile, and she lowered it. “Looking at other women’s legs so soon? I mean, we only just had a falling out.”
He smirked. “Weeks ago. And you banished me from every part of your universe. Your phone. Your office. Your body. I couldn’t help myself.”
His fingers skimmed her legs just beneath the hem of her dress.
“These are, and will forever be, the best-looking legs I’ve ever seen.” His hand meandered farther up, until he moaned in frustration. “We’re forty-five minutes from landing, and I don’t want to rush.”
“Well, how long will it take?” she said, teasing.
His hand leisurely stroked down her calf, then back up to her thigh, and finally settled its hold on her hip.
“A while. Trust me, baby, I need to take my time.”
She smoothed the soft stubble of his cheeks and glided her lips across his. “Did I ever mention how much I love it when you call me baby?”
He pressed his mouth to hers, enjoying her moans as he savored the sweetest lips of his life. “Baby, did I ever mention how much I love you?”
Making light of his sincere words, she playfully sighed. “Well, there was this letter—”
Her lips were too irresistible. His mouth ravaged hers again and again until her breathless body rested back in his arms. His searing kisses descended down her neck as she tore off the wig.
“Oh, thank God,” he murmured, leaning back to get a good long look at her.
“I thought you liked blond,” she teased, gently gliding her fingers through his hair.
“Not tonight.” He swept his gaze over her, pleased as she tugged the bobby pins from her hair. The long, lush waves uncurled, cascading down her shoulder and over her breasts. “Tonight, I’m seeing the woman of my dreams. And I’m seeing all of her.”
“Well, I’m looking forward to seeing all of you too, but I’d rather refrain from having an audience. Aren’t we crashing a jet-setting party and blazing a trail to Singapore?”
He’d almost forgotten. “Wait—we? You’re coming? Who’s gonna hold down the fort at Long Multinational?”
With a gleeful grin, she said, “Margot. It’s about time she earned her keep. And she’s not alone. Evie is already working with Dennis and Penny to make sure your satellite operation is 100% up and running by the time we return.”
“Penny and Dennis?”
“Of course, your two closest comrades in arms. Hey, if I’m gonna own half your holdings, I’m certainly entitled to call in a favor so we can get away.”
“Evelyn Banks? And Margot? You’re definitely a magician to make all that happen. So you’ve got it all figured out, have you?”
His feigned skepticism propelled him to his feet, whisking Jaclyn up in his cradled arms, then setting her in the warm leather seat he’d just vacated. He leaned over her, slipping a finger on the recline button.
Her taunting lips twisted with delight. “I thought you said you wanted to take your time?”
“I changed my mind. I do some of my best work under pressure.” He helped her slip free of her dress, sliding it down her body, and laid tender kisses along the length of her legs.
“Mmm . . . this time it’s my turn,” she said sweetly. “Who do you want me to be? Eager-to-serve stewardess? Lonely lady ready for a layover?”
Her sultry gaze played with his desire, surging straight to his heart as he noticed the necklace that had been hidden beneath her uniform. He propped himself on the armrests, inches from her face as his gaze held hers.
“I want you to be my wife, Jaclyn. I know it sounds sudden, but I’ve been chasing you for an eternity, and I can’t lose you again. I promise to fill your life with mischief and magic acts, and be by your side whenever, wherever, and as whomever you need.”
Tears slid down her cheeks as he kissed her.
“What do you say, baby? Will you marry me?”
Her eyes studied his as she traced the stubble on his jaw. “Yes,” she whispered.
He kissed her again, breathing out the emotions he’d kept bundled up for too long.
She pulled her lips away. “So, how much longer do I have to wait for you to start filling my world with these magic acts?” She gave him a devilish grin. “I’m eager for my encore performance by Tricky Dick.”
His slacks surrendered to her fingers and fell to the floor, quickly followed by the rest of their clothing. Holding her in his arms, Richard settled them back, making them both comfortable for the fast and furious ride ahead.
She whispered, “I love you, Richard Austin . . . Bennett . . . Black.”
He kissed her smiling lips. “And all three of us are madly in love with you, Jaclyn Long. My beautifully wild Jac of Hearts.”
Taking advantage of every second left, he made sure they filled the remainder of their flight with the frolicking turbulence of two people in love—finding hot, passionate, and creative ways to celebrate being back in each other’s arms.
As much as Richard relished pushing the limits and giving it his all to meet a deadline, he had the captain take an extra lap around the scenic Manhattan skyline. The glittering twilight was the perfect backdrop to showcase a little box that had spent weeks burning a hole in his pocket.
Richard slipped the ten-carat ring on Jaclyn’s finger, the dazzling center diamond set off by a halo of brilliant blue smaller stones.
Matching the gems’ hue to a field of Texas wildflowers had taken some doing, but he couldn’t imagine a better way to share all of his feelings for her without saying a word. Jaclyn would be his to take, but never to tame. And he’d be forever wrapped around her finger.
The consummate playboy thanked his lucky stars he’d been caught by the perfect match he’d spent a lifetime catching up to. And the workaholic woman with persistent trust issues finally found the love of her life by letting herself fall for the ultimate con.
* * *
Thank you so much for reading RUTHLESS GAMES!
I hope you loved Richard and Jaclyn. Up next in the saga is RUTHLESS WARS!
Power plays are hard. Trying to one up the stranger who banged me senseless last night? Definitely harder.
Scroll down to start the first three chapters now.
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Want the SECRET EPILOGUE to Ruthless Games? Get it here!