Vera sauntered over. She wore a poppy-red tube dress with three-quarter-length sleeves and a boatneck collar. The simple yet fashionable silk garment draped over her tall thin figure, the shockingly short hemline exposing most of her elegant calves. Her cloche hat matched the hue of her shift, and a beautifully beaded flower bloomed against its wide white band. Ruby trotted beside her mistress, pausing only to sniff into the wind before dutifully catching up.
“Don’t worry about scandalizing me with the truth. I’m certainly not a prude.” Vera flashed a brilliant smile, her latest lipstick containing the same warm hint of orange as her ensemble. “Quite the opposite, I assure you. In fact, some might call me a downright hedonist.”
She paused and winked one kohl-lined eye. “They’d be right, of course. I firmly believe you shouldn’t have to suffer for pleasure, especially when it comes to the trials and tribulations of getting hitched.”
“We’re not lovers.” Mattie laughed at Vera’s blatant boldness, glad for the humor to fully chase away the lingering attraction she’d experienced.
Leo made an odd, half-strangled sound in the back of his throat. He seemed rooted to the spot, his hand jammed in his hair, a faint flush under his tanned skin.
“It was kind of you to meet us,” Mattie said to Vera. She wanted to turn the conversation away from intimacy for Leo’s sake, but she meant her words. She hadn’t expected the heiress to play hostess. When on the road, Mattie was used to being regarded with the suspicion shown to itinerant folks. Her status as a female barnstormer had only made her even more of an oddity.
“You are my honored guests.” Vera spread open her arms, her poppy gloves bright splashes against the grassy-green airfield. “When I heard your planes whiz past the castle, I just had to drive out to meet you. The coupe will be tight, but the three of us can squeeze.”
“You brought the Duesenberg!” Mattie scanned over the sedges until she spotted a flash of cherry red.
“Of course.” Vera linked her arm with Mattie’s. “I useanyexcuse to take a spin in it.”
“I would absolutely do the same.” Even to her own ears, Mattie sounded reverent. She didn’t know what thrilled her more: the marvelous vehicle or the fact she’d found another woman with a deep appreciation for machines.
“Would you like to drive back?”
Mattie stopped walking so quickly that Leo bumped her from behind. He wrapped his arms about her to steady both of them. The contact was brief, but gee whiz, the absolute chill it sent through her. And then there was theheatfrom his hands and thefeelof his muscular chest.
Don’t lean into him, Mattie. Do. Not. Lean. In. You didn’t join Vera’s circus to spend your time starry eyed over a man. If you have to choose between a marvelous machine or romance, pick the contraption.
“I’d love to see how your coupe rides,” Mattie told Vera quickly.
“I assume you know how to handle an automobile.” The flapper made a sweeping motion with her gloved hand toward the steering wheel.
“If it has gears, a motor, and a gasoline tank, Mattie can operate it.” Leo’s voice sounded rough—almost as if from affection. “But be warned, she drives just as she flies—like one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
Vera laughed brightly. “My kind of driver.”
“Yeah,” Leo said, his voice full of resignation. “I figured that.”
Mattie sucked in her breath as they got closer to the sleek torpedo-shaped Duesy. “Are you sure you don’t mind me driving it?”
Vera opened the door and gestured for Mattie to sit down. Mattie didn’t need any more encouragement. With a sigh somewhere between a gasp and a squeak, Mattie sank into the buttery-soft leather cushion. It felt like luxury and power even before she turned the ignition. She placed her hands on the narrow steering wheel, and she might... just might... have groaned. Softly, of course. And hopefully under her breath. But a groan nonetheless.
Mattie appreciated machines like a connoisseur did stunning art, aged whiskey, or decadent chocolate. Watching her slide into the driver’s seat as her hands opened and closed over the steering wheel in a gentle massage, he felt...
Hell.
A hollow darkness lived inside Leo that he didn’t want touching Mattie. Ever.
“Come on.” Vera waved to him as she stood holding open the passenger door with her other hand. “Hop in.”
Under normal circumstances, Leo would have gestured for Vera to enter first. It was the gentlemanly thing to do. Plus, as the tallest and broadest member of their little group, he would have the hardest time cramming himself into the middle space.
They seemed totally oblivious to his discomfort, or at least Mattie was. Vera sent him a rather knowing look as she settled back in her seat.
The engine rumbled to life: the beautiful, smooth sound of a well-tuned machine. Leo had dreamed about riding in a Duesy but had never thought it would happen. Although he’d flown with a few sons of millionaires during the war, in peacetime he didn’t run in circles withpeople who could afford the masterpieces of engineering. But instead of enjoying the ride, he only registered Mattie’s nearness.
“Feel free to drive like an apocalyptic horseman.” Vera spoke to Mattie, but she sent Leo a wink when she referenced his previous statement. “I certainly do.”
“Are you sure?” Mattie asked, showing uncharacteristic hesitation. “I wouldn’t want to hurt your car.”
Vera gave one of her trademark elegant shrugs. “That’s why I employ a personal mechanic.”
