“Since I was asked to help deliver that Global to New York. The owner couldn’t find a second pilot, so he’s showing his gratitude.”
“How?”
A mysterious smile. “You’ll see.”
To the right, the Hudson River gleamed in the sun, and soon the USSIntrepidcame into view, the famous aircraft carrier berthed near Pier 86. TheIntrepid, she knew, had survived World War II, kamikaze attacks, and torpedo strikes, too.
She grabbed Nick’s arm. “Oh, look at the planes on deck!”
“I see a few helicopters.” Nick squinted against the bright sunlight. “Would you like to visit that museum?”
She sat upright, bouncing a little, feeling like a kid at Christmas. “Can we?”
“Of course.”
It took a while for the limousine to reach the city. Moving slowly through the busy streets, Jannie rolled down the window to better take in the sights and sounds. She craned her neck to look up at the skyscrapers that seemed to rise at every corner, her nostrils flaring at the combined smells of exhaust, food, and something that could only be described as big city.
“Are you finally going to tell me where we’re staying?”
A smile played about Nick’s beautiful lips as he sipped the last of his champagne. “Just around the corner.”
The limo turned, and to Jannie’s surprise, a familiar control-tower-shaped structure came into view. “That looks like the Mile High!”
“That’s because it is.” Nick’s eyes twinkled. “The guy who built the Vegas version had his architect add condos to this one.”
The building, she observed, was connected to the adjacent one via some sort of bridge.
Jannie’s eyes widened. “And is membership here also restricted to pilots?”
“No. Aviation executives, too. If you work in an aviation-related field or own an aircraft, you have a shot here, if approved.”
“We’re staying in a condo?”
“We are. The owner of the Global owns both buildings, and we have use of one of the units for the weekend.”
The car rolled to a stop, and a bellhop rushed to open the door. “Welcome to the Mile High!”
Mile High, indeed.
Jannie smiled, tilting her head back to admire the towering buildings.
As Nick turned to tip the driver and see about the luggage, her gaze fixed on his broad shoulders, beautifully showcased by his fitted pilot shirt.
This was going to be a memorable weekend.
CHAPTER 18
Jannie
“You’re still not telling me anything?” Jannie finished applying moisturizer and reached for the mascara, eyeing the leather toiletry case Nick had placed on the double vanity sink. It felt so good to go out as herself, without the wig and heavy makeup. Sharing a small space with Nick was new, and she had to admit she liked the intimacy of it.
She met his gaze in the large mirror. Her eyes drifted to his chest, deliciously visible because the provided bathrobe was too small and gaped open. Not that she minded. It revealed more of him. She smiled, remembering how he’d looked that day in her Donald Duck robe.
“Not telling you a thing. This weekend is all surprises, and my lips are sealed.”
“Are they?” Slowly, she capped the wand. Turning to him, she slipped one hand inside his open robe, her fingertips gliding over his waist. “Let me test that.”
Hooking a hand behind his neck, she drew him to her, running her tongue along the seam of his lips. He chuckled, pressing them into a tight, unyielding line.
