She took out a magazine and made herself comfortable. She hoped he got there a bit early, as she was anxious to leave. She’d never before been to Alaska and hoped she’d have a little time to explore the area. She didn’t even care if the temperatures were below freezing. She didn’t get the chance to see much snow and couldn’t imagine the hills covered with foot after foot of the beautiful white powder.
As she relaxed in the chair she found her thoughts turning to Max. She pictured his beautiful face, how his eyes had permanent laugh lines around them and how when he was happy about something his sexy dimple would pop out on his right cheek. She’d spent so much time looking at the man over the last few weeks, she had everything about him memorized. The way his voice was like satin, sliding against her skin, causing quivers through her. How his incredibly bright eyes could mesmerize her, making her stomach tighten in need. She didn’t even want to think about the way his lean and muscular body caused her sleepless nights. Everything about Max screamed sex.
Cassie shook her head, tossing the magazine aside in disgust. She jumped up and went to the vending machine to purchase the biggest chocolate bar she could find. She’d heard chocolate set off the same hormones in your body that sex did so she’d give it a whirl. She had a feeling she’d be munching a lot of chocolate during her Alaska trip. She purchased a few extras and stashed them in her purse.
Max walked in the door as she was finishing the treat, and she frowned. The chocolate hadn’t done its trick. One look at him in his casual wear of fitted black slacks, a polo shirt that seemed to be made just for him, and a sweater slung over his shoulder, and her stomach clenched. She devoured him with her eyes. Before she could turn away, his head swung around, catching her appraising look. His lips turned up in a knowing smile and he slowly made his way toward her. Even the man’s walk was sexy, his thighs flexing under the tight material. She was almost in a trance.
“Ready to leave,” Max practically purred, as he stepped too close to her for appropriateness.
“Um…yeah…I…I have everything here,” she stuttered, wanting to kick herself. She blamed her lack of sophistication on the early hour of the day. He reached his hand up, slowing brushing a piece of her hair from her face, taking his time, tucking it behind her ear as he’d done before. His fingers traced the back of her ear in a whisper soft movement, causing goosebumps to instantly appear on her skin. His eyes were locked to hers and she forgot how to move. His smile slowly grew bigger and she wanted nothing more than for him to lean the scant few inches separating them and connect his lips to hers.
“I’ll get your bags,” he said, bending down and picking up her two suitcases. He walked a few feet before she snapped out of her trance and watched his retreating back. Heck, his backside was just as appealing as the front. She shook her head and then the self-lecture started as she followed him out the front doors. You will not lust after Max. He’s off limits and you’re strictly here to interview him. Don’t be an idiot. He goes through women faster than underwear, so back the heck off!
There was a car waiting and Max quickly placed her bags into the trunk, then stood by the back door with it open, waiting for her to climb inside.
She quickly did and scooted as far to the window as she possibly could. Max slid in next to her. She hoped the ride didn’t take too long. Max pulled out his PDA and started going through his email, while she watched the darkened streets start coming to life.
“We’ll be there in about twenty minutes,” he said, almost absentmindedly. She nodded her head in acknowledgement. She didn’t trust her voice, since his leg was pressed against hers and no matter how she wiggled she couldn’t break the connection. She finally stopped moving around and sat ramrod straight, never taking her eyes off the window, though there was nothing to see.
They arrived at the bustling airport, bypassing the commercial terminal and heading to the private section. The car pulled to a building, where a man immediately stepped out with a cart and loaded their bags. He disappeared before she was fully out of the vehicle. Max took her arm in his and led her through the doors. She wanted to pull away, but refused to be so obvious about his touch affecting her. She walked with him through the small building and out a back door, where she saw the corporate jet lit up and ready to go.
They climbed the stairs and she couldn’t stop the small gasp that escaped. The jet was beautiful and certainly the only way to fly if you had the amount of money the Andersons had.
“Sit wherever you like,” Max directed. He went to the front of the jet while she chose her seat.
“Would you like something to drink before we lift off?” a woman asked.
“I’d love some coffee, extra strong and sweet,” Cassie replied. The woman nodded and was back within a few moments with a large, steaming mug. She wrapped her hands around it and took small sips as she looked around. She wasn’t a fan of flying but she wouldn’t show the weakness in front of Max, so she took her alone time to take some deep breaths and calm her nerves.
“We’re ready to go. It’s only a couple hour flight so barely enough time to have breakfast and look over papers,” Max said, startling her out of her self pep-talk.
“That’s great. What time do the meetings start?”
“Nine this morning,” he answered. He took the seat next to hers and quickly buckled up. The flight attendant got him a drink and soon they were moving. The take-off was smooth, easing her nerves.
Once they reached cruising altitude the flight attendant brought them breakfast. They chatted about business and before she knew it they were landing in Anchorage. After a short stop they were taxing again and it seemed like they’d barely reached cruising altitude when the jet started descending.
Cassie watched the sky lighten over the beautiful snow, covering the land like a thick down blanket, thinking flying wasn’t so bad after-all.
“We’ve been informed there are some strong cross-winds so our landing will be a bit of a bumpy ride. You have nothing to worry about, it’s nothing the jet can’t handle,” the pilot’s voice spoke over the intercom. Cassie immediately tensed. She hated turbulence. She triple checked her seat belt and grabbed the arms of the chair in a death grip. She knew they’d be fine if she thought about it logically, but still…
“We’re fine, Cassie.” Max’s soft spoken voice did nothing to ease her fear. When he reached over and started running his hand up and down her arm in a light caress, that was another matter. She stopped focusing on her fear of crashing in a fiery explosion, and instead couldn’t think of anything but his hand continuing all the way up her arm, across her shoulder, and down to her aching br**sts. Her ni**les tightened at just the thought of those large hands cupping her. Before she knew it, the wheels touched down and they were safely on the ground. Max took away his hand and she wanted to cry out her disapproval.