Page 4 of Hot Shot

“Age differences only matter until you’re of legal age, then who gives a shit. We’re just people. I don’t care how old you are.” He leans further across the small table. “I’m attracted to you.”

I can’t ignore the way my body reacts to his admission. The way my breath catches, my nipples tighten and my core clenches.

“Charlotte, I just want to spend some time with you, maybe get to know you a little more. Flights are grounded. What else is there for us to do?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Did Brian send you? Is this some kind of weird joke?”

Max’s perfect jawline clenches. “I’m assuming Brian is the asshat that stood you up?”

“That would be him.”

“And you’re, what… imagining that he sent a random guy to come and pick you up instead? That would definitely make him an idiot.”

“That’s not exactly what I was thinking. But it doesn’t matter.” I take a deep breath and really look at the beautiful man sitting across from me. “Here’s the thing, Max: I’m a confident woman. I know I’m not every man’s dream, but I’ve got rocking curves. I’m smart, successful and financially solvent. I’m a catch.”

I hold up two fingers and wave them between us. “That said, we are in way different leagues. Not just different leagues, but you, sir, are on a different planet of attractiveness than I am.”

“And you think because you believe that nonsense, that means I couldn’t possibly be hitting on you for real?” he asks.

I nod. “Something like that.”

“Okay, then imagine we’d instead met at a club. I would have crossed that crowded, loud, smoke-filled room to ask you to dance.”

“I might have said yes,” I say.

A ghost of a grin crosses his lips. “I would have pulled you close to me. Got my hands on those rocking curves of yours. I would have held you next to my body knowing you’d be able to feel how much I wanted you.”

I suck in a breath because damn, that’s hot.

“Once I had you in my arms, I don’t think I would have let you walk away. I sure as fuck wouldn’t have let you dance with another man.”

“Possessive,” I say.

He nods. “I wouldn’t have been able to resist asking you to come home with me. Wouldn’t have been able to resist stealing a kiss.”

I’m ridiculously turned on by the picture he’s painting with his words. This man, young as he may be, has more game than any other man who’s tried to pick me up.

There’s a big part of me that would like to just invite him back to my hotel room and let him rock my world. Because there’s no way, with a body like his, he won’t be good in bed.

chapter

three

Max

Walking away from Charlotte is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Yeah, that’s probably over the top dramatic, but there is something special about that woman.

I’ve always been that guy who goes after what he wants. No deviations, no distractions, just hard and focused like a laser. So yeah, I want Charlotte and I could have kept pushing. But ultimately, I’m not a fucking creep.

I happen to be a firm believer in soul mates. If Charlotte is meant to be mine, we will find our way to each other again.

After securing my new flight for tomorrow mid-morning, I find a quiet spot to stretch out. No easy feat, since the airport is pretty full. That’s what happens when they ground all outgoing flights. Moving further away from the gates helps though since most people seem to be congregating there to wait out the night.

I lean against the wall and stretch my legs out in front of me, dropping my carry-on across my thighs. Not the most comfortable I’ve ever been, but it’s better than taking a Greyhound from Saddle Creek all the way up to Minnesota every summer so I could train with one of the best hockey coaches to ever live. Those hours were brutal.

Here, at least I’ve got my trusty neck pillow, my noise-cancelling headphones and endless hours of my favorite television show… Caught: Smugglers!

I pull out my tablet and cue up an episode. Then I dig in my bag to get my headphones and see if I have any snacks.