The Billionaire's Bridal Bid by Emily McKay Read Free Book Online Page A

not have two? Or a half dozen for that matter. “Technically,” Melissa was saying, “ The Raven is the company plane. Ford and Kitty fly back and forth to New York often enough to warrant it. Matt’s never used it before for a date.”
    “Oh. I—” Claire broke off, unsure what to say. She’d assumed the private jet was just standard playboy fare for Matt. But apparently it wasn’t. What was she supposed to do with that? Obviously, Melissa thought tonight really was some sort of hot date. Unsure what to say in response, Claire gave a weak smile and feigned interest in the trim work.
    “Let me know if you need anything,” Melissa was saying. Then, as if she sensed Claire’s anxiety, she asked, “Is this your first time flying in a smaller plane?”
    Claire nodded, glad to have an excuse to explain her nerves. “It is.”
    “You’re in for a treat. It’s not like commercial air travel.”
    Which Claire actually wouldn’t know. She’d never flown before. Not that she was about to mention that to Mr. Owns-Two-Planes.
    Melissa was right about one thing, Claire was definitely in for an unusual experience. But treat was not the word she would have used.

Four
    M att noticed Melissa giving him an odd look as she retreated to the cockpit. He’d never used The Raven on a date before. His Cessna was always his first choice, but for tonight he was pulling out all the stops. He was going to wow the socks off Claire.
    At the front of the plane, the cabin held four chairs facing each other; the back held another pair of chairs as well as the sofa and the galley. He pushed aside the fantasy of Claire, vest unbuttoned, sprawled beneath him on the sofa. If her defensive posture was an indication, he wasn’t going to get her anywhere near the back of the plane. At least not on the flight there.
    For now, he’d have to content himself with getting her to unclench enough to set her purse down. Holding the bottle of wine in one hand and cradling the pair of champagne flutes in his other palm, he gestured to theseats. “Go ahead and have a seat. We’ll be taking off soon.”
    She seemed to hesitate, as if gauging her chances at making a run for it. Her nerves amused him. She’d been so damn defensive the other morning at Cutie Pies. So angry, he could hardly get a word in edgewise, but now, he had the home-field advantage and he intended to use it.
    She picked the corner chair, automatically swiveling to face off against him. A second later, the plane started inching forward and she braced her hands on the arms of the seat, her gaze darting nervously. He set the bottle in the bucket on the table and extended one of the flutes to her.
    “Here. It’ll calm your nerves.”
    “I’m not nervous!” she protested, but then the plane gave a slight bump as the wheels lifted off the ground and she ruined the effect by taking a gulp.
    “I can get you something stronger. To calm your not-nerves.”
    Her gaze narrowed slightly so she was almost glaring at him, but at least she didn’t look ready to faint. “No, thank you. After all, you’ve gone to all the trouble of getting champagne. I’d hate to ruin your complete lack of imagination.”
    “Actually, this is a Blanc de Noir from Napa.”
    She eyed the pale pink liquid suspiciously, as if he might have ruffied her. “Sounds fancy.”
    “I took a chance that your palate had developed beyond wine coolers.”
    Back when they’d dated in college, those had been her drink of choice, being both mild and cheap. Of course, at the time he’d drunk mostly lite beer for the same reason.
    He lowered himself to the chair opposite hers. A plate of cheese and fruit was sitting out on the table and he nudged it toward her. “Try it with the grapes. They’re from the same region and pair nicely with the wine.”
    Instead of following his suggestion, she leaned forward, the grapes untouched. “Tell me, Matt, what is it exactly you think you’re doing here?”
    “Excuse