Love at First Flight Read Online Free

got so much
to do. We're picking invitations and registering tomorrow before the party.
Then there's brunch on Sunday. You can't work!”
    Michael took a deep breath. He never
should have agreed to this weekend, but it was too late now. “I'll fit it in.”
    After a thirty-minute ride, they arrived
at the two-story taupe monstrosity surrounded by lush landscaping with artful
lighting hidden among the palm trees, crepe myrtles, and flowering hibiscus
bushes. The autumn evening air was thick with humidity and cricket music.
Michael steeled himself for his audience with the Admiral, who'd pulled some
strings to get Michael the job with the Baltimore City state's attorney and
never missed an opportunity to remind Michael he owed him one.
    They were waiting in the spacious great
room when Michael and Paige came in through an elaborately tiled foyer the size
of his parents' entire house.
    “Hello, Michael,” Eleanor Simpson said,
brushing a polite kiss over his cheek. As always, she looked as if she just
stepped out of the beauty parlor. The thought reminded Michael of Juliana.
    “Mrs. Simpson, Admiral.” He extended a
hand to the imposing older man. When Admiral Simpson shook your hand, your hand
knew it.
    “Good to see you, Michael,” the Admiral
said. “The flight was late, of course.”
    “Bad weather,” Michael muttered.
    “Can I get you something to eat?”
Eleanor asked.
    “No, thank you. I'm good.” He was so
tired that the thought of eating made him sick.
    “A drink then.” The Admiral walked over
to the bar to fix Michael a scotch on the rocks even though he preferred a
beer, and the Admiral knew it.
    “Thank you, sir,” Michael said as he
accepted the drink. He had known the Admiral for four years and had never once
addressed him as anything other than Admiral or sir. Sometimes both.
    “How's the trial shaping up?” the
Admiral asked.
    “Everything's going well.”
    “You look tired,” Eleanor said.
    “He's beat,” Paige said, pouring a glass
of white wine.
    The Admiral continued like they hadn't
spoken, which, in Michael's experience, was nothing new. “Got yourself an ace
in the hole with that little girl. Bet you're keeping a close eye on her.”
    “Yes, she's in protective custody.”
    “They'd sure love to get their hands on
her. No, you can't afford to lose her.”
    “We're not going to.” Michael gritted
his teeth against the urge to scream. Does
he honestly think I need to hear that right now?
    “Daddy, don't bother him about the
trial. He needs a break.”
    “You brought your tuxedo?” Eleanor
asked. “Yes, ma'am.”
    “Well, Joseph, let's give these young
people some time alone.” She ushered her startled husband from the room. “We'll
see you in the morning.”
    “Goodnight,” Paige and Michael said
together.
    “Well, that was totally unexpected.”
Michael had been anticipating no less than an hour of small talk with the
Simpsons, with at least half of it devoted to a grilling about the trial.
    “She could tell you didn't want to talk
about the trial, and he wasn't going to let it go.”
    “Have I mentioned I love your mother?”
    Paige laughed. “She has her moments.”
Glancing over at him, her cheeks flooded with color. “Can I kiss you now ?” she asked in a small voice that
tugged at his heart.
    “I wish you would.” He put his untouched
drink on the glass coffee table and reached for her.
    The kiss was as hot and lush as the
Florida night. For four years she had bewitched him with her unique blend of
innocence and sensuality. She gave him all she had in every kiss, and after the
long weeks apart she was even more open and giving than usual.
    “Let's go upstairs,” she whispered,
flicking her tongue over his ear.
    He hated having sex in her parents'
house, but they'd done it before and would no doubt do it again. Taking her
hand, he followed her up the stairs to the guest suite over the garage,
comforted by the fact that her parents' room was almost a