The flight crew opens the door, and all the passengers around us stand and begin exiting the aircraft. I swallow hard as his eyes drop down to my lips and then back up to my eyes.
“What’ll it be, Anna Cortez? Are you in, or are you out?”
My heart bangs in my chest, but as much as I would like to experience what he’s offering, I have to stick to my guns.
“I’m out.”
I stand and turn to exit, but freeze when Xavier grabs my wrist, my skin igniting from his mere touch. My eyes snap down to my hand as he stuffs a paper into it. I flick my gaze back up to his and a grin plays along his lips. “Let me know when you change your mind.”
He releases me and immediately my skin craves his warmth again. I consider tossing his autograph back down at him, but for some reason a part of me wants to keep it so I can be sure this time spent with him wasn’t just a dream. It’ll be a nice memory to hang on to. That Phenomenal X is real and, at one time, was very attracted to me. I tighten my fingers around the paper and take a deep breath.
“Goodbye, Xavier.”
Before he has an opportunity to make any more sexy promises, I turn and flee the plane, stuffing the paper into my back pocket. My heart still beats a million miles a minute. I need to find a place I can calm down and regain my composure.
Once I’m safely in the terminal, I dash into the first ladies’ room I find. The urge to splash cold water on my face surges through me. I definitely need to cool off, but I don’t want to totally ruin my makeup, so I resist. I pull my long brown hair back and then pull it to one side as I rest my hands against the counter and stare at myself in the mirror.
I’m searching hard to find what someone like Xavier would find so appealing about me. My button nose and dark hair don’t exactly stand out against my tan skin. My green eyes are only thing I’ve always been complimented on. The light color against everything else dark really seems to pop.
I sigh and reach into my back pocket for my phone. I need to call Aunt Dee, and I need to get out of this place and as far away from Xavier as possible. A growl escapes my lips as I frantically begin patting the empty pockets of my jeans. “Shit,” I mutter to myself.
The last time I had my phone was on the plane when I shut it off after checking my father’s messages. I didn’t bother grabbing it from the seat-back pocket when I moved. My shoulders sag when I realize I didn’t grab my bag from under the seat either. I’m going to have to go back and hope I can sneak on the plane and get it.
I make my way down through the terminal back to the gate I just came from. It’s completely empty and I’m afraid to try and get back on the plane. The last thing I need is TSA all over me. I lay my head on the gate counter, trying to not lose my mind, but my stomach clenches and I’m about two seconds from having a nervous breakdown.
It’s gone. My phone is gone.
Deflated, I flop down on the nearest seat. Great. Just great. I move out to a new city and before I even set foot onto its soil, I lose my belongings. Numbers for everyone back home are programmed into that phone.
I shake my head in disgust. I’ll never hear the end of it when Father finds out about this. I rub my forehead and fight back the building tears.
“Excuse me, miss? Can I be of some assistance?” a somewhat familiar voice questions. I glance up as the same flight attendant who helped me when I had tomato juice incident approach me from the gate. She offers up the same sweet smile she gave me when she spoke with me before. “Are you all right?”
I sniff, fighting back the tears. “I’m missing my phone and my bag. The last place I had them was on the plane—before I changed seats.”
She nods in agreement. “Mr. Cold asked me to let you know that he has your belongings.”
My eyes widen. “He does?”
Relief washes through me, only to be flushed away when I realize I have no way of getting in touch with him again. “I have no way of reaching him.”
She tilts her head and I hear the questioning tone in her voice when she says, “He said you have his number?”
I knit my eyebrows in confusion. I have his number? What’s he talking about? The only thing he gave me was…
Wait a minute.
I reach in my back pocket and pull out the paper containing his autograph, or at least I thought it was his autograph. I unfold it slowly and take in the thick, manly scroll.
I swallow hard as I stare at the number listed below his signature. Even in a simple note, his commanding tone makes my insides jitter.
A war rages within me. The exhilarated half of me is excited that I’ll likely see Xavier again, but the rational half knows that means I’m in for trouble. Trouble I’m not sure that I can resist.
However, one thing is clear, if I want my phone and other personal belongings back, I have no choice but to call him.
Heaven help where it may lead.
I head out into the warm Detroit summer and spot my family the moment I’m outside. Aunt Dee and my cousin Quinn wait in the loading zone for me as I wheel two large suitcases packed with all my clothes and shoes. I kept my eyes peeled at baggage claim, hoping to see Xavier and reclaim my items so I could be done with him for good, but there was no sign of him anywhere. The fact that I’m going to have to call that sexy beast of a man looms over me.
Aunt Dee greets me with a warm smile as I approach. “Anna, sweetheart, how are you? You look beautiful, darling, absolutely stunning, except for that hideous stain all over you. Looks like someone doused you with their drink.”
“It’s great to see you, Aunt Dee.”
I giggle at her words, laced with a thick Spanish accent, as I take in the multicolored bandana tied around her head in a chic, yet fashionable way that blends into her hairstyle. Like I said, Aunt Dee is a little eccentric. She’s an artist—a painter and a sculptor—and her creativity typically carries over into her wardrobe. Much like the tie-dyed maxi-dress she has on. “I hope this stain comes out. I didn’t bring a lot of clothes.”
“I know just the trick to get it out once we get home.” She pulls back and inspects me from head to toe. “You look so much like your mother. Doesn’t she, Quinn?”
I glance over at my cousin who is wearing a pair of cut-off shorts and a black tank top. Quinn has always been whom I would consider the most beautiful person in our family. We’re exactly the same age, but it’s hard to compete with her gorgeous brown hair and legs that go on for days. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, and every man around always notices her. She’s not stuck on herself though, which makes me love her even more. She’s about the most down-to-earth person I know.
Quinn smiles at me before wrapping me up in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, Anna. We are going to have so much fun this summer.”
“Aye, girls…but not too much fun,” Aunt Dee warns. “Your father would have my head on a stick. He is the last person on earth I want on my back.”
Quinn pulls back. “How did this morning go?”
Allowing my eyes to flit back and forth between my aunt and cousin, I frown. They know how bad it was for me back home. We talk all the time, and Quinn is like a sister to me. If it weren’t for their support, I wouldn’t have had the guts to walk away like I did. “It was bad. I’m sure he’s still blowing up my phone telling me that I’m making a huge mistake.”
Aunt Dee shakes her head. “That’s where your father and I differ in opinion, Anna. Marrying a man you don’t love to please your family is a much larger mistake. He should want happiness for you, not sorrow.”
I nod. “I can never thank you enough for giving me a place to escape to.”
She cups my face. “It’s no problem, sweet girl. I wouldn’t want my Quinn to be forced into something like that and, someday, I hope your father will change his mind and see that what he was trying to do was wrong.”
Emotions build inside my chest, making me nearly burst as I fight against them. I don’t want to have a breakdown right here on the curb at the airport. I swallow hard.
r /> “Me too,” is all I can whisper.
My aunt’s face twists with pity. “Awww, come on. Let’s get you home, yeah?”
A single tear slips from my eye. It’s not until this very moment that I realize how serious all this is. For the first time in my life the unknown is staring me in the face and I’m scared shitless, yet exhilarated at the same time. I’ve never felt this free—this alive.
Quinn takes one of my suitcases and loads it into the trunk of her mom’s Prius. “I can’t believe you fit all your stuff in two bags. It would’ve taken at least ten for my shoes alone.”
I shake my head and smile. “You and your shoes. I’ve never known anyone more obsessed with them.”
She grins, and it lights up her gorgeous features. “I’d like to think only Imelda Marcos could rival me. I would love to peek in that lady’s closet.”
I roll my eyes as we shut the trunk. “I could think of so many better things to do with my time than explore an eighty-year-old woman’s shoe collection.”
Quinn’s eyes widen like I’ve just cursed her out. “Are you kidding me? The woman is famous for having over three thousand pairs of shoes. Aren’t you the least bit curious to see that?”
I laugh as I get in the backseat and Quinn slides in up front next to her mother. “Honestly, I find it a little disgusting and wasteful to have so much excess.”
She shakes her head as she fastens her seatbelt. “Always the realist, aren’t you, Anna? One of these days something is going to break you out of that conservative shell of yours.”
“You know I’ve been this way since birth, Quinn. It’d take a real miracle to change my views after twenty-one years,” I answer, a hint of amusement in my voice.
“No. Not a miracle, Anna—a man,” she teases. “We’re going out tonight to find you a hot piece of male ass to loosen you up.”
My mouth drops open, completely mortified that Quinn is talking to me like that with her mother around. It would be one thing for her to say that to me when we were alone, but it’s absolutely mortifying in front of an audience. My father would’ve given me a stern lecture and forbidden me to ever see Quinn again, even if she was flesh and blood. He wouldn’t care. Someone like Quinn doesn’t fit his mold.
When I don’t reply, Quinn glances back over her shoulder, gauging my reaction. “Come on, Anna. Mom is completely cool. She’s a single woman too. She gets it. Don’t ya, Ma?” Quinn nudges Aunt Dee’s elbow with her own.
Aunt Dee nods. “I do, but dear, you have to remember how Anna was raised. She isn’t used to people being so open and free.”
Quinn sighs. “Uncle Simon is too hardcore. I can’t even imagine living with him. It must’ve been torture.”
I adjust in the seat. It’s hard to hear someone else confirm that your life has been a living hell. I mean, I’ve known for a while now that I haven’t grown up like most people, but it’s been the only life I’ve ever known. Even though Aunt Dee and Quinn promised to help get me on my feet, it still wasn’t easy leaving.
There are so many things that are uncertain now, but I’m ready to face whatever comes at me, head on.
“Oh, and I talked to my boss about you yesterday. Andy says he can use another waitress since the one he just hired quit, so the jobs yours if you want it. All you have to do is fill out an application and you can start right away,” Quinn informs me.
I smile and place my hand on her shoulder. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough. I’m truly grateful”—I put my other hand on Aunt Dee’s shoulder—”to both of you.”
Aunt Dee pats my hand. “You’re more than welcome, dear.”
I lean back in my seat. No matter how many times I thank them, it’s never going to be enough. It’s like they have given me a chance to live life my way for once. I’ll always be grateful.
“Anna, I know you probably don’t want to think about this right now, but I think you need to give your father a call and let him know you’re safe. My big brother will worry himself to death if he doesn’t at least know you’re with me. He’s probably worn a path in the marble floor and driven your poor mother crazy by now,” Aunt Dee says as she merges onto the freeway.
I sigh. “I can’t. I lost my phone on the plane.”
“Oh, shit,” Quinn says. “Do you have the insurance plan so you can get a new one?”
I shrug. “No idea. Father pays the bill. But it should be okay because I know who has it and I have his number, so I can get it back. All I have to do is call him and make arrangements to get it…and my purse.”
Quinn jerks around in her seat, concern written all over her face. “Anna, I know this being on your own thing is new to you, but you cannot make friends on airplanes. You never know what kind of whack-job you’re sitting next to. How did a stranger end up with your things anyhow?”
I glance down at my soiled clothing and replay the moment I met Xavier in my head while I explain what happened on the flight.
Quinn furrows her brow. “So some rich guy has your stuff and wants you to call him.”
“I guess, if you want to look at it that way.”
“Looks like he took a special interest in making sure he’d get to see you again.” She smiles. “Girl, sounds like you’ve got more game than I gave you credit for. That must’ve been some conversation on that flight because he could’ve easily turned it into the flight crew.”
I roll my eyes and feel my face heat up, revealing a blush. There’s no way I want to repeat the things Xavier said to me. I shouldn’t have allowed him to speak that way to me. I should’ve stopped him, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t liked it. “You’re ridiculous.”
Quinn gasps, making a big show of being shocked before nudging Aunt Dee’s arm again. “He’s hot, isn’t he? I know that look.”
I raise my eyebrows. “What look?”
She smirks. “The one that says I-just-met-a-really-hot-rich-man-that-totally-wants-to-jump-my-bones-and-I-just-might-let-him. Trust me, Anna, I’ve had that look a few times myself.” She laughs. “So tell me all about him.”
“Quinn, I don’t really know him,” I say.
“You spent four hours next to the man chatting. That’s longer than most first dates, so spill, sister.”
I laugh at her forwardness. “I hate to disappoint you, but I slept most of the way.”
She twists her lips. “You must be one hell of a sleeper to get a man that sprung without much conversation. Come on, Anna. At least tell me his name.”
I lick my lips as his face pops into my mind. “Xavier.”
“Oh, rawr. That’s a definite hot guy name. Tell me more. What’s he look like? Details, girl. De-tails.”
I chew on my bottom lip. “He’s really tall, has really broad shoulders, tattoos and he’s sort of…”
“Oh my God, what? The suspense is killing me,” Quinn whines.
“He’s famous,” I blurt out.
Quinn’s eyes widen. “Who is he? If you say Xavier is Ryan Reynolds’ real name I will wrestle you for his phone number.”
I chuckle. “No, it’s not Ryan Reynolds. I would’ve probably freaked if I sat by a celebrity I actually recognized.”
She frowns. “So he’s not super famous, just a little famous?”
I shake my head. “Oh no, he’s popular. I’m just not sure what for. He signed autographs the entire flight.”
She tilts her head to the side and her eyes drift up toward the ceiling. “Hmm. I don’t know anyone famous by the name Xavier and I study the tabloids proficiently, so he must be known by something else.”
“Does Phenomenal X ring a bell?”
“Ring it? It fucking smashes it! I can’t believe you didn’t know who he was! He’s only the hottest man in wrestling, and the newest playboy to grace the cover of all the magazines.” She tsks. “You really are the most sheltered human on the planet. This needs to be rectified immediately.”
“And how do you plan on making me worldlier?” I tease.
“Easy.” S
he grins and the wicked twinkle in her eye scares me a bit. “You’re going to start by sleeping with a known bad-boy.”
I shake my head. “Oh, no. No way, Quinn. I don’t do things like that.”
“Maybe old Anna didn’t, but new Anna will. You came out here to live a little and be free. What better way to experience true rebellion than messing around with a guy who’s the exact opposite of everything you’re used to. Plus, as a bonus, Uncle Simon will hate it. It’s a total win-win for you.” The confidence in her tone tells me she believes what she’s saying down to her soul.
“I don’t know, Quinn. That’s a huge step for me. I’m not sure I can sleep with some guy I barely know. That’s crazy.” I glance over at Aunt Dee who is shaking her head at Quinn’s evil-genius plan.
I sigh. “How about we compromise? I’ll call Xavier and ask him to meet us somewhere so I can get my stuff back. I’m not promising to sleep with him though.”
“As long as we can meet him in a bar or something, it’s a deal. I’ll need some liquid courage to speak to that beast of a man.” She claps her hands together and then digs through her Coach bag to find her phone. “Get his number out. We’re setting this up before you have a chance to talk yourself out of it.”
If I didn’t desperately need my phone back, I’d never call Xavier. Just the memory of the way he made me feel without really touching me on that plane is enough to make me nearly combust. I’m in way over my head here, but Quinn’s right. I need to do the exact opposite of what I would normally do. I hope I know enough to keep me afloat once Quinn shoves me into the shark tank.
The folded paper is still in my back pocket, so I lean forward and retrieve it. “Can I borrow your phone?”
She hands me her phone wrapped in its sparkly diamond case. “Be assertive. Tell him to meet you at Gibby’s Bar on Third tonight at nine o’clock. Don’t give him a chance to gain the upper hand. With a man like Phenomenal X, you have to take control and show him you aren’t the kind of girl who will take his shit. You call the shots and he’ll be eating out of the palm of your hand in no time.”