He only had a few days to put his plans into motion. Once his fantasy was set up, Jackson decided he would give his attorneys permission to go forward with the lawsuit, the day before Alexis was due to leave on her vacation to Seductive Fantasy. Alexis would be aware of the impending lawsuit as well as the name of Extreme Software, but most likely wouldnt have the time to uncover specifics, such as who Jackson was, until he divulged the truth at the end of his fantasy. In a weeks time, when he returned, he could follow through with court dates and appearances. And every time shed see him during the trial hed accumulate another personal victory, because shed have to face him day after day.
He glanced at the picture Mike had taken and remembered what his friend had said: she hasnt had a steady boyfriend in the past five years. He didnt know the reasons, and in the scheme of things it didnt really matter.
Hed just chosen his private, personal fantasy.
He wanted plain and single Alexis to fall hard and fast and deeply for him. No woman could resist an out-and-out romantic pursuit. And in the end, once he knew hed ensnared her emotions, hed walk away with the knowledge that hed stolen something integral from her.
Her heart.
2
DONT LOOK OUT the window and youll be just fine.
Alexis Baylor chanted that litany over in her mind as the small seaplane started its ascent from Miami for the fifteen minute flight to Seductive Fantasy off the Florida Keys. Keeping her eyes closed since boarding the compact aircraft, Alex now forced herself to take deep, even breaths to ease her anxiety as the plane scaled higher and higher. Her entire body felt the building velocity, and the buzzing sound of the engine seemed to rattle her bones. Despite her best efforts to remain calm, her stomach insisted on gauging even the most subtle dips they encountered during their upward climb.
Relax, relax, relax
Her muscles remained tense; her heart beat triple-time. Alex never believed she harbored a fear of flying. In fact, her flight from San Diego to Miami had gone smoothly and remarkably well, without any incidences or panic attacks. Sitting in first class and being surrounded by luxurious leather seats while listening to a soft jazz station on the supplied headset, shed been lulled by the comfort and security of being in a big, sturdy jetliner. But the moment shed stepped aboard the Fantasies, Inc. commuter plane, an acute case of apprehension and claustrophobia had seized her, along with a flood of painful childhood memories that had a more profound effect on her than shed realized.
Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale
Thankfully, the plane reached elevation and leveled out. Gradually, so did Alexs erratic pulse, but she knew better than to open her eyes and look out the window beside her. She had no desire to see the vast blue ocean below, or think about the awful last moments her parents must have spent together before their own private Cessna airplane had plummeted, taking them to their watery grave off the coast of San Diego.
She settled back into her seat as comfortably as her rigid body would allow, determined to keep her mind on other, more delightful matters for the duration of the flightlike the fantasy shed bought and paid for and would soon experience. Yet even that exciting diversion was encumbered with troubling thoughts when she recalled how shed nearly cancelled this trip at the very last minute.
Yesterday afternoon, to be exact. Right after her company had been served with an unexpected and disturbing complaint alleging copyright infringement and seeking an injunction against Gametek. The plaintiff, Extreme Software, claimed that it owned the proprietary code shed used in her game and was filing a lawsuit to keep Gametek from marketing Zantoid. A hearing had been set for the week after she returned from her vacation. Her lawyers assured her it wasnt necessary for her to attend the proceeding, but she intended to go nonetheless and see for herself the parties who were suing her companyand trying to cash in on her success.
But until that court date, Dennis Merrick, the VP of her company, assured her that nothing would be gained by her calling off the trip shed booked six months prior. Hed insisted she go, relax, and have a good time, and promised to handle the lawyers, investigations, and any legalities that might arise in her absence. As always, he made it more than clear that she could always count on him.
A wry smile touched the corner of her mouth. If Dennis knew the nature of the vacation shed been saving toward for the past two years, ever since shed read a magazine article about Fantasies, Inc., she was certain he wouldnt have been so supportive of her decision to leave. In fact, he would have been downright appalled. But his opinion made no difference. She knew what she wanted and nothing could change that. She wanted to be swept off her feet and seduced by a sexy man, no strings attached, and return home pregnant with the child shed desired for years. A baby who would love her unconditionally and give her the sense of family shed never really had.
Dennis would have gladly volunteered to fulfill her fantasy. Except she didnt want the complication of mixing their business relationship with something more intimate. There was also the important fact that she didnt connect with him on a physical and emotional level.
Shed known for years that Dennis harbored feelings toward her, but shed always been careful not to lead him on or give him the wrong impression. She adored him as a friend, trusted him as an employee and respected him as a man. Dennis, for all his loyalty and obvious affection toward her, didnt make her feel breathless with excitement. No man ever had. Then again, she wasnt the type of sensual, sophisticated woman who inspired a mans intense, sexual interest. And since shed recently come to the conclusion that shed probably never experience the kind of passionate, impetuous, devoted relationship her own parents had shared, this fantasy would be her last chance to embrace all those lush, uninhibited, thrilling pleasures shed been denied before she settled into motherhood. Alone and on her own.
In the meantime, with an attractive, enticing stranger picked out for her sole enjoyment and gratification, shed wholeheartedly indulge in the feeling of being desired and desirable. She planned to drench every one of her five senses in the luxury of being romantically pursued.
Alex released a calm breath and shifted in her seat. Because of the personal, intimate nature of Alexs request, Ms. Weston had assured her that shed do her best to make sure that her fantasy man would possess the same physical characteristics as sheblack hair and blue eyesso that there would be a much greater chance of conceiving a baby with her same traits.
Obviously, there was no promise that shed leave with a childonly Mother Nature, not a paid fantasy, could guarantee that. But in five more days shed be at her most fertile, and she planned to make the most of that opportunity.
Without warning, the plane hit an air pocket, and the cabin shook from the unexpected turbulence, jarring Alex out of the tranquility that had settled over her. She sucked in a sharp breath and her hand automatically shot out to grip the armrest between her seat and another passengers. Instead of cushioned upholstery she came into contact with the firm, sinewy muscle of a mans arm. Hair roughened and incredibly warm and inviting, his skin disturbed her more than the aircrafts brief change in altitude.
Chagrined that shed latched onto a stranger, a very masculine, athletically built stranger if that strong arm was any indication, she immediately snatched her fingers back and settled her balled up fists in her lap.
Sorry, she murmured, keeping her eyes tightly closed, as if that could conceal her acute embarrassment. She might have been able to hide her eyes but there was nothing she could do to disguise the obvious heat spreading up her neck, across her cheeks, and all the way to the tips of her ears. The burning sensation made her feel restless in a way she didnt fully understand.
Before she could contemplate her startling reaction, long fingers grazed lightly across her clenched knuckles, and her pulse skyrocketed. Someone, the man she assumed was sitting beside her, picked up her hand, drew it across the armrest separating them, and slowly and gently unfurled her fingers. She swallowed, hard, as he flattened her hand between two incredibly large palms, engulfing her in a strange mixture of heat and soothing comfort. Shed been alone for so long, she couldnt recall the last time shed experienced such a tender gesture.
He swept his thumb along the veins in her wrist, then pressed it against her rapid, erratic pulse. Your heartbeat is unsteady. Are you okay?
His voice was smooth and rich, like the decadent Amaretto truffles she indulged in on occasion. Spirals of awareness curled through her, wreaking havoc with the feminine nerves that had lain dormant for too long. Unable to speak for a variety of reasons, most prominent of which was her response to him, she nodded jerkily.
Then open your eyes and look at me so I can see for myself that youre okay, he coaxed in that deep, delicious tone.
For the first time since boarding the seaplane, she lifted her lashesand stared into a dark, velvet blue gaze that made her own blue eyes pale in comparison. Her stomach dipped, and this time being thrown off balance had nothing to do with the plane hitting an air pocket, and everything to do with the man sitting next to her.
He was big, solidly male and gorgeous in a way that made her feel extremely self-conscious of her own ordinary features. For the sake of comfort during her long ten-hour trip to Florida, and admittedly, out of routine, shed twisted her hair into a French braid to keep it neat and tidy, and had worn a comfortable loose skirt and blouse to travel in. Never in her entire life had she been more aware of her appearanceand how frumpy she must look.
Thats better. A charming grin lifted the corners of his mouth. At least now Im assured that youre not going to pass out on me.
No, but she was feeling a bit light-headed from all this attention. She struggled to find her voice. Ill be finejust as soon as we land.
Which cant be soon enough for you, I take it?
She shook her head and laughed, the sound strained with nerves and the kind of tantalizing awareness she wasnt used to feeling. No. The sooner the better.
His hair, she noticed, was cut into a neat, executive-type style that accentuated his handsome, chiseled features. The thick strands were an inky black, and a perfect complement to her own ebony mane. So far, he had the makings of her own personal fantasy man.
A staggering excitement rushed through her blood at the thought, though she couldnt be certain that he was the one. He could be just as he presenteda gentleman assisting a woman in distress. And most likely he was exactly that.
He tipped his head, regarding her curiously. Are you afraid of flying?
Sort of, she admitted. My parents died in a small plane just like this one.
Aah, he said in understanding, giving her hand a gentle, compassionate squeeze that tugged at something equally elemental within her. Im sorry.
It was a long time ago. She rested her head against the back of her seat, keeping her gaze averted from the window. I was only ten at the time, but being closed in and flying over the ocean brings back memories of how they passed away.
Understandably so, he murmured.
Realizing he still held her hand between his, and sure hed rather let her go but was being polite, she attempted to withdraw from his grasp. He held her captive, his hold firm, his fascination with her undeniably genuine. Pressing her splayed fingers against a taut, denim-covered thigh, he lightly trapped her hand beneath the press of his palm.
As if she was going anywhere!
Absently, he stroked the skin between her thumb and forefinger, the caress so intimate and sensual it made her quiver deep inside. Maybe I can help keep you distracted for the remainder of the flight.
Oh, she was most definitely distractedand mesmerized. His sole focus was on her, which was beguiling in itself.
I suppose we should start with introductions, he said, another lazy, sexy smile making an appearance. Im Jackson Witt. And you are?
Completely smitten. Alex supposed thats what happened when a woman was the focal point of a gorgeous mans attention. Shed dated a handful of men, one long enough in college to constitute a relationship, but none had ever made her feel so entranced and infatuated at first glance.
She noticed the suddenly intense way he was staring at her, as if he was waiting for some kind of reaction. Well, she was definitely affected by him, except there was no way for him to see the internal flurry of rippling heat and sultry desire he evoked.
She called up a reciprocating smile that she found came easily to her lips. Its nice to meet you, Jackson, she said, and was taken aback by the visible relief that passed across his expression. It was gone so quickly, she had to wonder if shed imagined the odd emotion. Im Alexis Baylor, but everyone calls me Alex.
Why? he asked abruptly.
She shook her head in confusion. Why what?
Why does everyone call you Alex when Alexis is such a beautiful name?
She ducked her head, contemplating his comment. Honestly, shed never felt much like an Alexis, a name which to her implied elegance and grace.
Slanting him a glance, she shrugged, having long ago grown used to the boyish nickname. My uncle, who raised me after my parents passed away, always called me Alex, and I suppose it became a habit.
He grinned with sinful intent, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously. One I intend to breakAlexis.
The way her name rolled off his tongue was like a silky, sensual caress to her senses. Adding to that pleasant mental stimulation was the featherlight stroke of his fingers between hers, where shed suddenly become ultrasensitive. While his touch was innocent, her entire body hummed with a luxurious warmth, one that was provocative as well as enjoyable.
So, where are you from? he asked.
She knew he was trying to make idle conversation, and she appreciated the diversion. San Diego.
A dark brow winged upward. Considering how uncomfortable you seem in a plane, how did you manage to get to Miami? By train?
She laughed, and this time the sound was light and carefree, lacking the tension that had engulfed her earlier. I flew, of course. Its the smaller commuter planes I have a problem with, not big, sturdy jetliners. And where are you from?
Atlanta.
She toyed with the end of her braid, which curled over her shoulder and rested just above her breast. And I take it youre going to Seductive Fantasy, too?
He nodded, his gaze shifting from the play of her fingers to her mouth, then her eyes, his perusal slow and lazy. Yes.