Youd be okay if I went a little lower? Striker whispered
Sure, Erin replied. Yes. Anything. Just dont stop.
He eased the straps of her dress down over her shoulders. Stay on your stomach.
She nodded.
As he inched her dress lower, the neckline rasped over her nipples and she sucked in a quick breath.
Okay? he asked.
Fine, she replied.
Her skin had turned supersensitive, and she had a crystal-clear vision of Strikers rough hands on her breasts.
He went back to the sore spot between her shoulder blades, then gradually worked his way down her spine. His fingertips were strong and sure. Her muscles couldnt decide whether to relax in ecstasy or tighten in arousal.
Erin didnt know what heaven felt like, but she was sure it had to be close to this.
Dear Reader,
Im thrilled to be publishing the second book in the Reeves-DuCarter brothers series. This time its pilot Striker Reeves-DuCarter the maverick of the family, who meets his match in a jewelry buyer from New York City.
Over the past few years Ive been fascinated by the discovery, development and marketing of diamonds in Canadas far north. When emeralds were discovered as well, I knew I had to use the northern gemstone industry in a story.
I hope you enjoy another glimpse of Tyler and Jenna Reeves-DuCarter, from my earlier Harlequin Temptation novel Next to Nothing! And I hope you enjoy reading Striker and Erins story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Id love to hear from you at www.barbaradunlop.com.
Best wishes,
Barbara Dunlop
Books by Barbara Dunlop
HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION
848FOREVER JAKE
901NEXT TO NOTHING!
940TOO CLOSE TO CALL
HARLEQUIN FLIPSIDE
22OUT OF ORDER
HARLEQUIN DUETS
54THE MOUNTIE STEALS A WIFE
90A GROOM IN HER STOCKING
98THE WISH-LIST WIFE
Flying High
Barbara Dunlop
www.millsandboon.co.uk
MILLS & BOON
Before you start reading, why not sign up?
Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!
SIGN ME UP!
Or simply visit
signup.millsandboon.co.uk
Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.
To Mom with love.
You make so many things possible for so many people.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
1
IF STRIKER REEVES had the slightest interest in a lecture and a stern reprimand, he would have said yes to the gorgeous black-haired, leather-skirted fireball whod approached his table last night at Carnabys on Leicester Square.
But he didnt.
And he hadnt.
And he was getting way too old for this.
His father, Jackson Reeves-DuCarter, leaned forward, voice tight as he placed his broad hands on the back of the tufted leather chair. And then I hear that five, five of my top executives were forced to twiddle their thumbs in Paris because of you.
Striker felt a muscle tick in his left cheek. It was only his mothers presence in the dining room next door that kept him from walking out of his fathers office, quitting his job as a jet pilot with Reeves-DuCarter International on the spot and leaving his parents house.
Instead, he counted to three, forcing himself to keep his voice low. If youll recall, I was the one who stuck to the schedule.
Jacksons dark eyes glittered. The schedule is subject to change. Thats why we have our own jet. Thats why we dont fly commercial carriers.
Then maybe you should hire a whole team of pilots, so one of us can be suited up, at the ready twenty-four-seven.
Jackson shifted in front of the expansive bookcase, where his deep-seated opinions were reinforced by business administration textbooks penned in the fifties. Not much point in having a pilot suited up when you take off with the jet.
Striker counted to three again. His father might be willing to devote every waking second to the betterment of the family corporation, but Striker wasnt a corporate robot. He was a flesh and blood man.
Im entitled to a life, he said.
Jackson scoffed. Is that what you call it? A life? I call it a joyride. And Im getting sick and tired of you using my airplane to pick up women.
Striker bristled. It was a date, not a pickup, and the jet belongs to the corporation, not to you.
Then next time, take your ten percent to London and leave my sixty on the tarmac where it belongs.
Strikers mouth curved up in a smirk. If you want to get technical, I only used it ten percent of the time.
Jackson obviously didnt appreciate the joke. His voice turned calculating. If you want to get technical When can your mother and I expect to meet your new girlfriend?
Striker shifted. Jeanette definitely wasnt coming to Seattle anytime soon. He wasnt even sure he remembered her last name.
Hed met her in a Paris nightclub. Like many women, shed been impressed by the fact that he was a jet pilot. When shed asked for a ride, hed figured what the hell? Take her on a quick hop over the Channel and see where things went from there.
Unfortunately, by the time they got back, hed maxed out on hours. So, when the executive group wanted to leave Paris early, Striker couldnt fly.
Just as I thought, said Jackson with a shake of his head. He pulled out the desk chair and sat back down, picking up a gold pen. Youre out of control, Striker.
Because I have a life?
Have a life on your days off. When youre on the job, youre on the job.
Once again, Striker started to silently count.
Jackson didnt even let him get to two. Im grounding you for a month.
It took a second for the words to sink in. Striker took a step back. Youre what?
Ive hired another pilot.
Thats ridiculous. And it was humiliating, and totally uncalled for. Striker was a grown man, not some errant grade-school boy. You want me to write lines on the chalkboard, too?
It had crossed my mind.
Im thirty-two years old
Some days, I find that very hard to believe.
You cant do this.
I just did.
Striker took a sharp breath. He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut again. His father was the CEO of Reeves-DuCarter International, and Striker was nothing but an employee and a minor shareholder. Arguing would get him exactly nowhere.
But there was one thing he could do. Something he should have done a long time ago.
Without another word, he pivoted on his heel and headed for the door. Hed have his letter of resignation typed up within the hour.
Ground him? Striker didnt think so. His father might be the all-powerful CEO, be he was hardly the FAA. There were millions of other aircraft out there, millions of jobs for which Striker was fully qualified.
He strode determinedly into the dining room, where his mother was setting silverware out on the glass-topped table. In the center, a oriental vase was filled with white roses and artistically twisted cherry blossom branches. The place settings were her best royal blue china.
He slowed his pace to say goodbye, deciding to tell her about quitting later. No point in upsetting her right before dinner. Plus, he honestly wasnt sure if he could blurt it out to her face.
She turned from the table and patted his arm. Striker, honey, can you run down to the wine cellar for me?
He paused, making sure he kept his voice gentle. Im sorry, Mom, but Im not going to be
Tyler and Jenna are finally coming for dinner, she said, and we need a second bottle of merlot.
Striker put a little more determination in his voice. Mom, Dad and I just had another
She tipped her head sideways and hit him with an impatient look. Now, Striker, you know theres no point in talking to your father at this time of day. Go get me the merlot. You havent seen your brother in ages.
The expression on her face and the rush of words told him she knew something was going on.
Had she overheard their argument? Had Jackson confided his punishment to her? She had to know that Striker would never stand for it.
Jacques is making salmon in dill sauce tonight, she continued, turning back to the table. You know its your favorite.
Salmon in dill sauce might have placated Striker when he was twelve, but he was past the point of being bribed by Jacques. He sighed. Mom.
For dessert were having white chocolate mousse.
He leaned sideways over the table in an effort to catch her eye. Mom, I really am going
Dont be silly. She made a shooing motion with her hands, refusing to meet his eyes. Be a good son and go get the wine.
Striker hesitated, frustration warring with loyalty, sharp words about his father hovering on the tip of his tongue. After a moments hesitation, he swallowed them. How the hell was he supposed to quit his job when he couldnt even cut out on a family dinner?
Quitting would kill his mother.
He knew that.
Hed always known that.
Shed worried for years while his brother, Tyler, worked at his own business. And shed been over the moon when her youngest son had finally come back to work at Reeves-DuCarter International last month, and the family was together once again.
If Striker left now, hed pull the rug out from under his mothers newfound happiness. What kind of a man would do that?
ERIN OCONNELL couldnt believe her boss would do this to her. This is what you call my big break?
Im asking you to schmooze with him, not sleep with him, said Patrick Aster in an undertone, closing the boardroom door on the busy reception area of Elle Jewelers New York head office.
For schmoozing, the companys buying me a new wardrobe? Erin felt like a prostitute. Sure, shed been bugging Patrick for months to give her a chance to negotiate with some of their bigger gem suppliers, but not like this, not at the expense of her ethics.
Patrick walked over to the coffee station and poured himself a cup. This is Allan Baldwin were talking about, he said. Allan freaking, High Ice Diamonds, Baldwin. Do you have any idea what kind of an opportunity Im handing you?
Erin crossed her arms over her cream colored blouse. Exactly how will flirting my way into a contract get me recognition and respect in this company?
Patrick lifted the stoneware mug as he turned to face her again. You land the Baldwin account, and this company will kiss your little white
Theyll all think I slept with him to get it.
Patrick scoffed. No they wont.
Yes, they will.
He took a sip of the coffee. Well, even if they do, they wont care.
You dont get me at all, do you?
A smile played on his lips and his eyes danced. Youre intelligent, committed, hardworking and hungry.
Okay. So, maybe he did get her. Shed been a regional buyer for Elle Jewelers for four years now and she was dying to break out into the big leagues. But she had her standards, and she had her pride. She wasnt about to use her gender, her looks and her body to get her first big gemstone contract.
Patrick sighed with exaggerated patience. All you have to do is fly to Seattle, hop a floatplane to Blue Earth Island, attend the Pelican Cove Art ExhibitionI wrangled you an invitationand accidentally run into Allan Baldwin.
Then offer him what to sign with us?
Patrick winked. Whatever it takes, baby.
Erins jaw dropped open.
Im joking, Erin. Its done like this all the time. You meet him casually, get to know him, put him at ease before you start talking business.
No.
The boardroom door opened and Elle Jewelers gemologist, Julie Green, stuck her head in.
Patrick nodded in her direction. You can take Julie with you.
Take Julie with you where? asked Julie, coming fully into the room and closing the door behind her.
To Seattle, said Patrick. The Mendenhal Resort on Blue Earth Island. All expenses paid.
The Mendenhal? asked Julie, her blue eyes going wide.
Elle Jewelers will throw in a new Fuchini wardrobe, said Patrick. For each of you.
Julie turned to Erin, her short blond hair bobbing with her rapid nods. Yes. Take Julie with you. Definitely.
Dont get so excited, said Erin. Hes pimping us.
Julie looked back at Patrick for a second, then back to Erin. She mouthed the word Fuchini. Then out loud she said, Define pimping.
Erin rolled her eyes.
Have you seen their summer dress line? Julie shot Patrick another look. I wouldnt actually have to sleep with anybody, would I?