Men of Alaska 2: Sterling Sunshine Read Online Free PDF Page B

one-up his boyfriends. However, then she’d look like she wasn’t interested. She wanted to go, but her constant battle with motion sickness was really why she hesitated. The dinner might be awkward, and the truth was she wanted to get to know him. The physical attraction was certainly there, but she’d spent more time around the other two men. If Matt was part of the deal, she wanted to be sure of him as well.
    “You want to say yes. Let me prove my piloting skills. We’ll have something to talk about tonight, and the other guys won’t make me look bad.” He stepped closer.
    “Is it a competition?” she asked.
    “No, but with those two around—I’ll never get to know you really well,” he said.
    “Never?” She frowned. “Really?”
    “Not in time. It’s my schedule. My fault. I know it. I’ll take the jabs from the guys and you about not being around before. I love what I do, and it’s not always local. Now the relationship can move full speed ahead. Tony hates that I travel. If I’m not going to look like a total jerk, you need to see things my way for just a little bit, and let me find out about you. Quick flight?”
    She sighed. “You think I think you’re a jerk?”
    “If those two have been talking about me, you probably do.” He looked around. “Don’t you?”
    “I think they love you or they wouldn’t put up with your comings and goings.” She checked her watch. “Okay. I’ll meet you on the airstrip in half an hour. I don’t have any other meetings today, but I do have to get ready for the date tonight. One hour in the air is all you get.”
    “Done.” He nodded and slid a hand in his jeans pocket.
    She turned to leave, proud that she hadn’t seemed too eager. Nor had she called him a jerk or judged him based on what others had told her about the air pirate who loved scoring big paydays.
    “Wait,” he called.
    She stopped. He moved in close and pressed something behind her ear. The warmth of his breath on her neck sent a ripple of desire down her body. “That should help so you don’t get sick. The wind is pretty calm today so I’ll give you a good ride.”
    “Thanks. See you in half an hour.” She forced herself to leave the building and not imagine any naked sort of riding he might have been hinting at. The man was a flirt. Sexy and he knew it. Gretchen wondered what she’d just gotten herself into.
    * * * *
    Seated in a little Cessna plane, she fastened her belt and looked around.
    “Don’t touch anything, just enjoy,” he said.
    She ignored all the chatter from the radio. When the plane began to move, it was nothing like a big jet. She saw everything as she felt it. Somehow it helped her not feel so queasy to see what was happening. Sort of like sitting in the front seat felt better in the car, it made sense. This was a good idea for her promotional work if nothing else. People could get married in the air if they wanted—taking in this gorgeous view.
    They flew out over the peninsula and it felt like they were on the edge of the world. So many boats were out with nets in the water, but there was plenty of ocean out there He was a steady pilot, so good in fact that she forgot about the plane and focused on the gorgeous coast.
    Homer was a little town and then there were plenty of rugged places to hike. The real wilderness was never far away. As he turned the plane, she got a great view of Kodiak Island from the air, then he returned over land.
    “Like it?” he asked.
    “It’s beautiful. I’m never coming up here in a blizzard.” She looked over at Matt. The plane was small.
    “Don’t panic on me now. You’re safe with me. I’ve been flying for almost twenty years.”
    “How old are you?” she asked.
    “Thirty-five. You?” He smiled.
    “Thirty. I thought the guys would’ve let you in on all my details.” She shrugged.
    “Some. They’re smitten but I saw the pictures of Isa’s wedding. You were hot in that dress.”
    Gretchen nodded. “Thanks but