SOS Marry Me!

Which was probably why he wanted her to move to Seattle. A built-in date to take to social functions. Not exactly the strongest foundation for a lasting relationship.

Kane’s mouth quirked. “Modest, aren’t we?”

“You asked.”

“I did.” A beat passed. “So Rupert—”

“Doesn’t worry.” The words tumbled from her lips. Not exactly a lie. Her ex-boyfriend didn’t care what she did. “There’s no need.”

“You’re a one-woman man.”

“Yes, I am.” When she had a man. “I’ve never understood people who play the field.”

“As long as the individuals involved know what’s going on, I don’t see a problem with it.”

“That’s because you’re a guy.”

“Women play the field, too,” Kane said. “Otherwise, it would get mighty lonely out there.”

“Were you lonely tonight?” she asked.

“No.” He swirled his glass. “I had dinner with a lovely bridesmaid who had only one thing on her mind.”

“What was that?”

“Becoming a bride.”

Serena laughed. “You don’t want to get married?”

“Nope,” he said. “Marital bliss isn’t for me.”

She wasn’t surprised. He didn’t look like husband or daddy material. But if a woman were looking for a temporary lover instead of something more permanent…

“What do you want?” Serena asked, curious.

He got a faraway look in his eyes. “Freedom.”

She’d never known freedom in her entire life. She was always working toward something, fulfilling an obligation or meeting a responsibility. “I’m sure that must be nice.”

“You should try it sometime.”

Temptation sparked. And then she thought about her parents. She couldn’t do anything to upset them. “Not my style.”

“Mr. Suit is your style?” Kane asked.

“Pretty much.”

“Too bad.”

“Not for Mr. Suit.”

He nodded then stopped. “Except for Rupert.”

“Ah, yes. Rupert.”

“Women like you need to open your eyes,” Kane said. “The perfect guy could be right in front of you, but if he wasn’t your ‘style’ you’d walk right by and miss your chance.”

“Love will find a way.”

Kane studied her. “You really buy into all this wedding stuff, don’t you?”

“Completely,” she said.

“Well, then.” He raised his glass to her. “I’m sure you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.”

“You, too,” she said. “A juicy piece of eye candy like yourself must have women falling at your feet.”

“Pretty much.”

A smile erupted across Kane’s face. The effect—devastatingly charming. Serena moistened her lips, trying not to stare.

“Juicy, huh? Thanks.” He placed his empty glass on the table. “It’s not often I get a compliment from an esteemed piece of arm candy.”

“It’s not often I give them.” Uh-oh. She was flirting. But she kind of liked how it felt. “Do you want that drink now?”

“I’ll take a rain check.”

A twinge of disappointment ran through her. Ridiculous.

Serena was just having a little fun. Nothing more. She knew what she wanted to find. It sure wasn’t Kane Wiley.

CHAPTER THREE

THE next afternoon, Kane eyed the altocumulus clouds to the west. No immediate danger there. The weather service had issued an icing advisory at high altitudes, but they’d be flying below the problem. His plane was only certified to forty-five thousand feet. Still he wanted to get in the air.

As soon as his passenger got off her damn pink cell phone.

“Yes, Belle,” Serena said. “Both the local paper and the magazine took photos.”

“Hang up,” Kane ordered. “Time to go.”

Serena held up a single, slim finger in response: One minute.

He’d already given up more than a minute.

Back at the convention center, photographers had swarmed The Wedding Belles’ booth, snapping pictures and jotting down quotes from Serena. She really was some kind of hotshot in the wedding world.

Kane had suffered the commotion as well and as long as he could. He could see success was important to her. Anyway, his dad was paying for his time. Complaining wasn’t going to get him anything but a headache.