Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

possible with Earth Guard's funds, but coach class was booked solid, so she splurged for a first-class seat.
    She couldn't help but think about the fact that she was practically flying into Jerry Frampton's backyard. If she were a stronger person, perhaps she could do a little investigating on her own. But she couldn't see herself seeking him out any more than she could imagine having a cozy chat with his pornographer friend, Mick D'Angelo. Then again, maybe she could just ask a few questions at that Chinese restaurant on Miami Beach that was mentioned in the last report.
    On her way to the airport, she made a trip by the office to pick up some reference material on the Florida Keys and used the waiting time to refresh her memory about its natural resources.
    As soon as she was settled in her window seat on the plane, she went back to perusing one of the books. A man's voice behind her broke into her concentration. It couldn't be!
    "I'm a real white-knuckle flyer, Jennifer. You can bring me a double bourbon as soon as you're allowed to serve it. And if you could sit on my lap during takeoff, it would calm my nerves considerably."
    An insincere feminine chuckle reached Holly's ears. "As much as that sounds like fun, I'm afraid it's against regulations, Mr. Wells."
    The pounding in her ears prevented Holly from hearing any more of the flirtation. His velvety-smooth voice brought her humiliation back in a rush. It was difficult enough to forget how he had made a fool of her, without having to see him so soon after their last encounter. How could fate have played such a trick on her?
    Reminding herself that she had been as much at fault as he erased the anger, but reinforced her acute embarrassment. Perhaps, if she was lucky, he was only going as far as Atlanta. Surely she could stay hidden in her seat for the next hour. The restrooms were in the rear of the cabin. There would be no reason for him to see who was seated in front of him.
    When they touched down in Atlanta, she remained seated until she was certain everyone had deplaned. Then she stood, stepped into the aisle to stretch her legs... and groaned. It would be rather ridiculous to pretend she didn't recognize him or see him slouched there, looking like death warmed over, especially since he was staring right at her.
    She nodded at him and headed for the exit before he had a chance to make whatever glib comment was surely on the tip of his tongue.
    As soon as she reboarded the plane, she grew wary. The man who had been seated next to her was now in the aisle seat previously occupied by David Wells and vice-versa. She walked to Wells' side and stated, "You're in the wrong seat." His mischievous grin was annoyingly in place. She noted the drink in his hand and the empty miniature of vodka on the tray in front of him. She thought he'd already overindulged on the way to Atlanta, but apparently he had completely recovered and was starting over.
    "Actually, I'm not. I explained to the gentleman that I needed to interview you for my paper and he was glad to oblige."
    "If you think for one minute—"
    "Uh-uh. Hold it right there. This is strictly business. Did you read my column about the recycling bills in yesterday's paper?"
    "Yes. It was very good."
    "Thank you. Are you headed for the Keys?"
    "Yes."
    "Same here. I was hoping you would give me the benefit of your expertise on the environmental impact of a hurricane. That is, if you can stop huffing and puffing."
    "I am not—" How could she deny it when he was watching her chest rise and fall much too rapidly. "Are you going to let me sit down, or am I supposed to stand the rest of the way?"
    He raised his gaze to her face. "Oh, you wanted me to stand up? But I thought you hated such overt masculine gestures. I figured you could just climb over me, maybe hike your skirt up a mite—"
    "Mr. Wells!"
    "Sorry, I can't seem to help myself."
    " Try. " She sighed, and he stood up and moved aside just enough for her to squeeze by.
    As soon as they had both fastened their seatbelts, she offered him the book she had skimmed on the first leg of the flight.
    "I can't read on a plane, or in any moving vehicle for that matter. If you don't mind, I'd appreciate your filling me in verbally. Actually, it would help a lot if you would start talking now and just keep talking until we're in the air."
    "What?" Then she saw him grip the arms of the seat and his whole body went stiff. She hadn't even realized the plane had started to back