Playboy Pilot (4 page)

The driver began to shout something in Portuguese. The way his finger was wagging, I assumed he was telling the person that the cab was full. But the passenger didn’t listen. Next thing I knew, I was sitting next to someone in the back seat.

Someone wearing a uniform.

Captain Carter Clynes in the flesh.

He turned to face me with a wicked grin on his face. “My layover just got more interesting.”

Damn.
He seemed to have grown that stubble overnight.

“How was your flight, Perky? Did you enjoy the ride I gave you?”

“My shirt’s dry. I think you can drop the Perky.”

His eyes lowered to my breasts. Of course, my nipples were standing at full attention since the sheen of sweat on my skin had met the cool air-conditioning inside the cab.

Carter scrubbed his hands over his face. “Damn. You weren’t kidding about those things. I haven’t slept in eighteen hours, and they just woke me up. I think they’re contagious, and
I’m
fucking perky now.”

“That’s not really an appropriate thing to say to a woman you just met, you know.”

“We didn’t just meet. This is our third date.”

“Third date?”

“I bought you dinner in an elegant restaurant for our first one and took you up for a plane ride for our second one. Those were damn good dates. Some women would kill for that kind of lavishness. Seems fitting date three we should be heading to a hotel.” He winked.

I wasn’t sure if it was the time change, my being tired from restless sleep on the plane, or if it was possible this man could say
anything
and I wouldn’t be offended.
Why am I not I offended?

When I didn’t respond, he continued. “I’m glad I saw you. Didn’t think I would ever see you again.”

“That might be because you didn’t look for me.”

“I never thought you’d actually take my suggestion and fly to Brazil.”

I mumbled. “Neither did I.”

The cab driver interrupted, looking between us to ask, “You share cab, yes?”

Surprising me, Carter answered.
In Portuguese
. The language that sounded choppy and frustrating just two minutes ago, suddenly sounded sexy and romantic.

He turned back to me in English. “What hotel are you staying at?”

“I was just trying to figure that out with a little help from Google. Do you have one to recommend?”

“You trust me to pick out where you’ll stay tonight?”

I considered his question for a minute. It was illogical, that much I knew, but I
did
trust him to pick my hotel. Lord knows why. “I think I do.”

That response earned me another sexy grin that had me more excited than I’d been in the last year.

Almost a half-hour later, we were finally off the highway and traveling into what looked like a residential neighborhood. “Barra de Tijuca.” I read the street sign aloud.

“Very good. I should probably warn you. It’s probably not the type of hotel you’re used to.”

“What does that mean?”

“You look like you’re more of the luxury chain with a spa type of woman, that’s all.”

Even though that was exactly what I’d typed into Google, when he said it that way, it sounded like a bad thing. It made me defensive. “And what’s wrong with a luxury hotel? Sometimes a girl needs a massage and a soak in a nice bathtub while traveling.”

“Well, you certainly won’t be getting either of those where we’re heading.” Carter caught my eye. “Unless I’m the one doing the massaging, that is.”

I blushed, which caused Carter to chuckle. “You really are fucking adorable. I’m not sure what’s sexier, the fact that you’re up for letting me take you on this little adventure, or that you secretly like the thought of me giving you a massage.”

“I do not!” My quick, defensive response only confirmed he was right.

He leaned to me. “Do, too.”

“You’re off base.”

“That’s a shame. I’ve been told I’m really good with my hands.” He held out his hands in front of him, examining them.
Big hands.
Hands that looked like he used them to do some actual work when he wasn’t flying a plane.

Damn.

I needed to be back in control of my body and this conversation. “Actually, I’ve heard you were good…
with your hands.
”

Carter furrowed his brow.

“Your crew. They might have mentioned something.”

“What did they mention?”

“It’s not important.”

Carter was about to push for more information, until the taxi came to a stop. I looked around. “Where are we?” We were still in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

“Maria Rosa Rio Guesthouse.”

“You mean like a bed and breakfast?”

“It’s more like a bed and dinner. Maria Rosa doesn’t usually get up before noon. But she makes the best damn feijoada south of the equator.”

He exited the car and surprised me by offering me his hand. “Fei-what?” I asked as he helped me out of the taxi.

“Trust me. It’s fucking delicious. I get hard just thinking about it.”

“You’re a pig, aren’t you?”

“Perky, you have no idea. I’ve been holding back, trying to be a gentleman since you seem a little more refined than I’m used to.”

Carter handed a wad of cash to the driver and toted my carry-on bag on top of his wheeled suitcase as we walked up the driveway. After he rang the bell and we were standing on the doorstep waiting, the taxi drove away. It was at that moment that he decided to let me in on a little information.

“Don’t let Maria Rosa scare you. She’s not really as crazy as she seems.”

CARTER WAS A LIAR.

“Meu filho Americano!” Maria was wearing a bright-colored house dress as she took Carter’s face in both of her hands, planting kisses on each of his cheeks. An aroma of saffron and other herbs and spices filled the air.

Carter introduced me. “Maria, está é a minha amiga, Kendall.”

God, he sounded sexy. Even if the only thing I understood was my own name. He’d even used an accent to say,
Kendall
, lingering on the L a little at the end.

Maria looked me up and down, a thin black moustache expanding across her upper lip as she smiled. “Aha! Você nunca trouxe um amigo antes…”

I turned to him. “What did she say?”

“She’s pointing out that I’ve never brought a friend here before.”

“Exactly how often do you stay here?”

“About every other time I come to Rio. This place feels sort of like a home away from home to me.”

The chattering sound of an animal suddenly registered. Before I knew it, a weight landed onto my back, nearly causing me to topple over from the impact. Then, I felt a spray of warm liquid on my neck.

I stiffened and waved my hands erratically. “What is on me? Get it off of me!” I screamed. “Get it off!”

The creature let out a series of high-pitched screeches as its nails started digging into me. Carter was laughing hysterically as he lifted the thing off of my back.

When I looked over at him, I discovered the animal was a tiny…monkey. Maria Rosa was shaking her head almost dismissively and saying something in Portugese.

Carter couldn’t contain his amusement. “Maria apologizes. Capuchin monkeys sometimes piss on people to mark their territory.” The monkey let out a loud squeal as if to agree with Carter.

“I have monkey piss dripping down my Roland Mouret. This is just fantastic.”

“That shirt needed to be washed anyway. Don’t worry. I’ll clean you off nice later.”

His words sent chills through me. As much as this situation was freaking me out, I couldn’t help my attraction to Carter as he stood there towering over me, still dressed in his pilot’s uniform. The monkey was now comfortably perched on Carter’s shoulder.

When Carter smiled at me, I again took notice of the dimple on his chin, and my demeanor softened. “How come he’s not pissing on you, Captain?”

“Because we’re old friends. Aren’t we, Pedro?” The animal flashed his teeth. I could have sworn it laughed before hopping away to the other side of the room.

Maria seemed upset about something as she spoke to Carter.

“What is she saying?”

“She didn’t realize I was bringing a guest, wanted to make sure I knew that the only other spare bedroom is being rented out. She says we’ll have to share a room.”

“I’m not okay with that.”

He whispered, “We’ll figure it out.”

“There’s nothing to figure out, Carter.”

“Let’s just go to the room and relax for a bit. I need to get out of this uniform and take a nap. Then, I want to show you the beach before dinner.”

“This isn’t going to work…sharing a room. I need to find a hotel.”

“Perky…you didn’t follow me all the way to Brazil only to leave me now. You can say you’re going to get a hotel, but the fact of the matter is, you don’t want to be alone. You wouldn’t be here if you did. Now calm your tits and come with me to our room. Believe me, even if I
wanted
to take advantage of you right now, I haven’t slept in eighteen fucking hours. I need to crash.”

As I quietly followed him down the hallway into the corner room, I cursed at my inability to argue this. He’d safely flown that gigantic plane all the way to Brazil. My life had been in his hands the entire time. He had a point; he needed to sleep. Honestly, I was tired from the flight, too, and I hadn’t even piloted the plane.

The room was small but charming. A bright red bedspread with embroidered purple flowers made of yarn was draped over the queen-sized bed. A single window letting in a cool breeze displayed a nice view of the water in the distance.

There was a bathroom off of the room with an antique white ceramic tub. I noticed fresh flowers on the edge of the sink along with a variety of soaps.

“This is cute. How did you ever find this place anyway? It’s really off the beaten path.”

“I was driving around one day, exploring Rio. I got out of my car to take a walk and smelled Maria’s cooking through the window. I basically followed my nose. When I discovered she rented rooms, I cancelled my reservation at the other place and stayed here. I’d choose this any day over a hotel.”

“You said you only stay here half of the time. The other times, you opt for the big hotel?”

He hesitated. “I come here when I’m alone. I go to the hotel when I—”

“Never mind.” I held out my palm. “I get it.”

The hotel was his fucking ground, probably with the stewardess of the week. I didn’t want to hear anymore.

“Why did you bring
me
here then?”

“I wanted to show you the authentic side of Rio. I feel responsible for you being here. The least I could do is be a good tour guide.”

“How long are you here before you have to fly again?”

“Two days.”

My stomach sank. That wasn’t very long at all.

“Then where are you off to?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t checked the itinerary.”

“Two days here…” I repeated.

“Yeah. So, let’s make the most of it.”

Carter began to unbutton his crisp white captain’s shirt. He hung it up in the small closet. His bare chest was just as perfectly contoured as I’d imagined it. I got the sudden urge to lick a line straight down from his chest to his navel and down the thin happy trail of hair leading into his black dress pants. He was bigger than most of the guys I’d dated. I could only imagine how the weight of his body might feel pressed down over my petite frame. I wanted to feel the weight of him on me, and that was not where my head should have been. I’d almost forgotten that the purpose of this trip was to try to straighten out my life, not complicate it further by falling for someone I couldn’t be with. It wasn’t going to be possible to be with
any
man in the near future if I went ahead with my plans.

Carter lifted a brow, a silent acknowledgement that he took notice of my ogling him. I suddenly looked away, although he’d already caught me in the act.