Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Mike looked impatient. “Can you stand with your fiancé so I can film you two enjoying this experience … together?”
Oh crap.
I looked over at the other side of the balloon where Baird stood, arms crossed over his chest, stance wide, absolutely towering over everyone else in the balloon as he stared with uncharacteristic broodiness out at the world.
That’s when I realized I wasn’t comfortable moving around the basket when it was in flight. The movement triggered a bout of vertigo.
“Oh God.” I clambered for one of the roped corners and sucked in a breath, squeezing my eyes closed.
“My.”
I opened my eyes to find Baird in front of me, scouring my face in concern. “You all right?”
I relaxed at his gentle tone. “I’m fine. Until I move, apparently.” I shot a look behind him at Mike. “They want us standing together. Enjoying it together.”
“Okay. Why don’t you turn to look out? I’ll stand behind you.”
I did that and found my equilibrium again. Until Baird’s heat hit my back as he pressed his body to mine. He leaned his hand on the edge of the basket, our fingers touching, while he held on to the rope, just above where I held it.
I attempted to relax, but I was hyperaware of his hard chest pressing into me.
We both knew that we couldn’t say anything right now that would give away our ploy or our earlier argument, since everyone could hear everything we said.
Something in the distance on the ground thankfully distracted me from my friend’s hot proximity. “Look!” I pointed toward what was starting to become clearer, laid out on a field.
Sure enough, drone cameras circled the area. Below us, spelled out across two fields using a substantial number of plates, vases, and other items from Pennington’s homeware department, were the words: “We’re Engaged! Maia MacLeod Said Yes to Baird McMillan!”
“That’s cool,” Baird murmured against my temple, leaning further into me until I could barely breathe. Surrounded by his heat and the delicious scent of his aftershave rendered me speechless for a few seconds.
“Right, let’s do this,” Mike announced loudly. “This is where you turn to the camera and introduce yourselves. Then, Baird, we’ll get one of you kissing the bride-to-be.”
At least the moment was being recorded, and I could look back on it to see what actually happened. Because in the moment, I was in an utter daze as Baird turned us to the camera, his arm around my waist, holding me tight to his side as if holding me up.
Of course, Baird had dealt with the media for years, so he was able to switch off the tension between us and switch on his affable, affectionate persona. I was aware of him introducing himself and then clasping my hand tight to his chest as I blurted out who I was and how I worked for Pennington’s as a fashion buyer.
Then, Baird was kissing me.
Not the lip brush from before.
While it was PC for the camera (no tongue), he kissed me with such conviction, I felt it everywhere. My skin was on fire as he dipped me over his arm to kiss me even harder. My fingers curled into his shirt, my legs trembling, and this time not from vertigo.
This was no sloppy boy-man kiss.
This was the most perfect kiss anyone had ever given me. And the friction of his short beard against my chin was so delicious, I was pretty sure I’d never been more turned on.
Once he released me, he continued to stare at my mouth.
I gaped up at him, wishing he’d kiss me again, but this time with tongue.
“Perfect!” Mike yelled, making me jolt.
I straightened, wobbling with the movement of the balloon, and Baird’s hold around my waist tightened. I wondered if he read my confusion for what it was.
My cheeks blazed at the thought.
“We can head back down now,” Mike told Nicholas. Then he winked at us. “Nice work, you two. Glad to see you got over whatever lover’s tiff that was before we got on here.”
I stiffened at the reminder Baird was mad at me.
The renewed tension thrumming through Baird’s body told me he’d remembered he was pissed off at me too.
Just like that, my mood plummeted faster than the balloon as it descended toward the ground.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
BAIRD
The production team had us hang around for ages until they were satisfied with the shoot. Finally, they let us go, and My and I went back to the separate mini trailers to change into our own clothes. I was quick, so I assumed I would be out first, but when I strolled to where I’d parked, I saw Maia with her phone to her ear.
I was still butt hurt, so I was tempted to keep walking, but as always, I found myself drawn to the bloody woman.
Then irritated when I overheard her telling someone she was waiting on an Uber.