Flames of Desire

Flames of Desire

By

Michelle Joy Stewart

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Michelle Joy Stewart

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced in any fashion without the express, written consent of the copyright holder.

Cover Design by Melody Simmons

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.

Contact Michelle Joy Stewart at: Romancewriter25@hotmail.com

Books by Michelle Joy Stewart

A Passing Fancy

(ebook and print on demand)

Prologue

New York City

Early winter, 1980

BELLA Sterling hurried past the mass of people at New York’s LaGuardia Airport praying she hadn’t missed her morning flight. There seemed to be a mad dash to the gates as if everyone had overslept. It was worse than rush hour traffic in mid-town, she reflected, but even if she made it in time, did she really want to step onto the plane? Get a grip, she uttered as the hellish nightmare resurfaced. Face your fears, keep moving, she told herself. And yet, over and over the dream played, placing her inside a silver tube falling from the sky. Even worse, it had not even had a beginning or an end. Just the endless spiraling out of control and the fear of the plane’s impact strangling her until her screams had jolted her awake.

Slowing at her gate, she faltered. Only a trickle of passengers were still boarding. The ticket agent looked at her expectantly, waiting. Dare she board? Just a silly dream, she murmured.

Excuse me? the agent asked.

Oh, nothing, she replied handing over her boarding pass, just talking to myself. Nerves I guess.

Have a nice flight, the woman smiled.

Sure, she muttered as her palms went clammy. She forced herself to walk down the jet bridge.

With her nerves stretched, perspiration beaded on her forehead. She had to steady herself at the entry door. All she really wanted to do was shed her fur coat, and run like hell all the way back out of the airport. But the cold air filtering into the jet bridge, hit her head on, reminding her it was time to get out of New York City and start her new life. Clutching her fur, she forced herself to step onto the plane.

After being directed to her seat, by a calm and efficient flight attendant, she resolved to look ahead. Shedding her coat, draping it over her seat back, her fingers lingered, touching and marveling on its richness … she’d never owned anything so extravagant. Never lusted after an expensive fur and although beautiful, guilt washed over her. When she had voiced her concern for the animals, her fiancée had rebuffed her comments and told her to get over it. What was the difference between wearing a fur and a pair of leather shoes… he’d countered? He expected her to wear it and that was the end of it. It just didn’t sit right with her. And in that moment, she decided she wouldn’t wear it again-no matter what Charles said.

Coffee, champagne? the attendant questioned.

Aren’t we ready to take off? I arrived so late, I thought I’d miss the flight, she answered, smoothing her thick blonde hair back behind her shoulders.

We’re on a gate hold, the flight attendant replied, shrugging.

Oh, coffee would be nice. How long is the hold?

I think we’re waiting to see about the storm, she said, glancing out at the falling snow hitting the aircraft window.

Bella’s heart surged. Had there been a storm in her dream? She couldn’t remember. She tried to smile at the beauty of the snowflakes descending outside her window, but what if the storm delayed or even canceled the flight? Did she want it to cancel? Wouldn’t that be better than crashing? Oh my goodness, stop such nonsense.

As she sipped her coffee, she absently flipped through the pages of BRIDE’S magazine. Perhaps she should have alerted Charles she might be delayed. He’d be in a fit if he had to wait at the airport. But there simply had been no time. Shifting her thoughts, she pondered all the wedding plans and parties that awaited her in San Francisco. Caught up in all there was to do, she didn’t notice the man standing over her. His smooth masculine voice finally caused her to look up and focus on him.

My seat, the man motioned as he spoke.

The man’s sea-green eyes flashed her a look and in that moment, all thoughts of Charles vanished. She also forgot about her nightmarish dream. It dawned on her he’d spoken. What? she muttered, still staring at him, spellbound like a foolish teenager.

I said, my seat… by the window.

Oh. Her breath caught.

It’s the seat next to you, he added, waving his stub at her, his eyes never leaving her face as she continued to take in the magnificence of him.

Of course, she replied breathlessly, shifting her legs, giving him room to pass. She couldn’t resist a glance at his form-fitting Levis, his wide-set shoulders and thick, black unruly hair. Catching sight of scuffed cowboy boots protruding from jeans, she looked away when his unbelievably jeweled eyes lifted and caught her. He’s much too good-looking for anyone’s good, No wonder I can’t catch my breath.

As he settled into his seat, the plane’s cabin door rolled shut. Shortly thereafter, they pushed back from the gate.

Thought I’d missed the flight, he said adjusting his long frame into the seat more comfortably.

He had a casualness about him, confident of himself, sure of how he fit into the world and it made her nervous.

I think we were the last to board, she replied. Oh good lord, he’s sitting next to me for three and half hours … What if he wants to chit-chat the whole time? I’m nothing like him … I don’t even belong in first-class.

As the other women in first class cast glances of envy in her direction, she counted herself lucky, but then again she’d wanted time to reflect on what lay ahead, to prepare for her new life. Now with him beside her, she was having other thoughts entirely. Perhaps she would be daring, flirt and appear to be a woman of the world. She’d never been daring before, never done anything wild or carefree. But maybe … just this once… The stupid thought only lasted a second as her glittering diamond took that moment to catch the light, and its hugeness against her slender finger sparkled like a beacon reminding her … Stupid Bella, really stupid. She had more important things to be thinking about, like becoming Mrs. Charles Davenport.

As the 767 aircraft taxied out onto the runway, she tried to forget the handsome stranger and concentrate on the airline’s video welcoming her aboard and instructing her on the safety features of the aircraft.

Good-bye, New York. Goodbye to everything familiar. In San Francisco, a whole new life awaited. Smiling at being so sentimental, she sipped her coffee.

As she leaned forward to put her magazine in the seat back pocket, the man sitting beside her reached his arm across her to take a newspaper from the passing flight attendant. His arm accidentally brushed across Bella’s breasts, sending an electric current surging through her, making her warm and tingly all over. Oh. she exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment. Their eyes met and held.

Sorry, he replied. His brows arched as if amused by her flushed face.

He didn’t look sorry. Going to San Francisco? she asked. She looked away. What a ridiculous thing to utter. It was a direct flight.

Yes. Actually, I’m thrilled to be getting out of New York and the snow. Name’s Forrest Ledew, he added, his attitude kind and friendly.

Bella relaxed. He didn’t laugh at her blunder. Bella Sterling, she supplied. Although he didn’t look like it, he seemed to be a gentleman. What he looked like was a womanizer, a first class rouge, a man used to getting his way. Power, wealth and confidence exuded from every pore. He was everything a fantasy man should be. It was just that she had never been one of those women who was attracted to men like him. Why now? Right before her wedding?

Forrest pointed to the Bride’s magazine now half tucked in the seat back pocket and then at the diamond on her finger. Have you pick out the wedding gown yet? he asked.

Oh, I was just looking at the pictures. I’m going to wear my finance’s mother’s wedding dress. It’s a tradition in the Davenport family.

Davenport? The Davenports who own the department store chain?

Yes.

So. Is it ugly?

The dress? No, but not exactly my taste.

Forrest took the magazine from the seat back pocket and flipped through the pages until he came to a delicately laced gown, outlined in tiny pearls with a tight bodice, made to show off a good bit of cleavage yet still be in good taste. It’s satin-like material reaching all the way from the waist to the floor made it fit for a princess. I like this one for you.

It’s a beautiful dress. Bella focused on his long tapered fingers, tanned and strong looking, point at the lovely creation. What was wrong with her? Even the man’s hands were having an effect on her.

Should be, it’s rather pricey, he said mentioning the amount listed on the bottom of the page. But somehow I know you’re worth it.

She smiled and then found herself growing warm as his comment settled. Was he flirting with her?

The snow began to fall in earnest and he grumbled beside her.

Do you think we’re going to be delayed even longer, she asked as the plane stopped short of the runway.

More than likely. The forecasters predicted heavy snow, but this is turning into a blizzard. He turned, flashing even white teeth. Two deep dimples appeared as his grin widened, Don’t worry. We’ll get there soon enough. Glancing back out the window at the falling snow he added, the only problem is, if we wait too long to take off, we’ll have to go back and get de-iced again.

She considered mentioning her nightmare, but she was too caught up admiring his dimples. She found herself comparing Charles Davenport to Forrest Ledew. But another glance at Forrest made her realize how unfair she was being. All men would pale in comparison to this man. And although handsome, there was something about him that also put her at ease. That was strange too because she was so out of her depth when it came to men. It wasn’t that Forrest was model handsome like the models in BRIDE’S magazine; rather he was manly handsome, rock solid and muscled. The kind of man you’d want with you if you were lost in the desert, she decided. Charles would wilt like a daisy in his Ralph Lauren play clothes, but Forrest would prosper in his worn jeans, hardy boots and well-developed muscle-clad body. He also exuded an intense aura, as if he had untapped strength, just below the surface of his skin, just waiting to be unleashed. What would it be like if he unleashed that sort of passion toward her?

Bella almost laughed aloud at her silliness, but she couldn’t help letting her mind wander to a scene of them alone in the desert, the heat from the sun making their bodies warm and tingly. She envisioned the flowering cactus plants all around them, as he lowered her body down onto a soft blanket on the desert sand. Make love to me, fantasy man, she would whisper as his warm breath and soft lips traveled along her neck and beyond.

Have you known your finance long? Forrest asked interrupting her thoughts.

Bella jumped, her mind returning from its fantasy. Good God almighty… what is wrong with me?

Three months.

That long? His black brows arched as his grin widened.

He’s everything I could ever want, she said sounding like she was trying more to convince herself than him.

He’s certainly trying to impress to give you a diamond that size.

Well, yes. Bella stared at the handsome man, surprised by his statement. Actually, he is also very considerate, kind, loving … Bella stopped. It was none of this man’s business. Why, if she didn’t control herself she’d tell him her life story. Why was she being so chatty? She didn’t normally talk so openly to strangers. Besides, why would someone who looked like him understand how flattered she’d been when Charles had shown an interest in her? Granted, she’d always been admired by men. She knew they liked her all-American blonde looks, had been told since she was little that she had the looks men went nuts over. But never had a man of Charles stature pursued her. She couldn’t help but get caught up in his world, a world she’d never experienced. Now it would be her world. What did it matter if she’d never felt romantic love, or been moved passionately by a man before? Romance was for movies and books. Not real life. At least, not for her, as she had learned over the years.

Ah, well, Congratulations, he added dryly.

Thank you, she answered slowly. Was he teasing her?

The Captain’s voice came on over the P.A. Bad weather or not, they were cleared for take-off.

The flight attendant tidied the cabin and sat down, buckling in.

Increasing snowfall hit the window next to Forrest alarming Bella all over again. Are we really going to take off in weather like this? she asked, once again recalling her dream, instantly feeling afraid, but too embarrassed to admit it.

Sure looks like it.

In no time the plane turned onto the active taxiway, the engines rumbled and slowly they were on their way. The plane began picking up speed, roaring down the runway. As it began to lift, the aircraft seemed to gather itself like a bird and spring forward and up into the air.

Bella smiled, thrilled her horrifying dream was unfounded. Yet those few seconds were the last she’d remember without pure panic and terror engulfing her. In a single instant, everything changed as the plane began to shake, rattle and then pitch to one side. Her screams pierced the air but were lost to the roaring of the plane’s engines.

We’re losing attitude, Forrest yelled over the rumble as the plane started a nosedive back to earth.

We’re going to crash, she screamed, grabbing onto his strong hand. We’re going to crash, she repeated in disbelief, and yet somehow down deep had she not known it all along? Why had she kept silent? Why had she stepped onto the plane to begin with? Why, why why…

It all happened so fast the flight crew had no time to prepare the passengers for the impending crash,