Chapter 1

Before I opened my eyes, I sorted through my memory. Of where I was. Of what had happened. I couldn’t resist Jay any longer. Especially after the way he had taken care of me after the date rape drug. And here I was, in his bed.

My back was against Jay, his breathing steady. I pressed myself into him, as close as I could get. For the first time in months, I was relaxed. At home. I was in the place I belonged.

I dozed off, half dreaming and half remembering yesterday’s activities with Jay.

He kissed my cheek, bringing me fully conscious. I opened my eyes to see his deep brown ones looking down at me.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

I blushed, still getting used to the idea of being back in his bed.

“Hi.”

“Did you sleep well?”

I wiggled my body up and sat with my back against the headboard. Jay sat beside me, chucking the pillows out of the way to get closer.

“Best I’ve slept in ages.” It was true. I hadn’t slept well after our break up.

“Good. I intend to make every night of yours like that.” He looked at me, a twinkle in his eye. “A deep sleep brought on by exhaustion. Exhaustion from being fucked so hard.” He punctuated his words by tapping my knee.

“Suits me.” I twisted around and found his lips. He cupped my cheek, and we settled into a lingering kiss that caused my pulse to race.

Jay broke the kiss and stood. “We have to get up. I’ve made plans.”

“Plans?”

“Yes, for us.”

“Okay.” My brow furrowed, once again trying to understand him but deciding to trust him.

I stood, pulling the sheet with me to cover my nakedness.

He laughed and said, “You weren’t so modest last night.” Jay walked around the bed and whipped the sheet from me. He took my waist in his hands. Pressed his bare torso against mine.

“I thought we had plans,” I said, trying not to laugh.

“You’re right. Is your passport up to date?”

“Passport?”

What was he up to?

“Yes, is it up to date?”

“I think so.” I got one when Matt said he’d take me to Cancun for our anniversary, though of course that never happened.

“Perfect. Go get dressed.”

He stepped aside and motioned for me to go. I looked at him, my eyes wide, wondering if he was being serious or not. He tipped his head towards the door.

I pulled the sheet back and wrapped it around me as I walked to my bedroom. It’s strange being in a house with staff. When you never know who you’ll run into in the hallway.

* * *

I stood in the big walk-in closet in the bedroom Jay had put me in after the night club. I ran my fingers across the huge assortment of designer clothing Jay had bought me, wondering what sort of outfit I should wear.

Jay hadn’t given me any sort of indication. A dress? Casual? What? In the end I went for comfort, selecting a pair of black jeans and a burgundy sweater.

* * *

I found Jay in the breakfast room, dressed in a tailored gray suit and waiting for me with coffee and a croissant. Maybe I should have worn a dress.

“You look stunning,” he said, raking his eyes over my body.

“Thanks,” I said, taking the cup and filling myself with caffeine. “So what are our plans?” I asked.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Oh.”

“Yes. Drink up and let’s go.”

He took my hand and led me out the front door. A silver Rolls-Royce was waiting for us. A man held open the door for us and I climbed in and was hit with the strong scent of leather. Jay slid in after me and the car pulled away.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“To your condo to get your passport.”

“Now?” Holy cow, my passport. I hoped I could find it. It’s not like I’d ever used it before, I’d probably shoved it in some box somewhere. I searched my memory, trying to remember where it was.

The car pulled up in front of my condo. I hopped out.

“Do you need any help?” Jay asked.

“No, it’s okay.”

He stayed in the car and I hurried upstairs. It felt strange when I put my key in the lock. I hadn’t been here in days. Not since the night of the date rape drug. Not since before Jay and I were back together.

I went through all my kitchen drawers with no luck. Perhaps it was in the bedroom. I riffled through my clothes drawers with no luck, but I found a shoebox in the bottom of my closet. Normally I put photographs and keepsakes in it. I dumped the contents onto my bed, sending bits and pieces everywhere. My passport landed on my pillow. I grabbed it and returned to the car.

“Here,” I said handing it to Jay.

“Great.” He took it and put it in his inside suit jacket.

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?”

“Nope.”

What on earth was going on?

He grasped my hand and squeezed it, but he looked out his window, away from me. We sat in silence holding hands while the car drove along. We turned off the highway and passed a sign, “Welcome to Chicago Midway Airport.”

I’d figured we were going somewhere with my passport. But I hadn’t expected it to be on a private jet. Where the hell was he taking me? For a day trip to New York?

* * *

The car stopped in front on a small jet, and the driver opened the car door.

“Thanks Tony,” Jay said to the driver.

He took my elbow and ushered me up the steps and into the jet.

Inside was all cream leather with shiny wood trim. Wide, plush leather seats divided by an aisle. Jay sat me down on one, hung his suit jacket in a wood cupboard and took the seat across the aisle.

“Buckle up,” he said, a dazzling smile on his face.

I was speechless and in a daze at what was happening. Was I really about to take off on a private jet? He still hadn’t told me where we were going. I wonder how long it would take to get there.

My body pressed back into the plush seat as the plane left the runway. Once we had leveled off, a woman appeared with a tray and coffee for each of us.

“Thanks,” I said as I took the drink from her.

She set Jay’s drink on the tray fixed to the wall beside him. He pushed a button, and the window blinds closed. He pressed another button and a large screen came down from the ceiling.

“I’ve arranged a little in-flight entertainment,” he said.

“Okay.” I was far too stunned to comprehend what was happening, let alone reply in a coherent way.

A movie started, one I instantly recognized as Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. I looked at Jay and smiled. He reached his hand out for mine, and we watched the moving holding hands, the aisle between us far too wide.

It’s one of my favorite romances, as much for the stunning scenery of Rome as for the amazing performance of Audrey Hepburn. And those stunning dresses. I could watch it over and over, dreaming of twirling around in one of her gowns.

The movie credits started to come up on the screen, but then cut out. It went directly into another film, To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. Wow. What was going on?

“Are you ever going to tell me where we’re going?” I looked at Jay.

“You’ll find out. If you don’t figure it out first.”

We watched the movie. Each time I saw it and watched Grace Kelly speeding along the winding roads of the French Riviera, I felt a pang of lose at her real-life death on those same roads.

When the movie finished, Jay pushed the buttons. The screen retracted into the ceiling and the window blinds opened. I looked out and saw water far below.

“Is that the ocean?” I asked, sitting up and perching on the edge of my seat.

“The Atlantic.”

“Seriously?”

“You’re looking at it. What do you think?” he laughed.

“Oh my God, how far are we going?”

“Far enough for a few more movies.”

The woman appeared with a tray of food.

“Hold on, are we going to Europe?”

Jay laughed and took a plate of food from her. A thick cut sandwich of roast chicken and tomatoes.

I placed my hand on the woman’s arm. “Are we going to Europe?”

“You’ll have to ask Mr. McAllister that.”

“We are, aren’t we?” I said to Jay, my eyes pleading for an answer.

“It’s a long flight, eat up.”

Shell-shocked, I sat back in my seat and took a bite of my sandwich but chewed without tasting. I’d never been to Europe. I’d never been outside the States, other than that time my father took us camping in Canada when I was little. This was crazy exciting. Though I felt a little odd, I didn’t bring my toothbrush. Or anything.