When Dreams Float Excerpt
If there was ever a time to thank his lucky stars, this was it.
But Winston Knight was a man of science and didn't put much stock
in chance or luck. He dealt better with facts. And the fact of the
matter was that something about her halted him, excited his insides
and numbed him to the world around him. He didn't understand why
he felt so drawn to her, and that intrigued him.
Another luscious thought ricocheted through Winston's mind as he
watched her slip the long gold chain around her neck, its attached
pendant dipping between the pale yellow lace of her blouse. The
pendant lay softly against cinnamon brown skin. How he would love
to run his fingers up, down and around that chain.
The problem was he had never met her before. And from where he was
standing on the other side of the jewelry store, he wouldn't get
the chance. She was about to leave.
Somewhere in his aroused fog a voice called to him. "Final
call for Flight Number TN1 to Papeete, Tahiti."
Winston quickly glanced down at his watch. He was booked on that
flight, the start of his business trip, a medical retreat. It was
the only plane leaving Los Angeles airport for Papeete this afternoon.
His mind warred between rushing to catch his flight or missing it
in order to go around the jewelry shop counter and confront the
attractive lady who had caused his current physical condition.
Making a quick decision Winston took a step in her direction, stopping
only long enough to put back the item he'd picked up to use as an
excuse to stare at the woman as she had tried on the necklace. He
had never had an immediate reaction this strong and was dying to
discover more. He would end this fantasy and go introduce himself.
Maybe this won't start as another mundane business trip after all,
he thought. "Damn it!" he mumbled looking around the store.
"Where did she go?"
Entering the corridor, he looked to the left, away from his plane
and saw a figure dressed in pale yellow amongst a crowd of people
headed around a corner. He looked to the right and saw the airline
attendant preparing to close the gate to his plane. Even if he sprinted
like a NFL running back, he wouldn't make it to his dream girl in
time to still make the flight.
"Damn," he said, reluctantly trotting toward his gate.
That would teach him to hesitate before going after something he
wanted.
As he boarded the plane, he spotted Chuck Rogers, a friend and fellow
doctor. He waved, genuinely glad to see him. He and Chuck had been
planning this trip for months. And he was glad to get it started.
Besides, the past twenty-four hours had been more taxing than he
had expected. His ex-girlfriend, Daphne, had called him last night
to argue about his decision to make the trip without her. It had
ruined his evening. And the disappointment he had just experienced
from missing a chance to meet someone new didn't help much. So Chuck's
friendly face was just what he needed.
"Glad you made it. I was getting worried that you wouldn't,"
Chuck said over the general chatter of travelers and movement in
first class. "Where're you sitting?"
Winston glanced at his boarding pass. "Seat 3C. Aisle."
He found his seat and placed his carry-on luggage in the overhead
compartment.
"I think this one is empty." Chuck pointed to the seat
next to him. "Join me back here."
As Winston removed his luggage from overhead someone, he assumed
the flight attendant, asked, "Is there an extra blanket under
your case?"
"I'm about to remove my bag. I'll check." He took a step
backward and bumped into her. Turning to apologize, he felt a jolt,
partly from the contact, but mostly from the shock.
An inviting smile greeted him first. Then he noticed the fullness
of her ruby-colored lips, the soft slant of her chocolate eyes,
the shine of her black hair that lay on soft brown shoulders.
She was lovely. There was a hint of Jasmine, her perfume, in the
air.
He was definitely the lucky one.
"No." Winston had to think hard to remember the reason
she stood next to him. He liked her smile, treasured her closeness.
"Yellow looks good on you." His eyes traveled farther
down. "Especially with that necklace you have on."