Keeping his eyes on Blythe, he said, “I’ll take a scotch, neat.” When the flight attendant didn’t move, he looked at her pointedly and said, “That will be all.” She scurried off and, once again, his eyes were on Blythe. It was unnerving that just one look from him could make her feel completely bare. He cocked one of his dark eyebrows, and it was then she realized she hadn’t answered his question.
“Oh, um, yes. The drive was quite fine. It was only about a twenty-five-minute ride.” She offered a smile, but it fell when his face showed no expression.
“I’m glad it went well. I apologize that I kept you waiting, but I had a last minute conference call that I needed to take.”
“It’s fine, really.” She shifted in her seat when he shrugged off his jacket and started undoing his cufflinks then the first few buttons at his throat. Her gaze was transfixed at the sight of his tanned, muscular throat. It should be illegal for a man’s neck to look that good.
He pushed his sleeves up to show his thick, equally tanned forearms. Neck and forearms should not be so sexy, but damn, did Dietrich Moore make them look incredibly sexy.
Walter and Sandra brought their drinks and took their order for dinner. Moments later, the jet was taxiing then lifted into the air.
Blythe held on to the armrests as a bout of turbulence shook the plane. She hadn’t realized she’d closed her eyes until she peeled them open after the jet evened out.
Dietrich’s steely gaze was trained on hers. He didn’t say anything as he brought his crystal cut glass to his lips and took a deep drink. Only after he set his cup back down did he speak.
“Do flights bother you, Miss Winters?”
She smoothed her hands down her skirt and took a deep breath, debating whether to tell him the truth. In the end, she didn’t see a point in lying about her fear of flying. “I’ve only been on one other flight, but it was a rough one. Turbulence isn’t really my thing.”
The corner of his mouth quirked up, and she relaxed just a bit. She had a long flight ahead of her, and she needed to sit back and relax. The way she acted was her own doing. He was just a man, after all.
A very big, scary, and dominating man but a man, nonetheless.
Dinner was served, and they ate in relative silence.
“More water, Miss Winters?” Walter bent at the waist and smiled down at her.
“Sure, thank you.”
“Mr. Moore, another scotch or would you like something else?”
Blythe looked at Dietrich and saw his gaze fixated on hers once again. She started to feel a bit unnerved because whenever she glanced at him his attention was on her. It seemed like forever before he tore his eyes from her.
“Another scotch, Walter, and please bring a glass of champagne for Miss Winters.” Walter nodded and left them alone.
“Water is fine.”
Sandra walked by and set a plush blanket and pillow on the seats beside them, and they were once again left alone.
“I’m aware of that, but it’s clear your nerves are a bit tight, and it might help.”
Walter returned with their drinks and asked if there was anything else they needed before he disappeared into the galley.
A look at her watch showed they were already a couple of hours into their flight. The sun still shone in the horizon but would be sinking soon as night approached.
“I’d like to go over your itinerary to make sure I have everything cemented and there is no room for mistake. If that is okay, Sir?” After a moment, he cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
“First, I have something for you.” He reached into his briefcase by his feet and pulled out a thick envelope. The took out an iPhone, iPad, and black Amex. She must have stared longer than he liked because he said, “Go on.”
She took the items.
“The phone is imperative. I must be able to have direct contact with you at all times.” Blythe knew from the file that she would be staying at a private, beachfront villa that Dietrich owned. Pictures had littered the internet, and she had instantly fallen in love. “The iPad has an app that has my schedule on it. Everything you need to know about what I’m doing and when I’m doing it is all on there.”
“And the card?” She held up the card and caught his eyes.
“You will be by my side constantly. I need you to dress the part. Once we get to Lisbon and are settled in, I’ll have someone take you shopping. I’ve already sent you a text on what you’ll need to buy.”
Blythe looked down at her clothing and felt heat rise to her face. No doubt she was red. “I’ve packed clothing, Sir, enough for the whole month.” He let his eyes travel up and down her body, and she suddenly felt completely naked in front of him.