I'd run. As fast as my feet would carry me.

I hadn't been able to handle him then. Hell, I was barely handling him now. I didn't want him to see me as a coward, though, therefore I would never, ever admit that I'd purposefully escaped him. Right now, I wanted this man to see me as a strong, capable woman who met her challenges head-on.

One day, that description might even be true.

"So, why did you want to see me today?" Good. Bring it back to business.

He tilted his chin, silently acknowledging my abrupt change of subject. Half turning, he reached out and grabbed a small square item. He thrust it at me. "Here. This is yours."

I gazed down at it, confused. "What is it?"

"A state-of-the-art BlueJay PDA. I almost bought you a Palm Pilot, but I decided to go this route instead. I'll be able to call you and send you e-mail with it. Plus, I've taken the liberty of programming appointment times for us, and this will give you periodic reminders." His eyes gleamed brightly. "You'll never forget a meeting again."

"How…sweet of you to get this for me." Without giving it another glance, I stuffed the stupid thing in my briefcase- where it would most likely remain for the next few months. "Is that our only business today?"

"No." Royce searched through the papers strewn across his desk and lifted a solitary sheet. I wondered if I could sneak a peek at some of those applications/porn. Why I cared to see them, I didn't know-okay, I hoped to incinerate them with my eyes. I leaned to the side…could almost see…

"This," he said, turning back to me and holding the page out, "is a list of possible locations for the party."

I straightened quickly and tried to appear innocent. I hadn't seen a single application, damn it.

He smiled and rubbed a hand down his jaw. I couldn't help but notice how clean-shaven it was. "I know how much you appreciate lists," he said.

"Thank you." I clasped the offered page, recalling I had something for him as well. With my free hand, I rooted through my briefcase. When I found what I was looking for, I slid it out. "Here's my own list of locations, just as promised. We might have some of the same places marked." I gave his list a once-over.

A startled gasp parted my lips. What the hell? "A cabin in Colorado?" I gazed up with wide eyes. "A resort in Maine? A cottage in Connecticut? But I only work in the Dallas area."

He shrugged innocently. "My mother will only turn sixty once, and I want to celebrate right."

"Surely you can find a place here. What about your home? Or Linda's?" I asked, a desperate quality entering my voice.

"I'll consider my place if the sites I have listed don't pan out. We need to check them out ASAP."

"Okay, well, I'll make a few calls, search the Internet, and-"

"No, I believe in a personal touch. So we'll visit them personally. Starting with the cabin in Colorado."

"And just how do you plan to get us there?" Don't say we'll fly. Don't say we'll fly.

"I'll fly us, of course."

"Of course." My fingers curled around the arm of the chair, clenching so tightly my knuckles turned white. All color drained from my face. "What do you plan to fly us in?" Don't say airplane. Don't say airplane.

"A Cessna Turbo 210," he replied, a proud grin lighting his features. "It's the Ferrari of small aircraft."

"How-lovely." I swallowed back bile.

Dread. Panic. Terror. All three blasted through me. I hated planes with a passion. Always had.

He caught my alarm, paused and studied me. "Is there a problem, Naomi?"

I felt a scream of fear lodge in the back of my throat but somehow managed to silence it. "Can't you be content with one of the hotels I've mentioned?" My voice was weak, shaky.

"Don't look so scared." He reached out and squeezed my shoulder, his hand strong and hot and infinitely tender. "I've had my pilot's license for years. I'll get us there and back safely."

"Why don't you view the cabin alone?" I gulped. "You can take pictures while you're there, maybe measure the dimensions. I'll go over your notes and let you know if it will actually work."

I didn't add that the sites he'd listed would be suitable over my cold, dead body. The only location I would approve was in Dallas.

"I don't think so." He went behind his desk and eased into his seat, a satisfied glint in his sexy blue eyes. He looked as calm and relaxed as a man who'd just finished a vigorous bout of lovemaking. Destroying my sense of safety must make for a real orgasmic moment.

"You have to go with me, sweetheart," he said. "What if I forget something?"

I straightened hopefully. "I'll make you a list of the things you need to do. That way, you won't forget anything."

"There's no need for a list. Not when I have you."

"I see."

"No, you don't, but I'm not going to explain it at the moment."

"You're willing to put my life at risk just so I can look at a stupid cabin?"

"Yes. We leave on Saturday. Six sharp. I expect you to be ready."

Triple Cs needed to rot in hell for all eternity. "How long will we be gone?" I ground out.

"One night." He grinned, and that single action was loaded with all kinds of sensual meaning. "Two if you insist."

One night.

With Royce.

In a cabin.

Alone? Together?

I shivered. If I survived the plane crash I knew was coming, I'd never be able to resist him. He'd try to kiss me, judging by that wicked twinkle, and I'd offer my lips on a bed of silk, judging by the ache between my legs, and then we'd tear each other's clothes off and do all kinds of naughty things to each other. I bet he'd even bring a wall harness and try to tie me up like the kinky little sex puppet I suspected he was.

What woman could truly say no to that?

His gaze raked over me. "Why do you still look so pale? Are you going to be sick?"

Deep breath in. Slowly let it out. I needed to find a calm center, my meadow of happiness. No, I needed my inner Tigress. Where the hell was she? This entire situation could be resolved with a little of her clawing, growling and screaming. Was the bitch taking a nap?

"I'll need my own room in the cabin," I said.

"Of course." He worked a hand over his jaw. "But that's not what has you worried. I've never seen you so pale. Besides being afraid of how I make you feel, you wouldn't happen to be afraid of flying, would you?"

My entire body stiffened. "I'm not afraid of anything."

"Okay, so you're afraid of flying." He shrugged. "Why?"

"I'm not afraid," I insisted. "It's just that flying is for birds, angels and drug users."

"I'd never let anything happen to you. If I thought for a second that it was dangerous, I wouldn't let you step foot inside a plane. They're safer than cars, honey."

"I'd still prefer to drive."

"No, I'm going to prove to you just how safe planes really are."

Asshole.

"Before I forget," he said, "here are the names and addresses of the party guests, as you requested." He handed me a stack of papers.

Fifty to two hundred guests turned out to be 375.

"Do you really want to fly this many people to another state?" I held up the list as if it were exhibit A. "You need to rethink this trip."

"No, I don't, and yes, I will fly that many people to another state if I want," he said, silencing my protest. "I don't want to hear anything else about it. I'll pick you up at six and you'll be ready just like a good little girl. I've already programmed this into your BlueJay."

Scowling, I stuffed the stupid list in my briefcase. "My fee increases every time I get on an airplane. Did I forget to mention that fact?"

"Yes, you did." A lazy, crooked smile slanted his lips. "But it's not a problem."

"Do you ever have a problem?" I grumbled.

"Actually, yes. Failure to comply with my orders is a major problem."