“No.”
“No?”
“The new norovirus that’s going around.”
“The what?”
“Jesus, woman. Don’t you watch the news?”
“No. It’s too depressing.”
“Just trust me. You want to avoid the food there right now.”
“Alright. What about Amsterdam? KLM, 9:45.”
“I don’t think that’s a good choice for you. Prostitution is legal there. You walk around the city with no bra, you could get mistaken for something you’re not.”
My eyes widened. “You think I could be mistaken for a whore?”
“The whores are pretty classy there, actually.”
“And how would you know?”
“Whoa…I don’t pay for sex, if that’s what you’re getting at.” He let out a throaty laugh. “I have the opposite problem, actually.”
“Wait. Women pay you for sex?” I covered my mouth. “Oh my God. You’re a male prostitute! Or an escort? Is that what you’re doing hanging around in airport lounges?”
He bent his head back in laughter. “No.”
“So, women just throw themselves at you. That’s what you’re saying.”
“I’m saying that…sometimes it’s fun to be the chaser. And I haven’t had to do that for a very long time, nor have I really found anyone worth chasing. So basically, the last thing I would need to do is pay for sex.”
That didn’t surprise me. I couldn’t even conjure up a comeback. This man was gorgeous and charismatic. Cocky as hell. Women loved that.
When he grabbed the phone back from me, the quick touch of his hand felt really good. Too good.
“Ever been to Brazil, Kendall?”
“No.”
“It’s really nice there this time of year. It’s winter. But it’s still warm enough to enjoy.” He slammed the phone in front of me “Rio. International Airlines. 10:05.”
“What else is there to do there?”
“The beaches are beautiful. There are also a ton of clubs and bars in Copacabana and Ipanema. It’s fun as hell.”
“Is it safe for a single woman traveling alone?”
“You need to use the same common sense you would any place you go. Maybe buy a bra.”
Carter suddenly flipped his phone back around to look at the time. “Shit. I have to go. I’m late for work,” he said as he got up from his seat, throwing a wad of cash on the table.
He hadn’t given me a chance to ask him what he did for a living, or where he was going. I really still knew nothing about this man, but a gnawing feeling of disappointment inside of me proved that I really wanted to know more.
“Um…okay. Well, thanks for the appetizers.”
After a long pause, he said, “Let fate decide. But for the record, my vote is for Rio. Take care of yourself, Kendall.”
As he started to walk away, I realized I was still wearing his leather jacket. I called after him, “Wait! Your jacket!”
“Keep it. It’ll keep your tits warm.”
That was oddly endearing. “Alright.” I laughed slightly and lifted my hand. “Goodbye, I guess.”
“Hello, Goodbye.”
“What?”
“Beatles song.” He winked.
“Oh.” I rolled my eyes. “I should’ve known.”
He smiled, and I realized it was probably the last time I would ever see that dimple on his chin for as long as I lived. As he walked away, I admired his ass, which I hadn’t really gotten a good look at until that moment. He suddenly stopped and turned around. “Kendall…”
“Yeah?”
“If you don’t choose Brazil, have a nice life.”
Before I could respond, he turned back around and kept going at a faster pace.
An unwelcome feeling of loneliness washed over me. I watched him until he turned a corner and was out of sight.
That was an odd comment, though.
If I don’t choose Brazil…have a nice life?
Was I stupid for listening to this stranger’s advice? Time wasn’t exactly on my side. I had to pick something. So…Rio de Janeiro? And if I ended up dead, I’d blame it on Rio.
Wasn’t that a movie?
Blame it on Rio?
I started to sweat in his jacket. God, I was still so hot and bothered.
Blame it on Carter.
I COULDN’T HELP BUT FEEL disappointment when the flight attendant pulled the plane door shut, even though I knew it was ridiculous to feel that way. Sitting in first class, instead of sipping my pre-flight champagne and enjoying warm roasted peanuts, I found myself looking up, hopeful as each passenger boarded.
I thought for sure Carter would be on this flight, although he hadn’t exactly said he was heading to Brazil. A recording came over the cabin PA system, and a flight attendant followed along demonstrating the oxygen mask and seatbelt. After the demo was finished in English, she performed an encore, the second time moving along to a recording in…Brazilian? Wait. No. That wasn’t right. Portuguese? I think. Shit. I was heading to a country I knew nothing about and definitely didn’t speak the language.