"A helicopter?" Erin shrieked in disbelief, eyes wide in amazement as she stared through the windscreen at the black behemoth that sat on the simmering tarmac, looking like a giant wasp in search of prey. She tore her gaze from the sleek machine and turned to Ethan. "What the hell are you up to now?"

Ethan turned away to hide his grin at the look of pure disbelief on Erin's face. God! He loved riling her up this way, he thought to himself as he pulled the Maserati to a halt at the edge of the wide tarmac. He was aware of her eyes boring into his side, demanding answers, but Ethan chose to ignore her, focusing his attention instead on the man in a gray jumpsuit ambling towards them.

"Have you lost your ability to speak?" Erin snapped, impatience and anger emanating from her in waves. "What is the meaning of this Ethan? I thought we were going somewhere to have a talk?"

Schooling his features into a semblance of disinterest, Ethan turned to face her. He was glad for the mirrored shades he had slipped on earlier, as his body roared in lust, the urge to kiss her again strong within him. He was sure if she could see his eyes, the desire burning in them would be a dead give away of his true feelings.

"We are going somewhere Erin," Ethan replied, his tone brusque from the effort of masking his arousal. Damn, but he had nearly lost control of his senses when he had kissed her in the lobby. The sweet, intoxicating taste of her lips and warm lush body had nearly caused him to discard his plan and instead, sweep her into his arms, take her back to her apartment and make love to that lushness until she could barely walk.

It had taken every last vestige of control to pull away from her. Even more of an effort to not simply drive to his house or the closest hotel and finish what he'd started.

The man reached the car. Up close, Ethan could see the familiar craggy features of his chief pilot.

"Just in time." The pilot commented with an easy grin. "She's ready to take off soon as you guys are on board."

"We'll be inside shortly, thanks Keagan." Ethan nodded his appreciation. He could see the curiosity on Keagan's face as he took in the woman seated beside him and suppressed another grin. He could take a wild guess at the question running through the pilot's mind.

Who was she and why was Ethan taking her up in the copter? Ethan had never had a female on board on any of his previous trips-not even his PA had been allowed on, so he understood Keagan's surprise. Hell, he was even surprised at himself. Maybe he needed his head examined.

"If you think there's one chance in hell I'm getting on that...that contraption...then you are joking." Erin's words drew him from his thoughts.

Ethan dismissed the pilot and turned back to Erin, not hiding the smirk this time.

"Well, it's either you come with me, or you're gonna have to walk all the way home." He allowed his gaze to slide down to her legs, taking in the shoes on her feet. "I don't think those lovely shoes were made for long distance walking and right now, we're a long way from home."

Her cheeks turned pink under the onslaught of his gaze but the stubborn look remained. "I'll call a cab, even if I have to pay a fortune."

Amusement rippled through Ethan when he realized she still hadn't remembered. "Go ahead."

Erin shot him a dirty look, then reached for her purse. A puzzled look replaced the frown when her hands came up empty.

Ethan chuckled, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Lost something?"

She was silent for a moment, deep in thought. Watching her face, Ethan knew the exact moment she remembered. A crimson blush suffused her cheeks and she steadfastly refused to meet his gaze. A quiet stream of unladylike curses filled the car, causing him to burst out in full blown laughter.

She finally faced him and Ethan's laughter died down at the new expression on Erin's face. Hurt.

"You really hate me that much." The quiet words carried a wealth of emotion, leaving Ethan with a strange sense of guilt. Which was absurd because he had done nothing to feel guilty about.

Ethan scowled, suddenly not liking where this conversation was heading. "Why would you say that?" He asked.

Erin sighed and shook her head. "It doesn't matter." The hurt was gone now, to be replaced with her usual stubborn tone. "I'm done playing your stupid game Ethan. I have a date and there's no way I'm standing him up for your shenanigans."

She yanked open the door and slid out, leaving Ethan rooted to his seat. His jaw tightened as waves of jealousy washed through him. No doubt, she was referring to that damned doctor. An image of Erin locked in his arms blazed through his brain and he nearly growled out loud, fingers tightening on the steering wheel.

The door slamming hard enough to rattle the windows broke the spell and with a loud curse, he slid out the car. Damn woman and her foolish temper.

Erin was already stalking away towards the double gates of the private hangar, head held high, the tantalizing sway of her hips setting his blood on fire and Ethan let out another curse.

"Erin." He raised his voice so she could hear him over the wind. "Get back here at once woman!"

Her steps faltered but then she carried on, not sparing him a look or a reply.

***

Erin was hopping mad. Mad at herself for letting that bastard get the better of her once more. And mad at said bastard for manipulating her this way.

She heard him call to her. Even in the distance, the cold fury in his tone caused her steps to falter but she stubbornly soldiered on. There was no way in hell she was going back, no way she would get on that monstrosity with him. Certainly not after that kiss.

Shame and hurt tightened around her heart. Erin had foolishly let herself believe Ethan had kissed her because he wanted her, found her irresistible but in the car, she'd finally seen the truth. The bastard had planned to kiss her all along, knowing she would be so distracted by it that he could make her do anything he wanted. And it rankled to think that if Ethan had suggested they go back to her apartment or his to make love, she would have readily agreed.

It was why she had sat quietly in the damned car for the ride here. Because she had been hoping Ethan felt the same way about her. The stupid sod!

Erin heard crunching footsteps behind her. Quick angry strides that told her without needing to turn around that Ethan was coming up behind her. An instant later, her arm was seized roughly and spun about to face him.

His handsome face was suffused with fury, lips a thin line, eyes glinting icy fire at her. Erin felt her own anger build till it matched his own, and she glared right back.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Despite his anger, Ethan's tone was quiet, too quiet.

"Where do you think?" Erin snarled, eyes blazing a challenge. "Away from you."

"You're being childish again." His voice held a wealth of impatience. "You certainly didn't offer much protest when we came here in the first place or are you afraid I'll kiss you senseless again?"

"That kiss was a mistake." Erin snapped, shaking off his grip. "One that will never happen again. I'd rather kiss a slimy toad before I let you touch me ever again."

His amused chuckle only served to infuriate her more. The fury on his place was replaced by a smug, confident look and Erin's fingers itched to slap that look off his face. "We'll see. Fine, go ahead and leave if you want, have a pleasant walk back to Chicago."

He spun around and walked away, leaving a stunned Erin staring at his back. What the hell had just happened? He was actually letting her leave?

******.

Ethan smirked to himself as he strode away, willing to bet a million bucks that Erin was standing there looking at his back and wondering if he'd lost his mind.

He walked past the car, pausing only to retrieve his briefcase and make sure the doors were securely locked before going on towards the waiting copter. Keagan was already seated in the pilot's seat, doing last minute checks. The pilot looked up when Ethan climbed aboard, settling into the back seat.

"Change of plans boss?" Keagan asked when he noticed his employer was alone.

Ethan chuckled, slipping on a pair of headphones before replying. "She'll be along in a minute. Just be ready to take off soon as she's on board."

"Sure thing." The pilot nodded, his mind ablaze with questions he did not dare ask. Though his glimpse of the brunette had been brief, Keagan had recognized her as the woman pictured alongside his boss in that article a couple of days ago- some rich heiress or the other. Scanning the rows of dials on the dashboard, he wondered if the article had been true and if so, she was certainly not the kind of woman Ethan usually dated. That in itself was quite odd.

Five minutes passed, then ten and Keagan checked his watch, wondering if they were ever going to leave for their destination. Maybe the woman had changed her mind? He wouldn't be too surprised, judging from the tension that had seemed to emanate in waves between the two of them.

He stole a covert look at his boss. Ethan was going through papers from his briefcase and even though he looked the picture of nonchalance, there was a tension about him that betrayed the uneasiness he felt. He managed to look away quickly just as Ethan looked up and scanned the area, lips pursed in worry.

"Where the hell is she?" Ethan muttered, silently hoping the foolish woman had not stubbornly decided to walk all the way to the road. "I swear to God, I'll wring her neck if she...."

His words cut off at the sound of her heels beating an impatient rhythm on the tarmac as she approached. Relief swept through him when she appeared at the open door, face devoid of emotion.

Erin pointedly ignored the hand Ethan held out to assist her, instead, gripping the sides of the door and hurling herself up. She tossed him a look that promised retribution and turned away, staring straight ahead in tight-lipped silence. Chuckling to himself, Ethan returned his attention to the papers.

"You might want to strap in ma'am." Keagan came round to the passenger side and handed Erin a pair of headphones. "And put these on too, will help with the noise and it's a communicator too."

Erin simply nodded and allowed herself to be securely strapped in, sliding on the headphones. She held herself as stiff as a board, not even flinching when the pilot slid the door shut.

A moment later, the engine roared to life, the blades gathering momentum until the big bird lifted off.

"ETA in fifteen minutes boss." Keagan's voice came over the earpiece and Ethan nodded.