Jesse. I repeated his name in my head a couple times. It was a nice name. Okay, that was a lie. Jesse was a sexy name. I'd always liked that name. Go figure, an attractive man would have an attractive name. Judging by his perfectly tailored suit, Rolex watch, and shoes so shiny that you could see your reflection in them, I was pretty sure he had an attractive bank account to match. He probably has an attractive Maserati and an attractive wife, too, I thought to myself.

I gave a subtle glance to his left hand out of curiosity. Hmm. Maybe I was wrong. No ring. No tan line where a ring had been. If he didn't have a wife, though, he surely had a supermodel girlfriend... maybe a fiancé. I could see this man with a woman like Gigi Hadid or Kate Upton on his arm as he graced the red carpet with his abundance of sexiness. Whoever she was, she was one lucky woman.

I did my best to avoid making eye contact with Jesse anymore. I had no business getting heart-eyed over a man like him. He may portray a set of manners and a handsome, friendly smile, but I'd spent enough time around his kind during my relationship with Brad to know that men who dripped money and oozed sex had a bad habit of pretending to be sweethearts at first and then revealing their true asshole colors later. Brad was a good example of that. So were all his rich friends I'd pretended to get along with for years. Yes, Jesse seemed nice, but that's how they all seemed at first. I'd be foolish to think he would be any different.

Trying to push my thoughts aside and subdue my attraction to the man beside me, I returned my attention to my notebook and started trying to think of more goals to jot down on my list.

I'd been so focused on my job, college, and Brad the entire time I'd lived in Dallas, I'd never allowed myself the time to explore the city or do any touristy things. On the way to the airport, it had occurred to me just how many opportunities I'd passed up over the last few years, and there were so many things I wanted to go see and do. I had my whole life ahead of me, but I also felt like I needed to make up for the lack of adventures I'd gone on. Now that I was rid of Brad and his bullshit, I was determined to make the most of my new endeavors... reinvent myself a little. That's what Haley would encourage me to do once I spilled all the crappy details to her.

"Go skydiving... Get my dream job... Ride the bull at Gilley's..." Jesse read off a few of my bullet points, his brows drawing inward as he spoke. "Is this a bucket list?"

Normally, I would've been ticked off at someone for snooping on what I was doing, but it really wasn't anything private, and Jesse actually seemed a little concerned, which I somehow found endearing. Maybe I'd read him wrong. Maybe he was a little sweeter than I thought. Or maybe I just wanted to think that because he was so damn hot.

"It's a list of goals – things I'd like to do over the next twenty years," I answered, tapping my pen against the paper.

We locked eyes again and my throat began to feel dry. Two orbs of the deepest, richest shade of blue I'd ever seen seemed to stare directly into my soul as he looked at me. My breath caught in my throat and I couldn't bring myself to look away.

Jesse had thick eyebrows that were naturally shaped in a very complimentary way. Long, wispy lashes accentuated his hypnotizing eyes. The one oddity I noticed between this man and most of the other affluent men I'd come into contact with over the years was that, unlike them, Jesse wasn't clean shaven and his hair wasn't meticulously groomed to perfection. He sported a dark shadow of a beard and his jet black hair had been cut neatly, but he'd obviously let it grow out passed time for another trim. His hair was naturally wavy and he hadn't bothered to style it like most well-to-do men would. Instead, he let it hang over his forehead and ears in subtle waves and wisps. He had the kind of hair that made you want to run your fingers through it – and fuck, did I want to. I imagined every strand being just as soft as it looked.

"So what's your dream job then?" Jesse asked in a rough, darker tone, still staring deeply into my eyes.

I felt a little flustered hearing the shade of huskiness in his voice, but I refused to let my mind wander in the direction that it so desperately desired. This man was off limits, no matter how sultry his voice was.

His hand brushed mine as he reached for his cell phone and my heart skipped a beat or two. I realized I was staring like an idiot and quickly snapped my gaze elsewhere, eyeing the flight attendant who was maneuvering down the aisle with her cart, handing out drinks and snacks.

"I guess I'm still trying to figure that out," I sighed, shifting my focus back to him and praying my cheeks weren't as flushed as they felt. "I got two degrees in computer science and finance from the University of Texas. I was originally on the path to a high-paying corporate position with a big tech company, but that fell through. Now... Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with my life now. I know it's probably going to involve computers and finance, though, because I don't have the money to go back to college."

I felt stupid admitting aloud that I had conformed my schooling to jive with what Brad's family had expected of me. All that high tech and mathematical stuff had never really appealed to me, but since Brad was on his way to taking over the company, he'd promised me a fancy job alongside him. All I had to do was get the appropriate education. Like a love struck fool, I'd gone right along with everything he and his hoity family "advised" me to do, believing that Brad and I would get married and take over his father's company together, becoming a "power couple," as he'd called it. Now that that idea was shot to shit and I was starting a new life with degrees in subjects I'd never been interested in, I was really kicking myself for letting other people influence what I should do with my life. That wasn't the path anymore. Sure, I was good at computer science and finance, but being good at them didn't make either field enjoyable. I wanted a job that would be fun, something I would genuinely like doing. Could I find that in software and math equations?

Instead of telling me how valuable my degrees were and that I should just make the most of what I had, like I'd thought he would, Jesse cocked his head to the side and nodded. His expression seemed like he really understood my predicament, which was a surprise to me.

Going along with all the other details I'd assumed about his life already, I also added "Ivy League graduate" to the list. No doubt, he'd gotten some super fancy degree from Harvard or Yale. He'd probably had his college paid for and graduated at the top of his class, too.

"I think I know how you feel, Vanessa," Jesse said, his earlier husky tone now dissipated.

The sound of my name on his tongue sent a wave of goosebumps erupting over my arms and I involuntarily shivered. It was a quick, minute movement, but I could tell he'd taken note of it. Damnit.

I tried to act like nothing happened and straightened my posture. "You do?"

Jesse nodded again, his elbow pressed against the bottom of the plane window. He was resting his head against his fist and he looked so calm and casual. He was the first man I'd ever witnessed who could make casually lounging in an airplane seat look so attractive.

"I was a double major in business finance and business management at Columbia," he explained to me, slowly raking his fingers through his gorgeous hair as he spoke. "I wasn't really interested in either, to be totally honest, but my father wants me to run his restaurant business after he retires. When you're expected to go into the family business and you feel the pressure to not disappoint anyone, I guess it's too hard to say no sometimes. But like yours, my education is very versatile. I can do just about anything I want with a business degree. So who knows? Maybe I'll end up somewhere else someday."

I hadn't expected to hear anything about a restaurant business. I'd figured Jesse for more of Brad's type – going into a family business that was more techy or legal. Less food, more touch screens.

"I had you pegged as an Ivy Leaguer," I grinned at my correct assumption. "But I was expecting something more along the lines of a law degree from Harvard."

Jesse mirrored my expression with a dazzling smile that brought the retreating heat right back to my cheeks with a vengeance.

He shrugged one shoulder, his penetrating eyes focused on mine from beneath his long black lashes. "Law's not really my scene."

I was tempted to fan my face. My skin felt blazing hot, and judging by the sultriness in his gaze, he knew he was to blame and he was pretty damn proud of himself.

I tried to remind myself that Jesse was the entirely wrong kind of man for me. I needed to focus on starting over away from Texas. I needed to come up with a plan and figure out what the hell I was going to do with my life and where I was going to live. What I didn't need to be doing was boomeranging into another romance right after ending things with Brad.

"What is your scene then?" I bit my lip, holding his smoldering stare.

He finally looked away when the flight attendant strolled up alongside us and asked if we'd like any refreshments. I asked for a coke and Jesse went with ginger ale. I wondered if he was one of those people who got queasy on planes.

When the attendant moved on, he resumed our conversation. "I'm interested in marketing, advertising, investing... I hope to start my own company eventually and help promote the smaller businesses that are struggling in New York City."

"New York City? Is that where you're from?"

Jesse nodded and combed his fingers through his hair again. "Yeah. Most of my family is from that area."

"Do you plan on staying in New York?" Maybe that question was a little forward, but he just didn't come across to me as the typical New Yorker. He seemed more laid back.

He tilted his head side to side like he was contemplating. "Don't get me wrong. I love New York. But I'd really like to travel more and work in various locations – see what feels right. If I'm able to break into the marketing scene, I should be able to do some of that. What about you? Where are you from?"

A nice little warmth nestled in my stomach over him asking about me. I was about an inch away from having to go splash water all over my face in the bathroom. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been so effected by a man. I'd thought Brad was a dreamboat, but clearly, I was very wrong if a stranger on an airplane could get me more hot and bothered than the man I'd planned on marrying for six years.

"I grew up in Minneapolis and moved out to Dallas a few years back with my high school boyfriend," I told him in between sips of my drink, and I didn't miss the slightest twinge of disappointment on his face at the mention of the word 'boyfriend.' "I thought I had it all figured out – job, marriage, where we'd live, what car I'd get... the whole bit. And it was a perfect plan up until tonight."

Jesse's brows drew together in curiosity. "Mind if I ask what happened?"

I cringed at the too-fresh memory flooding my head. I imagined it would be a long time before I could get the sickening image of Brad screwing Alyssa doggy style out of my mind.

"We had New Year's Eve party plans and I was supposed to meet him at the party later, but I wanted to run by the apartment first and change shoes. I walked in on him mid-thrust into his secretary." I scrunched my nose up in disgust. "So I told him we were finished and I packed a bag and stormed out."

Jesse's eyes widened at my bombshell explanation, and I noticed just the smallest twinge of anger in his eyes, like he was pissed at Brad, too, even though he didn't even know him.

Sexy Stranger is angry on my behalf... Be still my heart, I thought.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you, Vanessa," he said, still looking a bit stunned.

I shrugged as if it wasn't as big of a deal as it was. "I'm not, honestly. I mean... I'm pissed that he cheated, obviously, but I'm glad I found out now, rather than later when we would've been married."

Jesse nodded and downed the remainder of his drink, setting the tiny plastic cup on the tray in front of him. I watched the way his snugly fit sleeves stretched with his movements, giving a brilliant indication of how nicely toned his biceps were. As a result, I started imagining what he looked like in a T-shirt, followed by what he looked like without one...

"I guess you're going home to Minneapolis, then?" Jesse's voice pulled me from my very arousing daydream.

We were on a nonstop flight from Dallas to Chicago, where I would be changing planes to fly to Minneapolis, assuming the slow-moving blizzard in North Dakota would hold off long enough.

"Yes. My family is there. I called my parents to see if they'd mind me coming home for a few weeks while I figure out a plan," I explained between sips of my coke.

I made a mental note to talk to Haley about helping me box up the rest of my belongings at the apartment. I would have to return sooner or later just so I could get everything and permanently leave.

Jesse nodded and reached into his jacket pocket to retrieve his wallet. He pulled out a card and handed it to me. A jolt of electricity ran up my arm when our fingers brushed each other.

"This is my business card. I have a lot of connections in several of the major northern cities and I'd be happy to try to help, if you're interested. I could point you in the direction of a particular company that might suit you well, put in a good word for you..."

Wow. That was ridiculously nice of him.

"Thank you," I said in a surprised tone, running the pad of my thumb over the raised lettering on his card. "I'll keep that in mind."

Over the next hour, Jesse and I fell into a long conversation that spanned just about every subject that strangers could mingle over. Work, family, what restaurants we liked, our favorite books, which teams we thought would make it to the Super Bowl... I talked to Jesse about things that I hadn't even talked to my best friend about in months. And he had a great sense of humor, too, I discovered. His laugh was contagious and had me grinning until my cheek muscles started to cramp.

It was when the pilot announced over the intercom that it was ten minutes until the New Year that I realized talking with Jesse had made me completely forget about Brad and the mounting list of worries I'd carried with me to the airport. But I knew the stomach butterflies would be short lived and our lively conversation would come to a close once we landed and had to part ways. It was a real shame that I wouldn't allow myself to pursue this man, I thought, but I was sure it was for the best...