Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 48032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
I look over at the boarding timer.
Four minutes…
“I knew your love was conditional,” she jokes. “Is this new guy cute?”
“He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever met.”
“Really? What about on a scale of one to ten?”
“He’s a thousand,” I say. “But—”
“Small penis, huh?”
“No.” My cheeks heat at the memory of seeing it stiffen in his pants the night he watched me on the sofa. “That’s definitely not the problem. I can’t find anything on him or his background, and before I talk to him again, I need your help with something.”
“I’m listening.”
“Do you still use your dad’s credentials to look up guys you date?”
“Of course not,” she says. “Using the FBI database without permission is a federal crime.” She coughs, then lowers her voice. “Text me the guy’s name and address and I’ll look it up this weekend.”
“Thank you, Kylie.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, and—shit. I gotta go. Do you think you can make it out to Cali in a few weeks for us to catch up?”
I hesitate to commit, unsure of my next move. “I’ll have to make sure I’m clear from work and let you know.”
“If not, I’ll come to you.”
“Sounds great… I’ve missed you, Kylie.”
“I’ve missed you more, Autumn. Always.” She ends the call, and I let out a sigh of relief.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the boarding process for Flight 783 with service to Buffalo is about to begin,” the gate agent calls over the speaker. “We would now like to welcome all first-class passengers and diamond loyalty members aboard.”
I head toward her with my boarding pass.
The moment she scans it, I rush down the jet bridge, stopping in front of seat 1A.
I stuff my duffle bag into the overhead compartment and buckle my seatbelt.
“You can’t hold that briefcase in your lap, Miss.” The flight attendant quickly steps in front of me. “You’ll need to place it above the seat until we’re in the air.”
I hold up my wrist, showing off the metal bracelet. “It’s chained.”
“Well, try to make it unchained.” She smiles, and I give her a blank stare. “It was a joke, Miss. Would you like a drink?”
“A vodka,” I say, catching sight of a misaligned gap between two links. “And a butter knife, please.”
“Be back in a few.”
Awaiting her return, I stand to my feet and place the briefcase at the back of the overhead bin, stretching the chain as far as it can go.
As I’m positioning where the tip of the butter knife will be wedged, someone clears a throat from behind.
“Good evening, Autumn.” Ryder’s deep voice forces my world to come to a complete stop. “Is this how you’re really saying goodbye?”
“Yes.” I don’t turn around. “Goodbye.”
“Hmmm.” His fingers trail the back of my neck, setting my nerves on fire, disarming me with ease. “I thought we were better than this.”
“We’re not.” I bite my bottom lip as he blows a soft kiss against my skin. “I barely know you at all… And vice versa.”
“I’m sure you’ve done quite a bit of research. Have you not?”
I don’t say a word, and he doesn’t press the subject.
“I like the way this dress looks on you.” He runs his hands against my sides. “It probably looks a lot better off of you, though…”
My cheeks flush red, but I keep my gaze forward. “I said this is ‘Goodbye.’ You can leave now.”
“I’d rather stay.” He grips my waist and turns me around to face him.
As I turn, the briefcase falls from the bin toward the floor, and he catches the chain before it can tug on my wrist.
Picture perfect as always, his white button-down shirt is pushed up to his elbows and his blue eyes are locked on mine.
He looks half-livid, half-amused, and suddenly this plane feels far too small for him. For us.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had to reschedule a job, Autumn,” he says, his voice low. “And I’ve never been late before.”
“There’s a first time for everything in this life,” I manage. “But I guess you won’t have that problem anymore.”
“I definitely won’t,” he says, closing what’s left of the gap between us. “I guarantee that this is the last time it’ll ever happen.”
“Sounds like you’ve found my replacement.”
“I’m setting some ground rules.”
I try to look away from him but it’s no use. “I meant what I said about getting coffee together someday. Someday far in the future.”
“Oh?” He trails a finger against my lips. “That’s all you want with me?”
No… “Yes.”
“It’s just a briefcase,” he whispers. “Is that what’s scaring you, or did you try to see what was inside?”
“I didn’t see anything,” I lie. “And I’m not ‘scared’ of you in the slightest, Ryder.”
“Good to know.”
“I’m simply wary of being drawn to a man who thrives off being an enigma and is now treating me like his employee.”
“You are my employee.” He presses his forehead against mine. “It’s only temporary, though. Once you have the money from your settlement and can take care of yourself, you’re more than welcome to leave.”