He glanced over to see her standing in line for security. Looking at his watch, he realized she’d waited until the last moment to arrive. He smiled. Now that he knew what was inside, he wouldn’t let her revert back to “all business.”
A familiar ache built throughout his body as he watched her progress across the waiting area. The whoosh of adrenaline was similar to the rush of creativity, only a thousand times stronger. He no longer just wanted this woman—he had to have her. Which was a problem, because he was technically her boss. Temporarily. Although, if she was also his lover, then he’d know exactly where her loyalties lay. He could live with that...couldn’t he?
“Good morning, Sloan,” she said, settling into a seat across the aisle from him.
He frowned as she pulled out her mobile phone and searched for a number. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ignore someone to talk on the phone?”
“Not when it’s business.”
“What’s business?”
She motioned between the two of them. “This trip.” Waving the phone for a minute, she continued, “And this call.”
Oh, no she didn’t. “What kind of business call could you possibly be making on a Saturday morning?”
“I’m calling Vivian. It was too late to call her last night and I should let her know where we’ll be. You didn’t give me nearly enough time pack and get ready and call her this morning.”
And I’m not about to give you a chance now, either. He eyed her stiff shoulders and the haughty tilt to her chin as she studied the screen. She wore her defiance like a uniform—one he wanted to remove inch by inch. “Don’t, Ziara.”
“Why not?”
“Seriously? What good is it going to do?”
“It just might preserve my job when all this is over,” she said, those chocolate eyes finally meeting his head-on. “Or did you forget that someone else has a stake in this besides you?”
Ouch. He knew it, even when he wished he didn’t. Not everyone needs a high salary and trust fund to be successful. She needed her job. If everything didn’t work out, he’d help her find a new one.
Standing, he loomed over her, hearing the call to board blast from the speakers around them. “Still, I’m in charge on this trip. Remember?”
With a quick snatch, he grabbed her phone and stored it deep in the pocket of his khakis. Still within reach...barely.
“Give that back,” she demanded, her voice shaking.
“No. But you are welcome to come get it, if you want.”
The anger that exploded over her face didn’t hide the hint of interest that surfaced. Enjoying a touch of satisfaction, he grabbed his carry-on and strolled across the waiting area to board the flight. The whole time he could feel her glare directly between his shoulder blades.
This would be a fun flight.
On the plane, she lowered into the seat next to him with exquisite care, her tense jaw signaling extreme displeasure. He really shouldn’t be enjoying this so much.
“Give back my phone.”
“No,” he said, giving a little jiggle of his pocket. “Look at it this way—at least you’ll have an excuse when she asks why you didn’t call.”
If he had to guess, he’d say he was seeing his assistant go supernova. Not a sound was made, but the air almost shook around her before she closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. As they started to taxi, she took out a paperback and began to read. Clearly all avoidance tactics were in full effect now, probably for his own safety. He grinned. Biding his time was a talent he’d long ago acquired.
He allowed her to avoid him until they’d reached cruising altitude. Then his nimble fingers plucked the book from hers before she knew what was coming.
“Hey,” she protested. “Are you planning to make stealing a habit?”
“I don’t know. Haven’t you learned yet it’s rude to ignore the person you’re traveling with?”
She angled herself toward the window, leaving him with a devastating view of her elegant nose and full lips, not to mention thick lashes that added to the mystery of her eyes. “I didn’t want you to feel you had to entertain me.”
He handed back the book, murmuring, “I’ll just bet you did.”
She shot him a sharp look but tucked the book into her purse for safekeeping. Settling back in her seat, she folded her hands in her lap like the prim woman he suspected she wasn’t. If she only knew what that contradiction did to him. Actually, it was probably a good thing she didn’t. Ten thousand feet up in an airplane wasn’t the ideal place for arousal.
“Aren’t you curious about the designer we’re going to see?”