“I’m more than happy to let it go. What would you like to discuss instead?”
As I stared at him as though he’d lost his mind, Solo smiled deviously.
“No ideas? I have several. Maybe we could start with the way you threw me out of your room the other night?”
I glared at Solo so hard that it was a miracle the ground didn’t open up and swallow him whole. The guy had no clue about discretion, timing, life in general, if he thought for one second I was in the mood to discuss that.
“I can see you don’t really like that option. So let’s move on.” As Solo pushed off the door, I automatically took a step back into the room. I wasn’t in the mood to be dicked around right now. “How about we discuss the fact thatyoujust told your father I was one of the best pilots you’d ever seen?”
“How about we don’t.”
“Aww, you don’t need to be shy, Panther. You can admit it: you think I’m a badass.”
My lips twitched despite myself. Who the hell was this guy that nothing seemed to faze him? It was like Solo walked around with a perpetual I-don’t-give-a-fuck mindset, and I had to admit, I wished I shared his blasé view of the world right this second. I would give anything not to feel as though I’d just let down my father. Anything not to feel as though I couldn’t act on the desire I had for this infuriating man in front of me.
But, just like the good little soldier I had been raised to be, I squashed down any and all emotions that hinted at my actual feelings. “You need to get out of my way.”
“Oooor what?”
“Or I’ll move you out of my fucking way. I’m really not in the mood for this.”
Solo took another step toward me. “What are you in the mood for?”
I went to open my mouth and throw out some kind of lie, but Solo cut me off.
“And don’t give me some bullshit answer. What do you usually feel like doing after a one-on-one with dear old Dad? I can’t imagine that’s the first time you’ve gone a couple rounds.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“I know, but tell me anyway.”
I ground my molars together, my hands balling into fists by my sides. What did I usually do? I usually got on my bike and drove all night. Or got in a plane and tore up the sky. I did whatever it took to erase his disappointment in me with a rush of pure adrenaline, and if anyone would understand that, it would be Solo.
“I fly or ride,” I heard myself say.
“Why?”
“Why?” Solo nodded, and I shrugged.“I don’t know. It helps somehow. That rush…”
“The high?”
My pulse began to race as Solo’s question lingered in the air between us, the same way it did when I slid into the cockpit of my jet. This was not good—he was standing much closer to me now, and as my heart began to thump erratically, my head spun.
I needed to get the fuck out of there now, before I did something I’d regret.
“Panther?”
“Huh?”
Solo was now toe to toe with me, and when he slid his tongue along his lower lip, I had to swallow back a groan.
“For me, the only thing that’s ever come close to that high I get in the cockpit,” Solo said, my eyes focused on his mouth, “is sex.”
I didn’t have time to react before Solo gripped the back of my neck, forcing me down so that my lips crashed against his. I froze, unable to comprehend what was happening—where it was happening. All I could feel was Solo’s mouth moving against mine, and as all the reasons why this was a bad idea flashed through my head, I knew there was no way in hell I was about to put an end to this, not until I’d at least had a taste of the lips pressed up against mine.
19Solo
PANTHER IS KISSING me.
