The hangar stayed warm even at night. Summer heat soaked into the metal walls and crawled across the concrete floor in slow waves. The scent of oil, dust, and steel lingered thick in the air, but Meadow always said this was where she breathed the best, right between the plane and the land that raised her.
Since coming back from Emerald City, two slow days had passed…days filled with Magnolia drifting in and out, Ray stretching himself thin, and Meadow moving through the property like she was trying to catch up to a life that didn’t pause just because she needed it to.
Zaire followed behind her with his hands shoved in his pockets, a lazy grin tugging at his mouth as he watched her walk. He didn’t bother pretending he wasn’t staring. He was in love now, so he stared because he could.
Meadow’s hips swung, thighs moving the way he swore was built solely for the purpose to distract him. She looked over her shoulder once, caught him staring, and rolled her eyes even as her lips curved.
“Light flickering again,” she muttered, hitting the switch. The overhead bulb blinked twice then flared to life. “You can sit your impatient ass over there.”
“I ain’t impatient,” he said, settling onto a crate but still watching her.
“You followed me when I said I needed five minutes.”
“I wanted to be where you were.”
She paused, lips jumping like she wanted to smile but refused. “I’m working.”
“And I ain’t stoppin’ you, cuh,” he shrugged.
“That’s a lie,” she shot back without looking at him.
Zaire smirked. “You real mouthy tonight.”
“I been mouthy,” she countered. “You in love now, so you just hearing it differently.”
That got him. His grin widened.
She climbed into the cockpit, checking switches with practiced ease. The muscles in her legs flexed when she leaned in. He watched her like it was his job.
Meadow felt his gaze. She felt it every damn time. “You good?” she asked dryly.
“Perfect…view nice as hell, too.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Zaire got up and stepped closer, arms still folded. “You always act like you don’t like when I look at you.”
“I don’t,” she lied again.
“Aight.” He licked his lips. “Then why your body heat go up every time?”
Her thighs pressed together on instinct, so annoying. “Zaire, stop talking.”
He kept talking anyway. “It’s crazy how you talk all that shit during the day but come nighttime you turn into a problem.”
“And you gon’ turn into one if you don’t move back.”
She stretched forward to adjust the overhead latch. Her ass lifted slowly…perfect…tempting.
Zaire got up from his seat to get closer to her. There was no way she was bent over around him and his dick didn’t brick up. Hands sliding onto her hips, palms firm and warm.
Meadow froze for a heartbeat. “Zaire…move.”
He didn’t move an inch. “Say please.”
She twisted around with a glare that could stop a car. “I will push you out this hangar and lock the door behind you.”
Zaire laughed under his breath. “You talk all that, but you stay right here with me every night.”
