“Who says I’m upset?” I am, but considering he isn’t even glancing my way, he wouldn’t know it.
He lifts his eyes to meet mine and then glances at my leg, bouncing a mile a minute.
“You and Alessandra seem to know each other pretty well,” I say, my tone barely masking the ball of jealousy that’s ignited in my belly.
He picks his head up at that, just as a man comes over to our seats.
“Mr. Edgerton, I understand you’d like this table gone. Would it be okay if I got in there for a moment?”
Everyone is so polite and deferential to him. They’re treating him like he’s some kind of royalty. I stand and wait in the aisle, all the while Damian’s eyes are on me. He takes his time before joining me so that the maintenance person can do what Damian himself requested they do.
He crowds my space, even though the aisle is much larger than a regular airplane’s and there is plenty of room for both of us.
“Are you jealous, Brielle?” he whispers for only me to hear.
“No,” I huff. At least, I shouldn’t be. There is nothing to be jealous of. Whether or not he and Alessandra have had an intimate relationship is none of my business. Not. My. Concern. We aren’t really together, and even if we were, it isn’t like I would have any right to be jealous of someone from his past.
But, like, how far in the past? Did they hook up years ago? A few months ago? Since we’ve been… hanging out?
No. It doesn’t matter.
I straighten my spine, turning away from him.
Damian takes my chin in his hand, gently turning my head to face him again, not that I’m putting up any resistance.
His eyes have that dark quality to them that sucks me right in. He has an intensity to him, no sign of the playfulness that comes out every so often.
“Yes. Alessandra and I have had… relations…” he starts.
I push his hand away from my face, the fire in my belly turning to a block of ice. I don’t want him to continue. I don’t want to know the details.
“That’s great. Seemed to me like she’d be open to it again. You know, if you’re interested.”
“I’m not,” he says, his voice hard and flat.
I can sense that he’s getting irritated, but instead of dropping it, I push him more.
“Why not? She’s beautiful, available, interested.”
“I’m here with you. This weekend, you’re mine. I don’t share, and I don’t cheat. As long as you’re on my arm, it’s you or no one.”
My heart is beating out of my chest, and I swallow hard. When he says it like that—“you’re mine”—I want to believe it. Damian is like no one I’ve ever met before, and I find his possessiveness far more attractive than I probably should. But it’s so hot.
And the idea that itcouldbe me… that the option is on the table… makes a rush of desire beat in my veins.
It isn’t going to be me. Because that would be colossally stupid of me, to get involved with my boss. I’ve only worked for him for a month. I can already imagine the talk that would travel through the gossip line if anyone found out.
But still, I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from him, until a voice startles me back to reality.
“It’s all set for you, Mr. Edgerton. Thank you for choosing to fly with us. Have a safe flight.” The maintenance man carries the table away with him, leaving Damian and me to sit across from each other with no barrier.
I take my seat again, and so does Damian. Alessandra returns with his water, and he thanks her while his eyes stayed locked on mine, proving a point that he isn’t interested in another dalliance with the beautiful flight attendant.
After we take off, I throw the blanket over me and adjust the pillow to sit in the corner of the seatback. The seats are nearly the size of a love seat, so I curl up and settle in for the long flight out west as Damian continues to work across from me.
“Can I ask you a question?”
He flicks his gaze to me quickly. “You can ask.” The way he says it makes it clear he may or may not answer.
