I reappraised Hudson, daring to properly inspect him for the first time since my mental trip to poundtown last night. He had brown hair and eyes to match. His thick, dark glasses gave him an air of dignified mystery. The vibe was veryclean-cut NASA scientist from the 1960s by way of a soulful indie-guitar player. I’d already known those things about him, but today I noticed other things, too. The big hands. The impossibly long legs. The sleeves of his button-up, which he kept rolled to his elbows. The soft, gentle way he spoke to me.
“C’mon,” he tried again. “I’m not a distraction. Teaching me about the sex toys is part of your work. Help me out. Please?”
For a moment, I allowed myself to entertain the possibility of opening myself up to him. Just a little bit. Just for the good of our project.
No. Focus. Discipline. Control.That was how I kept myself on track and my career from going up in flames.
I would never have another GalacticSolutions disaster ever again. I wouldn’t allow it.
“The Fantasyhasto be my priority right now, not teaching you the finer points of penis sleeve extender usage and maintenance.”
“But—”
“I agree that you need to learn, but it doesn’t have to be from me. I’m sorry, Hudson. It’s not personal, but my answer’s no.”
Could he hear how sincere that apology was? How I wished that things were different? ThatIwas different?
He must have, because his eyes softened.
“I wish my last girlfriend had broken up with me as eloquently as that.”
The tops of my ears burned at the way he lumpedmeandgirlfriendin the same sentence.
“But I think I can change your mind,” he added.
“You can try, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Forewarned is forearmed, they say.”
Please don’t talk about forearms. I can’t stop looking at yours.
He seemed so confident. Not in an arrogantI’ll get you because I’m a badass and no one can resist my charmsway. That would have been easier. However, it was anI’ve seen the future, and I know this works out great for both of usway.
“I wouldn’t count on it. But don’t worry. It’s for the best. You’ll look back on this and thank me someday.”
He screwed up his face in confusion, opening his mouth to utter another devastatingly earnest response, no doubt. But before he could, a harsh ping filled the air. The gate agent made an announcement.
The direct flight to Dallas was boarding.
Grateful for the diversion, I joined the snaking line of passengers, leaving Hudson and his extra-leg-room ticket to lounge behind me.
By the time I made it up to the door, though, the stone-faced airline host informed me:
“Ma’am, we’re going to need to check that bag to your final destination.”
“I’m so sorry, but I can’t. The laptop in it can’t go in the hold. It has all my company’s proprietary design information on it.”
Mr. Gate Agent didn’t even look up from his computer. “If you don’t surrender the bag willingly, we’ll have no other choice but to assume there’s a nefarious reason and then confiscate and destroy the bag.”
I shifted uncomfortably. Making scenes wasn’t my thing.
“If I could just explain. I’d be happy to check the bag and carry the laptop on its own—”
“There’s no room in the overhead bins to store your personal items—laptops included. Ijustsaid that. Are you going to hold upeveryone?”
Fluorine Scout threatened to make an appearance, a chemical reaction rising in me, unbidden.
“But—”
