‘Maybe there is a silver spoon stuck up your ass?’ She screeches with laughter and ducks as I hurl a mint at her.
I shake my head, regretting ever opening my mouth.
‘I’m just saying you can FaceTime your sister anytime. You can’t FaceTime Jayden’s dick.’
Believe me, on the nights I’m hot and restless, I’ve seriously thought about trying.
We’ve spoken almost daily. I was worried he’d drop his signature innuendos after he got what he wanted, worried about giving the game away to his brother and my sister, but he’s remained every bit as suggestive.
Outwardly, I shrug off his remarks with as much disinterest as I can muster. Inwardly, my stomach never fails to flip.
It was probably a blessing in disguise he got called away because I wouldn’t have had the willpower to kick him out of bed, which would have only made things harder in the end.
He took me like no one has ever done before. Or probably will again. He destroyed me in the most delicious way. His hands. His mouth. His body. But the biggest turn on was the way he owned me. As if he was the only one with the power to push me to my limits and blast me into sexual ecstasy.
Deep down, I’ve been obsessed with him for a long time. It’s going to take a frickin’ superhero to beat that.
Aurelia Arlington’s words resurface out of nowhere for the hundredth time.Even hero’s need saving sometimes too.
I’ve over-analysed them more than is healthy. I don’t even know him that well. Is it possible there’s more depth to Jayden than I’ve ever given him credit for? That perhaps underneath all that teasing and tormenting is a decent guy who’s secretly as fucked up as the rest of us?
It doesn’t take a shrink to work out my trust issues arose after the Ethan debacle, but what happened to Jayden to make him the way he is? Or was he simply born that way?
I’m pretty sure it’ll remain as one of the wonders of the universe, because outside of the boardroom I’ve never heard a serious word fall from his notoriously filthy mouth.
Although I keep my own cards close to my chest. It’s not just the Ethan scenario that scarred me.
The night I lost my parents flashes to the forefront of my mind and I force it away again, pinging the elastic band on my wrist to snap me back into the present.
Ruby perches on the desk opposite mine. ‘I know you have this one-date rule thing going on, but rules are made to be broken.’
‘Funny, that’s what Jayden said.’ I fluff my hair, which I had professionally blow-dried at lunchtime, just in case.
‘If some gorgeous Hollywood playboy offered to tick off every one of my sexual fantasies, I wouldn’t say no. What I wouldn’t give to meet somebody decent. You know I’ve always had this feeling that when I meet the right person, I’ll know right away.’
‘Too many Disney movies, Rubes.’ If only it were that simple. ‘Besides, if that’s the case, why are you wasting time with Brad?’
‘That’s a good question, and one I’ve been asking myself a lot lately.’ Ruby drains the water from her paper cup before slam dunking it into a recycling bin. ‘Come on, or you’ll miss your flight. Hope you’ve packed condoms. Lots of them.’
A blush inches up my neck. That was one reckless detail I deliberately omitted.
First class is busier than usual. Like everything in Dubai, it’s extravagant. The Middle Eastern airlines are no different. Ruby privately insists someone somewhere in this country is compensating for something. Personally, I just think most of the investors have more money than sense.
‘A penny for your thoughts,’ a man sitting in an adjacent seat says. He’s wearing a well-fitting suit. Light brown hair falls in floppy waves framing bright green eyes that dance with devilment. With a roman nose and bone structure that most women would kill for, he’s attractive, but not in a predatory way like those soccer clowns all those weeks ago.
‘I was thinking I was enjoying the peace after yet another busy day.’ My eyebrow arches instinctively and even I have to wonder about this silver spoon everyone keeps talking about.
It’s not that I think I’m above anyone. I’m just really careful about who I allow access to my energy. It’s not being cold, it’s being cautious.
Besides, I’m not in the mood for small talk. Not when all I can think about is the next three days ahead of me, the concert, my sister and, of course, her new brother-in-law-to-be.
‘That’s me put back in my box.’ His head cocks to the side as a chuckle gurgles in his throat.
‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just preoccupied.’ I sip my drink.
I have at least another thirteen hours on this flight. I suppose I might as well relax a little.
‘So, I take it this trip,’ his strong smooth-looking hand gestures around us, ‘is business and not pleasure.’
