As we reach the back of his plane, I let go of him and jump up and down.
“Oh my god. Your plane has a bed. Are you kidding me? You were such a player. How many women have enjoyed the Niki Coulter mile high experience?”
He shifts between his feet. “In here, none, because I bought this plane four months ago, but before that, in my old plane…You don’t really want to know, do you?”
I offer a half smile and shake my head. “No.”
But it’s not because I don’t want to hear about his past. It’s because he wants to return to who he used to be. That means he’ll bring women to this plane, his house, and his car.
He blinks a couple of times at me.
“We’re departing in a couple of minutes,” Michael says, appearing.
Niki leads me to the chairs, but it’s like he’s emotionally walking away. He’s walking to his future, which involves me as his assistant and nothing else.
With the plane safely in the air, we reconvene on the sofas.
“How’s Tabi?” he asks as he watches a recording of qualifying on his laptop in preparation for tomorrow’s race.
“She’s having lots of fun. They’re at the zoo today, and sheloves the zoo. I called this morning once I stopped sounding like a cross between a goat and a troll.”
“You were drunk as hell when I picked you up.” His eyes twinkle. “You told a man I’d be livid because he touched my wife.”
I squeeze my eyes tightly closed. “Sorry about that.”
“I liked it. I’ve not thrown a drunk woman over my shoulder in a long time.”
I open one eye, and he chuckles.
“I haven’t been over someone’s shoulder in a long time.”
“Pretty knickers, by the way,” he teases.
“You looked away! I think. It’s all a bit woolly. Tell me you looked away.”
“I did, but I caught a glance by accident.”
I roll my eyes.
“Niki, thank you for caring for me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t collected me.”
“Rescued you. Your words. Is it okay if I hold you? I’m craving a human touch today.”
I nod, and he lifts his chest and opens his arm. I tuck in beside him. I don’t know if it’s what happened over the last twenty-four hours or what’s bubbled away for months, but I don’t care how this isn’t standard boss and assistant behaviour. I want him close.
“I’ll always be there for you, Rosie,” he murmurs against my hair. “All you have to do is ask.”
I suck in a breath. It’s like he’s giving me the boyfriend experience without being my boyfriend. I rest against his chest. His heartbeat is steady, the comfort I need. I wrap an arm around him. He’s tactile with me but not with anyone else. That has to mean something.
“Do other people hire this?” I ask, wriggling against the plush sofas. They’re so soft.
“Sometimes, but I always get it deep cleaned before I fly. You never know who’s been here or what they’ve done.”
Cars whizz around a track on screen. The speed is hypnotic.
“I think your health anxiety is improving,” I reply.
“It’s like I’m returning to old Niki.”
