My cock thickens as I haul myself up and drop into the seat beside him. “That won’t be happening. This isn’t a real date.”
“It’s not?” He cocks his head toward the door. “In that case, I’ll get out. I asked The Firm for a real date with Wylder Buckingham, not a fake one.”
I grind my teeth together and count to ten silently. As much as I’d like to let him go just so I don’t have to go through with this, that would be going against the terms of the request. Knowing him, he’ll just insist I plan another one that satisfies hisconditions. “Fine. It’s a real date. Now buckle up so we can go.”
Neo’s face shines so brightly that it has me rubbing my chest, trying to figure out what odd sensation is unraveling there.
“Great. Knew you wouldn’t let me down. Well, I didn’t know it, but I was hoping you wouldn’t.”
“Of course I wouldn’t,” I say stiffly as I fasten my harness automatically. “I gave you my word.”
Neo shrugs. “Meh. A lot of people have given me their word over the years. Doesn’t really mean much, to be honest. It’s easy to give a promise, but much harder to follow through.”
I rub at my chest harder, wondering why it’s feeling so odd. Do I need to see a doctor?
Neo lets a curse slip as he fumbles with his buckle. I bat his hands away impatiently. “Here. Let me do it.”
He sits docilely as I fasten him in securely, running my fingers up the inside of the straps as I check the fit. Neo shivers under my touch, but I don’t acknowledge it.
Even if it makes my monster happy. Very fucking happy. He’s grinning widely, eyes twinkling, hands curled around the bars.
I’ve locked him away tightly. Last night cannot happen again.
Once we’re both secured, I silently hand Neo his headphones before donning my own. After I nod at the pilot, the door slams shut, and we’re ready to go.
“I’m not ready for this.” Neo’s wavering voice rings through my headphones. “I don’t think I can do it.”
I glance over to see that all the color has drained from his face. His knuckles are white from where he’s digging his fingers into his thighs. I don’t like that. He’ll have bruises if he’s not careful.
Taking each of his hands in mine, I lace my fingers through his. “Squeeze me instead.”
“I’d rather squeeze something else of yours,” he mutters, screwing his eyes shut. “Like your cock with my hole. That would really help distract me.”
It’s so unexpected, yet so typically Neo, that I find myself laughing.
His eyes fly open. “Are you…laughing?”
“Yes,” I say dryly. “I do that sometimes. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not actually a robot.”
“No one thinks that.” Neo frowns. “But you don’t laugh often.”
“I don’t.”
“You should.” His gaze is intense, so much so that I find myselfwanting to look away. “You’re always attractive, but when you laugh? You’re breathtaking.”
He thinks I’m…breathtaking? Why does he think that when he’s the one who makes it harder for me to breathe?
I’m saved from a response by the helicopter rising into the air. Neo squeaks, his eyes slamming shut again. His fingers crush mine, but I don’t mind. I’m too busy taking advantage of his gaze being off mine by searching his face for answers.
Trouble is, I don’t even know what the questions are.
I have no idea what’s happening between Neo and me.
More terrifyingly…I’m not sure I want it to stop.
By the time we land thirty minutes later, Neo is positively green. He has himself unclipped a mere second after the pilot gives us the go-ahead, lunging for the door.
I hurry to follow, assuming he’ll need a hand down, but Neo’s way ahead of me. He leaps from the step, falling to his knees on the concrete. “Oh, sweet, sweet ground. How I’ve missed you.”
