I wink.
Her cheeks flush, and she shakes her head like she doesn’t know whether to be annoyed or pleased. I decide I like that reaction entirely too much as I reach for the smaller bags and start up the steps beside her.
The jet is configured with wide leather seats arranged in pairs that face each other, in cream and charcoal tones. A narrow aisle runs down the center toward the back, where a small lounge area and storage compartments sit opposite a compact galley stocked with crystal, bottled water, and a basket of snacks.
Keke lounges across one of the forward leather seats, her long blonde hair cascading over one shoulder. She crosses her legs lifting one high before settling over the other and runs her hands down her thighs as we join them. She knows she’s being watched and enjoys it.
She pats the seat beside her. “Sit here, bodyguard.” She’s looking directly at me.
I don’t miss the way Sera stiffens in front of me, but her step doesn’t falter as she continues toward the back of the plane.
“I’m sorry,” I say evenly, but give her a polite smile. “I need to discuss some logistics changes with Ms. Worthington. We weren’t expecting your friends.”
Keke’s smile widens, slow and deliberate. “But,Mr. Bodyguard,” she purrs, voice dropping just enough to carry, “how exactly do you plan on protecting me if you aren’t up close and personal?”
I keep my expression neutral. “Sorry.”
The young woman, Dani, coughs to cover her laugh. She’s perched in a seat across the aisle, dark hair pulled back, a small nose ring catching the light when she smiles. She’s attractive, dressed head to toe in black, and clearly finds this whole exchange entertaining.
Marco, standing near the aisle in the next row of seats with his tablet tucked under one arm, grins. He’s tall, well-dressed, with thick black hair styled with enough gel I don’t think even the jet’s engines could ruffle it. His gaze flicks between me and Sera, lingering a fraction too long on her before sliding back to where I’m standing.
“This one might be out of your reach,” he says to Keke lightly. “He brought a chaperone.”
His expression shifts as he looks back at Sera and then openly ogles her perfect ass, which is unfortunately on display from where she’s bent over stowing a bag in one of the compartments. When his tongue slicks over his lip, I step half a pace toward him without thinking, shoulders squared.
Sensing the movement, Marco’s eyes swing back to me and widen at my expression. I meet his gaze and hold it for a beat. A strained chuckle escapes him before he drops into the nearest seat.
“I’m not worried,” Keke says breezily, lifting a flute of champagne. “I always get what I want.”
Sera finishes securing the bags and takes a seat in the last grouping at the back. I can practically feel the angry vibrations she’s generating and can only imagine what she wants to say but can’t.
I smile then. A genuine one.
Dani leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees to look at the model across the aisle. “You’re going to scare him off, Keke,” she says dryly. “Try being normal, at least for the first five minutes.”
Keke laughs, unbothered. “Where’s the fun in that?”
She stretches languidly, arching her back so that her shirt rises high beneath her breasts. Blue eyes flick back to me with unmistakable intent. This is a game to her. One she expects to win.
She won’t.
I’m not sure what spell my Seraphina has spun around me, but it’s as if other women ceased to exist after that alley.
I take the seat across and diagonal from Sera. Close enough I can touch her if I want, but far enough that the others inthe cabin don’t have a clear sightline. Fortunately, they’ve all situated themselves with their backs to us.
How thoughtful.
The cabin door closes, cutting off the noise from the tarmac and the pilots are explaining flight times and weather conditions for New York. Dani and Marco are laughing with Keke a few rows up, the sound light and careless.
No one is paying any attention to us.
“You’re supposed to be protecting me,” I tease.
“I think you’re doing just fine on your own. Besides I had to charge my phone again.” She angles slightly toward me, voice low. “When we’re airborne, I’ll email Brady and Vincent. Let them know about the extra bodies so they can rework the plans.”
“Okay.”
The engines rumble beneath the floor, and a low vibration shudders through the cabin as the plane begins to taxi.
