Chapter one
Islammedmybookshut in frustration. GOD! I just can’t concentrate. How many times had I read that page? Ten? Twelve? I looked out the window and we must be somewhere over the Rockies. When I left the Bay Area for Chicago, I was bubbling with excitement. It had been three long weeks since I had seen Rylie. He had come out to visit, but I hadn’t been out to Chicago to see him in almost three months. Because of this, I had added a few extra vacation days to the business trip to spend with him. He had arranged for additional time off, but said he may have to take calls from time to time.
I was meeting my boss for the hopeful signing of a very high-profile contract. The Henderson and Sons contract would lock us into multiple construction projects over the next ten to twenty years. It would also propel my career if I could convince Mr. Henderson to sign on the dotted line tomorrow.
Two weeks ago, I had been in Houston for a week, and there was hardly a moment I wasn’t in a meeting with those clients. Sam Bradford, my boss, had only arranged a few in-person meetings for this trip, but if Ray Henderson signed, I would not be surprised if tomorrow ended up being a very long day. The good news was that afterwards I would be mostly free to do what I wished while here.
I didn’t mind the trips. Chicago allowed me time with Rylie without him having to get time off and fly out to California, which he did as often as he could get away. In Houston, if there was time, the trip gave me the ability to see some friends and family.
Sam had me scheduled to work for three days in Chicago before taking a few days off. I still wasn’t sure how I had convinced Sam to allow me to take the vacation time. Once this contract was signed, it was going to be a mad rush in drafting and finalizing the drawings. Henderson and Sons already had construction crews on standby to hopefully break ground in four months. Getting it pushed through building and planning was going to be a chore, and I could feel the stress filling my shoulders just thinking about it.
A smile lifted my lips as I thought of how I could relieve the stress. Rylie. I shifted in my seat, and the lady next to me asked, “Nervous?”
I was, but not for the reason she was asking. “Of flying? No. I fly pretty often.”
She nodded and then went back to her book. I smiled as I recognized the title. “You enjoying it?”
“I am. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.” She lowered her voice a bit and said, “I love some good cliterature, and I’ll be seeing my boyfriend for the first time in four months, so he will reap the benefits.” She grinned, reaching up and touching her necklace.
“I bet he will.” I smiled at her.
“You’ve read it?”
“I have. Wait until you get to the kitchen table scene.” I winked at her.
“Read that about ten minutes ago. The author did a great job describing how it felt to go down the throat from the male’s perspective, didn’t she?”
The younger man on the aisle seat shifted, and I leaned forward to see him blushing. Smirking, I met the woman’s eye, and smiled. “She did. Takes talent to take a man like that. Not every woman can do it right. Have to get the right angle.”
She hummed in agreement, and the guy shifted in his seat and tried to readjust himself. I whispered, “I think we are making him uncomfortable.”
She chuckled, “Regardless, it’s a good book. Sir required me to read it on the plane. Said something about the office scene becoming reality.”
I smiled broadly at her, recalling that scene. I gave her a chef’s kiss before I cocked my head to the side and nodded at the necklace she wore. “He’ll be pleased.”
Her hand flew to the leather choker with the small metal ring on the front. A blush rose to her cheeks, and it was the only confirmation I needed, but she said, “Sir will be happy indeed”.
I smiled, but then sighed. I wanted to have that conversation with Rylie, but it would be really difficult long distance. “I’ll let you get back to it. Don’t want to let your man down.”
She smiled as she looked at the book in my lap. I still had a few more hours on the plane, so I picked up the book and tried again.
I pulled my phone out, looking at the time. 4:40 p.m. local, and with the press of a few buttons, opened the messenger:
Just landed. Meet me at the hotel at 7.
Rylie:
You brought what I instructed?
Yes.
Rylie:
Put it in and send me a photo.
Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?
Rylie:
