Sitting next to me, smelling like a damn rose garden. Better than all the flowers I sent her combined. The way she blushes every time we brush up against each other. Her fingers working that gold chain around her neck.
Adorable.
It’s a shame her dad’s right in front of us, with a fully unobstructed view. I’d love to slide in close to her, slip my hand between her thighs and see just how wet she is.
Because judging by the problem in my pants, there’s no way she’s not turned on right now.
Once we hit altitude, she fires up her laptop and starts clicking on spreadsheets. That’s my cue to pop in my headphones and watch the latest episode ofWhite Lotus.Ironic, considering I’m sitting next to my own personal disaster vacation.
At least the show’s a distraction from the beautiful woman sitting next to me.
The one I can’t touch, kiss, or have sex with for the next four days, according to the travel rules.
Dammit.
I’ve never wanted an away series to be over so fast before — and we haven’t even touched down in city number one yet.
My fingers itch to reach over and touch her. Instead, I drum my thigh, fast and furious. Being this close to Tori and not being able to do anything with her is absolute torture.
I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make it.
After what feels like an eternity, we finally start our descent. Tori’s forced to put away her laptop and I click out of the show.
“So…what’s the plan, Sunshine?” I glance over at her and stretch out my legs. Accidentally brushing up against her one more time.
Her lips press into a thin red line as she shifts away from me, trying hard to maintain distance.
“What do you mean?”
“For today.” I lean in closer, that freckle on her collarbone taunting me. “Now that you’re head babysitter again.”
She chews the inside of her cheek and stares out the window. “I reviewed the schedule. Film viewing this afternoon and an early team dinner. You’re fine on your own, right? You don’t need me to chaperone you.”
Part of me is disappointed.
I fold my arms over my chest as the plane descends, the tarmac coming into view. Cutting my eyes to the front of the plane, I catch Prince staring me down. Giving me thesame look everyone gives me when they’re waiting for the screw-up to screw up.
“I mean, not really. But I think your dad might have other ideas.”
Tori’s eyes flick forward and she straightens up in her seat, her posture perfect. She smooths out an imaginary wrinkle in her skirt and crosses her ankles.
“Fine. Watch the film and then I’ll meet you for dinner.”
I tap my foot against hers discreetly and she sucks in a sharp breath, giving her away.
“It’s a date,” I whisper, my gaze dropping to her mouth for a quick beat. She swallows hard, throat bobbing with the effort.
“Don’t push it, Steele.”
“Sunshine, it’s what I do.”
Her cheeks stain pink as the plane touches down in Chicago and I wonder exactly how long my promise lasts once we’re behind a hotel door.
I’m sitting between Weston and Callum in a darkened conference room at the hotel. A projection screen covers the back wall, film rolling. I’m trying hard to stay focused.
It’s not going well.
Keller pauses the film. The frame freezes on a blown play. “This. This is the difference between winning and watching from the couch.”
