My brow furrowed, and I shifted my focus to the windshield. “Denis, why aren’t you going in the direction of home?”
“You know he’s not going to answer you,” Gavin said.
I sighed. “Denis, at some point, you’ve got to give in a little and lean toward Team Emily.”
Denis laughed. “I am Team Emily. I have been since the very first time I took you home. But I’m loyal to the man who signs my paychecks.”
I turned toward Gavin. “I have an idea. Maybe my monthly contributions should help pay Denis’s salary. That way, this SUV is equal territory.”
“Denis’s salary is two hundred and fifty thousand. Are you going to give me a hundred and twenty-five to cover your share?” He smirked.
“Damn! That’s what you make, Denis? I’m in the wrong field.”
Both men laughed.
“I expect a lot out of my team, and they’re compensated for it,” Gavin admitted.
“He’s the best, I get it, and he’s worth every penny.” I smiled at Denis through the rearview mirror. “But seriously, you two, why does it feel like we’re going to the airport?”
Gavin’s hand lifted to my cheek. “Because we are.”
“Is Ben meeting us there or something?”
“Ben’s not coming on this trip.” His fingers lowered to my chin. “It’s just going to be us.”
I stared into his eyes, looking for answers. Not that it ever helped. The man was like a lockbox—the only way to get information was for it to come out of his mouth. “How long are we going to be gone? I’m going to miss little man.”
He shook his head. “You’re not getting that info out of me.”
I looked over the seats—there were two suitcases in the back. “One of those is for me?” I glanced down the front of me. “Since the only thing I have is the scrubs on my body and some lip gloss in my purse.”
“You know I’d never take you anywhere and not bring what you need.”
I played with the back of his dark hair. “You take such good care of me.” I loved that about him. The constant thoughtfulness whenever we did something or went somewhere. “So why did you choose today to run away?”
He ran his hand over my thigh. “We have something to celebrate. Yesterday you weren’t able to fly away with me. Today you can. Tomorrow you can, too, and every day going forward. Of course, we wouldn’t leave Ben that much, but now we have the flexibility to go wherever, whenever.”
“Hold on a second, mister.” I tapped his chest. “I’m going to be working for Dr. Kaplan, let’s not forget that. I’m not going to be totally unemployed.”
“Ah, but Dr. Kaplan is different. That’s a work-as-you-want kind of gig.”
“And I plan to work. Lots.” I gave him an evil smile.
He held my neck, tilting my face back, biting his lip before he replied, “That’s up for negotiation.”
There was a black American Express card in my wallet that Gavin had given to me with the instructions to buy whatever I wanted, to never ask, and to use it for everything. I had no intention of using it for everything or anything. But the man endlessly made me feel spoiled, and he made it clear that he really wanted to take care of me.
“Kiss me,” I ordered.
As he did, I felt the SUV slow, and when our lips separated, I saw Denis pulling into the airport, going through the locked, armed gate of the private wing where Gavin’s jet was stored.
And that jet was quite a sight—all black, incredibly sexy, and waiting on the runway. Denis parked beside it and opened the door to the back seat.
I climbed out first, just as he was saying, “Have a wonderful trip. I’ll see you both when you get back.”
I thanked Denis, Gavin did, too, and we ascended the steps of the jet.
Gavin led me toward the back and lifted some folded clothes off one of the seats. “An outfit for you to change into.”
