Page 18 of Air Affair

“Oh? Are you dark and bitter?” she asked with a mocking smile.

“I’m not weak tea.”

Her smile spread. By God, she was gorgeous.

“So,” he said, picking up the coffee that just arrived and taking a sip. “You asked me to come, and here I am. Why am I here?”

“Because I like you, Hank. You don’t bore me.”

He took another sip of coffee and watched her. Damn good coffee. Not a hint of gasoline. “I like you too. And you are anything but boring. But I’ll ask you again. Why am I here? A woman like you has no business spending time with a man like me. And you still have a fiancé, a senator no less. Whatever it is you want, I can’t help thinking it will end poorly for me.”

“Really, Hank,” she said, waving a croissant. “You make it sound like I’m plotting your demise when all I really want is to⁠—”

She was interrupted by a commotion at the door. The senator came barging in, shoving past a very flustered concierge. He stopped abruptly on seeing Hank.

“Jesus, Aurora,” Edward whispered harshly. “I came here to apologize, but here you are with your lover, having breakfast for the whole world to see. Did you just pick up the first man at the bar to offer you a drink? Is this your idea of revenge? Last night, you sure as hell seemed to disapprove of this sort of thing, but here you are, sitting with this trash like he belongs here. Do you have no sense of decency?”

Hank turned to Rory and raised an eyebrow. This was exactly what he feared. Shaking his head, he exhaled. He walked right into this like an idiot.

“He’s not my lover, Edward. You’re making a scene,” she said under her breath.

“He was at the club last night, and now he’s eating breakfast with you in your hotel. You expect me to believe you didn’t spend the night with him?” The senator leaned on the back of an empty chair, looming over them both.

“Yes, I expect you to believe it. Ask the hotel staff if you don’t believe me. He arrived fifteen minutes ago. He works at my father’s airfield. I spoke with him briefly after you left the club last night, and I asked him to meet me here this morning.”

Heads were starting to turn. The dozen or so other patrons nibbling on their morning croissants couldn’t help but be drawn into the drama. People were alike that way. No one could resist ogling a train wreck.

Turning on Hank, the senator said in an undertone, “Leave. I don’t ever want to see your face again.”

Rory’s hand shot out to restrain Hank. It was unnecessary. He had no intention of leaving her alone with him.

“I’m not the uninvited guest,” Hank countered calmly, meeting the senator’s gaze. “If anyone should be leaving, it’s you, sir.”

The senator’s eyes narrowed. “If we weren’t in public, I’d punch your smug face.”

“And I’d make you regret it.” He smiled. The senator was fit for his age, but he was no match for Hank in a fight, and they both knew it. “I’ll thank you to leave Miss Belmont alone and leave us to our breakfast, Senator.” He popped a bite-sized pastry in his mouth.

If he didn’t know what trouble he was getting himself into, Hank would be enjoying himself. Maybe he was, despite the trouble.

The middle-aged woman at the next table stopped pretending to drink her tea and propped her chin on her hand, leaning in.

Turning back to Rory, the senator said, “For God’s sake, we’re supposed to be getting married in a month.”

“Obviously, that’s not going to happen.”

The senator’s eyes went wide. “No. You can’t do that. The wedding has to go forward. If you won’t let me talk some sense into you, I’ll go see your father. He’ll know what to do to get you to behave. He won’t think much of the company you’re keeping,” he said, glancing at Hank.

“Don’t treat me like a child,” Rory answered. “If this is you apologizing, you need to review the definition of the word.”

“I’m sorry, Aurora. I handled last night poorly.”

“Have you broken things off with her?”

Hank watched the senator closely. His face turned bright red, and his mouth opened and closed several times before he said. “You’re completely missing the point. I’m saying I’m sorry.”

“Leave, Edward,” she said. “Go speak to my father if you wish. We’re done here.” She slid the sparkling diamond engagement ring off and put it down on the table in front of the senator.

The woman at the next table’s eyes went wide, and she pressed her hand to her mouth.