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“Don’t worry, Ms. Grady. I’ll get you to the airport in plenty of time.” He pulled out of the driveway and I inhaled deeply. It wasn’t the plane I was worried about.
True to his word, we arrived at the airport in no time.
“Um. You missed the Departures exit,” I said, pointing to the sign overhead.
“Mr. Crawford is taking his private plane to Miami, ma’am. The runway is this way.”
Private plane? Miami? He’d said we wouldn’t be traveling far, but I had thought maybe we were headed to New York or Boston for the weekend. Not Florida! Thank goodness I’d packed a bathing suit, prepared for a hot tub or something. Or something was right.
My purse vibrated next to me. I pulled out my phone and saw an incoming call from the store I’d interviewed at earlier. I didn’t want to speak to the owner, Marcus, right now. Not with the driver listening. I would call him back when I returned from Miami.
As the driver pulled up next to a small plane, Colton descended the stairs. At first, only his blue jeans were visible, but then a broad chest inside a fitted black sweater came into view. The aviator sunglasses nearly did me in. He was gorgeous and I couldn’t stop a sigh from my lips.
The driver opened my door and I stepped out of the car. Colton was there in two strides. Pulling the sunglasses off of his face, he smiled and tiny creases formed next to his eyes. “Hi,” he said and leaned down to kiss my cheek.
I smiled. “Hi.”
He interlaced his fingers with mine and pulled me toward the plane. “I’m sorry I could not pick you up myself. I needed to check on a few things before departure. Was the ride all right?”
“Yes, it was perfect,” I said. “Are we really going to Miami?”
“Ah, so Eric ruined the surprise,” he grinned. “Yes. Have you ever been?”
“No. Never.”
“Well, I’m happy to ease you into your first trip to the sunshine state. Or not, if you prefer I don’t go gently.”
I blushed and he laughed. “You know, for someone in complete control at work, you are easy to tease when it comes to sex.”
I sucked in my lips. He had noticed. I was trying, I really was.
“After you, Ms. Grady,” he said and placed his hand on my lower back to take the first step onto the plane.
I held onto the railing and raised my foot. My leg shook, but I breathed through my nose, steadying my heartbeat.
You can do this! He likes you and you like him. You’re doing nothing wrong.
An attendant met me at the top of the stairs. “Good morning!”
“Morning,” I said, and walked into the cabin furnished with white leather seats and black trim. Four seats faced each other on the left, while a long couch and table protruded on the right. A closed door in the center.
Colton’s hand on my shoulder shook me from my state of shock, and I walked over to one of the seats. “I assume it’s your first time on a private plane, too.”
I simply nodded, still unable to speak.
What the heck was I doing here? I was lying to someone that could probably kill me and hide all the evidence without lifting a finger.
That was unfair. Colton wasn’t a criminal. Yet, I’ve seen him flip out when someone puts him on hold for too long. My heart hammered in my chest and my throat felt tight.
“Are you all right?” asked Colton when I sucked in a breath and nearly choked on air.
“Yes,” I said, cupping both hands over my mouth to steady my breathing. You are overreacting, Frances. Calm down.
“Are you nervous about flying?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never flown in a private plane before.”
“Would you like something to take the edge off?”
