Page 12 of The Pilot & the Athlete

She nodded and stood, holding onto the chair.

Paul looked out at the night sky, refocusing his mind. “Wait. Do you know the FBI agents’ full names? Who else have you worked with at the FBI? Aiden will check into everybody and get some background on them. He’ll let someone he trusts know that you’re in his custody now so your family will know you’re safe and there isn’t a nationwide manhunt issued for you from the FBI. But nobody but Aiden or I will know where you are.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you. I don’t want anyone stressing about me. I haven’t chatted with my mom and dad or Darian in months. It high-key stinks.”

“I’m sorry.”

She pounded her fists together and then raised two fingers. “Thank you, brother.”

Paul smiled, but he didn’t want to be her brother. He didn’t want to think about her brother. He wanted to focus on her and her alone.

“Agents Curtis Meacham and Isaac Turner,” she said when he didn’t respond.

He pulled out his phone and typed the names to Aiden. It was easier not to stare at her pretty mouth while she spoke all her hilarious teenage slang. What would she say if he told her his course was set on this top-of-the-line jet? He could hold her and comfort her for the less than three-hour flight. Would thatbe ‘bussin’ or ‘fire’ or would it be ‘cringe’? He didn’t dare find out.

“Agent Pike Larkin is my FBI contact. He was a friend of Darian’s from college.”

“All right.” He typed that in as well. Glancing up at her, he asked a question he probably should’ve left alone. “How is Darian?”

She shrugged. She looked tired and drained. Everything from tonight was probably hitting her or maybe Darian was doing worse than he’d heard. “He stays busy with his law practice and helping my mom and dad.”

“That’s good.” Paul wondered what she knew about his and Darian’s blow up. She didn’t act upset with him. Maybe Darian didn’t loathe him as much as he feared. He didn’t go home often. Though the whole town of Glenwood Springs treated him like a returning war hero, there were some who hadn’t forgotten about Paul’s role in the tragedy. Most blamed Carrie for kissing him, breaking Darian’s heart, and being reckless on the bike, but Darian had put all the responsibility on Paul. He claimed Paul had seduced Carrie and confused her. If he knew that Carrie had emailed Paul the year that she dated and became engaged to Darian and that she’d come to see Paul and proclaimed her love before taking off and dying, he’d hate him worse. Without knowing the worst of it, Darian already loathed him.

“He never married?” Paul asked.

“No cap.” She shook her head. “He won’t move on. He doesn’t even get rizzy with the many ladies who chase him.”

“That’s too bad,” he said. “I hoped he could get past … everything eventually.”

“Doubtful. He’s pretty salty if it comes up.” She looked away.

Salty meant grumpy, he thought. Paul felt a sting like salt as he thought of the information Darian didn’t know. Was Shay’s appearance in his life to help him get the load off his chest or to tempt him with what he couldn’t have? He was grateful Shay wasn’t being ‘salty’ with him. Was that because of her appreciation for him rescuing her or simply her positive attitude and obvious resiliency?

Shay was a ray of sunshine, even though she’d been through a dark, terrifying night. He could only imagine how hard she’d worked to make it through trials and onto the U.S. Olympic swim team the second time. Then she hadn’t been able to compete because of a criminal killing an innocent woman and Shay being forced into protective custody. He imagined most people would be quivering on the floor crying about now. And nobody would blame them. She was singularly impressive, the ideal woman for him. He fell deeper for her in this moment, and it stung even harder that he needed to keep his distance.

Shay tilted her head, that shiny honey hair spilling over her arm. “What about you, our rizzy pilot? Does the swole Air Force hero date every baddie who hits on him?”

He chuckled. “I’m trying to keep up with all the slang.”

“Sorry,” she said, though she didn’t sound it. “It’s engrained in me at this point. It makes me feel closer to my people.”

“Don’t be sorry. I like it. It makes you unique.” And funny and desirable and a whole lot of other things he didn’t want to think about. He could relate to missing his ‘people’ and wanting to stay close.

Paul was in top shape, one of the best and most versatile warriors on the planet, but sometimes he felt old. Especially when Autumn teased him about being thirty-five and unattached. With this breath of fresh air, Shay Cannon, he feltyoung, vibrant, and happy. How did she accomplish that? He should be buoying her up instead of the other way around.

“Much appreciated.” She clasped her hands like a prayer and bowed to him then she settled back into the co-pilot chair. “Now give me the deets.” She folded her hands under her chin and blinked at him.

Paul chuckled. This plane could fly itself and there was no danger or anything approaching, but he made himself look at the controls and pretend he was doing something. Otherwise, he might lift her to her feet, pull her in tight, and see if another kiss between them could equal the first one. Had that off-the-charts connection only been because of the extreme and dangerous situation and the good Lord helping him save her life, or could those sparks happen for them again?

“I date.” He chose his words carefully. “But I’m busy with my work.”

“Hmm.”

“What about you?” he challenged, glancing back at her.

“Of course I date,” she said, sassy and adorable. “I’m very sought after.”

“I’m sure you are.” He grinned and ignored the flash of jealousy deep in his gut.

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