Page 8 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

Jesus. My skin tingles and I have to remind myself to breathe. It’s been way too long since I’ve flirted with someone like this,and I’ve never flirted with anyonethishot. My brain’s racing to keep up, but my mouth—well, my mouth is doing its thing.

“I think I might just take you up on that,” I say, giving him a playful smile. “But you haven’t told me whyyou’regoing to Chicago.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Business, mostly. Got a meeting with a new client. Shouldn’t take too long.”

“Must be nice,” I say, letting a bit of sarcasm slip in. “Jet-setting across the country for business. Fancy suits, first-class upgrades...”

His grin widens, and for a second, I swear his eyes darken. “What can I say? I’ve worked hard to get where I am.”

I raise an eyebrow. “And where is that, exactly?”

“Let’s just say...I’m comfortable.”

There’s a pause, and for a second, I think I’m going to drown in the tension between us. It’s thick, and I can tell by the way his eyes keep flicking to my lips that he’s thinking the same thing I am.

I wonder what it would be like to kiss him, to feel that stubble against my skin, to taste him. God, it’s been too long.

I lean back in my seat, feeling a little bold. “So, Jared, tell me something interesting about yourself.”

He closes his laptop, turning his full attention to me now. “Something interesting? Hmm...”

He pretends to think for a second before giving me that devilish grin again.

“I once convinced a judge to dismiss a case because the opposing counsel showed up in the wrong courtroom. Claimed it was negligence.”

I laugh, a real laugh this time. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. Case dismissed. Guy was pissed, but hey, rules are rules.”

I shake my head. “Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“Oh, trust me,” he says, his voice dropping a little, “you’dknowif you were on my bad side.”

My stomach flips again, and this time it’s not just from the flirting. There’s something about the way he says it, like he’s teasing but...not really. I don’t know what the hell I’m getting into here, but damn, do I want to find out.

“Well, I’m glad I’m not,” I say, trying to keep things light. “I prefer to be on the good side of tall, dark, and handsome.”

His eyes lock on mine, and for a second, it feels like the rest of the plane just disappears. “Trust me, Savannah, you’re right where you need to be.”

Holy hell. My body’s practically buzzing with the tension between us, and I don’t know if it’s the altitude or the fact that it’s beenwaytoo long since I’ve felt like this, but I’m tempted to make a move.

Right here. On this plane. With this stranger who smells like heaven and looks like every fantasy I’ve ever had rolled into one.

But instead, I give him a coy smile and say, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Chapter Three

Savannah

He flashes me another one of those knee-weakening smiles.

“What about you? What exactly are you into? Besides watching people eat? And cooking?”

“Well,” I say, sitting up a little straighter, “I’ve got this thing for collecting tiny, useless trinkets from every city I’ve visited. Like miniature Eiffel Towers or keychains that no one ever actually uses. It’s an addiction, honestly. My apartment used to be full of them. I’ve got a drawer for each continent.”

He tilts his head, looking genuinely interested. “That’s…oddly charming.”

“I really like Christmas too,” I say, showing him my Pinterest board stuffed full of Christmas ideas and suggestions.

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