Page 5 of Sinclair Duet

My luck had run out.

Damien

Gabriella Crystal.

The gem who got away.

When I looked up at the airport bar and saw Ella taking a seat, I couldn’t help but stare. She’d played a recurring role in my dreams and fantasies for so long, it took me a second to realize she was real.

Ella was more than a dream come to life.

No longer across the room, my gem was seated at my side. As I retook my seat, I told myself to give my assistant a raise. I’d need to call him and thank him for booking a commercial flight. If only we were headed to Hawaii or Paris instead of Los Angeles. The longer the flight, the better.

Ever since the night Ella walked out of my life, I’d known I’d missed the opportunity of a lifetime—more accurately, squandered rather than missed. There was a time I’d had this amazingly beautiful and exceedingly competent woman at my side. Letting her go was the worst decision I’d ever made.

Truly, I hadn’t let her go. She left.

In time I realized that when she was with me, I took her for granted.

I’d been focused on succeeding in business and forgot that personal relationships also needed attention.

Time was a stringent teacher.

Maybe the gods were offering me another chance.

I didn’t deserve that, but not deserving something had never stopped me before. Life was about opportunities. Mine was pushing her bag under the seat and fastening her seat belt.

Ella was as beautiful as I recalled—no, even more so.

She didn’t need glitz and glamour to be attractive. Simply once again being in her presence, having her at my side, heated my blood.

Her little power play in the bar was perfectly Gabriella.

When the bartender told me that my check was taken care of, I was equal parts annoyed, impressed, and turned on. No, I’d put turned on ahead of the other two emotions.

Fastening my seat belt, I turned and flashed my charming smile—yes, I knew my assets consisted of more than my company and bank accounts. When presented with a second chance as I was now, I would employ my entire arsenal of strengths.

“Again, thank you for my lunch,” I repeated. “You left the restaurant before I could voice my appreciation.”

Shaking her head, Gabriella turned my way. Her crystal-blue eyes looked into mine. “Maybe we could spend the next four-plus hours not talking.”

My lips twitched with the need to smile.

“We could spend the next four-plus hours in other ways” —I lowered my volume— “but there are children on the plane, and we may cause a stir. The bathrooms are rather small, but the mile-high club is always taking new members.” I grinned. “Maybe we could call it renewing our membership.”

“Why are you here? Isn’t there a plane with your name on it ready for inducting unknowing women into that club?”

“Never unknowing. I’m all about full disclosure and consent.”

With a humph, she turned toward the window.

I went on. “This trip was last minute, and my plane was already committed. I’m extremely glad that I was convinced to fly commercial. I think I’ll give my assistant a raise.”

“I’m sure she gets plenty of bonuses.”

“No, Ella.” I waited until she was again looking my way. “I don’t sleep with every assistant. Only one, and when I screwed that up, I lost more than a fantastic assistant.”

“Hmm. At least you can admit you screwed up.” Lifting her chin, she turned toward the oval window.

---