Page 53 of The Passion

“Okay, both of you sit the fuck down and let’s talk rationally about this,” Forrest says, looking down at his watch. “We still have ten hours left to sort it out, and I’m not listening to you two carry on like this for the rest of the flight.”

I want to be embarrassed that Forrest is stepping in, but I can’t be. Because truth be known, I think Flynn and I could keep going like this for quite a while, and that’s not helpful to anyone. Plus, I don’t want to hurt him, and that’s all this would lead to.

Not stupid enough to sit back in Flynn’s lap, I take the seat across from him so I’m looking at both him and Forrest. I can see the wheels in Flynn’s brain turning, debating giving in to me and the order from his brother.

Men and their egos kill me.

Finally, he gives in and sits down, but his arms are still crossed, and he is not happy.

Taking a deep breath, I try again with what I was trying to say.

“We can’t be seen together, not until this is all over, but it doesn’t mean we can’t try to meet up in private.”

He is still glaring at me, holding his tongue and not saying anything.

“I don’t know how we will do it, but I’m sure we can work it out. But everything has to remain the same as it was before I flew to Australia. You are the quintessential English high-society playboy, and I’m the British heiress who has a stick up her ass most days and very much dislikes you.”

“She’s perfect. Marry her,” Forrest blurts out with a smirk.

“I will be,” Flynn growls as Forrest is still talking.

“Because I’ve never seen anyone put you in your place like this. She’s good for you.”

“Whoa! We are far from talking marriage, you Neanderthals. You don’t just go out find a woman and tell her she is getting married. We are far from the Stone Age. Who’s to say I ever want to get married.” Standing up for myself is easy for me, but try convincing the woman inside me that is clutching her heart, knowing if Flynn asked properly at the right moment, I’d be blurting out yes before I could stop myself. There is something about this man that I can’t deny the gravitational pull to.

“Keep thinking that. You women drive me crazy. You want it all! The space to be the strong independent woman, which I am all for, but when we try to be men, in the way our DNA is designed, we get shot down. I don’t want to squash any woman’s life, but when I find the woman that neither you nor I can deny is my equal, then I’m not holding back from making my intentions clear. And yes, I will want to protect her, mind, body, and soul, because that’s what good men do. We aren’t all assholes in this world.”

Okay, I’m not sure where that came from, but somehow, I’ve pushed a button I didn’t know was there.

Flynn’s words echo in my mind for a few moments, and I can actually see what he is trying to say. And I’m probably one of those women. I have pushed so many men before him away when they wanted to move to dating in a more serious way. And by the sounds of it, he has had similar experiences too. I’ve started to see the man behind the playboy image, and the more I get to know him, the more I’m certain the Casanova Flynn is all a front. Let’s be honest, we all have a little insecurity inside us. Even the strongest personalities have it, they just hide it better than most.

Flynn is one of those people, and so am I.

They say that opposites attract, but in our case, I think it’s two people who understand the other person so well because it’s like looking in a mirror. We are the same, and only time will tell if that is a good or a bad thing.

“Okay, look, we are getting off track of the important thing we need to sort out.” I change the course of the conversation before we start yelling again. “It’s this simple.”

Taking a breath, I get ready to lay out the non-negotiable conditions for the next few months.

“There is no meeting in public unless it is at a public function, and even then, we don’t associate with each other, just be polite. But we need to work out how we can see each other in private.” I haven’t pushed the point that we can’t risk it being too often, because I know that will be like poking the bear.

I wait to see if he has anything to say, but silence is all that is around us. Just the hum of the jet engines filling the void.

I can see Flynn is thinking how to respond, but before he is ready, Forrest has something to add.

“I may have an option, but it’s not an every-night thing. You could use my apartment, but it would take some coordinating and the help of your friend Harper.”

Both Flynn and I are looking at him intently.

“There is an apartment in my building that has become vacant. If Harper rents it, then Felisha would have a reason to be in the building to visit. On the nights you want to meet up, Flynn and I can swap cars, and I’ll stay in his spare room, and you guys can use my apartment, but I swear to God, if you sleep in my bed I will kill you.”

My mind is racing as to whether this would even work. The paparazzi aren’t stupid, but then I realized that they aren’t really chasing us at the moment. Sure, they are snapping pictures when they see us out at functions, but we aren’t that interesting currently. It’s mainly my father that we are trying to hidefrom, and hopefully he won’t even be worrying about looking, although that is probably just wishful thinking.

“Why would Harper be renting an apartment there?” I ask, trying to think of all the possible questions that would be asked.

“Surely, she needs something renovated in her home that she needs to move out for. Christ, don’t you women like to change things all the time? Flynn can pay for the contractors if needed.” Forrest looks like he is really getting invested in this now.

“Can I?” Flynn still has his grumpy face on, but he’s determined to keep calm while Forrest is getting satisfaction at how uncomfortable his brother looks right now. “Fine, I’ll buy the damn apartment if it means I get to see you. Why does Harper have to move into it?”

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