Page 97 of Sin City Lights

“Morning, Jack. Thanks for coming so quickly.”

“Not a problem. I was close by.”

Adam knew this wasn’t true. It was Sunday, and Jack had probably dropped everything the minute the office had called him to drive Adam to the airport in the company limo. Had it been up to him, he would have just hailed one of the Lark Hotel VIP cars.

He settled in the leather seat. The scent of eggs and steak wafted to his nostrils. He opened the bag. Inside was a clear cup containing berries and two carefully wrapped packages.

Adam reached for one, peeling back the white paper, and took a big bite of what he discovered was a lettuce-wrapped steak and egg roll. He smiled. The romaine had been Eve’s idea, he was certain.

They came to a stop light. Chewing, he gazed out at the gold windows of Mandalay Bay.

He’d had time to chug his green juice but not to eat. He would have grabbed a granola bar and maybe an apple at the FBO, but not much else. The flight was catered, but it would be a while before he and his other two pilots could have some lunch. It was touching that she’d thought to send him off with food; it made him feel cared for.

The light changed to green, and the limo started forward.

He took another bite. She’d also taken care of him in bed. God, had she ever.

His bed.

He’d never taken any woman to his bedroom; he’d always used the spare. But this woman…not only did hewanther in his bed, but he liked waking up to her in it.

A vision of her as he’d hiked up her leg and taken her in those sexy sandals flashed across his mind. The noises she’d made…

Jesus.

Thank God his suite was soundproofed. She was, as she herself had said, full afterburner takeoff.

He had suspected, yes, but last night, she’d surpassed every one of his wildest fantasies about her. And, he discovered, it was more than just sex.

He found her particularly alluring. The way she smiled and made eye contact, the way she stood tall with good posture, the way she didn’t shy away from voicing her opinions. This woman also listened, really listened, and truly seemed interested in him. Her laugh… He smiled. Her laugh was beautiful and genuine and lit up her entire face.

But what he had with her that he had never found with anyone else was ease. He didn’t have to try to impress her. He seemed to do it just by being himself, which made it easy to be with her.

He finished the last of his wrap and reached for the cup of berries, flipping the top and pouring some into his mouth, then opened hisleather bag and took out the flight plan. It would be about twelve hours to Tokyo. With the right winds, he wouldn’t have to stop to refuel.

He thought to call Sims, but he was probably home, and it being Sunday, he didn’t want to disturb his wife. Lately, Sims had called in sick more often and stayed out longer and longer. It was becoming a problem, having to cover the guy’s schedule, plus those of any others who called off, while running operations too. He could do some office work remotely, but there were things for which he had to be there.

He did prefer flying to sitting at a desk, but not like this, with zero notice. Had it been any other pilot, he might have considered letting him go or relegating him to some cushy desk job. But Sims was sixty-four, quickly approaching retirement age, and Adam didn’t want to sack the guy just before he could secure a decent pension from LarsAir. The man had been with the company for so long, he didn’t remember not having him on staff.

This had to stop, however. He’d have to talk to Sims.

He finished the last of his berries, then turned his attention to the flight plan. He scanned the details.

Aircraft identification: N576LA

Departure aerodrome: KMCO

Destination aerodrome: RJAA

Persons on board: 16

Pilot-in-command: A. Larssen

Who were the other two? His eyes moved to the lower right-hand corner.

Additional information: Crew: M. Rodriguez, D. Thomason

Manuel Rodriguez and… Adam stared at the paper.

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