Page 7 of Mile High Daddy

He’s back in his seat, one ankle resting casually on his opposite knee, his hand wrapped loosely around a glass of water. When his eyes meet mine, the corner of his mouth lifts into the faintest smirk, like he knows exactly what’s running through my mind.

I quickly avert my gaze and slide into my seat, suddenly hyperaware of everything—the way my lips still tingle from his kiss, the heat of his hands that lingers on my skin. I grip thearmrests and stare out the window, trying to pretend he doesn’t exist.

The plane begins its descent, and the pilot announces over the intercom that we’re landing at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania. It’s not exactly close to New York, but it’s closer than Chicago. That’s something, I guess.

But instead of relief, dread settles in the pit of my stomach. I still have to figure out how I’m going to get to New York. Randall, my school principal, is counting on me to be there. He’s supposed to be handling everything for this big educational conference we’re hosting, but of course he dumped the responsibility on me at the last minute. If I don’t make it, the whole thing could fall apart, and I’ll be the one blamed.

The plane dips lower, and I clutch the armrests tighter, as if holding them will somehow keep my sanity intact. Beside me, Mikhail shifts, leaning just slightly into my space.

“You can’t ignore me forever,kiska,” he says, his voice low and rich like a dark promise.

My breath catches, but I keep my eyes firmly fixed on the window. “I wasn’t ignoring you.”

“You were.”

“I’m not now.”

He chuckles, and the sound sends a shiver down my spine. “Then look at me.”

I swallow hard, refusing to turn my head. “I didn’t mean what I said earlier,” I blurt out, my voice sharper than I intended. “About…you know. I was scared. That’s all.”

There’s a beat of silence, and then, “I see.”

His tone is impossible to read, and I finally risk a glance at him. His expression is calm, but there’s something in his eyes—something that makes my stomach flip and twist.

Before I can say anything else, the plane lands with a gentle thud, and the cabin fills with the usual shuffle of people unbuckling their seat belts and gathering their things. I exhale, relieved to have an excuse to escape this conversation.

We file out of the plane, stepping into the modest Harrisburg International Airport. It’s smaller and quieter than the major hubs, which only emphasizes the fact that I’m now hours away from where I need to be.

I stand in the terminal, pulling out my phone to check the distance to New York. Four hours by car. Great.

“Lila.”

I glance up to find Mikhail standing in front of me. His hands are casually in his pockets, but his expression is anything but casual. “I assume you’re headed to New York.”

“Yes,” I say, hesitatingly. I’ve no idea where he’s heading with this.

“I’m headed there, as well,” he says.

“Well, yes. We were on the same flight,” I say.

He chuckles. “I appreciate your candor.”

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

“I’m not used to being spoken to like this,” he says, his gaze making me shiver.

Who are you?I want to ask.

“I can take you.”

I stare at him, my brain scrambling for a reason to say no, but I come up blank. Between the conference, my tight budget, and the four-hour drive looming ahead of me, the offer is tempting. Too tempting.

“Why would you do that?” I ask, crossing my arms.

He steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine. “Because I can.”

His answer shouldn’t make my heart race, but it does.

---