Page 8 of The Situation
I shift in my seat as my mind races. His offer is a nice boost to my confidence, which I appreciate. But as I notice every woman in our vicinity keeps stealing glances at him and soak in just how handsome he is, reality settles in.
Nothing good can come out of this.
At best, I see him for dinner. At worst, I give him my number, and he never calls. Either way, I don’t want to be in my hotel room tonight wondering if the phone will ring.
It took me eighteen months to end that kind of situation the last time, and I have no interest in repeating it anytime soon—or ever. Besides, this weekend is about work. I need to focus on that.
“I don’t typically set up dinner dates with men I’ve only just met on planes,” I say. “Sorry.”
“What are the requirements then?”
Huh?“What do you mean?”
“Tell me what I need to do to see you tonight.”
His features change, morphing into the serious businessman who boarded the plane. The glimmer in his eyes is intense. The lines on his forehead pull together as if he’s closing a deal. Only …I’mthe deal this time.
The plane descends from the sky and lands smoothly onto the runway. I grip the armrests and hold tight until we come to a crawl. The roar of the engines blocks any opportunity to chat, and I’m grateful for that. It’ll end the conversation organically.
The plane comes to a standstill, and the lights flicker on. Passengers stand and gather their things.But Tate?He remains sitting and facing me.
“I really want to see you again, Kelly.”
My stomach flutters. His determination is sexy, and being the object of his attention is heady. If this were another time and place … But it’s not.
I drag my eyes across his stubbled jaw, over those kissable lips, and along the length of his body.
“I don’t have time,” I say although that’s not entirely true. “I have dinner plans tonight, work all day tomorrow, and then I’m back on a flight home. Thank you, though. You’re good for my ego.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment. Then he stands and lifts his bag off the floor before turning to me. “Until we meet again, Miss Kapowski.”
He flashes me one final cocky smile that I feel in my core before disappearing into the throng of people shuffling off the plane. I watch him as he goes, both elated at the attention and frustrated all the same.
Turning down what might be the hottest man I’ve ever seen in the flesh while living in a state of sexual deprivation deserves a gold medal.
“I really want to see you again, Kelly.”
I giggle, shoving my book in my bag.
At least I still got it. Or, at least, Kelly does.
ChapterThree
Tate
I close my computer and pick up my ringing phone, glancing at the screen before I say hello.
“Hey, Gannon,” I say, standing.
“I just returned to the office from a meeting with McCabe.”
I snort, stretching my arms overhead.
“Don’t start your shit,” Gannon says.
“Then don’t start a conversation by painting a picture of you in a hockey facility. I can’t help that’s fucking hilarious.”
“You are so easily amused.”
