Page 13 of Flight Plan

Kaylee paled at the deadly tone but nodded in understanding. “I’ll leave you to get dressed then. Come out whenever you’re ready.”

Ava handed over the compact mirror and watched the woman flee the room. No matter how much she’d looked forward to a massage, nothing could stop her from confronting Wesley as soon as possible.

Bluff House’s grounds continued to astound Ava as she passed through several outstanding areas on the property in her hunt for Wesley. Unfortunately, overwhelmed with anger and betrayal, she failed to appreciate the scenery. Eventually, Ava found where the meditation classes were set up in a secluded side garden. She stomped past the carefully placed natural stones, the sand garden, and meticulously manicured shrubs and flowers. Bamboo leaves rustled in the breeze as an instructor spoke in a low, rhythmic tone.

Wesley and a dozen others sat on mats in a grassy section.

She poked his shoulder with the force of a hornet.

He immediately opened one eye, searching for the source of the aggressor. Once he saw her, he gave her his full attention. “You okay?”

“Can I talk to you?” The attempt to whisper failed, resulting in the flow of the instructor’s monotone words to falter.

“Can it wait?”

Shuffling and indiscreet throat clearing ensued around them as others were being interrupted.

“No.” She didn’t even try to whisper this time.

In one move, Wesley went from seated cross-legged to squatting in the grass and folding the mat. He followed her from the garden, where she led him to the empty tea house, a Japanese-style structure on the edge of the property nearest the ocean’s edge on the cliff.

From the mansion, the tea house appeared to need maintenance and a fresh coat of paint, but now that she’d ventured inside for the first time, she questioned the stability of the little folly.

As the boards creaked under her feet, she spun, sweeping her hair toward her chest and exposing the base of her neck.

“What do you know about this?”

“The tattoo you insisted on getting last night?” He moved closer, taking a better look.

“I don’t remember getting it.”

“I tried to warn you not to do shots at the bar but you’re very stubborn.Usually, Scorpios find their stubbornness stems from a desire for control. Sound accurate?”

Accurate?Shit, it defined her life. “How could you let me do this?” She faced him, wanting to blame anyone but herself. “Wait, was it your idea? The dragon—your logo!”

“I had nothing to do with it. I tried to talk you out of it. You told me you were afraid of needles and that’s why you never got a tattoo. But you were determined to go through with it. I went along to make sure you were okay.”

Shock washed through her.I actually told another soul about my fear of needles?Not even one of her army buddies knew it; otherwise, she would have been teased mercilessly.

“Well, I… Yeah, I don’t like needles. So, I’m not sure how I even went through with it.”

“You passed out not too long after she started.”

“Well, why didn’t you stop her?”

“And leave your rocking tattoo incomplete? It looks freaking awesome, by the way.”

She exhaled, allowing her anger to dissolve. All things considered, she didn’t mind the idea of having ink. But to be branded with Wesley’s game logo, like the identical one he had on his chest, made her feel even more deeply connected to him somehow.

Staring at the smallDragon Rocklogo over his defined left pec, she tried to sort her jumbled feelings. He’d looked out for her last night, driving her back safely while she let go, trusting him to be there for her. She didn’t need any man to protect her but having someone care enough to look out for her felt…nice.

“Thanks for getting me back safely last night. Sorry if I was a handful. Like I said, I don’t normally do that kind of indulging anymore.”

“Ava,” he collected her hand, gently squeezing it like a warm hug, “I don’t know what you’ve got going on in your life but I’m a good listener. And I told you last night I’d like to get to know you better.”

This tenderness seemed genuine, a facet of him he didn’t seem to show the public. Secretly, she had watched him mingle, fascinated by his easy manner and infectious personality. The guests had flocked to him, but he never stayed in one circle too long, seeming restless or bored. Sure, Wesley had interesting aspects, but they’d be parting ways tomorrow, so why get attached?

She slipped her hand out of his, turning toward the ocean view. “How the hell did I get a tattoo so late at night? This is Oldport, not Manhattan.”

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