Careless (Enemies to Lovers 3)

I peek through the curtain and watch as Leigh stares out of the window. At least I still have the surprise factor on my side.

She’s wearing a pair of black slacks, and a white blouse which fits her frame perfectly, especially her pert breasts. The cold air makes her nipples strain against the material, and I suppress a soft groan while adjusting myself so my hard-on isn’t so damn obvious.

Leigh looks comfortable which I’m happy to see. The less tense she is when we talk, the better my chances will be when I’m pleading my case.

Once Tia is done setting everything up, I slowly pull the curtain aside. Leigh doesn’t notice as I come in and I get to drink in her beauty for a little while longer. When I sit down next to her, her head turns to me and a look of surprise flashes over her face.

“I didn’t know you’d be on this flight,” she says, her beautiful brown eyes still wide.

“I wanted to surprise you,” I admit. I don’t have time to play games with her.

“Me? Why?” She turns her body, so she’s facing me, and I take it as a good sign that she’s not giving me the cold shoulder.

I have to choose my words carefully. I don’t want to scare her away with a sudden declaration of love.

“You’re someone I’d like to get to know better.”

She frowns as if she can’t understand why I’d like to get to know her. It’s actually refreshing. Most of the women I’ve hooked up with always assume it means something more than a casual fling. And then there are the few who feel they have a right to me, and the wealth that comes with working at Indie Ink. Not one of them has ever looked at me without seeing dollar signs.

Leigh’s eyes hold mine for a moment. When she looks at me like that, I know she’s trying to study me, searching for the truth behind my actions.

She glances out the window again, and whispers, “I’m still the same person, Jaxson. All I do is work. I don’t have time for friends.”

Always direct. I don’t think she has it in her to lie.

“Have a late lunch with me, Doc. When the plane lands, and you still feel the same, I promise to let it go.”

Her eyes dart to me. “Just lunch?”

“Just lunch.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

I get up and taking her hand, I walk her over to the table. I wait until she’s seated before I take the seat next to her. She glances at the empty seats across from us before looking back to me. I ignore the silent question, and with a nod in Tia’s direction, I give her the sign to bring out the platter.

Tia places the platter in the middle of the table before she opens the wine. She pours some into crystal glasses before she disappears back into the kitchen, giving us privacy.

Leigh looks at the food and smiles teasingly. “What would you have done with the food if I had refused?”

“Most likely eat it all. I’m a comfort eater.”

She lets out a soft chuckle. Her delicate fingers wrap around the stem of the wine glass, and she takes a small sip. Her tongue darts out, and she licks her lips. Placing the glass back on the table, her hand returns to her lap.

I decide to get the apology out of the way. We have to move past what happened that night in order for us to start something new.

I place my hand over hers and before she can pull away, I tighten my fingers around hers. Her eyes dart to mine, and even though she’s uncomfortable, she doesn’t look away.

“I’m sorry, Doc. I shouldn’t have left you that night.”

Her lips part and the look in her eyes sharpen as if she’s about to shut me down.

“Please let me say this,” I whisper urgently.

I expect her to look away, or to tell me to go to hell, but instead, she nods.

I let out a sigh of relief. That’s one win for me.

“I’m not going to apologize for making love to you.”