The only mistake we’d made was not using protection. Something I’d never done with another woman ever. Something she’d failed to mention.
Yet, there I was watching her every move, wanting her with a need I’d never experienced before. There was something about her that was refreshing. She hadn’t wanted anything from me. In fact, she’d done her best to stay stubborn against my charms, which was really attractive. I was finding it damn hard to walk away.
“Grant, we missed you in the bar last night,” the stunning blonde standing next to me said.
I thought her name was Lanie or Lana, but I didn’t take the time to confirm.
“Yeah, I was… otherwise occupied,” I said, smiling to myself, thinking just what I’d been doing all last night and well into the morning.
My eyes drifted to the brunette that consumed my thoughts. She may have been easily the best-looking woman I’d come across in a while, but that wasn’t why I was so damn captivated.
The problem was, I had no idea how to change her mind about us. She was right. We did live in different cities—hell, different states. But we also worked for the same airline. Conceivably, we would see each other more often than not, assuming we were assigned to the same crew.
Plus, what was holding me in Maryland? Nothing really. Dad was self-sufficient. I was out of the family business. And Florida wasn’t all that far.
Was I really considering a move for a woman I’d known less than a week? Slow your roll, Grant, I told myself. She wasn’t the only woman alive.
I kept my distance from her as Lana droned on. She could have been telling me I was a jackass and I wouldn’t have noticed until Jolene did.
When her eyes narrowed, I smirked and turned to the blonde and heard her say something about airline food. I murmured a non-verbal response and caught Jolene marching off.
So she wasn’t as unaffected as she played out to be. If I were a betting man, I’d say she was jealous.
“Hey, kid.”
I turned as Carter clamped a hand down on my shoulder and then he waved Lana off. Carter wasn’t that much older than me, if my guess on his age was accurate. Was the kid comment a way to put me in my place?
“I thought I warned you about Jolene?”
Annoyed, I asked, “What about Jolene?”
“It’s obvious something happened between the two of you the way she’s avoiding you like the plague.”
“Is she your girlfriend?” I asked.
“No.”
“Is she the woman you sing about every flight?” He’d told me her name was Kendall, but it was worth checking.
“No,” he said.
“Is she the woman that’s got you all messed up?” I’d noticed and I didn’t know him that well. The crew knew him better and had commented about his change of mood, or those were the whispers I’d overheard.
“No.”
“Then it would seem to me, it’s none of your business what goes on between Jolene and me.”
Carter’s eyes hardened, but no more than mine already had. “It’s my business because she matters. She’s already been hurt.”
“By you,” I reasoned.
“Yes, and I don’t want to see her hurt again.”
“If this is some kind of penance you’re doing, that’s between you, her, and God. What goes on between Jolene and me doesn’t include you. And for your information, I’m not some kind of asshole you have to protect her from.”
I walked away before I said something else to who was effectively my boss, at least on this flight.
He didn’t know her as well as he thought he did. She was doing a damn good job of protecting herself, which included kicking me out of her life when I’d only had one foot in. But he was right about another thing. She mattered to me. I wasn’t giving up without a fight.
Jolene had disappeared in the bathroom and I’d gone for coffee. The lines were long, and when I arrived at the gate, Carter was way too close to her as the gate attendant checked their badges before opening the gate door.
I didn’t like when his hand curled around her arm. It only reminded me that he could have touched her in similar ways that I had this morning. I also didn’t like the soft expression on her face as she gave him a shy smile. The man was good-looking. Anyone could see how he’d talked his way into many of the flight attendants’ hotel rooms.
Did he want her back now that he assumed he had competition? Would Jolene take him back? How deep had their relationship ran?
“Grant, are you coming?”
Lana was there with a pretty smile. I was fairly certain I could go there if I wanted. I took another sip of my coffee and said, “Sure.”
I wouldn’t lead Lana on. I wasn’t that guy. But it didn’t hurt that Jolene turned and visibly looked annoyed to once again see the beautiful blonde standing next to me.