The Stopover (The Miles High Club 1)

“What’s so funny?” Elliot whispers.

“Zuckerberg bought motorized sneakers.”

Elliot rolls his eyes. “It wouldn’t surprise me. That guy’s fucking crazy.”

I catch a cab with a thousand thoughts running through my mind. There’s so much history between the two of us. I’m on my way to see my ex, who was supposed to be the love of my life.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Claudia. She was in the States the last time I was in London. Both being workaholics has always worked against us—time together is precious.

I knock on the door and exhale; my nerves are thumping heavily. The door opens in a rush, and her beautiful face comes into view. She smiles broadly and wraps her arms around my neck.

“Thank God you’re here,” she whispers into my neck. “I’ve missed you.”

Chapter 16

“Hello.” I smile as she leads me into her house by the hand. Her touch is warm . . . familiar. “How are you?” I ask.

“Good now that you’re here.” She takes me in her arms, and I smile down at her. There’s a bond between us that can never be broken. Realizing what I’m doing, I pull out of her arms and stand back. Being in her arms wasn’t on today’s agenda.

Her face falls before she quickly recovers. “Any news on the sabotage?”

“No, none yet.”

She watches me for a moment, and her knowing eyes hold mine. “You have something on your mind. What is it?”

“I’ve met someone.”

“Don’t.” She turns her back to me and walks to the kitchen and puts the kettle on.

“I couldn’t help it.” I walk up behind her and put my hand out to touch her and then recoil it. I take a safe step back.

“Don’t tell me you couldn’t help it when we both know you can.”

“The pull to her is strong.”

“Physical pull?” she asks flatly.

I roll my lips as I watch her; she’s going to go postal any moment. “At first, yes. I thought it was just physical.”

Her eyes come to mine. “How long ago did you meet her?”

“Twelve months.”

Her face screws up in fury. “You’ve been seeing someone for twelve months?”

“No,” I snap. “I met her on a flight a year ago, we spent a night together on a layover, and I’ve recently run into her again.”

“Big deal, Jameson. You’ve slept with a lot of women while we’ve been on this break,” she fires back angrily.

“This one’s different, Claudia,” I say softly.

She rolls her eyes in disgust and turns her back to me once again.

“I’ve thought of her”—I pause, unsure how much to share—“a lot since we met, and then it was as if I . . .” My voice trails off, and I stare at her back as I wait for her reply.

“As if you what?” she eventually asks.

“It was as if I willed her back into my life.”