Sophie

I HAVE SAFELY WITHDRAWN from my sexy seat partner. I had to do it. I’d been having too much fun pestering him, and I know the signs. I’d soon start crushing on the prickly man; he’s too hot and too stern to resist. You’d think stern wouldn’t be a turn-on, but somehow the idea of him setting me over his knee…

Yeah. So I did the smart thing and pulled on my headphones. Now I’m listening to music while flipping through Vogue.

He’s done the same, reading his car mag before tossing it aside in favor of his laptop. It’s torture not peeking at his screen. What does a guy like this do for a living? Maybe he really is a duke; I swear he fits the bill. Or maybe a billionaire? But I suppose both those types of men would have their own plane.

I lose track of time imagining Sunshine lording over some English manor, or flying clumsy virgins in his personal helicopter, when a cart rolls over to provide us with cocktails—apparently drunk is the preferred way for rich people to fly—and hors d’oeuvres. And though Mr. Happy apparently doesn’t want any of it, I whip off my headphones, ready to dig in.

“Oh, yes please,” I say.

Beside me, Sunshine snorts under his breath.

I ignore him. I love food. Love. It. And this stuff actually looks good. The flight attendant hands me a silver tray topped with a variety of cheeses, mixed nuts, tiny little melon balls with prosciutto, and roasted tomato compote on toasts. Awesome.

“You’re missing out,” I tell him when we’re alone again. “This stuff is pretty good.” I pop a melon ball in my mouth and hold back a moan. I officially hate first class. It has ruined me for all future flying. Poor suckers in the back.

“You’ll be sorry later,” he tells me, not looking up from his work, “when your stomach is full and this tin tube starts jumping about from the inevitable turbulence.” He barely suppresses a shudder.

“And it’s always during dinner.” I take a bite of creamy white cheese. “You ever notice that?”

“Not particularly.”

“Maybe they time turbulence for coach service.” I frown. “Wouldn’t be surprised.”

He makes a noncommittal sound.

A bowlful of laughs, this one.

“It wouldn’t kill you to relax, you know.”

With a sigh, he closes his laptop and tucks it away. “What makes you think I never relax?” Those killer blue eyes of his pin me with a look. Jesus, it really is hard staring directly at him. My breath swoops down into my belly, and my thighs clench. Normal reaction to hotness. That is all.

Still, it sucks that my voice sounds all sorts of breathy when I answer. “I’m guessing those pinched lines between your brows aren’t from laughing.”

Said lines deepen in a scowl.

I can’t stop from smiling. “Don’t worry, despite your crabby demeanor, you actually look kind of young.”

He shakes his head once as if trying to clear it. “Was there a compliment somewhere in that spew?”

“Someone as hot as you doesn’t need any more compliments. How old are you, anyway?” I’m pushing it, but it’s so fun to tease him, I can’t help myself.

“That’s rather personal. You don’t see me asking you how—” “I’m twenty-five,” I say happily.

His lips quirk, and I know he’s trying to keep hold of his cool façade.

But the capitulation in his eyes is warm. “I’m twenty-nine.” “Twenty-nine going on ninety.”

“You’re deliberately trying to provoke me, aren’t you?”

“Maybe you answer my original question. Do you ever relax, sunshine?”

“What will it take to get you to refrain from calling me that?”

His voice is too delicious—husky yet crisp, deep yet easy. I want to find a phone book and ask him to recite it. I push away the thought. “You’ll have to give me your name. And I notice you didn’t answer the question.”

His frown grows. It’s kind of cute. Though he’d probably snarl if I told him as much. The frown gives way to obvious hesitation, as if he’s at war with himself.

“Look…” I shrug, eating another melon ball. “If you don’t want to tell me, that’s cool. Lots of people are weirdly paranoid.”

“I am not paranoid.” Sucker.

“Sure. I get it. I might be an international hacker of renowned skill, just waiting to tap into your private business. All I need is a name to get started.”

“I was going with escapee of some sort,” he says before drinking up the dregs of his glass and scowling down at it.

“Just call her and get your cocktail on,” I suggest.

Instead, he reaches for one of the complimentary water bottles we have in our little personal bars. A decisive twist of the wrist, and he’s guzzling down water like he’s just crawled out of the desert. I absolutely do not watch. Much. That throat. How does a throat become that sexy? He must take pills or something.

I stuff a roasted tomato compote toast in my mouth and chew with vigor.

“Gabriel.”

His sudden answer has me looking back at him. He’s facing straight ahead as though he hasn’t spoken, but at my stare, he turns. “My name. It’s Gabriel Scott.”

I’ve never seen someone so uncomfortable with giving his name in my life. Maybe he is a spy. I’m only half kidding.

“Gabriel,” I repeat, not missing the way he sort of shudders when I do. I don’t know if he’s uncomfortable or something else, but I feel as though I’ve been let in on a dark secret.

The champagne must be getting to me. I push it aside and reach for my own water bottle.

“I’m Sophie,” I tell him, unable to make full eye contact for some reason. “Sophie Darling.”

He blinks, and that tight, strong body moves a fraction closer before halting as if he’s become of aware of his action. “Darling?”

I’ve lost track of the men who’ve tried to make my name sound like a come on. He doesn’t do that. In fact, his tone is downright skeptical, but somehow it sounds like an endearment just the same. No, not an endearment. It’s not sweet, the way he says it. He makes it sound illicit, as if my own name is caressing my skin with heavy hands.

Shit on a toothpick. I cannot be crushing on this dude. He’s a dick. A hot dick, but still. Even if I could overlook that, he’ll be gone and out of my life as soon as we land. I imagine sprinting will be involved. Dignified sprinting, of course.

“That’s me,” I tell him with false levity. “Sophie Darling.”

Another noise rumbles in his throat. This one sounds like, “God help me.”

I could be interpreting that incorrectly, though.

“Well, Ms. Darling,” he says, going back to the crisp, stern voice I imagine he uses to tear wayward underlings a new one, “to answer your previous question, you are correct; I do not, in general, relax.”

“Wow, you went right ahead and admitted you’re a stick in the mud.” “Stick in the mud makes absolutely no sense. Who comes up with these

ridiculous idioms?” He steals a tomato toast from my plate. “And I think you can do better.”

I watch as he pops the toast in his mouth and munches away. The corners of his eyes crinkle. It’s so slight, I doubt many people would notice. It feels like a full-fledged, smug-ass grin right now.

“You want me to insult you?” I manage.

“At least be a little more creative when you do.” He pulls his laptop back out, dismissing me. “Give me something I haven’t already heard.”

Something about this guy activates my lizard brain in the worst way, because I find myself leaning forward to murmur in his ear. “I’m thinking you’re the poster boy for Rough Roger. And one day, that hand of yours isn’t gonna cut it.”

His head jerks up as if I’ve goosed him. I hear the small intake of breath, and refuse to be turned on. Even if his heady scent is wafting over me. The leather armrest creaks under my elbow as I retreat.

He gives me a sidelong glare. “Rough Roger?”

“You’ve got internet working. Look it up, sunshine.”

It’s my turn to smile smugly and bury my nose in my magazine.

The drone of the engines fills the silence between us, and I hear the distinct click of his keyboard, followed by a strangled sound in his throat.

My grin grows. I know he’s read the definition of a guy who jerks off so much and so desperately, he’s rubbed his cock raw. Unfortunately, that image is far too sexually disturbing for my comfort.

From beside me, his voice is low and tight and slightly husky. “Well played, Ms. Darling.”

BEFORE BEDTIME, we’re politely encouraged to visit the first class lounge— yes, they have a motherfucking lounge on the plane. I mean, I knew about plane bars…the way a person knows about unicorns and Smurfs. But to experience it? Holy hell.

I take the spiral stairs up to the top of the 747 to sit at a bar and have watered-down cocktails with my cabin mates. Even Sunshine comes along, though he stays at the fringe and orders a glass of ice water.

“They’re prepping the cabin,” an older man in a slightly rumpled suit tells me as we sip our drinks.

“For what?” I toss a sugared pecan in my mouth and take another sip of my Cosmopolitan. If you’re going to sit around in a bar-lounge at thirty-five thousand feet, you might as well go full-on Sex and the City.

He leans closer, his gaze sliding just south of my neck for a brief second. “The beds.”

“Oh, right.” I perk up. “I’m going to enjoy that.”

“The comfort and privacy can’t be beat,” he says with a nod before edging even closer. “You know, I have a single seat cabin. But it’s big enough for two.”

For a second I just stare back. “Are you actually propositioning me in an airplane bar?”

He shrugs. “Heard your seat mate raise a fuss. Sounds like a real prick.

Thought you’d prefer better company.”

I’m about to apologize for jumping to conclusions when he raises a brow and leers. “But if you’d rather view it as a proposition, I’m not going to object.”

“I prefer my original seat partner,” I deadpan. He snorts. “Shocker.”

I’m about to ask him what the hell, when a muscled shoulder edges between us. I know that arm, that scent: expensive, haughty man. Gabriel stares down his nose at the guy. It’s impressive, the amount of disdain and dismissal he packs into a look.

“Actually,” he says, “I’m more of an asshole than a prick.” He flashes a tight smile that’s really a baring of teeth, but his bored tone never changes. “Which means I’m rather an expert in dealing with bothersome little shits.”

I nearly choke on my drink.

Mr. Suit tries to hold Gabriel’s stare but fails. He slinks off with a muttered, “Asshole.”

“I thought we’d already established as much,” Gabriel says to me.

“So proud of your asshole ways.” I give him a nudge on the shoulder. “And yet here you are, saving me from lechers.”

“Hardly,” he mutters into his glass. “I was defending my own honor.

And it was rather boring, at that. I thought he’d put up more of a fight.”

“Why?” I’m compelled to ask, though really I’m just surprised he’s talking to me when this is our one chance to escape to neutral corners.

He takes a sip of his water before answering. “He’s the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and has a reputation for being a relentless badger.” His lips curl in a sneer. “More like a weasel, if you ask me.”

I stare at him. “How do you know this?”

He finally turns his gaze to me, and I’m hit anew with those brilliant blues. “I just read an article about him in Forbes.”

A small, helpless laugh leaves me. I’m so not in Kansas any more. “Well,” I say, “maybe you’ll find someone to properly cross dicks with later.”

It’s his turn to sputter on his drink, though he recovers nicely. With precise movements, he sets his glass down and crisply tugs each of his cuffs back into place. “I’m fairly certain I’ve all I can handle with you at the moment.”

“Aw, a compliment.”

He looks down at me and slowly blinks, the dark sweep of his lashes nearly touching his cheek. Then he shocks me into stillness when he leans in close enough that his lips brush the curve of my ear. “Yes, chatty girl, it was.”

I’m still reeling from the low rumble of his voice—it tickles down my spine and flares along my thighs—when he moves away. “Do not drink too much or you’ll have a headache,” he advises before walking off, heading back downstairs.

I hate to admit, he takes all the excitement of being in the bar with him. Now it’s just a novelty situation that’s grown stale. I slide my half-finished drink away and hop off the barstool.

Downstairs, the seats in the little cabins have indeed been converted to beds. I hold in a squeal of joy. It’s an actual bed, with full-sized pillows and a brilliant white duvet trimmed in scarlet. A single red rose has been placed on each pillow. I swear, I’m about to hop up and down, but I catch a glimpse of Mr. Happy, who is standing at the threshold of our seating cabin, hands on his trim hips, brows knitted so tightly they almost touch.

“What’s wrong,” I ask him. “No hospital corners?”

He gives me a sidelong glare before turning his attention back to the beds. “I asked for my seat not to be converted. And the flight attendant is obviously operating under an extreme misconception.”

Glancing back, I finally notice what he’s talking about. I’d been so happy about the existence of a bed, I hadn’t realized that our two seats have been converted into one smooth double bed. There’s even a tray with an ice bucket of champagne on it.

A laugh escapes me before I can hold it in. “Honeymoon special?”

“You find this amusing?” His nostrils flare in annoyance, though he’s not looking at me, just mentally destroying the bed with his laser gaze.

“Honestly? Yeah, I do.” I kick off my shoes and crawl over the bed. It’s firm to the point of being stiff, and there’s a small ridge down the middle. But I’m not about to complain. Sitting cross legged on my side, I look up at his looming figure—he still hasn’t fully entered the compartment. “Come on. You have to admit it’s a little bit funny.”

“I’ll admit nothing,” he bites out, but then his shoulders lower and he steps into the compartment, turning to slide the doors shut with a definitive click. “And to think that woman was flirting with me.”

He sounds so disgusted, I have to laugh again. “I’m not following.”

He sits on his side of the bed and toes off his shoes, scowl still fully in place. “The flight attendant clearly assumes we’re together now, and yet just a moment ago she…” He trails off with a faint flush, which is kind of cute, almost as if he’s embarrassed. And yet.

“She hit on you in the hall?” My ire rises swift and hot—not jealousy.

It’s the principle of the thing.

He grunts, glances at the bed, wrinkles his nose in distaste, and turns his back to it once more.

“That little hussy,” I say, glaring at the door.

At that he looks over his broad shoulder at me. A glint enters his eyes. “Jealous, Ms. Darling?”

“Hey, you pointed out how messed up it was!”

“Insulting it was,” he corrects. “She assumes I’m the sort to double-dip my wick. And obviously so shady, I’d do it in full sight of my current

paramour.”

“Are you sure you’re not a duke?”

I can almost see him roll his eyes, though he’s facing the other way. “I’m going to ring her.”

“No, you’re not.” I get up on my knees.

He half turns, bringing one thick thigh up onto the bed. His expression is perplexed. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because this bed is the coolest thing yet about this flight, and I don’t want it taken down.”

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly. “They’ll set up a single bed for you.”

Yeah, and that sneaky flight attendant will smirk the whole time. “If you ask her to take it down, you’re opening the door for more advances.”

His eyes narrow.

“Unless, of course, you want that,” I say lightly. Nope. Not even a little jealous.

“She’s not my type,” he says with a sniff.

“You actually have a type?” It comes out before I can stop it. “Yes,” he drawls. “Quiet, dignified, and discreet.”

“Lie.”

He turns all the way to face me. “I beg your pardon?”

I burrow under the covers. They’re just the right weight and softness. Nice. “Pardon yourself. You said that to put me in my place. But I’m not biting.”

“You’re imagining things,” he grumbles as he sits back and, with clear reluctance, brings his legs onto the bed. “And annoying.”

“You just can’t manage me. That’s what annoys you.”

I pull out the cute little sleep mask provided in my kit and slip it on with a happy sigh. I’ll just ignore him for the rest of the trip. No problem. Silence rings out, and the drone of the engines comes back full force.

His gruff voice breaks our stalemate. “Are you going to drink any of this champagne?”

“No. I’ve been nagged into refraining from drinking too much, remember?”

A soft huff sounds. Then the bed dips as he leans close and picks up the tray. A clink and another bed dip and everything settles.

“I’ve never met a person I couldn’t manage,” comes his tight reply a few seconds later.

Not bothering to take the mask off, I extend a hand his way. “Sophie Elizabeth Darling.”

A set of teeth catch the edge of my hand and nip me. I’m so shocked I yelp, snatching my hand back. Lurching up, I whip off my mask to find him staring back at me with a bland look.

“Did you just bite me?” It comes out in an indignant squeak. Not that it hurt. He only nipped me, and playfully at that. Still. Really?

“That sounds like a rather juvenile thing to do,” he says, resting his head on his pillow.

“It was a rhetorical question,” I snap. “You bit me!”

His lips quirk as if he’s trying very hard not to laugh. “Best not to stick your hand in my face then.”

I gape at him for a full beat. “And you call me insane.”

His blue gaze meets mine. “Do you mind? I’m trying to get some rest.” “I don’t like you,” I mutter, sliding my mask on.

“Lie,” he points out, mimicking my earlier tone. “You’ve told me repeatedly now that you find me blindingly attractive.”

“That doesn’t mean I like you. Besides, your brand of pretty is like a weapon. You reel victims in with it, just like a vampire does. I wouldn’t be surprised if you sparkle in the sun.”

“I cannot believe I’m arguing with a woman who references Twilight.”

“The fact that you know I’m referencing Twilight betrays you as a secret Edward-loving fanboy.”

His snort is loud and scathing. “Team Jacob all the way.”

I can’t help it, my eyes fly open, and I lift a corner of my mask to glare at him. “That’s it. We can never be friends.”

He gives me wounded look that’s entirely manufactured. “Words hurt, chatty girl.”

Muttering about asshat Brits, I turn my back to him and ignore his badly concealed snicker. And I’m a traitor to myself because I want to laugh with him. Only I fear the moment I do, he’ll slam up those walls again and make me feel ridiculous.

Gabriel Scott might not know how to manage me, but I sure as shit am clueless when it comes to him too.

With that in mind, I concentrate on my breathing and the gentle hum of the plane around me, and soon drift off.