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“And game!” Liam added to solidify what Callie already knew would happen.
Meg didn’t have a logical brain. That wasn’t to insinuate she wasn’t intelligent. She was brilliant at marketing and sales, creative and inventive. But something that required tactical prudence escaped her. She never played games with Callie anymore. And Callie agreed there was no fun in winning all the time. Sometimes you had to have a formidable opponent to keep things interesting.
Callie took a couple of cleansing breaths. She’d chosen to not interact in the cabin for the remainder of the flight, embarrassment and her pride holding her at bay.
“Motorboat and lap dance? Are you serious, Universe?” she mumbled, and Jonathan chuckled.
In seconds, Liam leaned over the back of her seat. His body was so close, if she tipped her head back, it would rest on his solid chest, the memory still fresh of exactly how muscular that chest was. “What’s going on, Captain?”
“Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Vinnie was expected to turn and go back into the Gulf toward Louisiana but doesn’t look like that’ll happen.”
“Which means we’ll be staying in Mexico for the night?”
She hated giving bad news, but this was business. Just be honest and straightforward her father always said, and they’ll respect you for it.
Callie adjusted the display’s view. “More like two nights. As soon as the flights get backed up, it might take a couple days to get them back to normal.”
“Mas tequila, por favor!” Meg called out. The woman had the hearing of a dog.
Liam’s warm, honey-tinged voice settled into her ear. “Sounds like Meg’s okay with that idea. Can Paul make arrangements for all of us to stay together?”
Paul poked his head into the flight deck cabin. “Already started, sir. You have a preference of hotel chain or resort?”
“Whatever you think is convenient, safe from the storm, and preferably near where I need to pick up my brother. I trust your judgment.” Liam handed Paul a piece of paper. “The address.”
Many traveling executives had their special brand of hotel, but Liam didn’t seem like traveling management type. Meg provided Liam’s dossier to the crew, but he wasn’t what she’d imagine a lawyer to look like. He smiled a little more. He had a better humor. And he obviously found time to take care of his body. Not that lawyers couldn’t have those things, just that Liam exuded them effortlessly. Like being a lawyer qualified as only a career, and something else was his passion. His Levi’s jeans hung perfectly on his lean frame, and his heather grey t-shirt emphasized his solid body. Not bulky, just firm. She closed her eyes to rid the thoughts, but a blast of heat awakened quickly inside of her. That sensation of being on fire and under ice, heated and yet frozen in time.
“Only one request, please.” Liam turned to Paul. “My brother likes malted milk balls and bourbon. If possible, can you have both waiting for him?”
Bourbon for a dying man? Callie tried not to judge, and maybe living life to its fullest was applicable, but it still seemed odd.
“No problem, sir. I’ve found several options for accommodations to discuss, and I’ll do whatever I can to get Sam the extra special treatment we pride ourselves on.”
Callie heard the jab in Paul’s declaration, and she clenched her teeth and sent a long glare over her shoulder at him while Liam faced away.
“If you need help, please have Meg pick the hotel. I could stay in a shack and be comfortable.” Liam followed Paul out of the cabin, and Callie blew out a long breath.
Jonathan leaned over to her. “I’d like to give him a lap dance.”
She ignored his comment, but inside she admitted that given a chance she’d probably have another go herself.
There was something honest and sincere about Liam Young that was in stark contrast to the man who’d crapped on Callie’s life. She wondered how much Liam knew about Trent and maybe her, too, and alternatively, how much Liam’s sister didn’t know about Trent. Trent’s engaging smile and witty banter hid a flawless danger when it came to love. His secrets and dishonesty had burned her to where she thought her heart might be permanently charred. With hindsight, she thanked the Universe for the way things had worked out, but she’d never let her guard down with Trent or another man again.
Paul’s deep voice echoed to where they were. “Plans are made, Mr. Young. The hotel only had three rooms, but one is a suite with two bedrooms, which I figured you and your brother could occupy. Callie and Meg in one double queen room and Jonathan and myself in the remaining double queen.”
“Sounds good, Paul. Thank you.”
Callie cleared her throat and pushed the intercom button. “Folks, I need you all to buckle in. This is going to be a bumpy landing.” She neglected to add that they were the last plane in or out and they had to be on time, or the air traffic control would send them elsewhere. With their dwindling fuel, they didn’t have supplies to go back to the U.S., and the closest small airport wasn’t deemed safe.
Kinks like this would be thrown in occasionally, but the very first flight?
Fuck Murphy and his idiotic law.
Skill would get them down, but Callie worried how long it would take to get them home.
4
Liam
