“I can’t believe you chased me down to give me this.” He stops for a second, and his mouth quirks up into a small smile. “Or maybe you just really wanted to see me again.”
That’s what he’s thinking? What, I chased him down because I just couldn’t resist him? The audacity of this guy. I mean, yeah, I could have just dropped it at a ticket counter and had them call him, but—
Wait, why hadn’t I done that? I wipe the emotion from my face and refuse to let him see me blush. Again.
“How did you manage to get off the plane with that big head of yours?” The words are out before I can stop them, and there’s no going back.
His eyes narrow on me, like I’ve challenged him and helikesit. Oh brother, he’s one of those guys. The best thing I can do now is hold my ground. That’s probably why he was paying so much attention to me on the plane, because I wouldn’t give him any. He figured I was playing hard to get, which I decidedly was not. I quirk a brow and cross my arms, but his smile only widens, as if that was actually his plan from the beginning.
Dammit, I think he won this time.
“Would you like to get a cup of coffee?” His voice caresses the word coffee in a way that should be illegal. I blink and shake my head. I can’t have heard him right. I just called this guy big-headed, and his response is to ask me out?
“Wh-what?”
“Coffee. Brown liquid. Sometimes with milk or sugar in it. Tastes good. Gives you energy.” His smile grows with every word, making his perfect dimples stand out beneath his beard.
Why, oh why, does he have to have dimples?
Stay strong, Joss.
“I know what coffee is. Why would I want to get it with you?”
“Well, because you’re obsessed with me obviously. Why else would you chase after me in an airport?”
“Ob-obsessedwith you?” I continue to stutter out my words. This is going really well.
“Yup, completely obsessed. The way you yelled my name before, I could tell.”
Lord help me, the pair on him. His eyes gleam with mirth as he runs a hand through his hair, whereas my brows have drawn so close that I’m about to go cross-eyed.
“You’re kidding me, right?” I’m indignant now, and I have zero chill where he’s concerned. He’s delusional. Yet, when he leans into my space, I can’t help my sharp inhale or the way my pulse quickens. I can’t help but breathe in his scent that, despite having spent sixteen hours on an airplane, is somehow crisp and clean and entirely masculine.
His voice is soft and teasing as he speaks low into my ear. “Yes, I’m kidding.” He laughs then, a full, boisterous laugh, and his hand finds his hair again. It’s either a tic of his, or he’s really trying to drive me insane. “I’m just messing with you. Although, I am a hundred percent serious about getting you a cup of coffee, I owe you that much.”
“Oh, okay, yeah. I mean, no. I’m working, sorry. I have to go actually. Just wanted you to have that. Good luck, Weston.”
I’m backing away now, looking anywhere but at him. I can’t get away fast enough. Not wanting him to see how he affects me, I turn and walk away. Again.
“It’s Wes!” he shouts after me. “And what about you? Aren’t you going to tell me your name, or should I just call you Grey?”
This man has no shame, yelling across the terminal, drawing all sorts of attention to us.
“Grey?” I call back, turning to face him even though I know I shouldn’t encourage him.
He has a devilish grin in place that is even more delectable and wicked than the one he had on before. What on earth? How does he get under my skin like this?
“Like your eyes.” And though he’s talking aboutmyeyes, it’s his that are burning bright.
I scoff but feel the corners of my mouth lift. Goodness, he’s smooth, but I am not falling for his charms. He lifts his hand in a little wave and it’s so cute and endearing that I lose my mind for a second and find myself shouting back to him.
“It’s Joss!”
Why did I do that?
He seems to inflate, like he just won a game I didn’t realize we were playing. We each turn and head our own way. He’s off to take on the Emerald City while I’m headed back to my airplane to finish cleaning up before I get to go home. I have almost a week off before my next trip, and I’m beyond ready for some R&R.
My feet carry me across worn carpet, down the metal gangway, and back into the stale air of the plane. All the while, my feelings are a riotous contradiction. Weston—Wes—has me completely off-kilter. He’s undeniably hot, thus the reason I felt flustered around him during the flight. But he’s also over-confident and cocky, which are not qualities I typically find attractive. He nearly flattened me, which was irritating to say the least. Sadly, it was also the most action I’ve seen in a while. So, there’s that.
