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My eyes light up. “I do! That’s a good idea. I think I have two left. I’ll have to get more from Christine soon.”
Going to my desk drawer, I take the bottle out and break one in half. I wash it down with a sip of my coffee and pack the rest.
“Okay. I think I have it all set until I get home. I can’t help but feel like I’m forgetting something. I need to get to class.” I look at her. “Will you be here when I get back?”
“No, I have three jobs tonight back-to-back-to-back and I'm booked all weekend."
My brows shoot up. "How are you going to manage all that?"
She gives me a sly smile and I shake my head. Natalie walks over to me and I give her a big hug.
"I'll see you when I get back."
Her eyes twinkle with trouble. Turning away, she walks out of my room, but not before saying, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
* * *
"You rented a private plane for us?" I ask as we take our seats. I look over at James in surprise.
"I want you to myself the entire weekend. That means no one breathing over us in first class."
My cheeks flush. "You already have me. You didn't have to do this."
"I know you've never been on a plane before. I wanted the first time to be a memorable one."
I study him, my heart melting at his thoughtfulness. It had to cost an arm and a leg to charter a private plane and yet he seems okay with it. Doesn't even bat an eye.
"I've never left New York," I say. "Do you rent private planes often?"
"Only when the time calls for it, and before you ask—no, I don't do it for the others at Sanctuary." My brows drop, eyes lowering to slits. I definitely was thinking that. "I know you're the possessive and jealous type—"
I gasp. Reaching over, I cover his mouth with my hand. His beard tickles my palm. James grabs my wrist, grinning, and pulls me closer to him.
Eyes wide and playful, I say, "You bite your tongue, Mr. Riviera. I am not either of those."
"You're such a liar," he teases, pulling my hand down. "So you're saying that if I took another girl from Sanctuary Cove to, say, Hawaii next week on a private plane, you won't have an issue?"
Okay. Maybe I am a little possessive over him and I didn't realize it until now. The thought of James with another escort seriously chaps my hide and makes me furious. I can feel my heartbeat speeding up and it makes me want to slash tires. I need to act cool and reserved to play it off. I don't want to be that girl, even though I kind of am.
Sitting back, I brush the nonexistent lint off my jeans and then look ahead at the ivory bucket seats, purposely avoiding him. My voice is quiet, scornful, with a hint of mockery, even though I try to mask it.
"Hey, what you do in your spare time is none of my business. If you found another girl who can take care of you better than I can, more power to you. Get it, baby."
He's quiet for a moment. "Get over here."
"No." I purse my lips and fold my fingers together.
"Aubrey—"
"No."
"Get. Over. Here. Now."
I don't respond and James gets out of his seat to kneel down in front of me. He spreads my knees apart and scoots until he's as close as he can get. Leaning back casually in my chair, I wonder what he's doing. I'm annoyed, and I know it's because of my feelings for him. The lines have blurred and there's no sharpening them. I shouldn't care that he could be with other girls, but holy shit does it do something to my heart that I wish it wouldn't.
James grabs my wrists and pulls me to him so I'm sitting only a few inches from his face. We're about the same height at this angle.
"I'm just playing with you. I think at this point it's clear where you stand for me, but it's nice to see where I stand with you. Makes me feel good."
