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Chapter Four
The jet coasted downthe runway as the pilot’s voice came over the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Melbourne. The time is five forty-two in the morning on Wednesday March, 13. Our forecast is for sun with a high of twenty-four degrees. Thank you again for flying Qantas Airlines and please enjoy the rest of your day.”
I dug sleep out of the corner of my eye with the heel of my hand while all around me passengers stretched and prepared for the mad-dash of disembarking. I was so glad to be back on the ground. The flight had stretched through two nights and I was beat. All I wanted was a nap, but I had been doing this for long enough that I knew I a) did not want to set myself up for jet lag like that and b) would have way too much to do anyway. Instead I’d find the first passable cafe and grab myself a giant cup of tea as I dove into the day.
An hour later I was finally through customs, once again grateful that I had the packing sense to only bring a carryon, rather than any kind of checked baggage. Waving goodbye to the rest of the admin team, I opened my phone to the itinerary and picked up my pace, heading for the entrance to the private landing strip. We had arranged for our plane to arrive at the same time as Alejandro’s plane. The man didn’t own a private jet, but he chartered them enough that he might as well. He was scheduled to arrive within the next ten minutes.
Enough time for tea? Not even close. Oh well, maybe next time.
I showed my ID to the young woman manning the desk at the air strip as I saw the plane begin to taxi into place. With all the teams flying into just one airport she didn’t even question me. Just checked me off a list and waved me through. I walked through the door and out onto the tarmac, taking a moment to admire the way the sunrise lit Alejandro at the top of the stairs. He might be grumpy and difficult, but the man was gorgeous. Olive skin and dark hair and incredible fashion sense. Every single item of clothing he wore looked like it had been made just for him. Actually, they probably were. If I was stuck babysitting, at least my charges were nice to look at.
He met me at the bottom of the stairs and smiled. My stomach fluttered at the way it seemed carefully crafted just for me. I was being silly, though. Alejandro had been working the tour circuit since he was a fresh driver and the man knew how to smile in just the right way to make a woman’s knees weak. “Kat. How was your flight?” We exchanged air kisses on each cheek.
“Uneventful. Just how I like them.”
“Ah, but was it comfortable?” he asked, giving me an appraising look. I glanced down at my wrinkled clothes and felt myself blush.
“As comfortable as a thirty hour journey with two hundred of my closest friends can get.”
“And this?” he paused to smirk, “is why I always fly private.”
I was tired enough my eyes felt like sandpaper. The fatigue was the only thing that could explain what came out of my mouth next. “Well next time let me know who to blow to get on the jet.” I gasped and covered my mouth. I couldn’t believe I’d just said that. Alejandro let out a bark of a laugh. “I’m so sorry, that was very unprofessional.” I pressed my palms into my eyes. “I’m just tired and severely under caffeinated.”
Something almost like interest flashed through his eyes. But it couldn’t be, right? That was just the tired finding things that weren’t there. “Do not even worry about it,mi cielo. I will not tell on you to the head boss.” He paused and glanced around exaggeratedly, “But I will keep my eye out for a deserving recipient for your . . . services.” He winked.
Heaven help me. This was no way to talk to a man I was supposed to be supervising. Let alone an attractive one.
Fortunately at that moment a black SUV pulled up and the driver got out to take our luggage. Alejandro climbed into the back seat while I took the front and we drove to pick up Jason at the special gate where VIPs who flew commercial were shepherded out of the airport.
Alejandro groaned. “Kat, will you switch places with me please? I forgot we had to pick uphim.”
“No” I smiled back over the seat. “Bosses’ orders. You two have to sit together when there is an opportunity in case there are any photographers. You’re besties, remember? So get used to it.”
He grumbled something I didn’t hear under his breath as I turned back to face the front in time to catch Jason walking out of the door. If the sunrise had highlighted Alejandro’s dark hair, it practically illuminated Jason’s blond curls. It wasn’t fair–how could a man who wore a helmet most of the time have such gorgeous hair? I wondered what it would be like to run my fingers through it before shaking myself.What am I thinking?
Jason smiled as he passed his bag off to the driver and climbed in the back seat “Hey ya’ll. Good flights?”
***
“WELL THIS IS COZY,”said Jason, looking around the room.
