Chapter 1 #2
I only entertain people like him when I know good tips are at stake. They’re assholes to their families and are always out of town for birthdays, but they tip the best. And I need every last cent I can get.
I’m not sure how I could benefit from this dude yet, but I’ll take a free glass of champagne to take the edge off over being cramped in economy.
“You look like you could use a drink,” he says, raising the bottle of champagne to pour me a glass, as if he’s read my mind.
I wouldn’t put it past him, considering how his eyes seem to penetrate my soul.
“Thanks.” I take the glass from his grasp.
Of course he has to brush his hand against mine.
Sparks fly.
I take a sip, letting the bubbles pop. The price of this bottle can’t be much more than my flight fare.
“I can’t help but think that you’re on edge about something,” he states.
I glance at him sidelong. “What would I be on edge about?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you would tell me.”
Tell a strange, rich man that I’m on the run from my ex?
Never in a million years.
“You nearly tripped as you were walking through the aisle earlier,” he continues.
“It was hot in the cabin, and I’m a nervous flyer.
” It feels vulnerable admitting weakness, even though it’s all fake, to a man this powerful.
Because there’s nothing weak about him. His bone structure looks strong enough to survive anything, and his shoulders are as solid as a rock. More like boulders.
“Did you know you’re more likely to be struck by lightning than you are to die in a plane crash?” he asks calmly.
“How reassuring.”
Nadir takes a sip from his own champagne flute, his eyes never leaving mine. The adrenaline threading through me starts to transition into something else. It’s an unknown feeling that I don’t know how to tame, one that roars to life deep in my belly.
“What are you thinking?” he says.
“I’m thinking how good this champagne is.” I narrow my eyes, lowering the glass for a second. “I’m also wondering how you managed to call me over here.”
“That was quite simple. I found out your seat number.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to speak to you.”
“What about?”
“I’m not sure yet. I haven’t decided.” His eyes are back on mine, searching far into my soul again.
I go for another sip of champagne, using the glass to cover up some of my face. Averting my eyes, I take the biggest gulp I can and pray the effects of the alcohol work through me quickly. It’s strong. And strength is exactly what I need today. Especially now.
“What brings you to Miami?”
“Vacation,” I blurt out between sips. Hesitation raises suspicion, and this guy looks like he knows how to read people. “You?”
“Business.”
No surprise there.
“What is it you do for work?”
Nadir’s laugh comes from deep in his chest. “Finance. I won’t waste your time and bore you with the details, but I will say that I’m looking forward to getting out of this suit and having a dip in the ocean.”
Getting out of his suit? I’m surprised to hear that. The rich are notoriously known for wearing their designer labels like second skin.
I suppose the most designer thing about Mr. Medvedev is his body. He doesn’t need to be naked for me to see it. His muscles strain tight under the suit. I run my eyes down his body when he finally decides to look away, noting the large thighs and bulge.
I swallow more champagne before I choke.
His torso is long. I know I’d have a lot of fun running my hands over him, feeling his chest, his abs, all six of them.
Taro was nothing like this. He was the lean muscle, hollow cheekbones type, who valued cardio above all else.
In retrospect, the reason he probably loved to run so much was to train for when he had to chase after women.
He was always obsessive—not a compatible trait when you’re with someone like me who values independence.
Come to think of it, I’ve known it no other way.
“I’m surprised you people find time to catch a break between earning your billions.”
“When you earn billions, you earn more breaks.” Nadir winks. “It’s quite simple.”
The charm is rubbing off on me, and I hate to admit that the burning desire in my belly is getting stronger. You’d think, being previously in a relationship, I’d be familiar with the sensations of burning desire, but I was never in a rush to get Taro out of his clothes.
We never slept together. Granted, we were only together for six months.
But with him, I didn’t get the urge I’m getting now.
Flames ignite in my panties just looking at this man, and I barely know him, which is odd. I refused sex with Taro for that same reason—I didn’t know him well enough.
Everything is backward. Maybe the recycled air in this cabin is to blame for these irrational thoughts. Or maybe it’s the spiced notes of Nadir’s cologne working through me. Bergamot. Citrus. It’s all very exciting.
I finish the rest of my champagne and realize this stuff must be the culprit. But before I can set the glass down, Nadir is already producing the bottle, topping me up.
I settle deeper into the leather seat. I could use a second drink, and some luxury. And maybe the charming man sitting next to me…
God knows I deserve to kick up my feet and relax for a change.
When I’m not working, I’m anxiously turning corners hoping I don’t bump into Taro.
Boston is a fairly large city, but the man is everywhere, confessing his love to me for the hundredth time, thinking that’s enough for me to get back with him.
It was enough at the start, but I was blindsided by the affection back then, having never received so much of it.
“Your shoulders are tense,” Mr. Medvedev states. “Here, allow me.” He lays one gentle hand on me, and the knots instantly dissolve.
My skin bursts into flames, my cheeks heating the same as before.
“You looked away from me earlier,” he says, “when you were walking to your seat. I was trying to catch your attention.”
I’m melting so easily into a stranger. It’s dangerous. Spontaneous.
I don’t know much about acting rash. “Seizing the day” is something only the rich are able to do. They can afford to take a day off, unlike most of us. I’ve never gone with the wind. I don’t have the funds to see where it can take me.
I have a few ideas now, in Nadir’s presence. The electric eyes and the charming way he speaks are all very exhilarating for a virgin girl like me.
And new.
And making my heart race.
My breath thickens, his calloused hands making sparks fly on my skin again.
“You sound bothered,” I say, “that I ignored you.”
“I’m not bothered as much as I am intrigued.”
“Probably because it bruises your ego.”
I’m testing my luck here, not sucking up to the rich like I normally do to get something out of them. In this case, it’s free champagne and decent legroom.
And dare I say good company?
I’m about to apologize, clearly more drunk than I thought, but Nadir issues me that glare again, the one he first gave me when he was trying to infiltrate my soul.
So I say, “If your eyes were a different color, would you still stare so much?”
He laughs again, taking a sip of champagne, licking his lips after. “You’re funny.”
“Your life must be very boring if you think I’m funny,” I quip.
“I think you’re interesting.”
“Isn’t that the same as intriguing? I’m afraid we’re going around in circles here.”
“Yes,” he says. “I agree, because you’re not taking the hint that I want to sleep with you.”
I set down the champagne, not trusting myself to hold it any longer.
“What?” I burst out. “Right now?”
A beautiful smirk crawls onto his face, one I’m desperate to kiss right off him. Jesus, the things I’d let him do to me…
“There’s a bathroom right over there.”
Like, join the mile high club?
I keep my cool and wait for my senses to return, but it’s hard to think rationally about this when Thor-in-a-suit is giving me sex eyes. His thigh is so close to pressing against mine that I’m half-tempted to get the tension over with already and feel him. All of him.
“I’m sorry if I got the wrong idea,” he says. “Sometimes I get a bit carried away when I see a pretty face.”
It’s not that. Nadir just assumes all women want to sleep with him.
I’m no exception, really. But I’ve never done this before. If I couldn’t bring myself to sleep with the guy I was dating, why should this be any different?
The heat swelling between my thighs now can’t be real. I don’t get turned on. Ever. It’s impossible for one single pair of eyes to stir deep feelings in my core. Irrevocable feelings, I fear. I’m not getting any colder over here. Or any drier.
I clear my throat. “I could use some water. Do you have anything that isn’t alcoholic?”
Nadir produces a bottle of water from the compartment at his feet. I unscrew the cap and inhale it all at once.
“The air-conditioning is on. It shouldn’t be hot in here.” He frowns, his thick, dark brows looming dangerously over his face like dark clouds that consume everything. Including me. “Are you feeling okay? You’ll be in for the shock of your life when we touch down in Miami.”
“I’m fine,” I assure him, discarding the empty bottle.
I’m really not.
I look up at the all-powerful man sitting next to me, and wonder how it feels to have everyone at your mercy. His presence alone commands attention. He doesn’t need to argue or fight for what he believes in, because everyone’s already on his side. That’s where money and a good face can get you.
I’m barely holding it together, on the other hand, running away from an ex who’s stopping at nothing to get back with me.
On top of that, I’m only just managing to pay my dues in the city, and I’m still searching for a decent person to sublet my apartment while I’m away, which means I’m paying bills and loans just for the fun of it.
To top it all off, my bank balance is about to shoot down to zero when I check into where I’ll be staying in Miami.