25. Jet
Chapter 25
Jet
“Very convincing,” I say, handing the script back to Ava’s mother.
“Really? You think it was good?” Her face lights up as she fluffs her hair with one hand and reads the script with the other.
“The best one so far.”
She beams. “You think so?”
“Number seven was strong.” I clear my throat. “And number twelve was executed well. You’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be fine,” she repeats, clutching the script against her chest. “Maybe once more?”
“Oh my god, Mum! You were practicing when I went to bed. Have you even slept?”
Ava walks into the room, her eyes meeting mine with a smirk. I know she’s kept me waiting on purpose. Brat.
“A few hours,” her mother mumbles as she flicks through the script again .
“You’ll be amazing, won’t she, Jet?”
Ava turns to me, but I finish my appreciative sweep up her body before I answer. She’s wearing a flowery sundress with thin little straps and a short skirt that barely covers her ass.
I run my tongue over my teeth. “Amazing,” I reply as I reach her eyes.
“We should be going, Mum,” she says, holding my eyes.
“Okay, darling. Have fun, whatever you have planned.”
“I’m showing Ava my house,” I say, my blood heating at the idea of sliding that tiny dress up over her full ass and grabbing a handful of it.
Work has been a shitshow since I got back to LA. The media team are fielding calls from the press, speculating over the security of the airline, following a leak about our situation. I’d bet my right nut Callaghan’s behind it. Getting the press to do his dirty work is his style. My staff are tense. Hayden’s tense. I’m fucking tense.
A day with Ava beneath me in my bed sounds like heaven.
“Actually, I’ve booked us something fun to do.”
“You’ve done what?”
“A tour of all the best places.” She bounces on her toes as I grunt.
“I can give you a tour. I live here.”
“But I want the whole tourist experience on an open top bus. ”
She raises her chin in a smug challenge, then kisses her mum goodbye as I roll my neck side to side until it cracks.
“Bad for your bones,” she sings as she slings her purse over her shoulder and waltzes over to me. “You ready?” She looks up at me through her lashes and my palm twitches.
“I’m always ready for you, Firefly.”
Her lips part with a small, surprised inhale that makes my dick throb.
I place my hand on her lower back and she falls silent as I lead her to the front door. I slide it a fraction lower until my pinky grazes the top of her ass.
It’s going to be so pretty and red when I’ve finished with her.
“Why have you never done this before? It’s awesome!” Ava holds her phone up and snaps another photo of Malibu beach.
“It’s hell.”
My eyes wander to a kid in the front seat opposite ours. He pulls a giant booger from his nose, then eats it. Gross. He twists his lips as he digs deep and produces another one . Then he reaches down and wipes it onto the seat. Okay, that’s grosser.
My skin crawls as I shift in the cheap seat.
“Stand up,” I bark at Ava.
“What? Why?”
“Do it.”
She rolls her eyes and stands, holding onto the rail as she looks out of the open top bus at the street ahead.
I check her seat, then take my suit jacket off and place it down. Then I smooth both hands over the globes of her ass, running them over the fabric of her dress, checking for things that make me want to wretch.
“Jet,” she hisses, swatting my hand.
I flick her away and finish my inspection, then grab her hips and pull her back to sit on my jacket. “You’re safe.”
“From what? Being reported for public indecency?”
“Can we get off now?” I grumble.
She sighs and side-eyes me. “Do you need to go back to work?”
“No.”
“Then why are you wearing a suit?”
“I went into the office before I picked you up.”
“Oh.”
I yank my tie off and coil it around my fist before stuffing it into my pocket. Then I undo the top two buttons of my shirt and roll my sleeves up my forearms. “Happy now, Miss Tour guide? Do I look more like a guy who likes sitting on grimy buses and taking photos of shit?”
Ava ruffles my hair. “You do now.”
She smirks and leans into my side, snapping a selfie of the two of us.
“I need proof that you can loosen up. Otherwise, Margaret won’t believe me.”
She checks her phone screen and giggles, then holds it up to show me. My head is turned toward her, eyes fixed on her face as she looks into the camera with a smile as bright as the fucking sun.
“You actually enjoy this, don’t you?”
“What’s not to enjoy?” She snaps another picture of the street below.
I look around the top level of the bus. It’s a mix of families and couples who look like they’re on vacation. Everyone’s taking photos like Ava.
The tour guide’s cheerful voice booms through the speakers. “Well, don’t we have a treat for you all! We’re just about to pass the entrance to award-winning actor, Jay Anderson’s house.”
An excited hum rumbles through the top deck, and a woman cries, “Lord have mercy, that man is fine.”
“If we’re super lucky, we might get a glimpse of the property through the security gate,” the tour guide adds.
“Amazing!” Ava propels to her feet and leans over the rail, craning her neck to see down the street. “Did you hear that? ”
I whip my jacket off the seat and grab her by the elbow.
“What are you doing?” she squeals.
“We’re getting off.”
I slam my palm over the emergency stop button and the bus jerks to a stop moments later. There’s a collective gasp from the other passengers as I turn to Ava, who’s still gripping the handrail.
“Off. Now,” I grit.
She glances around, her cheeks flushing as everyone stares at us.
“Jet,” she whispers. “You can’t just get off where you want. This isn’t one of the stops.”
I hold her eyes, sucking in an agitated breath. “I said off, Ava… Now.”
Her forehead creases, but she makes no attempt to move.
“Hold this.” I tut, handing her my jacket.
She lets go of the rail to take it, and I seize my opportunity, hoisting her up over my shoulder.
“What the hell?” she gasps. “You’re crazy.”
“What’s crazy is you spent a hundred bucks on something I can do better myself. Now be a good girl and stop squirming.”
I plant one hand over her ass, holding her dress down so it covers her, and keep the other wrapped around the backs of her thighs as I stride along the aisle and carry her down the stairs.
“Sir, you can’t get off here,” the tour guide says as I get to the front of the bus .
I reach into my pocket and take out a money clip, pulling out a thick wad of hundreds.
“Thanks for the tour, but she’s feeling sick.”
I press the bills into the stunned guide’s palm.
“This bus was cleaned this morning,” she says, eyeing Ava suspiciously like she might throw up at any moment. I don’t enlighten her to the booger boy upstairs.
“Best not take any chances, then.”
She stands aside, looking relieved as we pass.
I step out onto the sidewalk, already more relaxed as the bus doors close behind us and it drives away.
“That was so embarrassing! You can’t do that.”
I set Ava down on her feet and she glares at me, prodding my chest. I catch her hand in mine.
“I just tipped enough to replace the whole bus with one that doesn’t have roaches. I don’t think they’ll care.”
She shoves my jacket back at me and rips her hand from mine. “I was enjoying myself.”
“And you still will.”
I take her hand in mine and walk up the sidewalk.
“Where are we going?” she huffs as she falls into step beside me. “It had better be somewhere worth losing our place for. We had the front row at the top. They’re the gold seats.”
“Yeah, luxury at its finest.”
“You’re such a jerk.”
She frowns as we stop in front of a giant black gate and I push the intercom .
“What are you doing?”
“Using the intercom.”
“I can see that,” she snaps.
I turn, looking into her eyes as there’s a click from the speaker.
“Hey, man!” the warm, instantly recognizable voice says. “What are you doing here?”
I smirk as Ava’s eyes widen and she spots the security camera.
“Just thought we’d drop in and say hi. We were in the neighborhood.”
“Absolutely. Come on up.”
The intercom cuts out and the gate slides open smoothly.
“Jet?” Ava hisses.
“Ava,” I reply, running my thumb over her knuckles as I lead her up the driveway to the front door.
“Why didn’t you tell me you know Jay Anderson?”
“You never asked.”
She yanks on my hand, so I look at her. “So what? You’re like besties or something?”
“We’re friends, yes.”
Her mouth drops open. “You have friends? Sorry, I mean… Is he like, a passing friend, or a super close friend?”
“He’s like he came to my mother’s funeral-we’re that close friend.”
“Oh.” Her eyes soften and the look she gives me makes my chest twinge.
The front door opens and Jay strides out, grabbing me into a back-slapping hug.
“Jet, man. It’s been too long. How was England?”
“Challenging,” I say.
He looks at Ava.
“Hi.” She smiles, looking a little awkward.
“This is Ava. She’s been working with me.”
“Hey, Ava. Nice to meet you.” Jay pulls her into a quick hug. “You guys are staying, right? We’ve just got brunch ready.”
“We can’t intrude.” Ava’s gaze flicks to me as he ushers us inside.
Jay laughs. “My wife’s made enough for a small country. We need all the help we can get.”
Ava’s head swivels side to side as she takes in the impressive beach front house. I recall how excited Jay was to show me this place when he and his wife’s offer was accepted. It’s quite something.
He leads us through the giant kitchen and out the rear doors. There’s a large pool to one side, but he takes us to a dining table on the giant deck, which runs along the width of the property. Malibu beach is behind it, and the ocean stretches out as far as you can see.
“Holy fuck,” Ava murmurs under her breath.
I squeeze her hand before letting go to greet Holly, who spins away from where she’s setting a bowl of blueberries down on the table.
“Jet!” She beams and pulls me into a hug. “Guys, look who it is. ”
I nod in greeting to the two guys sitting at the table. “Stefan, Matt. How are you guys? Ava and I thought we’d come say hi to Holly, Jay, and the kids. Didn’t know we’d be getting you two as well.”
They rise from the table, and Matt grabs me into a hug as Stefan pats my upper arm.
“Cheeky,” Matt says. “You know I’m your favorite ex-employee.”
“I heard that,” Holly pipes up.
“You brought company.” Matt’s eyebrows wiggle as he pulls back. “Did he have to pay you to put up with him?”
Holly bats him on the chest.
“He did. But not nearly enough.” Ava smiles.
“I like her,” Matt declares, wrapping his arm around Ava and stealing her from me, leading her down the other end of the table where some drinks are set up. She’s swept up into a conversation between him and his partner, Stefan, and Holly, so I put my jacket on the back of one of the chairs and hang back, watching her relax.
“Who is she?” Jay asks quietly, coming up beside me with his eldest daughter, Summer, in his arms.
“She’s Ava,” I reply.
Jay’s grin turns shit-eating.
“Don’t go getting ideas.”
“I said nothing.” His grin widens. “But you’ve never brought a woman here before.”
“Hey, gorgeous girl. You got a cuddle for your favorite godfather?” I hold my arms out to Summer, ignoring Jay. He hands her over, and she wraps her little arms around my neck, planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek.
“Jet gone long time,” she says.
I stroke her blonde hair and look into her wide, innocent eyes. “I went away on a plane to do some work.”
“Like Mommy.” Her face lights up.
“Yeah, like Mummy. She was one of our best flight attendants until your daddy stole her.”
“Not sorry.” Jay laughs.
“I heard that!” Matt yells from the other end of the table. “You mean second best flight attendant.”
“I know what I meant,” I reply.
My eyes move to Ava. She’s got an easy smile on her face as she looks at me holding Summer in my arms.
“She’s so sweet,” she says to Holly.
“Don’t let her cuteness fool you, she’s a monkey.”
Summer giggles as Holly walks over and swoops down on her, lifting her from my arms. “And her little sister is an even bigger handful.”
“Sydney napping,” Summer says seriously. “She a baby.”
Holly puts Summer into her highchair and waves her hand around the table. “Sit. Eat.”
I pull out a chair for Ava and she hovers. Matt drops into a seat beside Stefan, followed by Holly, then Jay.
“Sit,” I say softly so only she can hear.
She glances at me and then sinks into the seat. I sit beside her and put my hand on her thigh under the table, feeling her leg relax as I give it a gentle squeeze.
We sit for hours, catching up. Jay’s just been cast as the lead in a new action film. He’s buzzing about working with director, Trent Forde, who’s known as the king of special effects. And Matt gets me up to speed on how the events planning company he’s set up since moving from London to LA is going.
“I know you’re still mourning my loss.” He winks at me as he rests his elbows on the table, mindlessly spinning his wedding band.
“Of course,” I say without emotion, causing him to narrow his eyes as the rest of the table laugh.
He shakes his head with a smile.
“So how long have you worked at Atlantic Airways, Ava?” Jay asks.
“Oh, I don’t work at the airline.” Ava sips on her water. “I live in London. I’ve just been helping on a project. It’s short-term.”
“A project,” Matt echoes, his brows rising in my direction. “So you’ll be heading home soon, then?”
“I guess. Although I’m in no rush to leave. My mum lives here.”
“Your mum?” Holly asks.
“Zena Hamilton.” Ava’s entire face lights up as she says her name. “She’s an actress.”
Holly and Matt look blank, but recognition flashes over Stefan and Jay’s faces .
“I’ve never worked with your mom, but I look forward to meeting her one day,” Jay says.
“She’s amazing,” Ava gushes. “It was always her dream to be an actress. She’s played some brilliant roles over the past ten years since moving to LA.”
“Did you go to school here, then?” Matt asks.
Ava tenses. “I—”
I pull my phone from my pocket and glance at the screen. “I’m so sorry guys. Ava, we need to go.”
She turns to me, her eyes widening. “Oh… okay.”
I stand and pull her chair out. “It was great to see you all.”