3. Lost Luggage
LOST LUGGAGE
“ W hat do you mean, my luggage is lost?” I stare wide-eyed at the customer service agent. “It was a direct flight! How is that even possible?” My hand makes a loud slapping sound as it lands hard and flat on the counter between us.
She clears her throat, her eyes darting everywhere except on me. “It seems it was never loaded on the plane in LAX. Some sort of mix-up with the cart it was placed on.”
“Some kind of mix-up?” I repeat, not even sure why, because I know it’s not going to change the predicament I’m in. “Well, how long is it going to take to fix it? I need my luggage.”
“Of course, ma’am.” She nods, her bobbed haircut swishing around her chin from the motion, as she reads the computer screen in front of her. “It was placed on another flight to New York City just three hours after yours and is expected to be here at eight-thirty this evening.”
Well, that’s not so bad, I suppose. At least I’ll have my clothes for my interview tomorrow. Before I can respond, she continues in a rush. “We will, of course, have it delivered wherever you’re staying, ma’am. Free of charge, of course.”
I sigh and shake my head in frustration. “Well, I guess it is what it is.”
“Can you give me an address where we can have it delivered, and a phone number where we can reach you?”
I draw a deep breath into my lungs in an attempt to calm my temper. I’ll have my clothes by this evening. Everything is going to be fine. I just need to breathe. I blink my lids open and award her with the most gracious smile I can muster. “Of course. I’m staying at The Sapphire Resorts on Wall Street. My cell number is 213-774-8448.”
“Thank you, Ms. Adams.” She slides a card across the counter to me. “Please, feel free to call me if you have any other issues at all. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”
“Thank you, I appreciate your help,” I acknowledge, about to walk away, but then step back to the counter. “Can you tell me which direction I can find a taxi?”
She smiles, then points to my left. “Just go up those stairs and straight through the sliding doors. The taxi station will be on your right.”
“Thanks again.” Less than five minutes later, I’m up the stairs and about to walk through the sliding doors when a hand latches onto arm, stopping me in my tracks. I spin around, then freeze, the corners of my mouth lifting in recognition. “Fin.”
“Chloe.” He draws me from of the doorway, out of the way of foot traffic, then releases his hold. “I thought that was you.”
“You’re still here?” I ask, finding it curious that he is.
“So are you, it seems.” He chuckles, his fingers brushing over the stubble lining his face. “I ran into a colleague. We had a quick drink before his flight.” He tilts his chin toward me. “What’s your excuse?”
I frown, lifting my shoulders in an exaggerated shrug. “Lost luggage. It seems it never made it onto our plane in Los Angeles.”
“Well, shit. That’s not good news for the snappy outfit you planned on wearing to your interview tomorrow,” he teases, a smile tugging on his lips.
“Yes, well, don’t you fret.” My tone snarky. “I’m told it’s on the next flight in and will be delivered to my hotel this evening.”
“Phew.” He chuckles again. “Not that I don’t think you look exceptional in that outfit.” His eyes trail over my bare legs for at least the third time today. “But, I don’t believe it meets the dress code for the restaurant I’m planning on taking you to tomorrow evening.”
“We could always grab a hot dog and take a walk through Central Park instead,” I suggest. “I am a simple girl, truth be told.”
He shakes his head back and forth, the dimple in his cheek appearing as he gives me a wide smile. “Chloe, there isn’t anything simple about you.”
I feel my traitorous cheeks heat, belying the confidence I want to portray, but give it my best shot anyway. “Fin, the same could be said about you.”
He lets out a huff of laughter, his eyes twinkling as they stay locked on me. “You need a ride? I’ve got a car. I can drop you at your hotel if you like? Especially now that I know you’re traveling light.”
“I was just headed to grab a taxi, as a matter of fact.” I look behind me through the doors, noting the long line of people waiting. “Are you sure it’s not an imposition?”
“Not even a little.” His large, warm hand presses flat against my back before I can blink, leading me outside, across one lane of traffic and to a waiting town car. A middle-aged man in a dark suit leaning against the car jumps to attention, moving to open the back door for us. “Good evening, sir.”
“Hey, Jimmy.” Fin’s hand slides from my waist down the length of my arm to grasp my knuckles as I lower myself into the car. “We’ll have an extra stop tonight.”
“No problem. You just tell me where to go.” The door shuts hard and firm, both men suddenly gone, the door on the other side of the car opening a second later, Fin sliding in beside me with ease.
It’s then that I notice he doesn’t have any luggage with him either, and I comment on it. “You don’t have any bags?”
“I have a place here. A place in Los Angeles. There’s usually no need,” he explains before changing the topic. “Are you going to the hotel?”
I nod. He knows where I’m staying because I gave him my information earlier so he can pick me up tomorrow evening. He instructs the driver where to drop me, then turns his attention back to me. “Sure you don’t want to do dinner tonight?”
One corner of my mouth lifts, but I shake my head. “No. I need a good night’s sleep for tomorrow.” I point my finger at him. “And don’t try to change the subject,” I scoff. “Mister ‘ I have a place in NY and LA and I don’t need luggage’ , but I’m going to try to pretend I’m not rich.’”
“I never said I wasn’t rich,” he states. “You made the assumption I was, and I didn’t dispute it.” He squints as he continues to assess me, scooting a little closer, his voice low when he continues. “Why, does it bother you that I am?”
“No.” I purse my lips, my perusal of him blatant. “It’s just not fair that you’re this damn good looking and rich.”
His head falls back as laughter erupts from deep in his chest, amusement lighting up his eyes as they find their way back to mine. “Some guys get all the luck, I guess.”
“I guess,” I muse, my focus shifting to his full lips before tracking a slow trail up to his gorgeous green irises.
“You really need to stop looking at me like that.” His voice grows even lower, a slight growl to its edge, as he leans closer.
“Like what?” I whisper, his face a breath from mine.
My eyes flutter shut as his whiskered cheek presses against my smooth one, his breath hot in my ear as he speaks. “Like you want me to kiss you.” His nose ruffles against my hair, loose strands drifting toward him as he inhales, humming when he exhales. “Roses.” His lips trail over my skin, up the edge of my face before leaving a soft kiss on my forehead. My eyes flicker as he leans back, his gaze locking with mine. “If I kiss you now, I won’t stop.”
“So?” I mutter, desperate to feel his lips on mine. “I’m not saying stop.”
“And I don’t want you to.” He slides away from me but keeps a hand on my bare thigh. “Which is why I don’t mind waiting until tomorrow.”
I can’t help the frown that I know mars my expression, but I just don’t care. I’ve spent over six hours next to this man, this demi-god, and Jesus, he has me hot and bothered. I’m not giving up without a little bit of a fight. “We don’t have to.”
He answers on a low chuckle. “We do. For the sake of your interview.” He leans forward again, his hand sliding up my thigh until it stops just below the seam of my very short shorts. “Because, Chloe, once I start, it’s going to last a very, very long time, and I don’t want to be the blame for you not looking rested at your interview.”
I shift my eyes to his, my tongue swiping across my lips, dry from the short, quick breaths leaving them, and nod. He responds by cocking one side of his tempting mouth into a devilish grin, his fingers drifting like a feather down the length of my leg before they lift off my skin. He shifts back just as the driver pulls up in front of my hotel.
Sweet holy mother of God, I think I just came . Thank goodness my luggage is getting delivered tonight because I definitely need to change my panties.