Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
theo
We clearly forgot to close the curtains last night.
Because the morning sunshine slipped right through the windows.
I shifted in bed, and I could feel her warmth near me. She was lying on her side, her hair a mess against my pillow, one leg tossed over the sheet like she owned the bed. The curve of her back, the slow rise and fall of her breath, it was unfair how beautiful she looked doing absolutely nothing.
“Are you staring at me?” she murmured without opening her eyes. I smiled. “Maybe.” She stretched like a cat. Her arms over her head, her legs stretching to opposite sides. “I slept like a baby. It was a really good sleep.”
“It was the best night of sleep I’ve had in months. So, thank you.” I admitted. She rolled toward me, resting her chin on my chest. “That’s cute, 1A. But, I gotta run if I want a full Parisian breakfast before I’m back in the air tonight.” I brushed her hair back from her face.
“What time are you flying?”
“Late. It’s an overnight flight again. But check-in is in a few hours, and I have to meet Rose before she shops her entire suitcase weight limit.” I laughed. “Sounds serious.”
“You’ve never seen her around a European Zara.
It is serious.” She yawned and pushed herself up, grabbing her clothes and slipping them on with ease that made it somehow sexier.
I leaned back against the headboard, watching her move.
“Are you going to ghost me now? Because I don’t have any information on you, but you can easily find all of mine. ”
She looked over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “Well, that’s true. But, you’re not exactly ghostable, 1A.”
I tilted my head. “So, what happens now?”
Sam smiled faintly as she pulled on her coat. “Now? I find coffee, you go become a CEO. And if fate wants us to bump into each other again, then who are we to argue?” That made me smile a little. She walked to the door, then paused. “Thanks for the wine, the invite, and the orgasms.”
“It was my pleasure.” She smirked, and I watched the door click shut behind her, the room suddenly so quiet in her absence.
By the time I was on my second espresso in the hotel lounge, Harper called. “Morning,” she said, voice crisp as ever. “I figured you’d be up and working already.”
“I never really stopped working,” I replied, staring out at the street below. “Just changed the location.”
“I got confirmation in the boardroom for the Monday meeting in New York. 10:00 a.m. Max Hayes will be there to officially introduce you as CEO. Full company rollout starts the following week.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Let’s lock it in. Push the strategy meeting with Ops to Tuesday. I want a buffer after the board intro.”
“Got it. Also, heads up, there’s a press lunch scheduled in two weeks. I’ll send over the potential outlets. Do you want to do a one-on-one sit-down with Forbes or keep it group style?”
“Group,” I said without hesitation. “Keep it clean. I don’t want any personal angles.” She hesitated. “And if they ask?”
“They’ll ask,” I muttered, glancing at my reflection in the window. “Just make sure the story stays on Hayes and the future of tech.”
“Copy that.” We went through the rest of the calendar, stakeholder intros, internal department reviews, and onboarding meetings.
I confirmed, declined, and rescheduled. It felt mechanical, clean.
Safe. And yet, every time there was a pause, my mind drifted.
To the woman with sunlight in her hair and the kind of laugh that made my chest tighten.
To last night, and to the mess she left in my bed, and apparently on my mind too.
Harper’s voice brought me back. “Your car to the airport is set for noon. The flight is at 2:15. I sent the boarding pass to your email.”
“Perfect.”
“And Theo?” she added.
“Congratulations. You’re officially the guy.” I gave a dry laugh. “We’ll see if that’s a good thing.” After we hung up, I sat for a moment longer. Watching the street. Letting the city live around me.
Then I opened my phone and scrolled to my camera roll. There, faintly blurry, completely candid, was a picture I’d taken last night of her laughing across the table, wine glass in hand, cheeks flushed with color and life. Which, by the way, I don’t recall taking.
I stared at it for a long moment. Longer than I would like to admit to myself. Anyway, I closed the photo, grabbed my bags, and headed for the airport.
At the airport, the lounge was quiet, polished, and almost empty.
A soft hum of conversations, the occasional clink of glass, a wall of windows looking out onto the tarmac.
I slid into a leather chair with my lunch.
A grilled chicken sandwich and a Jack and Ginger, because I kind of enjoy being haunted by my choices.
One sip and I smirked.
I leaned back, the glass was cool in my hand, and let my eyes drift across the lounge.
But all I could see was her, Sam. The way she smiled at me over the rim of her wine glass.
The way she moved like she wasn’t trying, but knew you were watching.
Her body. Her laugh. The balcony. The bed.
The way she sighed into my mouth like it was the only place she wanted to be.
I shook my head, trying to snap out of it.
It was a fling, I reminded myself. A fun layover. A wild, sexy chapter in a city I hadn’t visited in a decade. Nothing more. Just a stunning flight attendant with a quick wit, a ridiculous body, and maybe the best sex I’ve ever had.
But nothing more.
My phone buzzed.
Nico: You land yet, CEO Daddy?
I laughed into my drink and texted back.
Me: Still in lounge life mode. Flight boards in 45.
Nico: And how’s our empire builder feeling?
Me: Like I traded freedom for a billion-dollar to-do list.
Nico: So… exactly like you?
Me: Shut up.
He sent a GIF of someone dramatically weeping into a suitcase full of money.
Nico: Tell Paris I said thanks for softening you up before Max Hayes chews you out.
Me: Paris was actually pretty good. Can’t complain.
Nico: Uh oh. You found great croissants and great sex?
Me: Something like that.
Nico: Just don’t bring a Parisian back with you unless she codes or does brand strategy.
Me: I don’t think she can code, but she can pour a perfect Jack and Ginger.
Nico: Close enough.
Put her on payroll.
I shook my head, smiling as I finished the last bite of my sandwich. The comfort of Nico’s banter grounded me and reminded me of who I’ve been before all this Hayes nonsense.
I opened my laptop, answered a couple of emails, flagged a few reports, and reviewed tomorrow’s calendar. Then the boarding call echoed through the lounge. It was time to go. I packed up, left the last sip of my drink, and headed for Gate 11.
Back to New York, back to responsibility, and back to being the man who doesn’t get distracted.
But as I stepped onto the plane, I couldn’t help it— I glanced toward first class.
She wasn’t there.