Chapter 28 #3
I don’t know why I’m getting this riled up about him looking so damn appealing right now. Maybe it’s because it makes the thought of never seeing him again that much harder.
“They’re standard-issue. We all have ‘em.” He shrugs, his hands casually tucked under his arms.
See, the man thinks he’s just going about his day, yet he’s standing here looking like the cover model for a spicy romance novel.
“And they’re handy for putting women under a spell,” I mumble under my breath before pasting a big smile on my face.
“What was that?” he asks, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
I roll my eyes. “I said, I’m glad the pilot got such a good night’s sleep. Is sedation an option for this trip? Think they’re serving cocktails on board?”
“Afraid not. Come on, you can have a seat inside while I finish the pre-flight check.”
“You’re gonna make me do stuff like this all the time, aren’t you?
” I pout before realizing that a repeat occurrence is only possible if what’s brewing here doesn’t have a very near expiration date.
Jack doesn’t reply, only shooting me a tiny smirk from behind those sunglasses.
I’d give anything to see his eyes right now.
Are they full of mirth and humor, or are they dimmed by the guilt over the talk he wants to have later?
My heart thumps loudly as I pull Marigold onto my shoulder, cautiously nearing the helicopter.
Jack lifts me from behind when I get close, and I squeeze my eyes shut while I revel in the warmth of his large hands around my waist. They slowly slip away before he pries Marigold from my grip to safely stow her away, then he begins buckling me in.
Owen stands off to the side, looking like he’s supervising a prison visitation and making sure no fraternizing takes place.
Meanwhile, Mary watches shamelessly with a soft smile.
The knot in my stomach tightens the longer I sit here, taking inventory of ways to die that would be preferable to going out in a helicopter crash.
My ears are buzzing as Owen and Mary climb in, but then Jack finally joins us, placing chunky headphones on my head and patting my knee.
He explains things, gesturing, and I nod, but it’s all going in one ear and out the other.
My eyes pinch shut when the helicopter lifts, Jack’s soothing voice in my ears telling me I’m safe.
Still, I wish we were safe with our feet on the ground and his arms wrapped around me.
With a little coaxing, I manage to pry my eyes open, gasping at the sight. The majesty of the canyon from above is incomparable. The mossy green river boldly traces a path through burnt sienna that melts into shadows of Payne’s gray, blending into lilacs.
“Wow…” I sigh.
I feel like a tiny bug flying over a crack in the ground, except there’s an entire world inside this crevice, one that’s harsh and unforgiving yet still manages to bring out the best and the worst of us.
“Incredible, isn’t it?” Jack grins from beside me, and my head does a slow pivot, meeting his smile. His eyes twinkle with pride.
“It is…” My voice comes out breathy. With my face practically smushed against the window, I can’t absorb enough of the view. And to think I wanted to pass up this experience because I was afraid.
No more being too scared to take chances.
Tonight, I’m giving this thing between Jack and me one more rebuttal.
Jack lands the helicopter with such precision, looking gorgeously competent and making me want to relive this moment in slow motion.
It’s almost noon by the time we step out onto the South Rim, and I’m hungry and ready to collapse on the soft bed Jack promised, while he unfortunately has to do the paperwork side of his job.
“Two rooms?” The receptionist at the lodge types away, her eyes flicking to us when the silence stretches.
“Oh…uh…yeah…I guess that’s…” Jack stammers while I purse my lips in thought.
I’ve gotten so used to being near him, I kind of just assumed we’d share a room again.
But all the previous close-proximity situations have been out of necessity.
There’s no dire need to share a room…and as much as I wish he’d pull the I need to keep you safe line, I think we both know neighboring rooms will be just fine.
The receptionist’s eyes bounce between us before her fingers start tapping away. “How about adjoining rooms with a door between them?”
In a lodge where there are no suites, I guess that’s the best I can hope for without making it embarrassingly obvious that I want a replay of the spooning that happened before.
“Yeah…that’s fine. Thank you.” I smile, and Jack confirms, a hand palming his neck.
The receptionist hands over our room keys with a knowing smirk on her face. If only she did know.
Jack unlocks my door, and I pull my suitcase into the room with Marigold resting on top. When I turn, Jack has closed and locked the door, and he’s already beginning a thorough sweep of every inch of the room and bathroom. He opens the door leading to his room and repeats the process.
I flop back onto the queen bed while Jack does his thing, tired enough that I debate going to sleep without lunch. But I’ll just wake up super grumpy if my stomach doesn’t get sustenance soon, not to mention that it’s nearly time for another dose of my meds.
Jack snorts, hands resting on his hips and a soft smile curling his mouth. “Stay here, I’ll get lunch.”
“Yes, sir. You know what your bossiness does to me.” I sit up and fan my face, pleased at the blush that tinges his cheeks.
“Don’t go anywhere, Willow,” he rumbles.
I lift the back of my hand to my brow, wilting onto my back with a dramatic swoon. My eyes are still closed when I hear Jack’s mumbling retreat, bringing a delighted grin to my face when I catch him mumbling, “I’m in so much trouble.”