Chapter 8 #2
“But you’re a stranger. And I got in your car. And you just started driving me to the airport? Oh my God, pull over. There’s a casino up there on the right.”
“It’s not a problem at all. I was on my way to the airport anyway.”
“Why were you at the gas station? I really think you should pull over.” She glanced to her door and considered if she’d survive jumping out of his car.
“I was about to fill up my car with gas, but I was going to the airport anyway so—”
“You let a stranger jump in your car?”
“We are no longer strangers. I’m headed that way anyway. I’m flying private, of course, so it’s not a problem. See we’re pretty much here.” He pointed to the airport sign.
Skylar shook her head, inwardly admonishing herself for not checking the entire license plate. “You literally just picked up a stranger on your way to the airport?”
“I just told you. We’re not strangers now. We’re just two people who both need to get to Seattle. I also have a private jet. It’s no worry at all. My crew is waiting. Shelby always prepares an amazing breakfast.”
“I can’t possibly.” Desperate times called for desperate measures. Maybe her luck was finally changing. She could be home within hours. Safe. Far, far away from Vegas and vampires. Far away from Rafe. “You’re sure?”
“It will be nice to have the company. Truly.”
“You have family in Seattle?” she probed, still unsure of trusting him.
“I guess you could say that. My brother’s here on the coast. We’re going to meet up soon.” The driver turned onto the highway exit as planes soared overhead. “It’s not too late. I can still take you to the main airport if you’d feel more comfortable.”
“Would I like to spend the next few hours arguing with my credit card company and having to find a flight out?” Skylar sighed. “You’re sure it’s not a problem?”
“Not at all. Please don’t take this the wrong way but it’s dangerous out here this early in the morning.
It’s your choice, of course, but let me assure you that flying on a private jet doesn’t suck.
It’s not a problem at all for you to come with us to Seattle.
I’ll consider it my good deed for the day. I could use the karma.”
“You’ve got a pilot, right? You’re not flying it yourself? No offense.” Skylar didn’t want to be rude but given all she’d been through, she owed it to herself to ask.
“None taken. And yes, I have a very skilled pilot and a flight attendant.”
Skylar considered his tempting offer. She reasoned she’d be safe as long as she verified the flight route at the private airstrip before she ever got on the jet. “Okay, yes, thanks. That would be very kind of you.”
“Ah, very good then. Here we go. We should be in the air within the hour. We’ll give my pilot your name when we get there. We need to make sure all souls are accounted for and whatnot. Rules are rules.”
“My name’s Skylar. Skylar Hemlock.” She inwardly laughed, embarrassed she’d entered the car of a stranger. “I take it you’re not Kyle.”
“I’m afraid not. Though I’m sure Kyle’s very disappointed you weren’t there.”
“That’s debatable.”
“Nice to meet you Skylar. My name’s Sebastian.”
Thirty minutes into the flight and Skylar imagined her luck was indeed getting better.
With a cozy blanket draped over her legs, she warmed her hands around her oversized ceramic mug.
Her body molded to the crushed leather seat.
Sleek and modern, the private jet had been decorated in tones of cream with walnut accents.
Luxury without trying, its cashmere interior hinted at its expense. Money. Old money.
She glanced at Sebastian who typed furiously at his keyboard.
She guessed his age to be late thirties, perhaps a few years older.
With well-coiffed blond hair and blue eyes, his chiseled jaw couldn’t hide itself beneath the stubble.
Though he spoke with a British accent, she detected slips of another dialect she didn’t recognize.
People would think she was crazy for jumping on the first flight out of Vegas with a stranger she’d met at a gas station. But given the situation with her credit card, her executive decision to get out of town as quickly as possible seemed the most rational thing she’d done in days.
Skylar’s mind drifted back to Rafe. Her heartbreak morphed into resentment, anger. She told herself she’d made the right decision, leaving without talking to him. To continue seeing him was a recipe for disaster. She didn’t owe him an explanation after he’d chosen to lie.
“You okay?” Sebastian looked up from his laptop and shot her a smile.
“Yes,” she lied as she brought her mug to her lips. “Thank you. This is amazing.”
Skylar tried to get a better read on Sebastian. While he played the good Samaritan, he surely was a man. In any other situation, she might even make a play at him. Not today though. Fucking Rafe. Ruined her for any other. At least until her fragile human heart rallied.
Shelby, a petite brunette flight attendant dressed in a well fitted, black silk suit appeared, offering Sebastian a mug.
Her hair had been swept up in a proper French twist. She wore a crimson silk scarf around her neck and pearl earrings.
Her ruby red lips had lost a hint of their earlier shiny appearance, but her perfect makeup was otherwise intact.
She turned to address Skylar, but Sebastian interrupted. “Please have something to eat.”
“May I recommend the omelet? Chef has imported black winter truffles. Périgord region.”
“I don’t know.” Skylar gave a nervous laugh as her stomach rumbled and she changed her mind. “Yes, I’d love the eggs. Thank you.”
Skylar turned to Sebastian as Shelby turned to leave. “Aren’t you having something?”
“No, I’m on a special diet, I’m afraid,” he replied.
“Oh wow. Sorry to hear that.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Coffee is fine for right now. I’ll be having a meal shortly after we land.”
“Of course.” Skylar smiled at him as he raised his mug and sipped what she classed as ridiculously expensive coffee.
She studied Sebastian as he worked. He spoke with an unbothered air of luxury, a silent charisma lurked beneath his smile.
Though he appeared outwardly harmless, Skylar thought better of it.
Men who owned private jets, especially one who imported truffles from France when he clearly didn’t eat them, wielded power.
So while the lull of his accent appeared to calm her nerves, instinct warned her to be cautious.
The flight attended returned and dressed Skylar’s table with a tablecloth and silverware. She draped a crisp linen napkin over her lap and scuttled off down the aisle in her black patent pumps.
Sebastian closed his laptop and swiveled his chair to face hers. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
“I didn’t say I was in danger.” Her face remained impassive, unwilling to share details of Vegas with anyone let alone someone she just met.
“Forgive me. It’s just that sometimes I have a sense about people.” He steepled his fingers, his gaze solely on hers.
“My mom has a lot of sayings,” she countered. “One of them is don’t beg for trouble. So, let’s just say I’m choosing to move on. Sometimes moving on is the best option.”
Skylar glanced at the monogram on the cuff of his white bespoke shirt. S. Dripping with money, the man knew how to dress well. Yet despite his custom clothing and fine leather shoes, something rough lingered underneath the surface of his words.
“What do you do for a living?” he asked.
“I own a bookstore in New Orleans. But I also act sometimes. I had a job on a TV series.”
“Girls weekend in Vegas?” he probed.
“I wish. No, I was working. But I’m done now. And I’m looking forward to seeing my family in Washington. Then I’ll head back to New Orleans.”
“Sorry about the acting job. Hollywood can be ruthless.”
“You don’t know the half of it.” She caught sight of the flight attendant approaching with a silver domed plate. “And you? I mean besides your new ride share business, what kind of work do you do?”
Shelby stepped between them and placed the plate onto her table. She removed its cloche, exposing a delectable breakfast fit for a queen.
“Please call if you need anything. Bon Appetit.” Shelby nodded and set off toward the front of the plane.
“Wow. This looks beautiful. And smells delicious.”
“Yes, I told you I really do have a chef. Please. Eat. You need your strength.”
Skylar lifted her fork and gently removed a fluffy piece of omelet and slid it inside her mouth. The culinary delight danced over her tongue and she smiled. “The truffles are so good. Who are you really, Sebastian?”
“Just a fellow on a work trip,” he answered without telling her his business.
“You’re an interesting one.” Skylar continued to eat.
“I’ll take that as a complement. I mean, who would like to be described otherwise? I’m certainly never boring. And you, Skylar, are a very unique human being, indeed.”
Skylar quietly evaluated his choice of words. She smiled, chewing as she slid another piece of egg onto her fork. “I don’t think I’m all that unique.”
“On the contrary, you traveled cross country to take a job you surely knew could end quickly but my guess is you’re in love with acting and pressed on. It’s admirable. The film industry is filled with dreamers. And where would our world be without film?”
“Hmm. True. Well, I wasn’t expecting my acting gig to end that quickly. But I’m taking a break now. It is what it is.” She set down her fork. “I really appreciate the lift to Washington. When I get home, I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks of quiet time.”
“Forgive me for overhearing your conversation but did I hear you say your parents were away?”
“Knowing my mom, she’ll be home before me.” Don’t let him think you’re going to be alone. “I know a lot of the neighbors, so yeah, I’m sure I’ll be busy once they find out I’m there.”
“I wish you peace, dove. You deserve it.”