4. Cici
CICI
Icouldn't wait to get out of Aspen.
Three days ago, getting stranded in a snowstorm had sounded like a gift from the universe. No flights. No passengers. No schedules.
No one could ask me for anything.
Now I was more than ready to leave.
Mostly because there was always the possibility of running into Todd again.
The thought alone made me want to crawl under the nearest rock. Not that I didn't enjoy my time with him; I did. Too much so.
I still couldn't believe I'd slept with a complete stranger.
Not just slept with him.
I'd spent the night with him.
The. Entire. Night.
When I agreed to go to his hotel room, I'd fully intended to stay for an hour. Maybe ninety minutes if the conversation was good.
One hour.
That had been the plan.
What was I thinking? I never do anything like that!
Instead, seven hours later, after one very expensive bottle of champagne, four rounds of incredible, mind-blowing sex, and one humiliating appearance of me being half naked on live television, I stumbled out of his hotel suite wishing I'd simply said no thank you.
The worst part?
I couldn't even blame him.
Todd had been charming.
Funny.
Thoughtful.
Ridiculously attractive.
He'd also asked me to stay for breakfast.
I'd practically sprinted for the elevator.
He told me that Monty asked him if a half naked woman had just walked behind him during his broadcast. I swear my soul left my body when he told me that.
I grabbed my clothes, threw them on, and escaped before I died from embarrassment.
I seriously needed to distance myself from him.
As far as I was concerned, what happened in Aspen could stay in Aspen.
The private terminal was already bustling when I arrived for the morning departure.
The weather had finally broken overnight.
Clear skies.
Cold temperatures.
Perfect flying conditions.
I parked my rolling flight bag beside the aircraft and paused long enough to appreciate what I'd be flying today.
A Gulfstream G280.
Nice ride.
The sleek white fuselage gleamed beneath the morning sun.
I climbed the stairs and stepped inside.
The cabin was immaculate. It was upgraded. Everything was high-end. Nice. Very nice.
First things first.
I stowed my personal bag in the cockpit and settled into the left seat.
Every airplane had its own personality.
Even when you'd flown the model before.
I powered up the avionics, reviewed the flight management system, verified the route, checked weather reports along our planned flight path, and confirmed fuel numbers.
Charlotte looked clear.
No significant turbulence.
No delays expected.
Nice easy trip.
Exactly what I needed.
I reviewed the aircraft logbook, verified maintenance sing-offs, and worked my way through the cockpit setup checklist.
Everything looked good.
A few minutes later the rest of the crew arrived.
"Morning, Captain."
I looked up and smiled at the copilot.
"Morning."
After introductions, we reviewed the flight plan together.
The flight attendant joined us shortly afterward, and we discussed passenger count, catering requests, and estimated flight time.
Routine.
Professional.
Comfortably familiar.
The way I liked it.
While the others prepared the cabin, I pulled up the passenger manifest.
My eyes dropped to the owner information listed at the top of the manifest.
Archer Holdings.
First passenger, Collin T. Archer.
I frowned.
Archer.
That seemed familiar.
Probably coincidence.
There had to be thousands of Archers in the country.
The only other name on the manifest was Naomi Remington.
Just two passengers.
Not unusual in private aviation, but it always felt a little surreal flying an aircraft built for ten people with only two seats occupied.
At least it would be an easy flight.
I stepped back outside.
The morning air bit at my cheeks.
I tucked my hands into the pockets of my coat and took my position beside the aircraft stairs.
The job wasn't complicated.
Smile.
Introduce yourself.
Get everyone safely where they needed to go.
A black SUV appeared at the far end of the tarmac.
Right on schedule.
Show time.
I straightened automatically.
The vehicle rolled closer before coming to a stop beside the aircraft.
The rear passenger door opened.
A tall man stepped out.
Broad shoulders.
Camel-colored coat.
Dark sunglasses.
The kind of confidence that couldn't be purchased no matter how much money someone had.
The opposite rear door opened.
A gorgeous brunette emerged beside him.
My stomach immediately tightened.
Tall.
Elegant.
Expensive.
The kind of woman who looked like she'd never had a bad hair day in her life.
Wonderful.
Not that I cared.
I absolutely did not care.
The man turned toward the aircraft.
Toward me.
Something about the way he moved felt familiar.
My pulse stumbled.
No.
Impossible.
The pair started walking in my direction.
Each step brought them closer.
Closer.
Closer.
The man smiled.
A small smile.
One I'd seen before.
My stomach dropped straight through the tarmac.
No.
No fucking way.
The brunette said something to him.
He laughed.
I knew that laugh.
I knew that smile.
I knew exactly how his mouth felt against mine.
Oh, God.
The sunglasses disappeared.
And there he was.
Todd.
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second.
Shock.
Recognition.
Disbelief.
Every emotion I'd just experienced flashed across his face.
I lifted my chin.
Professional.
I could do professional.
I'd flown billionaires.
Celebrities.
Professional athletes.
I could certainly handle one gorgeous businessman I'd accidentally slept with and his... what? Wife? Girlfriend? I couldn't help myself. My gaze flicked to her left hand. A massive pear-shaped diamond sparkled on her ring finger. My stomach sank. They were clearly together. Was she his fiancée?
Oh God, I feel sick!
My heart was currently attempting to escape through my throat.
Todd stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
For one long second neither of us spoke.
Then I smiled.
"Good morning, Mr. Archer. I'm Captain Connelly. I'll be flying you to Charlotte today."