Angelina attempted but failed to free her hands from his. Why was he ruining what could have been such a beautiful moment? “I want the man who spoke about bullies to the soccer team. Are you that man or is he an act too?”
“No, that’s all me.” Connor frowned. “Do you like working here?”
“Yes.” Where was this going?
In the quiet moment that followed, all kinds of dark thoughts circled but she kept telling herself things would work out. Her fears weren’t premonitions. They were simply—fears. Connor was a good man and he was trying to tell her something. She could panic or she could listen.
After giving her hands a light squeeze, he said, “The Landon Foundation makes a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis. I’ve never been part of something like that before. What if we fuck on my desk and you feel awkward tomorrow? Will you quit? Will you think I want you to? You’re good at what you do. This place needs you and it’s the perfect job for you. I don’t want to mess that up. Whatever we do, I need to know you won’t go back to a place like Reemsly.”
Nice didn’t begin to describe Connor. So decent. So kind. Probably a better person than I’ve ever been. “I don’t want to go back there either.” By there, she meant not only to her old employment situation, but also to being someone who couldn’t trust this side of Connor to be real. “I’m starting to believe in miracles, magic, and happy endings.”
He smiled. “That’s a lot of pressure. I don’t perform miracles. I’ve never been good at sleight of hand tricks. However, I am particularly gifted when it comes to mutual happy endings.”
“I believe you.” She laughed and hugged him. What a goof, but one that made her heart lighter. “Please don’t call anyone else to confirm it.”
His chest rumbled with his laughter, and he hugged her closer.
She stood there for a moment, simply enjoying being enveloped by him.
He tucked her under his chin, and said, “I don’t always think things through, but I’m working on it.” He sighed. “I laugh too loud. If I get past three beers I’m probably finishing the case. I love to make people laugh even if means tossing all dignity aside. That’s who I am.”
She absorbed his words and considered them before saying, “I’ve spent the last thirteen years going to bed thinking about everything I did wrong that day and waking up worried about what I’d do wrong next. That’s who I am.” She tipped her head back and met his gaze. “Sometime, I’d like to laugh too loud and not care what anyone thinks. What do you think about that?”
His smile returned. “Are you afraid of flying?”
“Sorry?”
“I just had an aneurism. No, an epiphany. I just figured out the best way for us to have sex.”
Angelina’s eyebrows rose. “You did?”
“You’re going to love this.”
Connor took out his phone and with one arm still around Angelina called his pilot. “Will, I need you to come pick me up at my office, but I have a special request.”
“Absolutely, Mr. Sutton. What do you need?”
“Remember that copter we used in Dallas? The big one?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have that, but with a bed?”
“A bed?”
By his tone, it didn’t sound like one was an option. “How about a couch? Something long enough for someone my height to recline on.”
“Sir, you do realize due to fuel consumption and the size of the craft you’re requesting, the time in the air at most would be two hours.”
“That would be more than enough time.”
“Do you have a destination in mind?”
Connor met Angelina’s surprised gaze and asked, “Do you have a helipad on your building?”
Angelina shook her head.
“We’ll go to my apartment, then—the long way.”
“The long way, sir?”
“Whatever way takes about two hours. Text me when you’re here.” Connor ended the call feeling pretty good about it. He snapped his fingers. “We should make a packing list. Claire says they’re essential.” He patted his pockets. “Condoms. I didn’t bring any with me. How about you?”
Angelina’s cheeks went delightfully pink, then she said, “Three.”
“Fantastic.” He kissed her lips briefly then stepped back and looked around. “We’ll need some tape and paper from the copy machine.”
Looking bemused, Angelina didn’t move to gather either. “Why?”
It didn’t seem like it should require explanation, but maybe it did. “We don’t know how many helicopters will be up in the air while we are. Everyone has already seen my naked ass, but do you really want yours to hit the internet? Cameras are everywhere.”
Still, she stood there, smiling without moving. “Are you planning to tape up the windows of a helicopter so we can have sex in it?”
He thought that over. “You think they come with shades? Of course they probably do. Rich people think of everything. Hang on, I’ll text Will to make sure he chooses a craft that does.” After sending that request, he also wrote: On the way, fill the passenger cabin with white roses. Hundreds. Pick up some champagne. Something good. And bill Clay Landon.
Chapter Fifteen
A short time later, Angelina’s hand tightened on Connor’s as they watched a large helicopter land on the roof of the office building. The pilot hopped out, ducked, and ran toward them. “Mr. Sutton. Sorry about the delay. Everything is as you requested.”
“Perfect,” Connor yelled to be heard above the sound of the rotors. He turned to Angelina. “Do you have everything?”
If he was referring to her purse and the condoms she’d stashed in it—then yes. “All set,” she said and made a thumbs-up motion.
Connor held their linked hands up, turned back to the pilot, and called out, “Roger, this is Angelina. If things work out the way I’m hoping, you’ll be flying the two of us around from now on. I can imagine forever with her.”
Angelina’s mouth dropped open in surprise and remained that way even as she shook Roger’s hand. Forever? It was fast . . . too fast? She wasn’t sure.
“Nice to meet you, Roger.” It was strange to be yelling pleasantries, but it was the only way to be heard.
Roger leaned down, and in Angelina’s ear said clearly, “You break his heart, I’ll drop you from the sky.” He straightened and flashed her a smile.
Angelina’s eyes widened.
Roger clapped a hand on Connor’s back and yelled, “Best boss ever.”
Connor was all smiles. “Then make it a smooth ride.”
“Will do, Mr. Sutton,” the pilot said then waved for them to follow him to the back of the helicopter.
With Connor’s assistance, Angelina started to climb in, then stopped. The rear of the chopper was a wall-to-wall, three-seater, ivory leather couch. Every inch of the interior was covered with white rose petals. Vases of long-stemmed white roses were placed strategically around the cabin. Between two ivory captain chairs that flanked the cockpit a bottle of champagne was chilling on ice on a mahogany bar.