“Apologies for being late,” I mutter to no one in particular.
“Not a problem.” Jordan’s gaze bounces from Vannah to me. “You’ve been well occupied.”
Brance is squinting at the redhead standing rigid beside me. “Have we met?”
Vannah offers a tight smile. “My father is Phillip Simons.”
Recognition relaxes his expression. “Ah, yes. Savannah, right?”
“Just Vannah,” she corrects.
I smirk at her. “That depends on who you’re talking to.”
“Yes,” she hisses. “You’re proving to be a very special case.”
Brance lifts his chin at me. “This is the girl?”
Vannah’s eyes swing between us. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing of value,” I reply to her, choosing to ignore Brance.
He focuses his attention on her. “Your boyfriend is a hothead.”
“First of all”—she holds up a finger—“he’s not my anything with a positive connotation attached. Second, I’m well aware that Landon has anger issues.”
“Only when you piss me off,” I retort.
“Which is every other second,” she volleys.
“Maybe you could try being less annoying.”
Brance and Jordan exchange a glance. They nod in unison but say nothing. Jordan’s smile manages to stretch wider. “Fine, I’ll be the loudmouth. Get a room, you two.”
“Wow, that’s clever.” I check my watch, already running out of patience.
“So,” Jordan drawls with his focus pointed at Vannah. “How do you know Landon?”
I intercept just as she parts her lips. The possibilities that could pop from her mouth are too unpredictable. “She’s my commercial realtor.”
“Which makes this situation even more awkward,” she grumbles.
“I think you need a better title.”
She tips her head toward me. “Oh?”
“Calling you my real estate agent is too basic.” Especially for someone as brazen as her.
“What do you suggest?” A twinkle in her eyes leads me to believe she’s not taking this seriously.
I decide to go big—it seems fitting. “Property investment advisor.”
“That has a fancy ring to it.”
“Glad you agree.”
Jordan laughs. “I had no clue that position came with added—”
“Shut up, Hughes.” Brance slaps his nape. “Being a dick isn’t your specialty.”
He grunts and rubs the back of his neck. “Afraid I’ll wear it better than you?”
Brance snorts. “Not possible.”
“You’re right,” he grumbles.
Vannah is silently fuming beside me. That quiet fury is skewering Jordan with a glare more fiery than the heat flushing to her cheeks. “Do you have an issue with women owning their sexuality? Would you rather I lower my gaze and cower?”
He looks like a shoe has literally been shoved into his mouth. “Not at all.”
“Then don’t judge me for kissing this asshole.” She hikes a thumb at me, as if there’s another man in question.
“Well, I can see the appeal. She doesn’t put up with your shit, Winters.” This comes from Brance, surprisingly enough. I didn’t think he was capable of providing compliments.
“This was a mistake,” I mutter.
“I warned you,” Vannah coos in that patronizing fashion she should trademark.
Now would be a good time to drop my next bomb. I don’t even bother bracing for the impact. “Vannah is accompanying me on my return to Chicago tomorrow.”
She chokes on her tongue, but recovers well enough with a coy grin. “I don’t recall receiving any travel plans from you.”
“This is a last-minute trip.”
“No shit,” she mutters. “What if my schedule doesn’t allow for it?”
“I’ve already checked with Vince. He informed me that you’re available and can work from my office.”
“Why?”
“I want to show you my city.” And regain the footing I’ve lost today.
She makes a noncommittal noise. “I’ve seen it.”
“Not with me.”
Her brow furrows. “How different could it be?”
I drag in a long breath to stem the simmer in my gut. “Must you fight me on everything?”
“That’s kinda our thing, Lannie.” Vannah winks at me.
“Fine,” I grunt. “Accompany me purely for real estate-related services.”
“I’d prefer to stay local.” More like remain rooted in place, where it’s safe.
I scratch at the evening stubble sprouting along my jaw. “You’re really going to piss this commission away?”
Her lips pinch until the edges are white. “Without hearing any details about these mystery deals, I’m not confident there’s much to gain.”
“I’ll tell you on the flight.” Putting this entire interaction behind me is top priority. A cold shower is next on the list. Flames are still coursing under my skin and becoming a greater distraction. I’m starting to itch under the confines of my suit. Not that anyone would be able to notice the annoyance prodding at me.
Vannah crosses her arms, staring me down with a familiar glint. “Is that code for ‘we’ll do whatever the hell you want, no matter what I say’?”
I tug at my tie, loosening the knot enough to breathe freely. “That’s a good enough translation.”
She sniffs the air. “Do you smell that?”
“No.” I don’t bother taking a whiff.
Her posture doesn’t ease from its stiff hold. “It’s the stench of suspicion.”
“That sounds like a personal problem.” I offer a shrug. It goes without saying that her concern is warranted. There’s just nothing she can do about it.
Vannah pokes me in the chest, not assisting with my overheating issue. “You’re planning something sneaky.”
“I don’t always have a hidden agenda.”
She scoffs. “Yes, you do.”
I allow a smirk to greet her insistence, crumbling my recently recovered indifference. She’s just too damn demanding to ignore. “Then I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”
The spacious cabin goes silent after the pilot finishes his mandatory update about reaching cruising altitude. Three flight attendants stand from their docking stations and hustle down the wide aisle to fetch the drinks Landon demanded upon takeoff. Other than the crew, it’s just the two of us as passengers. To be fair, there are only ten spots to begin with. I have a feeling nine are often empty. Unless he’s in the habit of bringing company, which I find hard to believe.
There’s still a zing zipping through me that he has me aboard in the first place. We’re confined in tight quarters with no means to escape beyond emergency procedures. This is another tactic in his expensive arsenal, but he didn’t consider the consequences of trapping me in this situation. I have a solid hour before we land, which gives me more than enough time to interrogate him. It’s not like he can get farther than fifty feet away from me.