Vannah settles deeper into her seat with a hum. Bearing witness to her sweet side is a luxury even I can’t afford to waste. She’s warm and soft, mine for the molding. I can steer this discussion in the direction of my choosing if her gentle mannerisms are any indication.
I reach for my coffee, sipping at the mug. “Comfortable?”
“Oh, yes. Probably too much. Look at all this legroom.” She kicks her feet for emphasis. “You’ve ruined me for future travel. Economy flights will never be the same.”
“I suppose you could use my crew for any trips. That would require you to rely on me, though.”
She rolls her eyes. “Not gonna happen. I’ll take my chances in coach.”
“Your loss.”
Her gaze roams along the empty seats across from us. “It certainly is.”
It’s difficult not to chuckle at her obvious yearning. “I won’t hold you to a final decision.”
Vannah’s gaze drifts back to me. When she peeks up from under her long lashes, fiery tendrils wreak havoc below my belt. “Careful, or I might mistake you for taking a shine to me.”
“Would that be so bad?” I widen my legs to hide any inconvenient evidence. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so rash in my decision to shut down her suggestion earlier.
She dodges my question with a squint. “I liked you better as a straightforward asshole.”
The smirk I’d been successful in masking makes an appearance. “Unfortunately for you, I’m trying a different approach where you’re concerned.”
She folds her arms, pushing her breasts up for my viewing pleasure. “Should I scoot to the edge of my seat in anticipation?”
“Only if you’re planning to give me a glimpse at your panties.”
A flush blazes up her slender neck. She flutters a hand over the red splotches. “You’re really dirty.”
“I’m discovering that’s your influence on me.” And I’m looking forward to exploring these carnal desires with her.
Vannah bites her lip, the plump flesh ripe for the sucking. The fact that she’s not shying away leaves the door open for further conversation, if I’m willing. Talking isn’t a chore, but every interaction with her creates bigger problems. Even so, I’m reluctant to demolish that sparkle in her eyes, especially when it’s aimed at me. Humoring her not-so-subtle demand for idle chitchat isn’t much to ask. I can give her that. Once we land, all bets are off.
As if hearing my internal debate, Vannah clears her throat. “Is this a common occurrence for you, Lannie?”
My fantasies run wild with possibilities. It’s in my best interest to seek clarification before she slams a wall down. “Care to be more specific?”
She waves a loose wrist at our surroundings. “Whisk women away from their normalcy and lavish them in the finer things?”
“No.”
“Forthcoming as ever,” she mutters.
“Elaborating isn’t necessary.”
Vannah twists her mouth in a disapproving pout. “I could use more information in this case. Why am I here, on this ritzy jet, with you?”
“I’m trying to steal you from under Vince’s thumb.” Honesty is the best policy and all that.
She bursts out laughing, but sobers when my expression remains stoic. “I sure hope not.”
“Your talents are being wasted,” I reason.
“According to you.”
“Contrary to your low opinion of me, I’m rather good at what I do.”
Her glare could spit nails. Snuffing that sweetness from her took less than five minutes. “Be that as it may, I’m not leaving Brogen Realty.”
“Yet,” I counter.
Red hair whips at her arms when she disagrees. Again. “Not until I choose to do so for reasons that won’t involve you.”
“All right, sugar.” I steeple my fingers while staring at her with blatant scrutiny. “I have plenty to keep you busy in the meantime. Meeting my demands requires dedication and commitment, which aren’t always easy to gain. Research proves that a person’s performance significantly improves when given incentives and positive reinforcement.”
The green in Vannah’s eyes brightens with a shrewd gleam. “Am I expected to believe you do this for all your contracted services?”
“Are you always this skeptical?”
“That’s something you bring out in me.”
Clever vixen.
The burn reignites in my bloodstream. Her sass might as well be a prescribed aphrodisiac. “It’s not special treatment, Savannah. It’s expected that I host a night on the town for my visiting associates. Do you have a complex?”
“Only because you’re giving me one.” Her potent energy zaps toward me like a live wire.
The urge to throttle her, at least mentally, flexes my muscles. “I’ll try to improve that for your sake.”
“We should start a club.” She’s looking out the window while addressing me.
I wonder what she’s picturing. Maybe my head impaled on a spike. “Are we in elementary school?”
“Don’t be rude.” Her scold is emphasized with a wrinkle of her freckled nose.
“I’m being honest. Isn’t that a quality you appreciate?”
Vannah huffs, but isn’t dissuaded from the silly notion. “Let’s call it The Haters Club.”
Indulging this nonsense might allow me back into her not-so-hateful graces. “Who else will we invite?”
She flicks her gaze at me. “Just us. Exclusive access.”
“That’s a concept I can get behind.”
“Just so we don’t forget where our allegiance stands.” Her expression reflects smug satisfaction.
“Is this additional security in case you fall for me? We might not be enemies forever, sugar.”
She scoffs, polishing off her mimosa. “Speak for yourself.”
“Now whose pants are at risk of being on fire?”
“Real funny.” Vannah laughs loud enough to shake the entire plane.
“That’s a requirement when bantering with you. I’m not trying to be a dick.”
“For once.”
“I spilled my guts about that woman we are never speaking about again.”
“That doesn’t absolve your prior transgressions.”
“You could give me a chance.” The grin I force probably resembles a drunk sneer.
The grit in her abrasive attitude fades with an extended sigh. “Fine. How long do you plan on corralling me in Chicago?”
“However long it takes.”
A groove dents the smooth skin between her brows. “That’s not vaguely disturbing or anything.”
“We have much to accomplish,” I remind.
“What’s first on the list?”
“I’ll bring you to my office.”
Vannah pretends to fall asleep, a loud snore shaking her upper body. “How thrilling.”
“Is there something you’d prefer?”
“I thought you were going to show me your city.” Her mocking tone doesn’t go unnoticed.
Maintaining a neutral balance is becoming much harder than the semi in my pants. “We could go to the opera or ballet. I’m not sure what shows are running on Broadway, but the theater is another option. Walt can book a private viewing at a museum or the Art Institute.”