He frames my chin between two fingers, dragging me in for a kiss that curls my toes. “The feeling is entirely mutual. Forever.”
I shiver in his grip. “That’s an awful long commitment.”
“Too much?” Landon caresses my cheek with his thumb, but an underlying tension keeps him rigid otherwise.
“Nah, I can handle it.” Another thought occurs to me. “Speaking of riding off into the sunset, we need to get one thing straight before this goes any further.”
“I’m all ears.”
With a circular motion, I gesture to our airborne scenery. “Taking up a permanent residence in Chicago is off the table for me. I can’t move away from my family and friends.”
He snatches my hand, threading our fingers together. “Why do you think I’m expanding Global Winters?”
I roll my head against the leather cushion to face him. “This partnership isn’t a ruse?”
“I’d never joke about something so serious.” He nips at my bent knuckles. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me day and night.”
“I better accept the job then, huh?”
“Didn’t you already?”
“You’ve been keeping me detained by other means. I haven’t thought about work.”
“I’ll make you very happy, Savannah. We’ll be very successful as a team.”
Here come the rabid flutters to whisk me away. “Of that, I have very little suspicion remaining.”
He’s silent for a beat. “I never want to give you cause to doubt me again. How I treated you in the past was nothing short of disgusting. It still surprises me that you found it in your heart to forgive me.”
I trace a finger along his stubbled cheek. The mornings he forgets to shave remind me of what—or who—was keeping him occupied. “Love can conquer the worst if we allow it to win.”
“Emotions are to blame. I’d been angry and frustrated about the feelings you were forcing out of me. That gives me no right to be a monster. I plan to spend the rest of my days becoming the man who deserves you.”
A hum tickles my chest. “You won’t hear me complaining. This experience with you has taught me plenty too. We both had lessons to learn. Together.”
“Together,” he repeats while giving my hand a squeeze.
My devilish man is proving to be rather affectionate. From the corner of my eye, I catch the stewardess gaping at us. I’m sure we put on quite a show compared to what she’s accustomed to seeing from him. That tilts my smile higher. “Doesn’t seem like such a bad deal.”
“Only because you tolerate me better than most.”
“Well, I do reap a lot of perks.”
“I love where your mind goes when given an open prompt,” he murmurs into my hair.
“That credit is all yours. This dirty side didn’t exist before you.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“More so than being a hopeless romantic?”
“Perhaps.” Landon ponders that for a moment. “Although, taking one for the team pairs well with that notion.”
“Negotiating with you is sexy,” I purr into his neck.
He stretches to give me better access. “Thank you for agreeing to split our time between cities.”
I straighten, getting sucked into his chocolate depths. Lucky for me, that favorite is no longer ruined. “You’ve been very accommodating lately. It was my turn to comply.”
“Your flexibility will be generously rewarded.”
Heat centers in my lower belly. Based on the sting rushing up my throat, there’s a deep flush giving me away. “Again? You just got done testing my spread-eagle splits. That’s why we were late.”
“And I’d do it again.”
I glance behind us toward the sleeping quarters. “If we weren’t set to arrive in twenty minutes, I might make good on your offer. The pilot has already started our descent.”
Landon glances toward the door sectioning off the cockpit. “That can easily be remedied.”
“With a mere flick of your wrist, no less. I’m ready for this authentic experience you’ve been promising.”
Since we professed our undying love to each other, Landon has been making plans to correct our missteps. And that means, dammit, I’m getting my personal tour of Chicago.
That sobers the gleaming lust from his gaze. “Right, of course.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.”
“Don’t clam up on me.” I nudge his arm.
“It’s nothing. I just have a lot on my mind. Your distraction methods are soothing. Tell me something good.” He presses an open-mouthed kiss to my palm. There’s no denying him when he’s being sweet.
“Other than you eating me for breakfast this morning?” I send him a saucy wink.
His chuckle is gruff, rasping against my overactive imagination whenever he’s involved. “Yes, sugar.”
It strikes me at that moment how much I’ve come to enjoy his term of endearment. He feels the same about his nickname, but would strongly prefer I only use it when we’re alone. What started as a taunt has grown into more. Much like us.
I tap my lips with the champagne flute. “My dad has been making a real effort to rebuild our relationship. I wasn’t certain our temporary fix would hold, but it has so far.”
“That’s excellent and far overdue. I look forward to meeting him.” His words don’t match the strain lining his forehead.
A real whopper takes root in my brain. A resulting prickle tingles the base of my skull. Maybe this doozy will shake him loose. “Do you ever miss your dad?”
If the question bothers him, he keeps any outward reaction locked down tight. “Absolutely not.”
“Even just for the sake of gaining closure?”
“No.” The tension lingers.
I exhale a heavy breath. “If it were possible, would you have a conversation with him?”
“After meeting you? Most definitely.” The barest hint of a grin twerks his lips.
Fizzy bubbles erupt in my chest. “Why me?”
“You’ve proven him wrong on countless matters. I’d like to see his face as that knowledge seeps in.”
“That’s morbid and slightly romantic all at once. Only you could accomplish such an odd combination.”
“I get paid the big bucks to be original, sugar. I can’t have it any other way.”
“You’re definitely unique.” And too damn hot. I constantly wonder if this fiery attraction will ever ebb. “Does your mother know about me?”
Landon scoffs as if the alternative is ludicrous. “Of course.”
“And?”
“She’s happy that I’m breaking the cycle and not following in her husband’s footsteps.”
“That’s something we can agree on.”
His chuckle goes straight to my core, stoking the embers. “You two can discuss all the ways I’m better than him in person soon. She’s planning to visit us once I give her the okay. I asked for her advice on an upcoming strategy, and she’ll be interested in hearing how it turned out.”
“Oh? That’s ominous.”