“Did you tell him yet?” I shook my head and took a huge bite of my burrito. I pulled a little piece of bacon out and gave it to Daisy.
“Almost. We had just had fantastic sex, and I didn’t want it to appear. I said it because of that.” She nodded. “I whispered it while he was sleeping. I liked how it felt.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You're adorable. I think this is it for you. Took you long enough.”
“Pot, meet kettle,” I retorted.
“I was raising a child.” She responded as she always did when I suggested she date.
“That child is an adult with a full-time job and is starting a degree program. He hasn’t exactly needed parenting for the last few years. Half the time, he was at the vineyard.” I looked at her pointedly.
“Yup.” Her response was infuriating. I chuckled to myself. I guess I understood how it felt when I did it to others. I turned around and got started on my day. It included promoting someone internally so I could offload some of my tasks. Then, I wanted to talk to Jose about what we needed to do to expand Sun Harvest. My life has changed so much, and I was happy. Genuinely happy. I planned to hold on to it. This was what I had worked so hard for; I just hadn’t realized it would be with someone who stole my heart.
Chapter thirty-five
River
I hated to leave Aaron. He looked so sad when I walked away. I almost told him then that I was crazy in love with him, but I didn’t want to say it just as I was leaving on a trip. I’d tell him as soon as I got home. I knew it was quick, but I no longer cared. There was no doubt about how I felt.
I got to the jetway and met two lovely people, Tyrell and Shandra. They both smiled and patted me on the back. “So, you are the one?” I looked at them, confused. “The one that our Aaron is head over heels for.”
I was a little stunned and a lot delighted. “I guess maybe I am?”
Tyrell grabbed my bag and carried it onto the plane while I followed with Charlie on my shoulder.
Shandra came over and asked if I wanted something to drink or eat, then told me that there were toaster pastries, pizza rolls, and fixings for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. “Aaron made sure we prepared the galley for your trip. Usually, it was salads, nuts, and cheese plates. He now required us to keep these latest items available indefinitely on the aircraft.” She grinned at me. “First time in ten years he has changed anything about how we fly. You must be something special.”
As we talked, I realized these were his friends, not only employees. With that in mind, I told her that we were dating and that we both had dragons. She didn’t ask intrusive questions but commented thatAaron seemed giddy when he talked to her last. “He has never once seemed giddy when I talked to him, and I have been working for Gentry for fifteen years.”
“Charlie should go into the safety box during takeoff and landing. That’s what we do with Daisy.” She pointed to a box that looked like a dragon. I thought I would see how well his training was going. “Can you open the door for me?” She opened it and then stepped back. “Charlie lay down, and I pointed at the box.” He got up and flew to it, then climbed in. Shandra closed the door and then leaned down to talk to him.
“Don’t worry, Charlie, we will have you out of there in about fifteen minutes.” She was familiar with dragons, which made sense since she regularly flew with Aaron and Daisy.
I settled back in the seat. My ass hurt when I walked or sat. It was noticeable but not painful. The dull ache felt good, a reminder that I belonged to someone. I’d never made such a bold request, though I never wanted someone to prove I was theirs. He did so unabashedly, and that was perfect. I could feel a semi in my slacks. I didn’t need to be sitting here with a boner. I closed my eyes and thought about what I needed to do on my trip.
I opened my eyes and realized we had been flying for an hour or so. I looked beside me, and Charlie slept curled up in a fluffy blanket against my hip. Shandra approached me, handing me icy water in a crystal glass.
“Well, this is fancy.” She just grinned at me. “How much longer do we have?” She walked up to Tyrell, talked to him for a minute, then walked back.
“We should be at your first stop in about forty-five minutes. We want to confirm that you will leave and head north around 6 p.m.?Will you want dinner on the plane?” I blushed but figured they knew about my terrible eating habits when they bought the food.
“Yes. I would love to have dinner on the plane. Can you heat some pizza rolls and a side of ranch dressing for dipping?” Comfort food was the best way to soothe my lonely heart. “Can I buy you two a real meal while I’m in my meeting?” I pulled a credit card out of my wallet. “Use this. Find someplace you will enjoy and have a nice meal. I’ll be back here by 6 p.m. If Tyrell can register our flight plan for 6:30 p.m., we should all be settled and ready to go.”
I texted Cecelia, telling her I was landing. She would contact Liam and Connor so they knew I would be there shortly. Before disembarking, I sent a text to Aaron.
Hi you.
Mr. Timberland: Hi you.
Missing you already. I just landed. I meet the guys in about thirty minutes and then head to the resort.
Mr. Timberland: Miss you too. I don’t love your traveling, but I understand it’s necessary.
I have never loved it. I enjoy it even less now. Just for the record, I am reminded of you every time I move.
Mr. Timberland: It’s because you belong to me.
I liked his boldness.This comment would have put me off if anyone else had said it. I didn’t mind when he said it, though it felt right. I did belong to him, and I went willingly. I was the one that asked him to claim me.
