Page 10 of Executive Decision
“I trust you have a system, but a nap won’t hurt you.”
“I am sleeping on the flight there.”
“Ah,” I said.
“I’m grumpy. I know. You are going to hate me by the end of this.”
“Nah. I’ve travelled with your parents enough, Daphne. You couldn’t possibly rival your mother’s level of eccentricity. Also, don’t forget who the women inmylife are.”
She giggled. “Fair.”
“I shouldn’t laugh.”
Entering the lounge, Daphne flashed her frequent flyer elite status, and I didn’t bother. I got in free either way.
We approached the crowded buffet area.
I asked, “Drinks first?”
“Yes.”
Daphne dealt with a crush of taller businessmen. Her tiny frame went largely unseen. With my hand on her lower back, I guided her, breaking yetanotherrule. She didn’t bristle or react. Everything inside me wanted clarity on what she thought. I couldn’t read her.
We sat at the bar. She ordered whiskey, and I stuck to a martini.
“Yet, you did it. Why are men like that?” Daphne asked, head propped on arm, elbow on the bar top.
“I don’t know. It was the moment and what I felt at the time.”
“So, now the moment has passed, and you’re over it?” She swirled her drink seductively.
“I am neither over it nor smarter,” I admitted, my eyes never leaving hers.
Daphne fought her reaction, but the blush on her cheeks gave her away.
“You say that to me stone-cold sober?”
“I didn’t say it wassmart.”
“Is it opportunism?”
“Nah. Maybe? But… you still come back to it. Why?” I implied she wasn’t over it, hoping to hear just that.
She snickered. “I’m going to get food.”
Nothing. She left, torturing me. Did she get off on being opaque abouteverything,or was this just a good poker face? It drove me crazy, but that was what she wanted. I didn’t like giving her all the power, but it solidified that I wasn’t taking advantage of her like I’d initially feared.
I watched her cross the lounge, hips swaying.
“She’s hot,” the bartender said. “You two… together?”
I sipped my drink. “She’s the daughter of averypowerful man. Trust me, you donotwant to fly that close to the sun, dude.”
“By the end of the day, I predict you’re going to end up either fucking or scratching each other’s eyes out—daddy issues or not.”
“She doesn’t have daddy issues,” I snickered. “I do. Her dad is my boss.”
“Oh, man… you are so fucked.”
