She pulls at her bottom lip as she considers her response. “I’m thankful the team will remain in the family, however, I’m not ecstatic that I’m the one who has to hold down the fort until someone else is old enough to take over.”
I consider that and look out the window over her shoulder. “So what you’re saying is, you’re going to hold ownership until either Gemma or Gunner is old enough to decide if they’d like to take over? That wouldput you in your late thirties or well into your forties. Is that really what you envision for yourself?”
“I told you, none of this is what I envisioned. But it’s not just about me. Stability is what Gemma and Gunner need. A change of leadership is what is required of me now that my grandfather’s condition has been diagnosed and is progressing. Do I wish I had a capable, long-lost cousin that could take over? Absolutely. But that isn’t the case. It’s just me,” she finishes with a shrug.
Scarlett’s selflessness and her ability to change shitty circumstances into a glass-half-full perspective are quickly becoming traits I didn’t realize I was looking for in a woman. The manner in which she’s handled each hurdle she, Gunner, and Gemma have had to overcome is awe-inspiring.
As the plane turns off the tarmac onto the runway, Scarlett’s grip tightens on mine and she presses her head back against the headrest, closing her eyes as she attempts to gulp in air through her unsteady breathing.
Without knowing what else to do, I lean in and press a kiss to her temple, and when I do, I breathe in her sweet floral scent. The familiar perfume she’s wearing has lust flooding my stomach with a sense of longing for moments from a night six years ago when I held this incredible woman in my arms under far different circumstances.
I keep my lips pressed to her temple as the aircraft picks up speed and we ascend into the sky. I don’t think about the fact that it is broad daylight and anyone could see us in this intimate moment; my sole focus is ensuring Scarlett is okay right now—that she can get through this flight without breaking in front of a plane full of her employees.
Fighting past a sudden tightness in my throat, I ask, “Do you want to watch a movie together? I’ve got your favorite movie on my laptop—well, I’m not sure if it’s still your favorite, but I downloaded10Things I Hate About You. If we start it now, we should finish right about the time we land.”
Scar looks taken aback by my question, and my skin prickles with unease. Shit, maybe I overstepped when I asked her to sit with me. Is she pissed I kissed her temple in front of the guys?
“I’d actually really like that. I can’t believe you remembered after all this time that that’s my favorite movie.”
“I might’ve been attempting to drown my sorrows over that ridiculous fucking outfit, but I haven’t forgotten a single moment we spent together. I’m just sorry I fucked up my only shot at a chance for something real with you when I assumed the worst.”
“You know what they say about those who assume,” she muses and I’m happy to hear the snark in her tone.Hit me with your best shot, Red.
Instead, her next words are a sideswipe I didn’t see coming. “I could be convinced to give you another shot for the sake of our agreement, but it’s either the third time’s a charm or third strike and you’re out. So what’s it gonna be, Cap?”
My brows rise in surprise as her question registers and I don’t hesitate before answering. “I’ve been told I’m as charming as they come, Little Red.”
“I’m not sure who fed you that bullshit, but I suppose you’ve had your moments here and there. Tiny as they may be.”
“Nothing about me is tiny and you know it.” The smirk-wink combination I send her way lands exactly how I intended as her pale cheeks heat, and I marvel at the way the color spreads down the column of her throat to the barely-exposed skin of her chest. I decide to really test my luck when I lean in and whisper, “Stop thinking about how big your fiancé’s dick is and focus on the screen. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the full movie.”
Scar lets out a mock gasp that I know is her way of trying to distract me from the fact that I just called her out. That’s fine, I’ll let this one slide in hopes that she doesn’t try to settle the score.
“We should probably discuss that at some point,” she surprises me by saying.
“Discuss what? My dick size?”
She chokes on a laugh. “Oh my gosh, no. I meant we should discuss boundaries, maybe even put some rules in place.”
Not sure I’m going to like where this is heading. “Rules . . .”
“Yeah, you know, like rules for our marriage of convenience. We’ve already established it’ll be a three-year timeline.”
“Right.”
“And maybe we should add some other guidelines.”
“What do you have in mind, Little Red?” I question, unease pricking my spine.
Wringing her hands together nervously, she suggests, “We should probably agree to not cross the line physically. I mean, I’m sure we’ll have to kiss at some point, and obviously on our wedding day, but we should probably draw the line there.”
Quirking a skeptical brow, I ask, “Why? You worried you’ll fall head over heels in love with me and beg me to make our arrangement permanent if I fuck you too good?”
She smacks my chest and huffs. “You’re such a cocky little shit.”
“Wow, boss. You sure look professional, but that mouth of yours . . .” Itskbut can’t stop my gaze from falling to said mouth, and I mentally smack myself for the added temptation when she flicks her tongue out, wetting her lips.
“There will definitely be no falling in love. Consider that a hard and fast rule of this arrangement,” she says, though her voice lacks finality.
