Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“I can drive too. It’s easier with the special setup I’ve got in my car, but with the prosthesis, I can manage a normal automatic in a pinch.”
“Good to know.” He nodded like people do when they plan to do something their way regardless. “Rental car’s in my name, but we’ll give them your ID too.”
“Sure.” Adjusting my backpack again, I rubbed my upper arm above my prosthesis, where a dull ache gathered strength.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Security always makes me take my arm off, have it inspected and x-rayed separately, and this time, I was in a hurry with a long line behind me and bumbled its removal.”
“That sucks. Here, let me get your bag.” He reached for my backpack.
“I’ve got it.” Stubbornly, I kept my hand on the strap.
“I know, but let me anyway.” He deftly extracted the bag from my grip, and when I would have yanked it back, gestured at the gate. “And look, we’re boarding.”
We made our way to our seats, which were near the front. Not first class, but a little more room in business class, which was a nice bonus.
“Remind me to thank the new admin assistant.” I joked to cover how jumpy I was being this close to Malik. I could smell his shampoo, soap, and other distinct scents like I’d suddenly morphed into a golden retriever with a strong urge to launch myself at him and wriggle like a puppy until I discovered the origin of each intriguing scent.
And it didn’t help that he was so damn nice. Made it tough to reign in my impulses.
“Which is easier for your arm? Window or aisle?”
I’d take whichever had the least risk of me falling asleep on Malik’s sturdy shoulder, but before I could answer, one of the flight attendants came up to us.
“Hi!” She was perky, almost too perky, and I was instantly wary. “I’m looking for a pair of seats so a mom and her young kid can sit together. Any chance I could split you guys up?”
“Absolutely.” I smiled back, more out of relief than politeness. Please take me away from the need to converse with Malik and the very real risk of sleep-snuggling him. I always fell asleep on flights.
“Sure.” Malik didn’t seem as enthusiastic, making me feel guilty for leaving him so easily, especially when a big chunk of me wanted to stay.
The suckiest part of this whole clusterfuck was how much I’d enjoyed hanging out with Malik. The dinner, not having to order or think, the gaming. He made me feel loose and easy. I liked who I was around him. I liked him—his soothing voice, his kind nature, his casual assurance. But more time together meant more temptation of so many kinds.
No, my best bet was to avoid him as much as possible during this assignment. But, of course, that resolve only lasted until we landed in Denver. The seat the attendant had moved me to was a middle seat in the rear of the plane. The loss of business class was my reward for being so eager to leave Malik. By the time my row could exit, Malik already had our carry-on bags.
“I can carry mine.” I plucked it from his grasp, then gentled my clipped tone. No need to be a total jerk when he was simply being nice as always. “Sorry. And thanks.”
“No problem.” Malik led the way through the terminal, clearly more familiar with Denver than me. We’d barely retrieved our luggage from the baggage carousel area before he was striding away again. “This way to the rental car agencies.”
“You’ve been to Colorado before?”
“Yep. My mom did a couple of conferences out here, and I did some training in Fort Collins as well. I love Denver’s downtown, but the mountains where we’re headed are cool too.”
I snorted. “Don’t let my dad hear you praise Denver. They passed on him in the draft. He’s the type to hold a grudge.”
“Ha. I’ll keep that in mind if I meet the fam.” Malik laughed as we passed through a food court area, happy families gathered in clumps.
For the briefest instant, I wanted his joke to be real. What would it be like to bring him home? To bring home a guy? I shook my head at my ridiculousness.
“What?” Malik turned in my direction, slowing his steps.
“Nothing.” I twisted my mouth. “Just thinking how Venus never met my family. Dad would have been impressed.”
“Oh?” Malik tilted his head. “Sorry. I’m sure she had many great qualities I never saw.”
“Not exactly,” I admitted. “What you saw is pretty much how she is all the time, but she’s a hot actress. Dad and my older brother aren’t exactly deep.”
“Well, thank goodness my mom never seems to care about looks. She’s more likely to grill me on the educational and cultural background of my dates.”