“You don’t want me?” The words tumble out, and I want to regret them because this isn’t what I came here for, but with my pride slowly leaving the plane, maybe I’m changing my mind.
“Leah—”
“Sir, would you and the lady like a drink?” The young man in black uniform is part of the flight crew. He offers me a friendly smile, but it fades when his eyes fall on Mikhail, who’s now upright against his seat, eyes plastered forward.
“No,” he says, almost from between his teeth.
“And you, miss?”
I’m suddenly intrigued by Mikhail’s behavior and decide to test the waters.
“I’m Leah,” I respond, even though he doesn’t exactly ask. “And you are?”
“Benjamin, or Benny.” His shoulders loosen, smile brightening, and I don’t miss the
sweeping glance he gives me.
“Benny, how about you show me what you got? Is that okay?”
He nods enthusiastically, akin to a golden retriever. Mikhail remains still, except for the tension on his face he seems to be trying to temper with shallow breaths.
Rising to my feet, I cross in front of him, and his arm suddenly shoots out and grips my wrist.
“Sit down, Leah.”
Fuck. Me.
The command sends a spark racing down my spine like a live wire connected to my pussy. My knees are suddenly wobbly. So help me, I’ll do anything he asks.
Taking two strides backward, my legs hit the seat, and I plop down.
“Benjamin,” he says, tone razor sharp, “the lady will take water. You’re dismissed.”
I feel bad for poor Benny. His cheeks are flaming red. And he avoids my gaze as he nods before quickly disappearing behind us.
“He was about to piss himself. Why so rude, Mikki?”
Mikhail’s glare slides over to me. “What are you doing?”
“What’s your problem? I think I can handle walking ten feet with your employee and choosing a drink. And water? Really?”
“You were flirting with him. We’re here on business, not to pick up the staff.” Jealousy.
“I don’t flirt. And even if I was, why would that bother you?”
“Leah.”
“Answer the question, Mikhail.”
“Because I feel responsible for you.”
I chuckle dryly. “Responsible for me? That’s your answer?”
He leans over the armrest again, his expression all hard lines made of ice. “Were you expecting something different?”
“No, unfortunately.” His jaw twitches at my remark. “But we’re a team. And that’s where it ends because what I do, who I flirt with—who I fuck—is my business.”
Mikhail looks away from me and drags a hand across his beard. “This is going to be the longest goddamn flight of my life.”
CHAPTER 9
MIKHAIL
Leah hasn’t said another word in over an hour. And I’ve purposely kept my distance. I know she’s upset, but what does she expect? She shows up here after four years just to fuck with me and turn everything on its head. This morning, I would have said I was in a better place regarding the girl I had to let go...because it’s how things needed to be.
How they need to stay.
But now... Now, my hands buzz with the need to touch her. To pull her into my lap, keep her, and make her mine.
“Sir.” Benjamin’s voice is like goddamn nails on a chalkboard. I suppress the urge to wrap my hand around his scrawny little throat and choke the fucking life from his eyes. The balls on this bastard.
Without looking his way, I motion with my hand for him to get to the point.
“Captain says we’re going to hit some turbulence. There’s a storm ahead.”
Seconds crawl by, and he, for whatever reason, remains standing in place.
