I blew out a sigh and climbed the stairs to the plane. This was one of those situations I wasn’t sure how to handle with Laura. I didn’t want her to be scared, but if she found out on her own later that I knew she was being tracked and I didn’t tell her, she’d just get pissed at me all over again.
Damn this girl was playing hell with my morals.
Our stewardess, Kathy, closed up and went to sit with the pilot, preparing for takeoff.
I sat across from Laura, watching her as she looked out the window, her brow furrowed and her fingers gripping the armrests as we taxied down the runway then lifted off.
“Are you afraid to fly?” I asked, terrified I’d pushed her into something she didn’t want again.
“No,” she said, looking at me and smiling brightly. “I think it’s just dawned on me that I’m free. Like, really free. I don’t have to get married to someone I don’t know. I don’t have to go home. I’m not beholden to anyone.”
Well, sort of. She was free of that family. But if I had anything to say about it, she’d belong to me for the rest of our lives.
“When we get back, I’ll get you some food,” I promised. “I might be able to scrounge up some peanuts or something if you’re hungry now.”
“I’m actually starving,” she admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve eaten.”
I pushed the call bell, and a few minutes later, Kathy came out.
“Hey, Kathy, this is Laura Moretti.” They nodded to each other. “Do we have food anywhere on the plane?”
“I have peanuts, pretzels and crackers,” Kathy said. “I’m sorry, we don’t usually stock the pantry for flights less than six hours.”
“Could I get some crackers?” Laura asked. “And possibly a coffee?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” Kathy said, patting her on the shoulder. “Luke?”
I shook my head, and Kathy wandered off to take care of Laura’s request.
“Laura,” I said, leaning forward and resting a hand on her thigh. She smiled softly at me and the confession about the tracking device died on my lips. I couldn’t ruin this tenuous moment. I’d tell her, but not yet. “Do you want me to have them land somewhere so you can eat? You were in that freezing-cold car for a long time. You should have some real food.”
“I’ll be okay,” she answered. “I promise. If it makes you feel better, you can take me to one of those crazy buffets when we get to Vegas. We went to the one at the Mirage when…um, last time I was there, and it was awesome. They had the biggest crab legs you’ve ever seen in your life!”
“Then we’ll do that,” I said, smiling at her excitement. “Whatever you want.”
I’d always give her whatever she wanted. And one day, very soon, she was going to want me.
Chapter Three
~ Laura ~
Luke confused me. No, that wasn’t right. My feelings for Luke confused me. My brain told me to be wary, that he was just another man who wanted me to bend to his will. The rest of me? Well, it was ready to bend however Luke wanted.
I could tell he was trying hard not to spook me, and the thing was, I didn’t want him to fake who he was for me. I needed him to be the real Luke. Yet, I needed him to not take over my life…if that made any sense at all. I needed the big, bad alpha CEO to be himself and give me autonomy.
Probably an impossibility, but no one ever claimed I was easy to please. I’m pretty sure my mom spoiled me since she was fearful of what my later life would be like. My father mostly ignored me, likely because I’m not a boy. The only time I mattered was when some guy—who doesn’t speak English!—decided he wanted to pay for the right to marry me.
Somehow, I was pretty sure I was protected from that happening now. Luke was not letting any other man near me, if he could help it—unless they were his family. Even then, I wasn’t too sure he’d let his single brothers near.
All I knew was, with Luke, I was safe. I glanced over at him as we left the airport. He’d spoken to his driver before we’d departed, but I wasn’t sure where we were headed. A buffet probably. He’d promised me food.
His hand clamped around mine as if he thought I’d leap from the moving car and bolt. His hold wasn’t too tight, but still a lot like steel. I waited for panic to rise, but it didn’t. Strange.
“Luke,” I said, breaking the silence between us.
“Yes, Laur?”
“I don’t want to stay with your family or get my own place right now. Can I just stay with you?”
His brows drew together. “You’re sure?”
“I mean…if you have space. If I won’t be cramping your style.”
His eyes narrowed. “Cramping my style how?”
“You’re a single guy. Rich. I’m sure there are women—”
“And I can assure you, you’re wrong,” he interrupted. “I’m not a playboy or some manwhore. Never have been.” His gaze burned into me. “I’m sure I’ll never get enough of my woman, but I don’t live to get my dick wet.”
My eyes widened at his crass words. Okay, then…
“So, I can assure you, if you’re comfortable with it, I’d welcome you at my place. Actually, I’d prefer you there. I just didn’t want to push you.”
And here it was. I took a deep breath. One hard thing done; now, the second. “That’s the other thing…” I trailed off. Should I even go there? Tell him to be himself? Maybe he was. Maybe this was really him.
“What?”
“I’m starving and if you don’t feed me soon, I may bite you.”
His rich laugh filled the space and goosebumps lifted down my spine, all my awareness going on alert. This man spiked something in me, and it wasn’t fear.
“Well, then, we better get you something to eat. Since it’s dinner on the weekend, maybe
