Fight or Flight(25)

I shouldn’t care.

I really, really shouldn’t care.

Dammit.

“So, maybe when we get back in Boston, Ava, you and I could meet for drinks or dinner?” Hugh asked as Caleb returned to his seat. I shot Caleb a look and found him staring back at me in derision.

I gave him a dismissive look and turned to Hugh. And in a not so quiet voice I responded, “I don’t date married men.”

He looked stunned. “Married? I’m not—Why would you—?”

“You slipped your ring off while you were taking your jacket off, right?” I guessed.

He flushed guiltily, giving himself away.

“Yeah. There’s a white ring of skin where your band usually sits. Oh, and your pickup lines are awful.” I gave him a wide, carefree smile and slipped out of my seat.

Crossing the aisle, my e-reader in hand, I began easing my way past Caleb’s legs.

“What the hell?” He pulled his laptop toward him as I clambered by his knees and fell into the seat beside him.

“Don’t say a word.” I glared into his scowling face. “This doesn’t mean anything. You are just currently the lesser of two evils, and do not tell me you wouldn’t rather have me beside you to annoy you and distract you during takeoff.”

Caleb glared at me. “I dinnae need you.”

Inwardly I flinched. Outwardly, I smirked. “Yeah, you do.”

He sighed and glanced over at Hugh, who was staring at us in confusion. Caleb turned to me, his upper lip curled in a sneer. “Realized he was married, did you?”

“I saw the white band on his finger the moment he sat down.”

“I saw him slip it off as soon as he saw you.”

“And if I hadn’t noticed it, were you planning on sharing that information?”

Ducking his head toward mine, Caleb put on a patronizing expression. “I’m not your rescuer, babe. You want tae screw a slimeball, that’s your business.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Last night I made my quota on slimeballs.”

He shrugged and sighed. “Guess I walked intae that one.”

One of the flight attendants interrupted us to announce that we were readying for takeoff. Caleb put away his laptop and stowed his tray table.

“So …” I shifted uncomfortably. “You heard everything I said last night?”

“You mean the part about me living up tae your grand expectations?”

I covered my eyes with my hand. “I blame it on being under the influence of endorphins. Postorgasmic chitchat.” I removed my hand and frowned. “That means it doesn’t count.”

“Oh, it counts.” He bent his head toward mine, eyes drifting over my face, to land on my mouth. “And I’m thinking you sitting here means you’re after more of the same when we get tae Boston.”

I jerked back from him in denial. “Uh, no. When we land in Boston, it is the last time we ever see each other. I’m not going to sit here and lie that last night wasn’t great sex—”

“Fantastic sex.”

I flushed, pleased that he thought so. “Okay, fantastic sex. But I still don’t like you.”

His expression chilled. “So? I still don’t like you either. Doesn’t mean I dinnae want tae sleep with ye again.”

“You weren’t of that opinion when you pretended to be asleep.”

Caleb grinned, and I hated how that flash of smile sent a ripple through my belly. “That really bugged you, eh? And that was last night. I’d just had you and didn’t expect tae want you again. Now that you’re here, though …” His eyes trailed down to my breasts and on down to my crossed legs. “Aye, I wouldn’t mind another go.”

Incredulity and fury raged through me. “Another go? Another go?”

His lips trembled with laughter. “Poor word choice?”

“You’re a pig. Last night I got what I needed and I don’t want to go there again.”

In answer, Caleb bent his head until his lips gently brushed my ear and he whispered, “Liar.”

I shivered, my breasts tightening at the mere caress of that mouth near my skin. His laughter warmed the skin at my neck and I whipped my head around until our lips were inches apart. “You are a cocky son of a bitch.”

“Aye.”

“Boston is filled with beautiful women. They’ll be happy to see to you. I’m sure that accent gets you pretty far here.”

“It usually does. It’s not my first trip tae Boston.”

Of course, I was just one in a long line of American women. My jaw locked with annoyance and I couldn’t help glaring at him.

Something flickered in his gaze, and I really hoped it wasn’t triumph, because I would swing for him if it was. And then his lips were back at my ear. “I can’t remember the last time any of them felt as good as you did, though, Ava.”

Heat flushed through me as I remembered just how good he felt. I licked my suddenly dry lips and somehow managed to turn to look him in the eyes. Leaning in, I brushed my lips over his, a barely-there kiss that made them tingle deliciously. “Like I said, Caleb … treasure that memory.” I sat back in my seat, staring defiantly at him.

Instead of blasting me with a dirty look like I’d half expected, he gazed at me with something new in his eyes. Something almost like respect. Then he seemed to remember where we were and he looked around, realizing we were already in the air.