Unforgettable: Book Two (A Hollywood Love Story #2)(41)
“Yeah, she is,” I mumble under my breath, wondering if Blake suspects something.
The turbulence fortunately doesn’t last long. But the shaky feeling inside me doesn’t go away as the air calms down. Blake undoes his seatbelt and asks an attendant to refill our glasses. After the attractive woman accommodates us, he takes another gulp of his Scotch and then sets the tumbler down on his muscular thighs. With his tall athletic build and movie-star looks, we could practically be brothers.
“Brandon, I’ve been thinking about what you told me. Do what you need to do. My wise old man always says no risk, no gain.”
Tugging at my lower lip, I digest his father’s words of wisdom. The stakes are high. I have everything to gain…and everything to lose. Why do I feel like a smooth ride is not in my cards?
Zoey
From the corner of my eye, I catch Brandon returning to his seat. His eyes lock on me, and he gestures for me to return to mine. Boss’s orders. Chat time is over. I excuse myself, but not before Jen gives me a hug. I really like her and have a good feeling we may become close friends as Jeffrey and Chaz’s wedding plans unfold.
“What were you and Jennifer Burns talking about?” asks Brandon as I plop back down on the roomy leather chair.
Mr. Nosy. “Stuff.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“Girl stuff. And what about you and Blake? You two looked intense.”
“Business. We talked mostly about MIP. I have a full day on the floor tomorrow. And there’s going to be a Q&A session after the screening tomorrow night. I’m going to need you to help me prepare for it.”
“Sure, no prob.” I have to remind myself this is a business trip. My James Bond-inspired dreams of tooling around the French Riviera and Monaco fly out the window. I’m back to being his go-to assistant.
Over a scrumptious dinner of beef bourguignon and free-flowing wine and champagne, Brandon and I review his hectic schedule. Every minute of the next few days is jam-packed with events and meetings. I get exhausted just thinking about it. Somewhere between my third glass of champagne and dessert, my eyes grow heavy. I doze off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please return your seats to an upright position and fasten your seatbelts in preparation for landing. We will be arriving at Nice International Airport in approximately fifteen minutes.”
At the sound of the announcement, I snap open my eyes. Mortification sweeps through me. I fell asleep with my head resting on Brandon’s strong shoulder, my cheek brushing his mountainous bicep. Straightening, I glance down at my watch. We’ve been in the air for over twelve hours. The time in Nice is seven p.m.
“Hi,” I squeak, totally embarrassed. I must look all sleepy-faced.
“Hi,” he says back with a dazzling smile. He tucks a few strands of hair that have fallen into my eye behind my ear, bringing awareness back into my body, and then buckles my seatbelt for me, an endearing gesture that sends tingles to my core. “Are you excited?”
“Yes, very,” I say breathily as I look down at the mesmerizing view of the Mediterranean below us.
“Me too.”
In more ways than one. Another view takes my breath away—the prominent bulge that dominates the area between his legs. His enormous cock is straining against his jeans. Maybe he fell asleep too and had a wet dream? I can’t get my eyes off his fly knowing what lies beneath. I feel myself flushing as a fresh rush of flutters pulses through me.
“Are you okay?” asks Brandon.
I quickly shift my vision to his gorgeous face. His thick-lashed violet eyes penetrate me and a knowing smirk curls his luscious lips.
“Um, uh, I’m a little nervous about the plane landing.”
He playfully flicks my nose. “Don’t worry. The equipment’s fine. It’s going to go down as smoothly as it went up. It just may take a little longer.”
“Oh,” I spout, reading way too much into his words. Heat blossoms between my legs, visualizing his cockpit. Squeezing my thighs together, I take a deep, calming breath.
Sure enough, we land without a hitch. An imposing stretch limo meets our aircraft on the tarmac to transport us to The Carlton Hotel where we’re all staying. While the gang files into the car, my eyes stay on Brandon as he zips open a classy, monogrammed satchel and pulls out his leather bomber jacket and another similar smaller sized one. He hands the latter to me.
“Here. Put this on. You’re going to need it.”
While breezy, it’s mild, and I’m perfectly fine in the short-sleeved jersey top I’m wearing. I protest.
“For f*ck’s sake, just do it.” God, he’s bossy.
Without questioning him, I do as I’m told. I zip up the very hip jacket which inside bears Chaz’s label. Brandon secretly purchased it? It fits me perfectly and the leather feels buttery against my skin.
After donning his jacket, Brandon ushers me into the limo and then joins me. He tells the driver to make a stop at Platinum. A disco? I’m confused.
I’m even more confused when the driver pulls up to a car rental agency just outside the airport.
“Zoey, this is where we get out.”
“Huh? Aren’t we going to The Carlton too?”
“Yup.” He bids farewell to our companions. “We’ll catch up with you guys later.”