by Parker, Ali
I would have to play it by ear, and I’d come back to Florida as soon as I could, but I had no idea when that might be. I couldn’t give Valerie a date, but I’d let her know that I had to leave and that I would see her again as soon as I could.
Sighing, I walked over to my closet and extracted my bag. It didn’t take me long to pack after I took a quick shower and got dressed. I kept some clothes and essentials at all my houses, so I traveled quite light. I made my arrangement while packing, hating every minute of it.
When I was done, I took one last look around my bedroom and then walked outside. To my surprise, my driveway didn’t only have my car in it. Valerie was pulling up, lifting her hand to wave when she saw me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked when she cracked open her door. She held up her finger, twisted at the waist to get something on the back seat, and came back with a brown paper bag.
After transferring it to her other hand, she picked up a cardboard container carrying two take-out cups of coffee from her passenger seat and climbed out of the car, bumping the door shut with her hip. “I brought breakfast for us. I was thinking about it on my way home last night, and I realized I owed you for leaving so abruptly. That, and you made us dinner, it’s only fair that I get breakfast.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” I dropped my bag on the ground and reached out to help her. Hazel eyes tracking my movement, she seemed to realize I was packed and on my way.
“Where are you going?” There was a brief flash of hurt in her eyes, but then she blinked and it was gone.
Just that flash was enough to let me know that I wasn’t the only one not happy about having to leave so soon. “I’ve been called to Seattle. The branch there is taking a lashing in the media because of the recent robbery here.”
“Oh.” She nodded, flashing me a tight smile. “Okay. Well, take the coffee and the bagel with you. It’s from this really good little deli my friends and I found.”
“Thank you.” I searched her eyes, our gazes holding. The swirls of color in her eyes seemed darker today, more muted. She was putting on a good show, but I saw right through it. Maybe it was because I was feeling the exact same way: I wasn’t ready for this to be over quite yet. “Come with me?”
Valerie frowned, arching a dark eyebrow. “Come with you where? To the airport? To Seattle?”
“Seattle.” I’d blurted out the question before the thought had even formed fully, but it was a great idea.
A strange warmth flooded my chest when I thought about the prospect of spending the next couple of days with her. If she wanted to stay for only a few days. If she wanted to stay as long as I did, that was fine by me too.
“I can’t just leave.” She was still frowning, starting to look awkward at the breakfast she’d never let me take from her.
I took the bag, setting it on the roof of the car. The coffee was next, then I grasped both her hands in mine. “Why not? You just left New York when you came here, and that was for a permanent move. I’m not asking you to relocate to Seattle, or even to stay for very long. Whenever you want to come back, I’ll arrange for a flight for you. Just come with me?”
Valerie’s eyes darted between mine as if she was checking if I was serious. I could see the wheels turning in her head, and it seemed she couldn’t think of an answer. “Okay, I guess you’re right. It’s not like I have a job I would be walking out on, so I could think of it as a vacation.”
“Exactly.” I squeezed her hands. “Come on, let’s go. We have a flight to catch.”
I started moving toward my car, but Valerie’s feet remained planted in her spot. Turning to look at her, I saw a deep frown on her forehead. “I have to pack first. Can I just meet you at the airport?”
“There’s no time.” I went back to her, cupping her cheek in my hand. “Whatever you need, we’ll get for you when we arrive in Seattle. Don’t worry about it.”
She looked into my eyes for a long minute before nodding slowly. “Okay. Let’s go then.”
A slow grin spread on my lips. Leaning over on instinct, I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Thank you.”
Valerie and I arrived at the airport to find the usual bustle and mayhem of a public terminal. She sucked her lower lip between her teeth, doubt filling her eyes when she glanced at me. “There are too many people here, we’ll never make our flight.”
“We will.” I knew we would make our flight because my pilot wouldn’t leave without me, but I wanted it to be a surprise for Valerie. “You don’t have to worry.”
She arched an eyebrow but didn’t say anything as she turned her gaze back to the window. After parking the car and grabbing my carry-on, I took her hand and led her to the private jet area. Her eyes widened as we walked past the lines and crowds, finally reaching the security guarding the part of the terminal that had restricted access.
They had been told I was coming. They checked our identities and let us through with no hassle. Valerie turned to me while we strode to the door that would lead us to the jet. “Are you serious? We’re not taking a commercial flight?”
“Not today.” I grinned, feeling the excitement shining in Valerie’s eyes in my own chest. “Have you ever flown private before?”
She shook her head no. “And I never thought I would either.”
Wishing I could tell her that she would get used to it if I had anything to say about it, I simply tightened my grip on her hand. “I’m honored to be the one who gets to pop your cherry then.”
A surprised giggle escaped her lips before she rolled her eyes, still smiling. “Yeah, yeah. The honor is all yours.”
After passing through several more security checks, we boarded the jet. I went to my usual seat near the back and next to the window, stowing away the bag I’d refused to let the crew take from me. It was only when I was done that I realized Valerie wasn’t next to me anymore.
Pivoting around, I saw she was still standing near the door. Wide eyes blinking repeatedly, she was just standing there staring at the jet.
She looked like a child on her first flight, tentatively taking a few steps in and settling in her seat. She immediately pressed her nose to her window, eagerly taking in every sight.
I went to sit next to her, resting my hand on her leg. She glanced down at it, then beamed at me. “This is awesome. Thank you for inviting me with you. I suddenly have a really good feeling about this trip.”
Chapter 16
Valerie
Clouds streaked the sky, banks of denser clouds beneath us and wispy ones above. It was beautiful, and so much more peaceful when not surrounded by hundreds of other passengers.
Fulton sat beside me, watching me with amusement in his eyes as I marveled over the patchwork the ground formed beneath us and how the houses looked like dollhouses. Finally leaning back in my seat, I tore my gaze away from the window and turned to face Fulton.
“How does a person get used to this kind of life? I mean, that air hostess served us real champagne. Actual champagne from Champagne.”
He smiled, inclining his head in acknowledgment. “I don’t quite know how it happens that you get used to it. You just kind of, I don’t know, do? How are you liking the jet so far?”
“Are you kidding me?” My eyes grew wide beneath my raised brows, my chin lowering to my chest. “I love it. It’s amazing. I can’t imagine ever boarding this thing and not being in full-on, kid-in-Candyland mode.”
His gaze became far away for a moment before he blinked himself out of whatever reverie he’d been having. “I can’t remember ever being in that mode over the jet. It’s sad, isn’t it?”
My head tilted, my eyes narrowing as I detected a hint of sadness in his. “How old were you the first time you flew privately?”
“I don’t remember,” he said after a brief pause. “Young. Really young.”
“Do you use the plane often? Maybe you’ve just become a little desensitized to how awesome it is. You should try booking a commercial flight next time. Cattle cl
ass. Trust me, you’ll kiss this plush, clean carpet the next time you’re on this thing.”
Fulton smiled, rocking his head back and forth like he was really considering it. “Maybe I will sometime, but it probably won’t be for my next flight. More often than not, I’m called out like I was this morning. One of the branches will phone and they’ll need me there right away for whatever reason. We can’t afford to wait for the next commercial flight to leave.”
“You use the plane mostly for work then?” I couldn’t imagine having access to a jet like this and not using it to fly off to exotic destinations every other week.
Fulton shrugged, nodding once. “I don’t think I’ve ever used it for anything else. It’s no more than a fast, convenient mode of transportation for me. It allows me to cover great distances whenever I need to, at the drop of a hat, and I can continue working aboard. I don’t use it because it’s luxurious, I use it because it makes the most sense practically.”
“Surely it can’t make economic sense?” While I didn’t know the first thing about the price of jet fuel, maintenance, or even buying the damn thing in the first place, even I could imagine it had to be a very expensive exercise. “It must cost a ton.”
“The disasters I’ve had to fly in to avoid would’ve cost a ton more.” He picked up his champagne from the tray table—the flute real motherfucking crystal—and took a long sip. “Waiting before I could get there would also have cost more, so would not being able to get there if all the flights were booked. If you add the time I save in queuing and waiting, the work I manage to get done instead of sitting around an airport, it makes a ton of sense.”
Looking into those gorgeous blue eyes, I realized for the first time what the implications were of Fulton being who he was. He ran a multibillion-dollar company that operated all over the country. I’d known that before, of course, I just hadn’t realized how much or how hard he had to work to keep up with it all.
“How do you do it?” I genuinely wanted to know. The shifts at the restaurant were no more than five or six hours each, and that had killed me. I couldn’t imagine traveling all over the country and still having to keep office hours. “It must be exhausting.”
The corners of his lips pressed in as he lifted his shoulders. “I do what I have to do. That’s really all there is to it. It’s exhausting, but it’s rewarding too.”
“Is it worth it?” I didn’t think I’d ever met anyone who worked as much as he did, but yet, he had this satisfied look in his eyes when he’d said it was rewarding. I guess I just wanted to know if the reward was worth the work if you did something you loved.
Fulton took a deep breath through his nose, taking his time before he replied. “I think so. It has been until now. I don’t know anything else, but I might try slowing down at some point. Even if it’s only to experience it.”
“Are you talking about retiring?” My lips curled into a smile. “Aren’t you a little young for that?”
He laughed, running a hand through his hair. “I am, but I’ve also worked so many hours in the last few years that I think I’m technically in my fifties. Anyway, I wouldn’t say retiring. I just think I might take a more passive role at some stage. It will probably only be when I really do reach my fifties, though. For now, this is it for me.”
Fulton and I talked on and off for the rest of the flight. When we weren’t talking, he was typing away on his laptop while I went back to staring out of the window.
The captain made his announcement about our decent before Fulton packed away his laptop and put his hand gently on my thigh to get my attention. “I’m going to go straight to the bank when we land. I’m going to have the driver take you to the hotel, if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine.” A tiny twinge of disappointment pinched my gut at the thought of him leaving me as soon as we touched down, but I immediately shut it off.
While I was tagging along to Seattle for a break, Fulton was going to work. If that meant he had to get to it right away, then so be it. I would see him later, and in the meantime, I would get settled.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” he asked, standing next to a driver who had opened the door to a town car for him. “I thought I would at least be able to see you to the hotel myself, but I received an email on the plane requesting my presence as soon as I arrive.”
“I’ll be perfectly fine.” I jerked my thumb over my shoulder at the waiting limo. I’m being taken to a hotel in a limousine by a driver who’s even wearing gloves and a hat. “I think I can forgive you for not being able to sit in the back seat with me.”
Fulton grinned, the corners of his eyes softening. “Is that your way of saying I wouldn’t have been doing much anyway?”
“I think you do more than enough.” He really did. “Delivering me to the hotel personally doesn’t have to be one of those things.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.” I wasn’t expecting him to move forward and kiss me goodbye, but when he did, my heart got a little gooey at how sweet the kiss was.
“See you later,” I murmured when he pulled away, a silly smile I couldn’t hold back spreading.
Fulton slid into the car waiting for him, while the limo driver came up to me. “If you’ll come with me, miss, I’ll see you to the hotel Mr. Yates has booked. Have you been to Seattle before, or would you like me to take the scenic route?”
“The scenic route, please.” I didn’t even have to think about it. I’d never been to Seattle and while I had the chance, I’d love to be able to see the city.
“Certainly, miss.” He smiled kindly, gesturing me to the luxury vehicle. I beat him to the door, opening it for myself.
“It’s Valerie, please. You really don’t have to open doors for me, but I do appreciate the ride.” I stuck out my hand, waiting before I climbed into the car. “And you are?”
“Ken.” He shook hands with me—reluctantly—but then he relaxed. “Okay, Valerie. I’m assuming you’d like the privacy screen down too?”
“Yes, please.” I slid onto the buttery-soft leather of the back seat and did a quick double-take at the interior before Ken got in. It was my first time riding in a limo, and while I’d always found the idea of them tacky, they really were kind of awesome inside.
I didn’t know if they all looked the same, but this one could probably seat at least six other people. It had an ice bucket with bottled water and more champagne chilling on what appeared to be freshly replenished ice, separate temperature controls, and lots of little buttons and things I’d have to check out later.
Ken turned out to be the perfect tour guide. When he’d said he’d take the scenic route, he’d meant it. It was a beautiful city with a really awesome atmosphere. Ken drove me around the city for nearly two hours before pulling up to a boutique hotel in what he’d told me was the city center.
“It’s only a five-minute walk from the waterfront, the Ferry Terminal, and Pike Place Market. If you ask the concierge desk, they’ll point you in the right direction.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, climbing out of the car before sticking my head back in. “I might go for a walk to check those out later. Thanks for the ride, Ken. I hope to see you again. You were awesome for taking me on that joy ride through the city.”
Ken’s answering smile was nothing short of beaming. “You’re welcome, Valerie. Enjoy your stay.”
Since I didn’t have any luggage, I could have gone for that walk immediately. I decided against it, opting instead to get my room key and check in with Olive first. I was kind of proud of myself for making what I considered to be the responsible decision in taking care of all that before I went exploring.
It felt like I was changing a little every day. I didn’t know why or how, but my way of thinking was evolving. I liked it, even if it did scare me. Thankfully, I wasn’t one to back away from a challenge. Not even one that came from the inside. I welcomed it, even.
Breezing through check-in was unexpected, but I’d barely given my name when I was h
anded a set of keys and escorted up to the room by a very enthusiastic clerk. She told me to let the hotel know if I needed absolutely anything, then left without me having to sign a single piece of paper.
She left me standing in the foyer of the room because the thing was big enough to have a damn foyer. It was huge, bigger than most houses. Both bedrooms were bigger than the apartment the girls and I had shared back in New York.
The view was exceptional. I walked over to the large windows overlooking the city while flipping through a hotel brochure. As it turned out, I wouldn’t even need the concierge if I wanted to know how to get anywhere on my walk.
Apparently, the room came equipped with a device that was like a digital assistant. I could simply talk to her and she’d explain how to get to wherever I wanted to go. It was amazing, by far the most luxurious place I’d ever stayed in.
My excitement over the events of the day abated when I pulled my phone out of my pocket to call Olive. She was going to kick my ass up and down the house when I got back for taking off like this. If it were with anyone else, I would have totally agreed with the sentiment, and I’d have done the same thing if one of the girls had pulled something like this.
With Fulton, though, I felt safe. Nothing about him had me feeling uncomfortable or uneasy at all. It was almost like I’d known him for years instead of weeks. I trusted this guy, and while I definitely hadn’t been expecting an invitation out of the state, I was excited to spend more time with him.
“Val? Where are you? I thought you were just going to have breakfast with your new friend and then we were going for a run.”
“Uh, yeah.” I lifted my hand to my neck and squeezed the back of it, tipping it toward the ceiling. “About that. We might have to take that run when I get back in a few days?”
“What? Get back from where?” Confusion, worry, and anger mixed in her voice, making for a weird tone that was both hard and soft. “What have you done now, Val?”