Page 21
The second I’ve stopped the aircraft, I make sure the wrinkles on my uniform aren’t as heinous looking as they feel. Bursting through the small hallway that connects the two, I head toward the cabin.
Frilly pink and purple blankets cloud my vision the second everyone comes into view. A mandatory request by Haven’s team, along with a pink color change of the outside logo of the plane.
Paying the bright color no mind, I inch closer to the passengers without making myself known just yet, and that’s when it hits me.
A sweet maple smell finally makes a home in my nostrils again. It’s like winning the big bear at the state fair after years of trying.
Ducking off by the bathroom, I keep my head tilted toward the cabin, my forehead resting on the door. Out of sight for a brief second, I take a long inhale.
Fuck, I’ve craved her scent.
Gathering myself, I step out of the small alcove, standing shoulder to shoulder with my two attendants.
“Everything go smoothly back here?” I ask.
“Always does.”
Hannah is a routine attendant on my flights. Her small shoulder just barely taps mine. To anyone else, it would look accidental, but I know better.
I’ve crossed boundaries with Hannah before; I know what’s under her uniform. Two years ago, I may have still wanted to see if anything’s changed, see if I still knew how to make her come in five seconds flat, but not anymore.
“Staying at The Grand Dallas?” she asks under her breath, soft enough so Margaret, the other attendant in her forties, can’t hear.
“I am,” I hum.
“Hmm.”
Clicking her tongue inside her cheek, my eyes cut in the direction of her mouth, before snapping back in front of me. As any temptress would, she makes a hard bargain.
But I’m better than that.
“I already have plans. I’ll see you back here on Sunday.”
As Haven’s crew stands, I step backwards just a bit, still leaving a path for them to exit, but wanting to see Fia every second I’m able.
“You’ll change your mind.” Hannah snickers, turning her back to me and busying herself by packing her belongings.
I won’t.
“I’m Shannon.”
In front of me, an orange-splotched hand sticks out, nearly poking my stomach. Her low-cut T-shirt and grey sweats show more skin than I’d ever want to see from her.
My head dips in a respectful manner but doesn’t linger. With hands behind my back, I give a toothless smile.
“Nice to meet you. Enjoy your time in Dallas.”
“How are you planning to enjoy your stay?”
Looking toward the back of the small line, I watch as Fia fiddles with her headphones, putting them over her soft brown waves and flipping up the hood of her sweatshirt.
“Visiting family.”
Her expression is of subtle annoyance as she hikes her duffel bag over her shoulder and descends the stairs. All the while bickering behind her to the only man amongst all the women.
The rest of the crew either shakes my hand or introduces themselves—a lot less seductively than Shannon, I might add.
At the end, the reason for my impromptu introduction makes her way toward the exit. With her head lowered and eyes solely on the comfortable-looking house shoes on her feet, she tries to slide past me, but that won’t do.
