Chapter 58

Rainey

I woke much earlier than I needed to on Friday morning. I booked our flight for ten-thirty, and it was with Michael’s private jet, so there was no waiting at airport security for us. The main reason was that I wanted to spend as much time with Tanner as possible before we left. Even though we were only leaving for the weekend, I hated leaving Tanner overnight. I wanted to see his little-freckled face every single morning. He grew up before my eyes, and I wanted to cherish those memories. That need was challenged after I met Michael and had to endure several trips in the short amount of time working for him.

Mom assured me it was no problem. She was happy to take Tanner. She was more excited about the prospect of me staying at a private resort than anything. She’d said I needed a vacation. As much as I knew that was true, it was hard to give into Michael and pick up and leave whenever he snapped his fingers.

After showering, I slipped into a navy blue pencil skirt. Tessa picked out this one. It had a higher waist, preserving the hourglass shape that she deemed necessary to show off. This one was a size too small, so it just barely fit. But Tessa insisted that I purchase it. I wanted to show Michael that this was still a business trip. No sweatpants and sneakers for me on this flight, even though I would have loved to be that comfortable at the moment.

I checked myself out in the mirror, pairing the skirt with a white button down. I popped open one of the top buttons, revealed a little more cleavage than I normally felt comfortable with. The plan that Tessa came up with had worked all week. Michael could barely meet my eyes most days. His focus was on my chest and ass. I loved the way I felt when he appraised me that way.

It felt a little superficial and childish, but I wanted to show him that I wasn’t bothered by him jumping into a new relationship days after we’d had sex. I was a single, independent woman. Hear me roar!

I checked my bag one more time before going out into the kitchen, placing my bag by the back door.

I started the coffee maker, and before the carafe filled, Tanner came out of his room.

He rubbed his bleary eyes and yawned.

I picked him up, even though my back protested. I hugged him against me, and he hugged back.

“Mommy, do you have to go?” he asked sleepily.

I kissed his cheek. “Yes. But I’ll be back before you know it. Grandma and Grandpa are going to take good care of you.”

“I know,” he said.

“How about we make breakfast together?” I asked.

His eyes lit up. “French toast and eggs over easy?”

I laughed. “Sure. Whatever you’d like.”

I helped Tanner with the egg wash and the frying of the French toast, but he handled the eggs quite well. I wasn’t a fan of runny yolks, so I make sure to keep those in the pan for a little longer than necessary.

We were almost finished eating before Mom came into the apartment.

“It smells delicious in here,” she said.

“I made it all!” Tanner said with a mouth full of eggs.

I gave him a look, and he smiled. “Mom helped.”

“Have some,” I said, to her, getting up from my chair. We made more than enough, but I didn’t eat much. My stomach was in knots as it always was before getting on a plane, but it wasn’t just anxiety for the flight. Michael and I were going to be on a secluded romantic resort by ourselves. Michael always respected my wishes, but I wondered if the setting would change my mind. It didn’t take much for me. Michael could be so damn charming sometimes.

I had to make myself resist him. This was a professional business trip. That was all.

When I returned to the kitchen, someone knocked on the door.

Michael stood behind the glass, a hulking figure against the early morning light pouring in behind his frame.

Mom went to the door and opened it. “Hello, there.”

Michael stepped inside. A gust of cold air followed him into the room. He slid the door closed behind him. His eyes found mine before they slowly traveled down the length of my body and then back up. His eyes crinkled at the corners.

I shivered.

“Good morning, I’m Michael Carrington,” he said to Mom, extending his hand to her.

She shook it. “It’s nice to meet you finally. I’m Helen Worth, Rainey’s mother.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.”

She sat down and gave me a look. She was impressed.

I was not.

“I thought I was meeting you outside?” I asked, heading over to the front closet to get my coat.

“Rainey, you know I’m a gentleman,” he said.

Mom preened at that.

I rolled my eyes, making sure he didn’t see the gesture.

I shoved my arms through the coat and buttoned it to the top. I knew I wouldn’t need it when we got to our destination but even that small gust of air from outside was enough to chill my bones. “Michael, you met Tanner last time you were here.”

If Michael remembered anything about that day, it didn’t show on his face.

“Hi!” Tanner said, again with his mouth full.

“Hello,” Michael said, a little stiffly.

I suppressed a smile. It was nice to see Michael a little uncomfortable for once. It proved how human he was and that he didn’t always have full command of every room.

“Want some?” Tanner asked, pointing at the plate of untouched French toast on the table. “I made it myself.”

“You did?” Michael asked, intrigued.

“Yup!” Tanner said. “I watch the Cooking Channel every day. I’m going to be a chef one day.”

Michael nodded, impressed. “How about next time I come over, I’ll try something.”

Tanner shrugged.

Next time he came over? I shook away the images of Michael coming here on a regular basis. Seeing them get along eased my mind. I don’t know why I cared, but I did.

“Cool!” Tanner said and took another giant bite of his French toast.

Michael smiled at my son, and then he looked over at me. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I said. I reached down to get my bag, and the waist of the skirt dug into my stomach. I winced. Maybe I should have gone with something more comfortable. We didn’t have time for a fashion show, though. Once I was sitting on the plane, I’d be okay. I had to remember not to bend over anymore.

Tanner hopped out of his chair and wrapped his arms around my legs. “I love you, Mommy.”

Tears sprung to my eyes, but I blinked them away. “I love you too, honey. Be good for Grandma and Grandpa. I’ll call you as soon as I land.”

He gave me one more squeeze before turning to Michael. “Bye!”

Then he ran down the hall toward his bedroom.

“Tanner!” Mom called after him. “You need to clear your plate.”

“One minute!” he called from his room.

Mom clicked her tongue. I hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“You two have fun,” Mom said.

“We will,” Michael said, grinning from ear to ear.

My insides melted. It was hard not to be affected by Michael’s charm, especially when he smiled like that.

Mom started to clear the table.

Michael opened his hand to me. I looked up at him. Did he want to hold hands? Now?

“Your bag,” he said, wiggling his fingers.

I handed over the bag. I had to get a grip. Michael was keeping everything professional, why couldn’t I force my mind in that direction too? Maybe it wasn’t just him that was the problem.

After carefully making it down the stairs that spilled out onto the driveway, Michael held out his arm for me to walk up the small incline toward the street. A thin sheet of ice covered several spots on the black surface.

When we reached the car, I was surprised that Constantine had swapped out his sedan for a stretch limousine.

“What’s this for?” I asked. I thought I reserved the smaller car.

“I thought we could use an upgrade with more room.”

I nodded. It wasn’t as if I was paying for that luxury.

I got into the car, sliding as far away from Michael as possible. With the amount of space, there was no need to be shoulder to shoulder as we normally were in his other car. The heat blasted from several vents around us, and I shrugged off my coat, tossing it on the long seat that spanned the length of the limo.

I glanced down and adjusted my shirt. Maybe I should have buttoned up one more.

Michael placed my bag on the other seat, next to his carry-on. “Do you want some champagne?”

“No, thanks,” I said. I wanted my head clear for the ride. How unprofessional would it be if I stumbled onto his private jet? No doubt he had several more bottles of top-shelf alcohol on the flight too.

Michael sat back in his seat as the car started forward.

I reached for the seat belt and twisted around.

The ripping sound alerted both Michael and me.

My eyes went wide. Was that me?

Michael looked at me, his eyebrows raised. “What was that?”

“I think it was my skirt.” Dammit, Tessa! Why had I agreed to her plan? Sure, it worked in making Michael want me, but now I had a hole in my ass. I reached under me and felt the hole. It was huge. There was no hiding that. And even though I could have kept my coat on the entire time, I wasn’t about to get heat stroke.

“Do you want to go back?” he asked, reaching for one of the champagne flutes nestled on the small shelf attached to his door.

I checked my phone. We were right on time. There was no accounting for traffic, though. “No. We’re already on our way. Can you hand me my bag?”

He lifted it up and placed it between us. I couldn’t meet his eyes. It would take some maneuvering, but I couldn’t be in this skirt anymore, especially now that it was trash.

I unzipped the bag and sifted through the neatly rolled clothes inside. I packed a pair of black slacks that would work. I chastised myself for not wearing those this morning instead.

I glanced at Michael, and he wore a wide grin.

“What?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Do you think this is funny?” I asked, a little peeved.

“A little,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’m glad someone is enjoying themselves.”

“Relax, Rainey,” he said. “Have a little fun. We’re on vacation now.”

“A work trip,” I amended.

He nodded and then glanced down in my bag. “Do you have something suitable to change into?”

“Yes,” I said, pulling out the pants. In the process, several other items of clothing spilled out of the bag.

Michael lifted a black negligee by the strap. It was the only warm weather nightgown I could find in my closet since I packed most items away at the beginning of fall.

“Give that back,” I said, snatching it from him.

He chuckled. “Who is that for?”

“I wasn’t sure of the weather,” I said, my cheeks igniting.

“It certainly goes with your new attire,” he said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I’ve noticed your change in clothing this week,” he said.

I was busted. But I had to play it cool. “I went shopping last weekend, for work clothes.”

“Don’t get me wrong. It adds to my enjoyment each morning. But I suppose if your clothes are too tight, they might do that.” He pointed at my skirt for emphasis.

I hated that he was so blunt about noticing my provocative clothing. “I don’t buy my clothes for you, Michael. I buy what I like.”

He held his hands up in surrender.

I whipped my coat over my lap and reached down to unzip my skirt. I couldn’t even look in his direction, but thankfully he stopped teasing me. I wriggled out of my skirt, checking several times to make sure there was no skin showing.

Tessa’s plan backfired on me. So after changing, I reassured myself that this trip would remain purely business.