Chapter Twelve
Kate
The car sent to pick me up sped towards the airport, and I looked out the window watching the world go by, wondering if I was doing the right thing and whether or not going to meet Jonathan was what I really needed.
I knew for myself that I had to hear his explanation. I’d give him that much, but the wall that he’d knocked down around me had been well and truly rebuilt. It didn’t matter how often I lay awake in bed imagining his arms around me or hoping he’d turn up and walk through the door. None of that mattered anymore because I was in love with a Casanova. I’d always have to compete with someone for him, and I didn’t want to end up like Jessica in five years’ time, sitting at home waiting for him to come back to me.
I knew it was probably the first time anyone had wanted such a thing, but I just wished he were normal. I wished he wasn’t a billionaire, and I wished that we could just have a normal relationship where we were both just nobodies.
I put my head back against the seat rest and closed my eyes, trying to picture that night on the beach and the words he’d said and the way he looked as he led me up the stairs to his bed, and it was then that I realized how closed-minded I was being.
I’d never met a man like Jonathan before—so level-headed, domineering, and a real alpha male—and whenever he was right in front of me I wanted his hands on my body, all over me, and when he wasn’t there I craved him. Love, feelings and emotions like that were hard to find and feel, and the thought that I’d been willing to let him go without hearing his side made me feel sick.
I knew he wanted me. I got that from the constant messages and emails I received from him and ignored, but I’d never actually imagined what it would be like to see him splashed over the pages of the tabloids about to marry someone else, knowing that I could never have him back and that it could have been me.
I felt a pang of excitement in my stomach as we neared, and I decided that no matter what, I was going to enjoy his company because for once in my life the man I was about to travel with was the only person in my whole world who actually cared and wanted me, and it made me feel special. How could I give that up? How could I let that go and go back to meaning nothing?
The car pulled up airside and James opened the door, helping me out onto the short red carpet.
There in front of me was a private jet. I stared at it for a moment while another man retrieved my bag from the trunk, in awe of the experience I was about to embark on.
“I’m going on this?” I asked a woman who approached me.
She nodded and smiled.
“That’s correct. This way please.”
She ushered me along the carpet to the stairs, and I held onto the rail as I climbed up, my heart pounding wildly until I reached the top and was greeted by another beaming woman.
“Jonathan is just to the left towards the back of the plane,” she said, pointing ahead. “He’s waiting for you.”
I followed her directions and there he was, deep in conversation with the pilot.
He came towards me immediately, running a hand through my hair instead of hugging me.
“You came,” he said seriously.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?”
He shook his head keeping his eyes on mine.
“I knew if you had any real feelings left for me, you’d come.” He kissed the side of my face and ran his hand down my arm. “Would you like something to drink?”
A woman appeared at our sides immediately, and Jonathan asked her for two glasses of champagne. She disappeared again as quickly as she’d arrived, giving me a chance to take a moment and look around at the plane.
It was finished in creams and beiges with thick, plush seats and a large TV screen. Towards the back I could see the sign for a toilet, and even further than that there was a room with the door slightly ajar revealing a stunning bedroom.
“This is beautiful,” I said, walking to one of the windows and looking out. “I didn’t know flying could be so…”
“Luxurious?” he finished. “I bought this plane with plans to sell my company and travel, but that never happened.”
“You own this plane?”
He nodded, unfazed by my fascination.
“How can you buy a plane like this and not use it?”
“Time is everything, Kate. I don’t have time to enjoy many things that life has to offer.”
“Then lets enjoy it together. Sell the company, plan an itinerary and disappear. Let’s do it.”
“Let’s?”
I nodded, blushing slightly at my over eagerness, but he smiled slowly and stepped closer until he was looking down at me.
“You have no idea how much I want that.”
He slid his fingers through my hair until he had me right where he wanted and pulled me in so our lips met.
I should have pulled away and sat down, but I couldn’t resist. I’d longed for him to kiss me the moment I’d got back into the car and left his mansion that night. I’d been wanting to feel and taste him again, and as I pressed my body up against his I felt as though I was right back where I wanted to be, in his arms. After all the sleepless nights and days lost wondering who I was, I knew exactly where I wanted to be.