“Mom, maybe you shouldn’t mix whiskey and xanax,” I warned.

“You know flying makes me anxious,” she dismissed me with a wave, her blonde hair shining under the overhead light of the front cabin of Bear’s airplane.

He’d sent a private jet for us.

Mom was just as shocked as I was when she saw it and I could have sworn I saw goosebumps pop up on her arms when the pilot welcomed us aboard. My stomach was doing flips as I walked up the stairs and I exhaled with relief when I saw that Bear wasn’t there.

The pilot welcomed us, told us to make ourselves at home and that Mr. Dalton would be waiting for us at JFK. I was grateful for the extra time before having to face him again. I’d been a nervous wreck since I’d left my house that morning.

Having an entire luxury jet at our disposal wasn’t half bad, though.

“This is amazing,” I said, letting Mom off the hook for mixing booze and drugs. It was her life to ruin and I had to assume she knew what she was doing.

Normally, I might have harped a little longer, but I was distracted by the sheer luxury of Bear’s plane. The buttery soft, heated leather seats seemed to wrap around my hips and I melted into their warmth. Everything was shiny, new and probably cost more money that I could even imagine.

“Can I get you anything else?” The male flight attendant, Brody, and the pilot, Dawson, were the only staff we’d seen so far and they’d both been perfectly hospitable. The fact that they were magazine gorgeous was an added bonus. Tall, dark and handsome, they were easily the prettiest things on the plane.

“No, thank you, Brody,” Mom said, flashing him a professional smile. She was impressed, I could tell, but she was doing her best to appear aloof and comfortable. If I had a nickel for every time she’d told me appearances were everything than I’d be rich myself.

Brody walked away with a curt nod and I couldn’t help but let my gaze fall to his tight black slacks. They fit him like a glove, his tight ass perky and taut. I bit my lip as I watched him disappear behind a curtain at the front of the plane and sighed.

A week had passed since I’d seen Bear—correction—fucked Bear, and I still couldn’t shake the feelings he’d stirred up in me. Tense and anxious, I’d been on edge the entire week. Despite the strong temptation to pick up the phone, I’d managed to make it through the week without calling him and asking him exactly what he expected of me. After talking to Marie about it, I was looking at things a little differently.

I was determined to use it as an opportunity.

An adventure, like she’d said.

Maybe I wouldn’t make any professional gains, but I was sure I’d be gaining something a little more valuable. Like life experience. Knowledge. Toe-curling sex.

I’d always felt like I’d missed out on so much. I mean, what did I have to lose, right? If New York sucked, if Bear turned out to be too much for me to handle—all I had to do was come back home to Portland.

An old friend of mine told me that she spent a year saying ‘yes’ to everything. She’d done things she never would have normally done. One of her little ‘yes’ adventures took her to Italy, where she ended up meeting a charming guy that swept her off her feet. As soon as she started saying yes, her life blossomed.

That’s what I wanted.

I wanted to blossom.

I would do that. I would say yes to everything that crossed my path in New York and see where it took me.

The whir of the engine vibrated through my seat as the plane took off, my stomach flying up into my throat. I was a bundle of nerves, but it felt so fucking good. My chest was heavy and full with anticipation, leaving me breathless as I thought of all the things that might happen. The things I wanted to happen.

Sure, I’d hated New York when I visited. But maybe I just didn’t have the right experience. Maybe I didn’t say yes enough.

Loud banging noises sounded under our feet as the pilot pulled the landing gear up. I inhaled deeply, doing my best to relax my shoulders. I desperately needed to get a grip on myself. It was going to be a long few hours and Mom could usually see right through me. If she put her own anxiety aside for a few moments, she could easily figure out how tense I was.

“Bear assured me the corporate apartment would have everything we need,” she said, looking down at her perfectly manicured nails. I shuddered at the sound of his name. “Our things should be delivered in a few days.”

“I know, Mom,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You already told me that three times.”

“I like to be thorough, you know that,” she said.

“Yes, I do,” I sighed.

“I still don’t understand,” she murmured.

“Understand what?” I asked, stalling. I knew exactly what she was about to say.

“Why you changed your mind?”

“Mom,” I replied, rolling my eyes again. She hated it when I did that and I knew it, but usually it was enough to make her stop questioning me. “We talked about this. He offered me a job.”

“It’s just that you were so adamant about not being in New York,” she said.

“I changed my mind,” I shrugged. “Maybe I was too hard on New York before. Marie loves it there. Maybe I just need to give it a second chance.”

“Are you sure that’s all?” she said, squinting her eyes over the whiskey glass as she took a sip.

“Yes,” I said simply, smiling.

“Okay,” she said, relaxing. I breathed a sigh of relief. I needed her to believe me. “I really think you’re going to love it, sweetie. Our apartment is right across from Central Park and everything you’ll need is within walking distance. Maybe we can get a dog?”

“What? A dog? Why?” I asked. Having a dog was never something Mom had time for before.

“Well, so you’ll have something to do and someone to keep you company,” she said. “I’m going to be spending most of my time at the office.”

“So, what’s new?” I thought, hoping I didn’t sound bitter. I’d basically raised myself and I’d been just fine without a dog. I mean, I loved dogs but she’d always refused when I’d asked for one before.

“Look,” she said, reaching over and putting her hand on mine. “I know I haven’t been the most present mother in the world, but I’m always here for you, you know that, right? You can always tell me anything, Chloe. If you ever need me, especially now that we’re going to be in this big city all by ourselves, all you have to do is call, okay?” Her grass green eyes peered deeply into mine and I wondered what she saw in them. We’d always had a frighteningly close psychic connection, despite the cold distance between us, and I knew she had to feel something was different with me.

“Of course, Mom,” I said, patting her hand. “I love you. Everything’s going to be great. Don’t worry.”

“You’re right,” she beamed back at me. I’d never seen her so happy. “It really is! I think this position is going to be the best job I’ve had so far. Bear’s offer was so generous and he’s been nothing but kind. I can’t wait to get in there and roll my sleeves up. I think I can be a real benefit to him.”

“He’s lucky to have you, Mom,” I said, leaning back in the soft seat and looking down at the fluffy white clouds out the window, Bear’s face flashing in my head. My nipples hardened as I shivered and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Thank you, Chloe,” she said, taking another sip of whiskey and leaning back and closing her eyes. “I think I’m going to take a little nap. I didn’t sleep a wink last night, I was so anxious.”

“Get some rest,” I whispered. She was asleep in minutes.

I was lost in my own thoughts when I felt a tap on my shoulder a few minutes later.

“Ms. McDonnell?” Brody whispered, holding out a plain white envelope to me. “This is for you.” He nodded as I took it from him and walked away without a word.

I looked over at my sleeping mother before quietly tearing open the side of it and sliding out the heavy folded paper inside. I unfolded it and a shiver ran down my spine as I read it.

Dearest Chloe,

I trust you have everything you need on the plane. Brody and Dawson will take excellent care of you and Matilda. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. I’ll be waiting when you land.

All My Best,

Bear

P.S. Remove your panties before you land.