Chapter 17

December 24, 2016

“Stop stalking me,” she squeezed through pursed lips.

Gael ignored her and slid into the seat next to her. The flight was headed to New York where she promised to visit David and Marla for Christmas. She was at the window and him in the aisle about six rows from the back. He was supposed to be in business, not in the economy section.

“Why are you here anyway … don’t you have a jet to fly around in?” she asked.

“Yep.”

“Then why are you flying commercial?”

“I like flying commercial,” he answered.

“Haven’t you told me numerous times how much you hate flying on public passenger flights?”

“I changed my mind; it’s kinda nice,” he declared.

“Do you have a meeting to attend in New York?”

“Nope.”

“I knew it; you’re following me,” she said. “I told you, I’m not signing the new contract.”

With his eyes still closed, he gave her a calm reply. “I know.”

“Then why are you following me? We broke up, remember?”

His eyes shot open, and he turned his head, looking directly into her eyes. “Please enlighten me. Why did we break up?”

“We’ve been dating for a year now; you figure it out!” she snapped, turning away and placing a sleep pad over her eyes.

A tightness enveloped in her chest the more she thought about the past year. After their passion filled Christmas lovemaking, there was no turning back. Gael insisted that he didn’t need anyone else to be the spokesperson for his company, so she caved. The commercial deal Florine signed her for fell through as the client took another model because she could not make it in time.

Her relationship with Gael flourished, or so she thought until reality began to set in. What did she expect from him anyway? Ending things before it was too late was her decision. Her one-year contract and her relationship happened to have started and ended simultaneously.

Could she really call it a relationship? The sex was great; there was no doubt of that. But there was more. She liked the way he was always gentle with her, no matter what. She saw the way he was at the office, his domineering attitude. He wasn’t like that with her.

They had fun together, watching football, playing cards, and the best surprise of all was that he could cook. Her mind went back to their dinner dates in his apartment and what ensued.

Even having him beside her now was somewhat unnerving. Her nipples were taut against her bra and her lace panties damp from his heat penetrating her.

When she thought about the man, her entire body tingled, even in places she never knew existed. His hard pecs, washboard abs which she loved to run her hands across, his muscular thighs that rippled when he walked.

“Augh!” she groaned, trying to get the picture of their lovemaking out of her mind. She was now so horny thinking about him that she was tempted to reach her hand inside her pants and rub her clit.

“Are you going to answer me?” he asked, rudely interrupting her masturbatory thoughts. “I know you’re not sleeping.”

“Will you leave me alone if I tell you?”

“Okay, I will.”

She lifted the sleep pad and faced him. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he was fully facing her way. It never ceased to amaze her how his eyes could hypnotize her as they were doing now. His deep blue gaze pulling her in that it took an enormous amount of mental strength to concentrate.

“I know we weren’t exclusive or anything, but …” she trailed off, her stomach churning, heart aching.

“But what?”

“You could have broken up with me first before seeing someone else,” she replied, her tone icy.

A long crease entered his forehead as he narrowed his eyes. “What?” even his voice sounded incredulous that she almost bought it.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. Now leave me alone as promised,” she replied.

Just about that moment, a flight attendant stopped by their seat. “Can I get you anything?” she asked, smiling down at him.

The woman’s blonde curls were swept up and pinned atop her head, with tiny tendrils brushing her nape. Her blazer front opened showing her full breasts printed in her sweater. The attendant’s attention was solely pinned to Gael as she inquired of him. Her scarlet lips stretched across her face in a wide smile.

He returned the woman’s smile while Zoe watched his reaction to her. All he did was to lean back on the seat and keep his eye on the attendant’s face. “Nothing for me, thank you.”

“Wait …” she raised her hand to ask for some water, but the woman walked away.

Several minutes later, the same attendant returned, batting her eyes at Gael and making small talk. Zoe closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Trying to tell herself that she didn’t care, she determined to block them from her thoughts and think about something else. However, when the woman left and returned a third time, she lost it.

“Get it over with already!” she barked.

Gael frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t give me that. I know you’re just dying to do it.”

“Do what, pray tell?”

“The thing you did last year, in the bathroom … on the plane.”

“Why would I screw her? I have no interest in her,” was his remark.

“Liar, I saw the way you smiled at her.”

Gael resolved within himself not to allow Zoe to rile him. He knew she would do anything to annoy him now that they were no longer together. What he couldn’t figure out was why she ended the relationship without explanation.

From what she told him a few minutes ago, she thought he cheated. How could she think such a thing? They spent most of their free time together at his penthouse. Other times they spent at her apartment when they were not working. The idea that she thought he was seeing someone else confused him.

He wanted to ask her a few questions, get a feel for what was swirling around in her mind, then that darn flight attendant interrupted, and the moment passed.

He was hoping that things would get resolved if he followed her to New York, but she was upset about that too. Had he known what was going on with her, he could have pacified her earlier. Now, he was left with the task of making her see that he had no interest in anyone else. He had a plan, and he hoped that it would work.

A movement beside him made him opened his eyes. Zoe was standing and trying to get out of the seat.

“Excuse me,” she said.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, concerned.

She snickered. “Can’t a girl go to the bathroom without something being wrong?”

“Sure.”

Closing his eyes, he rested back his head. He’d expected her to go and quickly return, but after about eight minutes he decided to check on her. She was exiting the washroom when he walked up.

“What took you so long?” he asked.

Rolling her eyes, she tried to pass him, but his wide shoulders blocked her in the narrow passage. “Let me pass,” she hissed.

“What’s eating you?”

“Nothing,” her voice rose a few decibels. He detected some amount of venom in it.

“Let’s get this over with, now,” he replied, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into the tiny cubicle.

“What are you doing?” she asked as the door snapped shut and he leaned his back against it. “Look, it’s what?” She looked at her tiny wristwatch and noted the time. “It’s 3:22. I’m tired. Let me go.”

He shook his head. “Not until we resolve this.”

“There’s nothing to resolve. You are free to date whomever you please.”

“Stop already, Zoe. You know damn well I haven’t been seeing anyone else,” he snapped.

“Don’t lie to me Gael; I know what I saw,” she replied in a brittle tone.

Her eyes became glossy as though she was fighting back tears. Biting down her bottom lip, she stared at a spot on the floor. His heart wrenched seeing her this way. Was she serious? Did she really think he was cheating on her?

Placing a finger under her chin, he willed her to look at him. “You believe this thing is true, don’t you?”

“Isn’t it? I saw you with my own eyes,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I saw you, Gael.”

“What did you see?”

“The girl from accounts …”

“Ruby?” he asked before she finished her sentence.

“I saw you with her at the restaurant on Sutton Drive. You were very cozy together.”

“It’s not what you think,” he replied. “Did you see anything else?”

She connected her hazel eyes with his. “Does it matter?”

“Yes, it matters.”

“Gael, I’m not in the mood for your games.”

“I’m not dating Ruby or anyone else,” he insisted.

She pursed her lips and breathed deeply before replying, “Then tell me what you were doing with her at that restaurant.”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Then let me out. We have nothing to talk about.”

His disappointment at her mistrust made him withdraw a little. Maybe he should just let her be. He didn’t know what possessed him to follow her across states. But before he could let her go, he needed to get her out of his system.

Without notice, he pulled her into his arms and sealed their lips. She pushed hard against him, and he let her go. Her palm came up and landed hard, stinging his cheek. They stared at each other for minute or so before he closed the gap and crushed his lips to hers.

He found her tongue and wrapped his around it, but her teeth came down hard, making him pull away.

“You son of a bitch!” she spat.

“Okay,” he held up his hand. “I give in. Have it your way.”

As he turned to leave, her voice stopped him. “That’s it. You’re just going to leave like that?”

“You made it clear that we are over. What else do you want from me?” he asked, turning to face her.

“Nothing,” she declared, her tone quiet. “Absolutely nothing.”

Pushing him out of the way, she dragged the door open, and half ran to her seat. He took a few minutes to settle his mind before joining her while accepting the fact that things were over between them.