I look up at the digital clock above the door to the cockpit.
11:45 PM
It’s been a long day. A long two days. And so much has happened.
Reid didn’t only work on my business with me today, he arranged for movers—his own private movers, not the Craigslist crew Stacie hired sight unseen—to go to my house and clear out everything that belonged to me.
After I told him the whole truth about the troubles of the business, as well as the fact that I bought the house and Stacie and my father sort of just assumed they could live there, I figured out, my father hasn’t been completely honest with Stacie about his current state of fiscal irresponsibility.
Those are problems Reid and I will tackle later, together, but the biggest thrill of the whirlwind day was where Reid said my belongings were going.
To his house in New York for now, until I decide where we want our home base to be. He has homes in North Carolina, as well as a penthouse in New York and a home on Grand Cayman. The house in North Carolina he has only used a handful of times. He built it years ago, he said, more out of nostalgia for his old hometown than anything else.
He’s also been paying Stacie’s way for years and I told him if it’s tough love time for my father, it’s going to be the same for his sister, and he agreed. Time for everyone to put on their grown up panties and evolve. I’d love to help them both find something that they can enjoy and profit from, but all of that is going to wait until we are back from wherever it is we are headed.
Reid said it’s a surprise and it’s been a long time since I had a good surprise.
“Here you go, my little starling.” Reid stand up, holding out a large square box, setting it in my lap.
“Ooooo, I’m not going to play coy here. I love presents.”
“Good, because I’ve got a lifetime of them to give you, but let’s just start with this one.”
I pull off the black silk ribbon and wiggle the lid from the box, and when I look down I start to smile.
“Black and pink. Had it made up special, just for you.”
“My first cowboy hat!” I tug it from the box and mount it on top of my head, already feeling like a cowgirl.
“Looks perfect. You’re going to need that where we’re going.”
“And where is that, exactly?”
He pulls out a white file folder and spreads it open on the little table next to the chair. I spin back to face the table and look down at the photos, then finger through the papers underneath.
“Is this? Did you?”
He bends down and sets another box on the table, about the same size as the first, and opens the lid, pulling out a gray Stetson with a deep blue band.
“It is and I did little lady,” Reid answers with a John Wayne drawl, tipping the brim of his hat as he looks down at me.
“It totally matches your suit.” I chuckle, kicking up my feet like a little kid before looking back at the pictures and re-reading the deed.
“It’s all yours, paid for, but if you don’t like it, we’ll buy another one you pick out.”
“It’s perfect.” The house in the photos is just like what I’ve dreamed. A huge log house, surrounded by pine trees and pastures and barns. The description says it’s 1200 acres and I can’t even wrap my brain around how big that is, but still, even this grand gesture can’t get my mind off what I really want. “You know,” I pause, pushing on the armrests as I stand. “It’s been twenty-two minutes since you kissed me last.”
“Is that right? You’re keeping track?”
“I am.”
“So, you’re asking Daddy for a kiss, little one?”
Fuck, when he calls himself Daddy it’s sexier than when I do it, and that’s saying something.
“Yes, pretty please with sugar and honey and cherries on top.”
I see his jaw set, the twitch he has in his cheek starting. I think I’ve set fire to a fast burning wick, one that ends with him finally stuffing me full of that thick meat I can see rising in his pants.
“We’re going to be popping cherries all over the mile high club tonight, little starling.”
I step back and spin around, looking at him over my shoulder, my boldness growing because he’s looking at me with such desire. Uneven, ragged breaths raising and lowering his chest.
I may have worn my usual unique black style outfit today but underneath I have something special.
I spin a few times, unzipping my sweatshirt first and letting it drop down my shoulders.
I work my t-shirt off next watching his eyes darken. He starts to follow me by taking off his suit jacket, then unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it off.