Page 31 of Once Upon a Prince

“Has she been calling a lot?” Layla asked.

“Enough that I couldn’t go away for a week and not have her know.”

“She can’t make you come back, can she?” Ara asked.

“I wouldn’t put it past her to try. I don’t want to give her any ammunition if I don’t have to. If she thinks I’m lying to her or holding back on something, she might do something.”

“You know her best and how to handle it. I can’t wait for you to get your shares so you can get out from under her,” Layla said.

“I couldn’t agree more. It’s only for a few more months. I can handle it. Trust me.”

“We do,” Ara said and put a reassuring hand on my arm. “Now the most important question is, what are you going to wear?”

Chapter 18

Dax

Ella tried to play it off that she wasn’t impressed with the plane but she failed miserably. Since it was only going to be the two of us, I hadn’t wanted to take the bigger of my two planes and had decided to take the G550 instead of the G650. It had a little less room but it still would get us to Buenos Aires in comfort.

It was a bit extravagant for me to be flying on a private plane but I liked to be able to leave whenever I wanted to and not have to worry about security or lines. There weren’t a lot of excessive things I did with my money but having a private jet was one of them. I found it made me more relaxed and energized for whatever business I had to handle when I arrived.

Usually, I would take a late-night flight, sleep, and then hit the ground running as soon as I landed. I hadn’t wanted to do that with Ella. I wasn’t sure how well she would travel and if she would be able to sleep. I wanted her to enjoy her time with me and not be jet lagged. It was why we were leaving in the morning and arriving in Buenos Aires that evening.

I walked ahead of her onto the plane and then turned around when she was inside. She didn’t say anything but I could tell by her expression and how big her eyes got that she was impressed. There were two rows of leather seats near the front of the plane with tables that could come out between them as needed. There was a couch behind one row and a flat screen television on the other side. Directly behind the television were two beds that were separated by a wall. The galley, bathroom, and baggage hold were in the very back.

“Your stuff will be in the back if you need it for any reason,” I said to her as she looked around.

“Great, thanks. It’s just going to be the two of us on this plane?” she asked as she walked past me and toward the back.

Her body brushed up against mine as she did and I stiffened up to let her pass. My body reacted immediately to having her so close. I knew it was a good idea to have her come along with me, I just wasn’t sure how long I was going to be able to keep my hands off her.

“Yes. Well, besides the pilots and flight attendant. Were you expecting others to be traveling with us?”

“It’s a lot of plane for just us,” she stated.

“True, but I found traveling by private jet is convenient and helps make traveling less stressful. I hope you agree when we land,” I said.

“We’ll find out when we get there around nine tonight. That is still the arrival time, right?”

“Hopefully, as long as there isn’t any issue with the plane, getting off the ground, or any weather once we get in the air.”

“Could weather be a problem?”

I could see the concern on her face and I was worried she was a nervous flier. “No. If there are any issues the pilots would divert around the weather. Don’t worry.”

“Great.”

I didn’t get a chance to say anything more as Hannah, our flight attendant, came into the cabin from the cockpit. She smiled brightly when she saw me but her eyes darkened when she noticed Ella.

“Dax, it’s wonderful to see you again,” she practically purred. “Is this your sister?” she asked and looked over at Ella.

“Hannah, this is Ella, my assistant. Ella, this is one of the best flight attendants in the company, Hannah.”

“Dax, you are too kind, and such a charmer,” Hannah playfully patted her hand on my shoulder and gave me a wink.

Ella didn’t say it but I could tell she was annoyed by the way the conversation was going and how Hannah was acting toward me. Hannah was a good flight attendant and had always given excellent service. We might have flirted with each other but it had never turned into anything more. I knew what Hannah was doing, what she was asking or at least implying when she asked about Ella and how she was looking at me. Ella did too. She walked over to one of the chairs, sat down, and opened her computer. She didn’t look at me or Hannah as she did.

Hannah kept smiling at me and asked, “Would you care to help me make you a cocktail in the back?”