Page 17 of Until He Confesses

“Sir?” Dahlia called.

I glanced at both her and Michael and gave myself one last chance to revisit my urge. And then I made my decision.

“Go ahead,” I told them. “I’ll be along soon.”

“Alright,” she replied. “The car has already arrived.”

I nodded and soon enough the plane seemed to only have the two of us. I stared at her by the door, and she stared back and then the colleague by her side moved. I didn’t miss Callie’s immediate reaction as she reached out to catch her hand in what seemed like a plea to stay.

The colleague didn’t agree and after smiling at me, she disappeared down the aisle into the back.

I gathered my jacket and files and then headed over to meet her by the door.

“Thank you for flying with us, sir,” she said, and I gazed at her.

“Where are you staying tonight?” I asked.

I could almost feel her breathing hitch as she stared at me.

She replied then, although her voice was now so small, I could barely hear it.

“I don’t feel it’s necessary for me to share that information,” was her response.

“What’s your phone number?” I asked and pulled my phone out of my pocket.

“Um, I-I also don’t think any further communication is needed, sir,” she said.

I looked at her.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I’ll find you either way.”

A scowl came over her face.

“You finding me doesn’t guarantee anything,” she said.

I smiled.

“Who says I want it to? Perhaps it’s for the sole purpose of saying hello once in a while. After all, our relationship wasn’t so bad that we needed to remain mortal enemies for life, was it?”

A few tense seconds followed before she glanced behind at the cockpit and finally gave in. I could see her immense discomfort especially due to the staff that were waiting and watching for me to disembark at the base of the steps.

She called out her number and I noted it on my phone, but before she could walk away, I caught her hand.

“You’re not going to thank me for using your company’s service? It’ll be the last time since I have my own plane. But if you were nicer, I would be more inclined to use your company’s service again and of course, mention to them that I was incredibly impressed by your hospitality in particular.”

Alarm flashed through her eyes.

“Lucas, if you dare mention my name to my company I will kill you,” she said, and I was startled by her outburst.

“Everyone’s going to think it’s because I slept with you. I’m not joking. Don’t try it,” I smiled and shook my head.

“Well, are you going to?”

“Going to what?”

She played dumb, but I didn’t miss her trying to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat.

I lowered my tone and leaned a bit closer to her.