Page 41 of Damaged King

There was no way to completely avoid Grant. There were drinks, snacks, and breakfast that I had to serve, and Cal couldn’t intercept all our meetings. However, he’d managed to cool them.

It was as if I’d become radioactive to Grant. His eyes no longer lingered on me, and it was probably just as well.

By the time we landed, I was worn out from being on my feet, trying not to throttle my spoiled sister, avoiding wandering hands from the handsome passenger, and by the sheer mystery of Cal’s first officer, the one and only Grant.

We stood in line, wishing the disembarking passengers thanks for flying Skyland Airlines. Grant was way too close and I refused to look up at him.

Sophia came and stopped the foot traffic to put her hand on Grant’s arm.

“See you later,” she said, her big blue eyes holding his long enough for everyone to notice.

I was so focused on her, I didn’t notice Mr. Wandering Hands. As tall and handsome as he was, he was no match for Grant, who moved so quickly I couldn’t counter it. Grant shifted in front of me as the man approached.

“Thanks for flying Skyland Airlines.” The words may have been pleasant, but Grant’s tone was not.

The passenger’s glance flickered my way a second before he stepped off the plane.

I wanted to tell Grant I could handle myself, but now was not the time. I was just happy when it was all over. I grabbed my things and headed for customs amid the other flight attendants with Cal and Grant somewhere behind us.

The one thing good about the job was that our transportation and hotel stays were arranged by someone else. All I had to do was settle in the van and close my eyes for the ride to the hotel. It was hot, so the cool air that blew through the van was welcomed. I might have fallen asleep except I was all too aware when a warm body pressed next to mine in the seat.

My heart galloped like his touch was the starting gun at the derby.

Why was he here? He was supposed to be riding with Sophia, at least according to the message she had me give him.

Unable to completely ignore him, I fiddled with my phone, activating my international calling plan so I could access the internet.

From there, I checked into the hotel with my app so I could use the smart key feature, avoiding the lines at the front desk. When I was done, I was adjusted to the cramped quarters next to Grant. He was sandwiched between Cal and me and had no choice but to be so close.

I stared out the window, ignoring the conversations around me. Introspection was key and I decided Cal’s words weren’t encouragement but advice. I could continue to be second-best, or I could decide I deserved better in all aspects of my life. And I did decide it was high time for me to put myself first, starting now.

When the van came to a stop, I ignored Grant’s hand to help me out. Though it was a nice gesture, touching him was a weakness I couldn’t indulge.

“Thanks,” I said in passing to soften the blow of my rebuke.

Then I walked briskly to the elevator, looking forward to taking off the confining uniform and watching a movie and falling asleep.

What I didn’t expect was a hand to stop the elevator doors from closing and Grant to step through when they opened again.

Tongue in cheek, I braced myself for him to say something, anything. Yet, he said nothing. Though I felt his burning gaze on me, I continued to look forward.

It wasn’t until the door opened on my floor, did he say, “We need to talk.”

That was when I noticed he hadn’t chosen a floor. It wasn’t inconceivable that his room was on the same floor, but the odds were against it. This hotel was one of the tallest buildings in the city.

“There’s nothing to say.” I exited with that remark, but I was dismayed when he appeared to follow me.

“There are some things we need to clear up.”

“Why? You don’t even like me. I heard your comment to your dad about me.”

He froze. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

I held my phone to the door and the lock disengaged. I spun around in the process of opening the door.

“I think I’m perfectly clear on your exact phasing—You think I’m interested in her? You don’t have to worry about that.”

It surprised me that I remembered it as if he’d said it ten minutes ago.