Playboy Pilot(64)

“I think that’s a very good idea. Why don’t you pick some up at the airport store in the morning, and since I’m heading back home tomorrow, I’ll be able to have Jack for our call tomorrow night.”

“Jack?”

“It’s my name for my little rabbit vibrator.”

“Did we just make a date to jack off together tomorrow night?”

I laughed softly. “I think we did.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I’m checked into my hotel.”

“Okay. That sounds good.”

Carter’s voice grew serious. “I love you, Kendall.”

“I love you, too, Captain. Four more days, and we’ll be together again.”

Four more days.





I WAS NEVER SO excited in my life.

I’d arrived at the airport three hours early even though I was taking a domestic flight, and Carter had booked me a first-class ticket that had its own line that always breezed through security. I couldn’t stop smiling. The little girl in front of me had on one of those black Mickey Mouse ear hats and could hardly keep still while her mother checked them in for their flight to Orlando. Her anticipation dulled in comparison to how I felt.

If everything went on schedule, I would be back in Carter’s arms in a little less than six hours. His flight was due to arrive an hour before mine, and he’d assured me the eager Captain would be landing his sweet ride on time.

Just being in the airport, seeing all the International Airlines’ uniforms that were similar to Carter’s, made me feel better than I had in days. It was pretty screwed up that the Dallas airport brought me more comfort and felt more like home than going to my real home this week did.

After I’d made my decision about what I was going to do, I decided not to share it with my mother. There was absolutely no good that could come of it. She would only put a damper on my excitement. I’d always known that my mother put finances toward the top of her priority list. I just didn’t want to believe that my happiness wasn’t above her desire to maintain a certain lifestyle. The last week had forced me to see things clearly for the first time. Or maybe I’d always seen her for what she was; I’d just chosen to turn a blind eye to it all.

Even though I didn’t admit to my mother that I’d made my decision, I think she knew. When I woke up this morning, I’d found a manila envelope on the dining room table with my name inked across it. Inside was a lengthy co-parenting agreement—one that spelled out that Carter had no legal financial claim to any of my or any future child’s inheritance. All I’d need to do was fill in Carter’s name and have him sign it. When Mom woke up around noon with her daily hangover, she’d find the envelope exactly where she’d politely left it for me. Except the agreement was sitting on top of the envelope, and it was also ripped in half. Figured I’d make my point a little less subtle than she did.

I stopped at a newsstand, picked up some magazines and snacks, and headed to my gate. There was a gaggle of flight attendants sitting across from me. I hated that I immediately wondered if Carter had slept with any of them. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him, because oddly enough, I completely did. But I found myself extremely territorial when it came to Carter. The thought of him being with anyone else caused an ache in my chest. Even though I knew it was ridiculous—we’d both been with other people—I couldn’t help feel that way.

The plane boarded almost a full hour before takeoff, which was always a good sign. I had priority boarding since I was in first class, yet I waited until the gate had almost completely emptied out before heading down the jetway to board.

I was sitting in row 2A, an aisle seat. Stowing my bag overhead, I quickly got myself organized and took my seat. I smiled at the woman next to me as I buckled. The flight attendant quickly came over to offer us a pre-flight drink. She glanced down at her cabin list. “Can I get you something, Ms. Sparks?”

“That would be great. I’ll take a glass of merlot.”

She then spoke to the passenger next to me. “How about you, Cass? Milk, water, orange juice?”

“I’ll take a water. Thanks, Lana.”

When I glanced over at my seatmate again, she offered an explanation. “I’m a flight attendant on this airline. Flying standby and was lucky enough to get the big seats.” She smiled.

I’d only had my wine for less than five minutes when the captain came over the loudspeaker and said we were going to push away from the gate. Needing something to calm my nerves for so many reasons, I guzzled down the full glass knowing the flight attendant would be by to collect it any second.