Page 29 of Ace of Swords

Chapter Ten

Ialways adored flying.

Ever since I was a little boy and took my first plane ride with my parents to visit my granddad across the country. Taking a peek in the cockpit, seeing all the gauges and controls, the cool pilots who knew how to use those instruments, quickly calculating the data to keep a five hundred ton machine flying through the air, was thrilling.

Now, as an adult and VP of Montalla Industries, I was enjoying the finer aspects of flying, specifically flying business class, internationally. The service and luxury werealmostenough to stop me from thinking about the operations behind the cockpit door. And Wi-Fi on board allowed me to shoot off some emails for work. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

My travel companion disagreed. “Rolland, we’re flying 35,000 miles above the earth and you’re still typing away on that stupid computer. Could you relax already?” she said as she snapped my laptop closed.

Beautiful Tatiana looked down disapprovingly at me. That little scowl just made her cuter, but I didn’t dare say that to her. “If I work now, I’ll have more time to play when we land,” I said. I reached up to her neck and brought her mouth down to mine, kissing her and tasting her cherry lip gloss.

She settled into her seat, picking up a glass of champagne and nibbling on the charcuterie platter she'd ordered. Suddenly she gathered the cashmere throw over her lap and let out a little squeal. “Who am I kidding, it's not like I'm relaxed at all, either!” she yelled, and I laughed and kissed her again to quiet her down. “I mean, five months ago my father threatened to disown me if I flew to South Africa, and here we are, business class to Cape Town, with his blessing!”

It hadn’t been easy convincing Sergio to allow Tatiana to take this trip. When she'd received an email from her professor telling her a team member in Cape Town had dropped out and her expertise was needed, I knew I had to try. It took a lot of cajoling to get Sergio to agree.

When I'd uncovered Marcus’s deception, we'd then discovered a host of undesirable characters had been connected to the Montalla Industries for years. Sergio was badly shaken, and his increased distrust made him even more protective of Tatiana. She’d been taking it easy on her father, considering all that had happened to his business recently. Sergio considered Marcus to be family, and his betrayal nearly broke him.

But I could tell Tatiana was getting antsy, and it was only a matter of time before she started acting out from frustration. The timing was perfect for Tatiana to spread her wings, to show Sergio that she was an adult and could take care of herself. It was best for both of them.

I laid out my argument to Sergio several times. I even made a handy flowchart, and I think that’s what finally got him on board. When he finally agreed, it was with one caveat: I had to tag along and make sure nothing happened to his little girl.

How could I say no?

So I was flying to South Africa with Tatiana, and she was right, my emails could wait. I tucked my laptop away and turned to her, brushing back her hair so I could see her megawatt smile as she looked out the window at the darkened sky. “What are you most looking forward to once we land?” I asked. I couldn’t get enough of this beautiful woman, and her excitement for this trip was contagious.

“It’ll take me a while to get up to speed with the rest of the team, but once I’m caught up, I’m really looking forward to being part of something. I want to get my hands dirty in the field, have a goal for once and be part of a solution that will make a difference in people’s lives. I can barely stand it.” She was practically squealing again, but I didn’t have the heart to quiet her. It was a thrill to see her so happy.

“Unfortunately I think it’ll be a couple of days before I meet up with Professor Hicks and the team,” she said, her mood suddenly more subdued.

“Why’s that?” I asked.

“Jet lag, Rolland,” she replied, turning her body to me and stroking my cheek. She continued in a whisper, “I’m the worst. I’ll need to spend at least twenty-four hours in bed. Probably naked. Would you keep me company?”

I swallowed hard, recognizing that look in her eyes. I lifted the wide armrest between us, scooting a little closer. “That sounds terribly boring, Tatiana,” I played along. “Hours like that in bed, with nothing to do.”

“I’ll bet we could find things to do,” she whispered, hot breath on my face. I was suddenly aware of her beautiful long legs poking out beneath the cashmere throw over her lap. I glanced down her shirt, spied the swell of her breasts rising and falling faster. I ached to touch Tatiana’s skin, and I didn’t know if I could wait until we got to our hotel in Cape Town.

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