Page 145 of Kentrell

He pulled into a sleek parking area beside the hangar. The engine cut off. Then he looked at me like he’d been waiting to see this exact expression on my face.

“You said you wanted to disappear for the weekend, right?”

I couldn’t stop smiling. My hand slid from his cheek to the back of his neck, pulling him in just enough for our foreheads to touch.

“I was already happy,” I whispered. “Now I don’t even know what to call this.”

He kissed my forehead, lingering there. “Call it whatever you want, long as you know it’s real.”

A knock at the window startled us both. One of the hangar staff, dressed in all black, gave Kentrell a nod.

He pulled back slowly, eyes still on me as he popped the driver’s door open. “Let’s go, ma.”

I sat there a second longer, dazed, then finally climbed out, smoothing my clothes and tucking my hair behind my ears. The wind caught my coat as I stepped around to meet him, the buzz of the jet in the distance making it all feel surreal.

When he reached for my hand again, I gave it to him—no hesitation.

And as we walked toward the open hangar doors, the private jet waiting just beyond them, one thought looped in my mind, over and over:

This man is gonna change everything.

The steps folded down smooth and slow as we approached, like the jet was welcoming us aboard. Welcomingmeinto a world I’d only brushed against, never fully stepped into.

Kentrell let go of my hand just long enough to guide me up the stairs, one hand resting lightly on the small of my back. I swear I could still feel it there, even after he moved away to greet the crew with a nod.

Inside, everything smelled like polished leather and expensive silence.

Cream seating. Dark wood finishes. Gold hardware. A bottle of champagne already chilling on the counter. A blanket and pillow waiting near one of the cabin chairs like someone had taken the time to think about comfortbeforewe ever walked in.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Caldwell,” the flight attendant said politely, but with familiarity. She nodded at me with a soft smile. “Miss.”

The heels on my boots clicked lightly against the floor as I turned in a slow circle, taking it all in.

“Oh my God,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone.

“You good?” Kentrell asked behind me, that damn smirk coloring his voice again.

I turned to face him, hands clasped together in front of me just to keep them from shaking. “Good? Kentrell, this is insane.”

“Nah.” He stepped in closer, dipping his head near mine. “This is what you deserve.”

His words made my stomach flutter.

Before I could respond, the flight attendant returned. “We’re cleared to depart. Wheels up in ten.”

He nodded and gestured toward the plush leather seats that faced each other in the center of the cabin. “Go on. Get comfortable.”

I slid into one, kicking my boots off as discreetly as possible, still caught somewhere between grace and giddy disbelief. He sat across from me, legs spread, forearms resting on his knees as he watched me settle in.

“So,” I said, trying to keep my composure. “Where exactly are we going?”

He leaned back, one brow raised, lips twitching at the corners.

“Somewhere we can really disappear.”

I didn’t ask again.

Didn’t need to.

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