Thankfully, he didn’t continue the line of questioning. He took my hand, linking his fingers through mine. I looked down at our clasped palms.
Hadrian did not strike me as one who enjoyed public displays of affection, but maybe this wasn’t that at all. Maybe this was nothing more than a show of possession, of command.
He stalked toward the exit of The Rex Hotel with me in tow. A doorman opened the door and we stepped out into the cool Manhattan air.
A driver in a chauffeur uniform waited by an idling Rolls. With a nod from Hadrian, the driver opened the back door and then took my suitcase to store it. Hadrian gestured for me to get in first.
The reality of the situation dawned on me and panic hit me hard and fast in the chest. My instincts screamed to escape.
It was as if Hadrian knew how I was feeling because when he climbed in next to me, he placed his hand on my thigh. I could feel his touch through the designer jeans I was wearing, his body warm and solid next to me.
The door closed and then Hadrian whispered, “Easy.”
I felt like a spooked horse, but when Hadrian wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me toward him, I gave up the fight of appearing sure of myself and my convictions. I leaned against him, pressed my nose to the collar of his shirt, and closed my eyes, attempting to battle back the feelings of what-the-fuckery.
“Are you having second thoughts?” His voice was sinful velvet, a caress in the dark.
I kept my cheek to his chest but managed to look out the window. I thought of how to answer him. I wasn’t having second thoughts. Not at all. I was afraid of what he made me feel. I settled for giving him something truthful. Something that wouldn’t cost me a lot.
“I’ve never been out of the country.”
“Never?”
I shook my head.
“Ah, now I understand. That was the real reason you said yes to me. You want to be an international woman of mystery.”
A companionable silence fell between us as we drove out of the city. He didn’t seem inclined to want me to move, and at the moment I was comforted by his strength.
We arrived directly on the airport tarmac and my breath caught in my throat when I saw a private jet that was sleek, powerful, and the epitome of wealth.
“Okay, that’s twice the size of the one I flew on to get to the city.” I gaped.
“It’s even more impressive on the inside,” he assured me. “It took two years to build, but it was worth the wait.”
I gawked at him. “This is your jet? Yours. This one isn’t from a charter service?”
“I only charter jets for people when I’m not flying with them. Otherwise we take mine.”
I swallowed. “A million dollars really isn’t anything to you, is it?”
“Does that mean you’re impressed?”
“Impressed? No. Overwhelmed, yes.”
We got out of the car and he escorted me toward the jet’s stairs, his hand riding my hip. I gripped the railing and boarded the plane. When I got inside, I held my breath. It was light wood and white leather, very much the opposite of old-world luxury. It was modern and utilitarian. I suddenly understood something about Hadrian. Though he was wealthy and money was no object, his taste wasn’t flashy or gaudy.
Immediately up the stairs was a station for the flight crew. Past that was a small dining area with a sophisticated table on each side of the aisle and chairs across from one another, one facing forward, and one facing rearward so that people were seated as though they were having dinner at a fine dining restaurant.
I stepped toward the first section of the plane.
“Take this one,” he said softly, gesturing to an elegant white leather seat near one of the windows. “You can look out as we fly.”
I glanced at him and smiled. “Thank you.”
He took the seat across from me on the other side of the table and pressed a button to raise the sun slats over our windows.
While we were getting situated, a flight attendant approached from the front of the aircraft.
“Good morning, Mr. Rhys,” she greeted. Her gaze slid to mine and she smiled. “Good morning, Ms. Smith.”
“Good morning,” I murmured.
She was beautiful. A glossy haired brunette with an hourglass figure wearing a vintage blue dress with white piping and pumps. It added to