was the expected surprise, a small flash of worry, but it was all replaced with his signature carefree, boyish smile that made his eyes brighten.
"I do adore a powerful woman," he told me, making my eyes roll.
"Isn't it rude not to introduce me to your assistant?" I asked.
"Alvy is going to spend most of the flight in the cabin."
"To get away from you?" I teased.
"Most likely, yes," he told me as Alvy did, indeed, disappear into the cabin, shutting the door.
"Hey, I don't want to get it wrong. Alvy...—" I started, not sure how to ask, what was PC, how to broach a potentially sensitive topic.
"Alvy is non-binary."
"Which means I should..."
"Use they/them pronouns," he told me. "And don't ask about body parts, or who they like sexually."
"Right," I agreed, nodding. "Because it is ever appropriate to ask someone if they are hiding a penis or vagina in their pants. Or ask if they like to suck dick or eat pussy."
The way I phrased that was a test, wanting to see how he responded to dirty words. As much as porn wanted us all to believe every man liked foul-mouthed women in bed, there were a lot of men who didn't like women who used those kinds of words.
I watched as Fenway's eyes got just a tiny bit bigger, surprised, before they smoldered as he turned, leaning forward like he was going to share a secret with me.
"In case you were wondering," he started, lips curving up devilishly, "I like to eat pussy."
It was my turn to have my eyes widen, to feel the smolder.
Because I hadn't expected him to repeat it.
I don't know why.
His fine breeding, his likely prep school education, the fact that he was so boyish that it was a little hard to imagine very grown man words coming out of his mouth.
Whatever it was, I didn't expect it.
Nor did I expect the impact of the words.
Namely, the tightening between my legs, the deep longing, the way my heartbeat tripped into overdrive.
It wasn't just the word.
Nope.
It was the smooth, confident, sexy way he said it.
I knew right that moment that not only did he like doing it, that he was probably amazing at it too.
Damnit.
"Joy," Fenway called, addressing the flight attendant. "I think our guest could use a stiff drink," he called, lips quirked up, making it clear his emphasis was purposeful.
He knew I did want something stiff.
But it damn sure wasn't a drink.
"It's fine," I called. "I'm not thirsty," I added through my cottonmouth.
"Oh," Fenway said, eyes bright, voice low, sexier than it had any right to be, "I think you are thirsty. Should I tell Joy exactly what it is you are thirsty for?" he asked, eyes daring me.
Oh, damn him.
He was not going to be as easy a target as I originally thought.
Who the hell would have thought that superficial, troublesome Fenway Arlington would have layers?
I should have known.
"Pink champagne," I told him, watching as his brows furrowed.
"Pink champagne?"
"Yes. I like pink champagne."
"Like from An Affair to Remember?"
"How do you know that movie?"
"Everyone knows that movie."
"I literally know one person who knows that movie," I told him. And Raven only knew it because I made her watch it. She wasn't a classic movie fan; she preferred romantic dramas.
"Those uncultured swine," he said, chuckling. "I enjoy classic movies. My grandmother used to have me watch them with her."
Ugh.
Damn him again.
I certainly didn't plan on having anything in common with the man.
"Who do you like more. Audrey or Katherine Hepburn?" I asked, wanting to prove he wasn't as into it as he was saying.
"They both have their merits. But you have to love Katherine. That was a powerhouse of a woman."
Damn him once more.
I always preferred Katherine. And not just because of her realist forward-thinking, feminist views in real life. I loved her cool confidence in her roles, the elegant way she spoke.
"Clark Gable or Jimmy Stewart?"
"Cary Grant. Obviously."
"Why obviously?"
"The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, To Catch A Thief, An Affair to Remember."
"You have a thing for romance movies," he concluded, making my stomach drop. I never would say that. I would never think that. But faced with my own admission, no other conclusion could be drawn, could it?
"I like all sorts of classic movies. Most of them happen to have a love story attached."
"Fair enough. So, are you not the least bit curious as to where we are heading?"
"I imagined you would inform me eventually."
"Have you ever been to Gianyar?"
"Seeing as I have never heard of