Page 14 of Too Fast To Fall
He took her passport and consulted a list, then pressed the button for the gate. “You can park in the covered parking lot.The plane is ready to go.”
Ahead was a silver-and-black unmarked plane. Could it really be this simple? “Is it going to be okay if I leave my car herefor almost five weeks?”
He nodded. “It’s no problem, ma’am.”
“Wow. Okay. Thank you.” Piper parked her car, then pulled out her bags and started across the tarmac. The warm night air blewher hair from her face, and she had a sense her life was about to change. Part of her wished she’d had a little advance notice,but she knew herself—if she’d had time, she might’ve talked herself out of it.
Ahead, a young man in a polo shirt and khakis stood at the bottom of the boarding stairs.
“Hi.” Piper waved to him as she approached.
“You must be the dog nanny. We’re expecting you.”
Piper looked down at herself, wondering what about her dress or looks or demeanor read as “dog nanny.” “That’s me.”
“Leave your large bag. We’ll stow it for you. Have a good flight.”
Piper climbed the stairs. She’d only flown a few times in her life, but she could definitely get used to traveling like this.Not having to go through security was a serious plus. When she reached the top of the stairs, she nearly got mowed over byGus.
“Hey, buddy.” She scratched behind his ears as he thumped his tail against a first-row aisle seat and she attempted to backhim down the aisle. “Come on. We need to go sit down.”
She looked up and saw Emilio approaching. For a moment, she forgot to breathe. He looked different in civilian clothes—a blacklong-sleeve Mega Racing T-shirt and a pair of jeans. His hair looked damp, like he’d just taken a shower. His dark brown eyesswirled with the intensity she found intimidating. And also more than a bit intoxicating. But she’d have to ignore this. Shehad a very well-paying job to do. She had to be as professional as possible.
“Gus, come. Calm down.” Emilio tugged on Gus’s collar. “I know you’re excited to see Piper, but we need to sit so the planecan leave.”
She took a step down the aisle and spotted Isabel, who was seated a few rows back. “Hey, Piper. I’m happy to hear you’ll betaking care of Gus. It’ll sure make my life easier.”
“Happy to help.” Behind Isabel were at least two dozen people dotting the pairs of seats on either side of the aisle. Theyincluded Mega team members she recognized from watching the races on TV. Near the back of the plane, it was impossible tomiss very tall Xander Bishop, Emilio’s teammate, who was seated on the aisle. Next to him, Piper’s new friend, Mia, poppedup from her seat and waved. Piper was at a total loss for words. She’d stepped through a portal to an entirely new world.She simply waved back at Mia.
“Everyone, this is Piper. She’ll be taking care of Gus through the Monaco Grand Prix,” Emilio said.
A low chorus of “Hi, Piper” broke out.
“We’re toward the back.” Emilio gestured with a nod. “You can sit here.”
Piper eased into a seat on the aisle while Emilio sat across from her. Gus jumped up in the window seat next to her. “Oh.Hello, Gus. Is it okay if he’s up here?”
“Yes. I know he’s spoiled.”
Piper had seen more than her fair share of spoiled dogs. Gus didn’t really seem like that to her. “He’s family. I get it.”Gus tried to sneak his head under the armrest, so Piper raised it. He promptly flopped down and put his head in Piper’s lap.
Emilio slowly shook his head. “I’ve never seen him like this.” His deeply tempting eyes turned even darker. He pushed up thesleeves of his shirt to his elbows, showing off his tawny skin, perfect forearms and what was probably a stupidly expensivewatch. “He’s in love with you. I think I’m jealous.”
Piper’s cheeks plumed with heat and she found it more than a little difficult to breathe. Emilio was so sexy, it defied explanation.She would’ve sworn he’d been created in a lab, except that she’d already seen a few of his more human moments. “He can tellI’m a dog person.”
“I’m a dog person. I’mhisdog person.”
Piper looked down at Gus and stroked his head. He started snoring. She laughed quietly and her vision was drawn back to Emilio,who gazed at his dog with nothing short of pure affection.
“Good evening, folks,” came a voice over the loudspeaker. “This is your captain. Looks like we’ve got smooth air running toLondon. A little less than nine hours flying time, so we’ll turn off the lights so you all can get some sleep. Plenty of blanketsand pillows back there. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight.”
The cabin lights dimmed, and the plane began to taxi. A flight attendant appeared and offered Piper a blanket and pillow.“You can recline after takeoff,” she said. Gus snuggled closer and Piper threaded her fingers through his soft fur. She glancedat Emilio. His eyes were closed, his hands folded across his lap. He looked peaceful. Untroubled. Which was nice since hehadnotbeen like that earlier. Quite the contrary.
She settled her head back against the seat and peered out the window as the plane took flight. The flickering lights of Miamiand the eastern coast of Florida came into view, then slowly faded away. Somewhere down there was her family. The life she’dhad just hours ago. The one where she was lonely and at least a little unhappy, but still thankful for everything she had.She hoped she’d made the right choice. She hoped Gabby wouldn’t be too pissed off, and she hoped her parents would understandher decision once she’d had a chance to explain. She hoped working for Emilio ended up being a good thing. There were morethan a few hints that it might end up being stressful. Awkward. Difficult. She hoped that wouldn’t be the case.Hopehopehope.Probably too many hopes.
Because the truth was there were no guarantees. Of anything. And she couldn’t do anything about it now. She was on the plane,heading off into the great unknown.
Four
