the curb into traffic, momentarily quiet. "If I didn't know better, I might think that you're trying to pick an argument with me. Have I ever begrudged you anything? Have I ever nit-picked your use of the credit cards that I've provided to you?"
"Of course not," I answer quickly. "I'm being totally sincere, Hayden. I'm not going to see you for a month, and I certainly don't want to part on a bad note."
He nods and the quiet envelops us once again.
As we pull into the busy airport access road he breaks the silence. "See that you behave yourself. I'll have people watching."
"Don't I always?" I ask, turning my gaze to look him squarely in the eye. "Haven't you always received stellar reports on my comings and goings during my holiday vacations?"
He gives me a sardonic smile that isn't without a hint of warning. "Yes my lovely, you've always behaved appropriately. Still, I feel the need to reiterate this with you. Blame my own insecurities. You're such a rare find that I want to make sure you're always mine."
"And I want to make sure of the same," I reply, taking my left hand and gently caressing his handsome cheek. "I aim to please."
And with that our conversation ends until we reach the short-term parking. He escorts me inside the terminal, making sure that I have my First-Class boarding pass for the seat that he's pre-selected for me. It is Seat 2A as always. Seat 2B will remain empty throughout this flight and my connecting one as well.
Hayden always makes it a point to purchase two adjoining seats in first class, not that he ever travels with me on these trips; he simply wants to make sure that no one sits next to me on these flights. He can't take the chance that it will be another man; one that might charm me away from him.
He hands me my carry-on and I lean in to kiss him once again on the lips as we reach the first class blow-through for security.
He pulls back quickly, not one for public affection. "Have a safe trip, Jade. I hope you enjoy your vacation."
"Happy holidays," I murmur, kissing him one final time and then watching him shift uncomfortably. "I'll miss you."
And with that, he turns on his heel and exits the terminal. I take a deep breath, and close my eyes momentarily, hoping like hell my plan is a good one.
Hopefully, if the gods are with me, and the plans I've put into motion months before are foolproof; I might choose not to return in January as expected. And if so, I will be free of Hayden Barringer the second's possessive and controlling nature for good.
God willing.
Chapter 1
I stretch out languidly on the padded chaise that I claimed just outside my cabana at the Bay Breeze Resort in San Pedro. The location is perfect; the white-sand beach is pristine and located near a gorgeous barrier reef. The warm, sunny, salt-kissed breeze ripples soothingly through my hair.
I prop a leg up, lowering my sunglasses as I gaze down the long stretch of deserted beach. This is Day Three. This is the day.
Now what?
Why am I so uptight, so nervous?
I know the reason. Taking risks isn't in my nature. I've convinced myself that personal and financial security are at the top of my hierarchy of needs. After all, my mother literally died so that I would have financial security and now that I do, why in the hell am I walking a tightrope, in stilettos, over it?
Because it's not enough, and it's never been enough and I'm tired of rationalizing that it is, and that it should be.
It's why I carefully crafted a plan of my own for this holiday vacation. It has taken months, but every piece has fallen into place just the way it was supposed to.
Let's rewind, shall we?
I met Janett back in the summer at the country club. Yes, Hayden makes sure that I have a membership at his club, which I know sounds extremely generous, but you have to understand, he spends a great deal of time there in the summer. He plays golf and tennis, watches his youngest child's swim meets, and then there are the poker games in the
"Of course not," I answer quickly. "I'm being totally sincere, Hayden. I'm not going to see you for a month, and I certainly don't want to part on a bad note."
He nods and the quiet envelops us once again.
As we pull into the busy airport access road he breaks the silence. "See that you behave yourself. I'll have people watching."
"Don't I always?" I ask, turning my gaze to look him squarely in the eye. "Haven't you always received stellar reports on my comings and goings during my holiday vacations?"
He gives me a sardonic smile that isn't without a hint of warning. "Yes my lovely, you've always behaved appropriately. Still, I feel the need to reiterate this with you. Blame my own insecurities. You're such a rare find that I want to make sure you're always mine."
"And I want to make sure of the same," I reply, taking my left hand and gently caressing his handsome cheek. "I aim to please."
And with that our conversation ends until we reach the short-term parking. He escorts me inside the terminal, making sure that I have my First-Class boarding pass for the seat that he's pre-selected for me. It is Seat 2A as always. Seat 2B will remain empty throughout this flight and my connecting one as well.
Hayden always makes it a point to purchase two adjoining seats in first class, not that he ever travels with me on these trips; he simply wants to make sure that no one sits next to me on these flights. He can't take the chance that it will be another man; one that might charm me away from him.
He hands me my carry-on and I lean in to kiss him once again on the lips as we reach the first class blow-through for security.
He pulls back quickly, not one for public affection. "Have a safe trip, Jade. I hope you enjoy your vacation."
"Happy holidays," I murmur, kissing him one final time and then watching him shift uncomfortably. "I'll miss you."
And with that, he turns on his heel and exits the terminal. I take a deep breath, and close my eyes momentarily, hoping like hell my plan is a good one.
Hopefully, if the gods are with me, and the plans I've put into motion months before are foolproof; I might choose not to return in January as expected. And if so, I will be free of Hayden Barringer the second's possessive and controlling nature for good.
God willing.
Chapter 1
I stretch out languidly on the padded chaise that I claimed just outside my cabana at the Bay Breeze Resort in San Pedro. The location is perfect; the white-sand beach is pristine and located near a gorgeous barrier reef. The warm, sunny, salt-kissed breeze ripples soothingly through my hair.
I prop a leg up, lowering my sunglasses as I gaze down the long stretch of deserted beach. This is Day Three. This is the day.
Now what?
Why am I so uptight, so nervous?
I know the reason. Taking risks isn't in my nature. I've convinced myself that personal and financial security are at the top of my hierarchy of needs. After all, my mother literally died so that I would have financial security and now that I do, why in the hell am I walking a tightrope, in stilettos, over it?
Because it's not enough, and it's never been enough and I'm tired of rationalizing that it is, and that it should be.
It's why I carefully crafted a plan of my own for this holiday vacation. It has taken months, but every piece has fallen into place just the way it was supposed to.
Let's rewind, shall we?
I met Janett back in the summer at the country club. Yes, Hayden makes sure that I have a membership at his club, which I know sounds extremely generous, but you have to understand, he spends a great deal of time there in the summer. He plays golf and tennis, watches his youngest child's swim meets, and then there are the poker games in the
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