SEVENTEEN

I step onto the jet and wink at the salesman.

"Where is Mr. Cullen?" I ask him.

"He's looking at first-class, upstairs," the man motions to a flight of stairs toward the front of the plane, "Mr. Cullen enjoys touring the aircraft alone."

"Probably so he can feel his own freaking wealth quietly," I mutter as I climb the small flight of stairs.

I walk down a corridor toward what I presume is the front of the plane. The seats recline into bed, there are screens on the backs of headrests that look more expensive than my TV, and the smell of fresh leather assaults my nostrils. This is a brand new plane.

I spot Edward examining one of the exit doors and smile.

"I always hate sitting in the seats closest to the emergency door," I say.

He jumps slightly turning to face me, shocked to see me.

"It's so much pressure," I continue, "If you agree to sit near the door you have to assist and make sure everyone gets out safely. It's heavy and it's something you've never had to do before. It's kind of like being asked to fall in love with someone."

"What are you doing here?" he asks.

"Helping my CEO boyfriend pick out a plane for his fancy airline," I say, "this one is nice."

"It would be a fleet," he smirks at me, "for long haul flights."

"Would it go to Greece?" I ask smiling at him.

"That's is about a 15-hour flight," he shrugs, "it could be one of the planes. Thinking of booking?"

"Oh no. This airline lost my luggage," I shake my head inspecting one of the chairs, "and the CEO can be super cranky. But I guess that doesn't matter."

"Why is that?" Edward crosses his arms.

"I've fallen in love with him," I smile at him.

He moves to walk to me, and I allow him to take me into his arms, holding me close to his chest.

"I'm so sorry for my reaction," he kisses my temple, "I just jumped to conclusions. I've felt crappy about it all day, I just wanted to completely cool off before I apologised."

"You were caught off guard. I was going to tell you when we had a moment alone," I say, "I wish you told me loved me in a setting that was a little more romantic."

"Me too," he huffs, "but the words just slipped out."

"I'm glad they did," I whisper, "no man has said it to me before."

"I love you," he smiles widely, "every inch of you. No one has had my back like you and I know I shouldn't have reacted as I did. We're a team now and you have my back. I trust you."

My heartbeat increases with every sweet word he speaks.

"I don't think she'll bother us. She's going to be busy," I smile.

"What did you do?" he raises an eyebrow.

"I told her you still love her so that when the two men she's been seeing both accuse her of affairs she'll seem as if she did all of this behind your back while you were still in love with her," I grin, "while you fly me in your fancy new plane to Greece."

"Where in Greece are we going?" he chuckles.

"It doesn't matter," I lean up to kiss him quickly, "My focus from here on out is you getting to build the life you deserve."

"That life better have you in it," he pulls my hips into his.

"Does the plane need to be in the sky?" I ask him.

"For what?" he shakes his head.

"The mile-high club," I step back tugging on his hand toward what I presume is the bathroom.

"No. This way," he smiles pulling me in the opposite direction.

"Why?" I laugh.

"The cockpit is this way," he grins wickedly.


"In a cockpit?" Alice gasps, whispering to me while Edward and Jasper order our drinks.

I hush her laughing, taking her hand in mine. I'd suggested a double date after she freaked out at me that Jasper didn't want anything more than what they had going on. I thought Edward and I behaving like a couple might inspire Jasper.

Edward had agreed to help out offering to nudge Jasper toward commitment in his own way.

"What position can you even do in the cockpit?" her nose scrunches.

"I rode him. They have chairs in there," I shrug, "the sales guy waiting for us totally knew what we did. We walked downstairs hand in hand and Edward was just so cool. He purchased five for his company. They go into service in three months once they're rebranded and the crew is taught to use it."

"Look at you," Alice laughs, "a real CEO's girlfriend."

"How are things with Jasper," I motion to the guys who are laughing at the football game on the TV above the bar.

"Okay, I guess. Nothing has really progressed," she sighs, "I really like him, Bella. I'm never like this with guys. If they don't want me I don't waste my time."

"Do you want me to speak with him?" I offer.

"God no," she shakes her head, "I can do it. I just need to come up with the correct way to say it."

"Start by saying hey... can we be exclusive? Please don't sleep with anyone else," I shrug, "I'm fairly certain he isn't anyway."

"I want to lay down the law," she huffs, "but I'm scared it will scare him off."

"He's a man Alice," I say, "They're simple creatures."

"Are we?" Edward appears beside me offering me my wine.

"Very," I kiss his cheek thanking him, "simply handsome."

"Nice save," Jasper smirks.

"Let's find a booth or a table," Edward suggests.

"Actually," Alice pipes up, "I just need to chat with Jazz super quick. We'll find you after."

I glance at her, silently wishing her good luck as I pull Edward away. His hand stays firm in mine as we find somewhere to take a seat. As we sit in the booth, his arm goes around me easily, tugging me into his body.

"I hope they figure it out. They'd make a sweet couple," Edward says, "that's the issue with friends with benefits. It's hard to know when to call it more than that."

"Alice is a catch. If he lets her go, he is ridiculous," I roll my eyes.

Edward watches me carefully.

"I saw some interesting news today," he says, "A man came out claiming a woman came to his clinic and extorted him into implanting eggs that didn't have her husband's consent. Then she tried to proposition him for sex so she could frame her husband. The husband's lawyer is looking into it."

"Oh really?" I laugh.

"You really have been busy keeping her busy," he smirks, "she didn't even call me when she was served earlier today. Guess she was trying to defend herself from allegations that she slept with a doctor while simultaneously refusing to comment on allegations about a second relationship with some guy named... Was it Jimmy?"

"Close enough," I laugh.

"The divorce will be final after next week," he smiles, "thanks to this her father has insisted we speed things along, take me out of the picture so that they can deal with damage control internally."

"Oh that's a shame," I smile, "Alice already sent that journalist the images of her with James and the name of the nurse who saw her with the doctor."

"Opps," Edward chuckles.

"Bella," Alice races toward us gasping, "you have to see this now."

"Did things go bad with Jasper?" I ask concerned.

"She exposed you," Alice passes me her phone.

"That bitch," I scream.


Thanks for reading.