Page 71

Elliott

The sun has fully risen as we land safely back on the ground. Although they did make the flight more enjoyable, I still exit the plane and all but kiss the solid pavement floor when my feet finally hit the runway.

There’s a tall woman standing in front of an all black SUV.

She is in a black dress suit with a matching fitted shirt underneath, along with a pair of chunky loafers.

Her pale strawberry blonde hair is waved out beautifully and it frames her freckled face and piercing blue-green eyes effortlessly.

She has one hand holding a drink carrier of coffees and the other holding what looks like dry cleaning.

“Mr. Sinclair.” She nods to Hunter, “Mr. Flores.” Another nod to Marcus before her eyes land on mine. She eyes me through slitted lids, “And this is…” Her words draw out as we ge t closer. I pull my sweater down and try to flatten any wrinkles I might have made during the flight.

She looks so chic and beautiful while I’m here with no make-up, hair in a bun, and wearing loungewear. I’ve never been one to feel out of sorts but she looks flawless. I feel uneasy in this state.

“Fuck yes, coffee.” Marcus takes the cup from her.

Hunter slides his hand in mine, “This is Ms.–”

“Elliott.” I extend my hand to her. She eyes Hunter and I before shaking it.

“Welcome, Elliott. I’m Ms. Beaufort, but you can call me Kelly.”

“Thank you, it’s nice to meet you Kelly.”

“Likewise Elliott.” She scans Hunter and Marcus for a moment, “Mr. Sinclair had me pick up some outfits for you. I hope you like what I chose. He gave me some ideas to run off of.”

I look up at him, wondering what he told her I might like but he’s pulled out his phone and is tapping away with one hand.

He knew I was uncomfortable with the clothes I brought and asked her to have something ready for me.

I blush at the idea that he went out of his way to make me feel comfortable.

I take the garment bags from her, draping them over my forearm, “Thank you, Kelly. I’m sure whatever you picked is perfect, I mean look at how you’re dressed. You look amazing.”

She turns to Hunter, “I like her.” She teases with a smile as she pushes some of her hair behind her ear.

“Don’t we all?” Marcus chimes in with a clear tone of sarcasm.

“Mr. Flores,” Kelly turns to him, grabbing his arm and pulling him away, “I have to brief you on the specs IT found.”

“I briefed myself on the flight.”

“I’m talking about the IT members, not just the coding and hard drives.”

A pang of jealousy shoots through me as I watch her hold his arm.

I don’t have a claim on him. Even if we have had sex, it doesn't mean we’re together.

Marcus doesn’t want to be with me like that, he has yet to say a word about what we are.

So why am I jealous of a woman he’s obviously known well before me, holding his arm like that?

“It’s just Kelly.” Hunter says, his hand coming to my chin, pulling my focus. My eyes find his, “She’s like that with all of us. She is a part of the messed up and chaotic family we’ve cultivated.”

“Oh. I wasn’t–”

“Jealous?” He raises his brows with a playful– I know exactly what you’re thinking– grin.

“I have no right to be jealous.” I straighten my posture, “Marcus hasn’t said he wanted a relationship with me.”

“Elliott.”

“It’s okay, Hunter. I don’t want to ruin anything. I will take what he can give me.”

“He cares, El. ”

“Yeah, I just care a lot more for some reason. I have to come to terms with that.” Hunter’s mouth parts like he wants to say something, but Kelly arrives before he can.

“Mr. Sinclair, will we be stopping at the house first to change before we head into the office?”

“No need, we can change here. Elliott, you can change in the room in the back of the plane. Marcus and I will change in the seating area.” He’s facing me again, nudging his chin to the back of the plane.

“As long as it’s not taking off with me in it. I’ve had enough air time today.”

“Oh come on, it wasn’t too bad. We helped take your mind off it didn’t we?” He winks at me.

“Shh.” I whisper at him. My stomach flutters to life as I remember how they touched me, looked at me, and made me feel. My cheeks heat up and I speed walk to the plane, not wanting Kelly to see me frazzled.

I shut the door of the small room, hanging the garments up on the back of the door.

I unzip each one to see what my options are.

There are only three, given this is such a short trip.

The first one I open is a satin dress in a blue so deep it looks like the midnight sky.

I immediately know I won’t need that one for an office visit.

The next two are a bit more on the casual side, not leggings and t-shirt, but a more put together ensemble.

I go with the one that has emerald green loose fitting pants, a burnt orange tank bodysuit and checkered oversized blazer.

To think Hunter gave her these outfit ideas for me.

I’m buckling the belt that was added when a knock comes from the other side of the door. “It’s me, Kelly.” .

“Come in.” I’m lacing the belt through as she enters the room.

“Ugh, that looks amazing on you. What do you think?” She’s holding two boxes and a bag over her shoulder.

“I love”, I say, looking in the thin mirror mounted on the wall next to the bed. “I’ve found that I do enjoy a colorful outfit.”

I run my hands over the dark green pants, thinking about how different it is compared to the wardrobe I had in Everton. How it was all shades of beige and white, I didn’t get a choice on what I wore other than the options provided for me by the Donovans.

“Well, those colors suit you. They really make those eyes pop!” she says, emphasizing the last word.

“I came to bring you these,” She hands me two boxes, “Shoes, two options. One is heels, another is boots. There are socks in the boots box.” I grab them, instantly going for the boots option and placing the heels on the bed.

“How did I just know you were gonna go with those?” She smiles.

I slide the socks and boots on thinking that she was going to leave, but she just stands there, waiting until I’m done.

“Another thing.” She says “I brought you some toiletries, minimal make-up, hair stuff, etc, etc.” She takes the bag off of her shoulder and gives it to me.

“I’ll give you a bit in case you want to use any of that.

Just leave your things on the bed, the crew will have it cleaned up and delivered to the house while we’re at HKM. ”

“Thank you Kelly, for all of this.”

“No problem.” She gives me a kind smile before closing the door behind her.

I look through the items in the bag, seeing various make-up items and tools.

I opt for a quick and fresh look. I haven’t worn this since Everton and I wanted to look nice, not just for Hunter and Marcus but for myself as well.

I hurry through the steps, finishing off with a nice lip stain.

I toss my hair up into a cute controlled messy bun and I take one more look at myself in the mirror before heading to meet everyone outside.

I reach the stairs of the plane, seeing Kelly talk with Marcus and Hunter by the SUV. I make my descent, eyes on each stair. But when I take a glance up to them again halfway down, they’re all staring at me. Hunter comes to my side, hand extended to help me the rest of the way down.

He leans down, kissing me on the cheek, “Fucking breathtaking, baby girl.” He whispers into my ear before he pulls away. My cheeks warm again at his compliment. His hand lands on my lower back, thumb caressing on the fabric of my blazer.

Marcus’s eyes burn into me as we come to join him and Kelly, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows hard.

He doesn’t say anything but keeps his eyes on me.

Hunter opens my door and I slide onto the comfortable seats.

He joins me in the back while Marcus climbs into the driver's seat and Kelly takes the passenger’s.

“Off to HKM we go.” Hunter says as Marcus starts the car.