Page 54 of Making It Burn

I’d done this.I’d reduced us to colleagues, to professional distance, to sitting side by side and pretending we didn’t know what each other tasted like.

The plane picked up speed, and Beau’s hand gripped the armrest between us.His knuckles were white.

“You okay?”I asked.

“Fine.I just don’t love takeoffs.”

Without thinking, I covered his hand with mine.

Beau’s head snapped toward me, his eyes wide.

“Sorry,” I said, but I didn’t move my hand.“I just—you looked uncomfortable.”

“I am uncomfortable.But not because of the takeoff.”

The plane lifted off the runway, and Beau’s fingers tightened under mine.We stayed like that as Richmond disappeared beneath us, as the seatbelt sign dinged off.Neither of us spoke.Neither of us moved.

Finally, Beau pulled his hand away.

“Thanks,” he mumbled.

“Anytime.”

“Mason, we can’t—”

“I know.Colleagues.Professional.”I turned back to the window.“I got it.”

* * *

The flight was interminable.

Derek came by three more times—once with drinks, once with snacks, and once more just to “check if we needed anything.”Each time, he gave Beau that megawatt smile, and each time, something hot and possessive flared in my chest.

I had no right to feel possessive.But watching someone else flirt with him made me want to tear that wall down with my bare hands.

“Here you go,” Derek said, handing Beau a cup of coffee.“I made it extra strong.You look like you could use it.”

“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.”

“Anything for you.”Derek’s smile was warm.“You know, if you’re in New Orleans for more than just business, I know some great spots.Jazz clubs, restaurants, places the tourists don’t know about.”

“That’s really nice of you—”

“I’m off tomorrow night if you want a personal tour guide.”

I cleared my throat loudly.

Derek glanced at me.“Something wrong, sir?”

“We have meetings all weekend,” I said, my voice flat.“We won’t have time for tours.”

“Speak for yourself,” Beau said, and I felt him tense beside me.“I might have some free time.”

“Perfect!”Derek pulled out a pen and grabbed a napkin.“Here’s my number.Text me if you’re free.”

He scribbled something down and handed it to Beau with a wink before moving on to the next row.

Beau stared at the napkin in his hand.