Page 22 of Rebellious Hearts

A black car had pulled up and a chauffeur got out, opening the back door of the car. Ben got out, unfolding himself as he straightened to his full six feet four inches.

Right. In the travel details for the trip they’d said they would send me a car but I didn’t think that Ben would be in the car to receive me.

You’re traveling together. Of course he’s going to be there.

I rolled my bag to the door, my carry-on slung over my shoulder. When I opened my front door, the chauffeur was there to take it.

“Oh, thanks…”

“Eric.”

I smiled at Eric, who took my bags from me and gestured for me to go to the car.

“Morning,” I said brightly to Ben. His deep hazel eyes had an amber hue to them in the daylight, and his well-defined jawline made him look like a god who’d come to Earth to make mortals like me melt. He wore a button-up shirt and jeans, and his shirt hugged his muscles perfectly. I forced myself not to stare.

He only grunted.

Was he going to be this much fun thewholetrip?

I slid into the car, and Ben followed. When he shut the door, I was once again aware of how big he was. He clearly worked out,and holy shit, it looked good on him. In the car, the smell of his cologne wrapped around me, scrambling my mind and making all the right bits in my body tingle.

Work, work, work. That is what I’m here for. Be professional.

Eric finished putting my bags in the car before he got behind the wheel and the car purred to life. We pulled into the road and drove in silence. I was very aware of Ben next to me—the heat of his skin radiated through his shirt, and thanks to his size, he sat so close to me that his arm grazed against mine now and again.

I tried to ignore it.

And failed.

Benjamin Blackwood was impossible to ignore when I was this close to him.

If I wanted to stay professional and get any work done during this project, I was going to have to make a point of not getting this close to him if I could help it.

Not that Iwantedto help it.

After a short drive, we turned into a private air strip with a few hangars all around.

A plane waited on the runway, with another person dressed like Eric waiting for us at the steps.

The car pulled up, and Ben got out. I followed, and when we got to the plane, Ben stood back to let me climb the steps first.

He might be gruff with me but he was still a gentleman.

It was a good thing he was being a dick because if he was nice to me my plan to be professional would fail miserably. No one could bethathot and expect any woman to think straight.

I stepped into the plane and hesitated. I glanced around.

The private plane was the epitome of airborne luxury. Elegant, spacious, and beautiful. Natural wood finishes and soft cream leather made me want to sink into the seats and never leave.

“Good morning,” an air hostess said with a smile. She looked young. She was well dressed in a pencil skirt that came to herknees, sensible black ballerina flats, and a tailored blazer that matched her skirt. “You’re more than welcome to take your seat. I’ll have your carry-on in a second.”

“Oh,” I said. “Thank you.”

She gestured toward the plush leather seats. I chose one on the left and sat down.

My seat had an entertainment system and charging ports. The seats on either side of the plane each had it, and further back there was a small dining area and a bar.

I glanced out the window; Ben was talking to a man, who I guessed was the captain, nodding and smiling.