Page 31 of The Loneliest Number (The Thirst Trap #3)

Chapter twenty-seven

Cam

I gesture towards the window seat, enjoying the closeness as Abby steps past. The scent of something floral hits me; it’s such a feminine scent and quite at odds with her tough girl demeanour.

I want to bury my face in her neck and inhale deeply, but we’re on a plane, and there’s a queue of people waiting to take their seats, so I settle in my own seat and stow my laptop bag.

We’re in the business section of the plane near the front, and I’m grateful for the extra room.

I stretch my legs out in front of me as I draw in another breath, trying to catch another whiff of her scent.

It feels like a boon that we got here. After that little heart-to-heart at the bar the other day, I assumed she would use work as an excuse for not being able to come.

But I’d managed to get a short word with Tom on my way out the other day and suggested he consider giving her a couple of days off, given all the extra time she’d been putting in.

He’d looked relieved when I said it, which seemed odd, before he’d added that it was usually impossible for him to convince her to take time off, and he would happily arrange to cover all her shifts so she could get the break she deserved.

Her text had arrived a few hours after I left her. Short and simple.

Abby:

Time booked off. I can come.

I’d booked the flights then and there, in the middle of a meeting with the site foreman and representatives from all the trades working on The Juniper.

Sent the confirmation through within fifteen minutes, so she had no time to change her mind and take it back.

She doesn’t strike me as someone who goes back on their word, but I figured the flight confirmation would help lock it all in.

“You need to let me know how much I owe you for the flights and travel,” she says from beside me. “The confirmation didn’t list it.”

No, it didn’t, because I purposely cropped it out.

“I had some credit to use. Don’t worry about it,” I tell her. She pouts but is distracted when the flight attendant comes by and offers us a drink.

We place our orders before Abby says, “I didn’t even know they did business class on these short hops. You shouldn’t have wasted your credit on me—I don’t need this much legroom.”

“Well, I do, so you’re stuck up here with the leather reclining seats and complimentary snacks and drinks,” I tell her with a grin. Although the bigger seats mean we are further apart when I’m itching to touch her.

“I guess I’ll cope. It’s just over an hour, right?”

I nod. “We’ll be there before you know it. I should have asked. Are you a confident flyer?”

“We’ll find out soon,” she says with a grimace.

“What? You’ve not flown before?”

She shakes her head before adding in a teasing tone.

“And I fear you’ve spoiled me for future trips by splashing your credit on business class seats.

I can’t possibly do economy now.” Her sarcastic tone lets me know she’s not daft and probably realises I paid, but fuck it, she makes me smile.

Why can’t I buy her a plane ticket? Surprise skitters through me that this is her first flight and makes me want to take her further afield.

“I had you down as a well-seasoned traveller,” I tell her.

“I’ve travelled around the UK and taken the ferry across to France and Belgium before, but no air travel as yet.”

“How no?” She frowns at the Scottish phrase. “Why not?” I switch to the more common one.

“I’ve just not really had the opportunity.

It wasn’t an option when I was growing up.

We didn’t have enough money for luxuries.

And since I was old enough to work, I’ve been busy doing that and getting my own place.

” She pauses, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip as she stares into space.

“Since I’ve worked at the bar, I’ve managed to build some savings, but I’m always wondering if my mum is going to need to be bailed out.

” She gives a shrug. Her need for independence becomes more understandable to me the more I learn about her family and upbringing.

And my heart warms every time she opens up to me.

“What about you? Are you well-travelled?”

“Aye, I guess so. I’ve travelled a bit for work and pleasure as well.”

“What’s the furthest place you’ve been to?”

Her face is angled towards mine, and I want to reach across and kiss her. Curiosity on her face makes her one hundred times hotter. Possibly only topped by her feistiness.

“Probably New Zealand. I had a gap year and visited a few places, but that was the furthest.”

“Oh wow, did you enjoy it?”

“Loved it. Would go back in a heartbeat.” I glance at her, and the desire to offer to take her one day rises in me. But I tamper it down, not wanting to scare her off.

We buckle in and listen to the safety demonstration while we sip our drinks, and then Abby grabs my knee as the plane taxis for take-off. As the speed increases, so does her grip. My hand swamps hers as I try to offer comfort.

I lean closer and whisper, “It’s okay, this is all normal. Look, we’re lifting off.”

Her gaze is riveted out the window as the ground gets further away, and mine is focused solely on her.

In all the time I’ve known her now, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her display fear or weakness, but there’s a vulnerability showing today.

Not for the first time, I find myself wanting to gather her up in a giant hug and keep her safe from the world.

And yet, I think her natural response to that would be to fight me.

Fuck, if that doesn’t heat my blood a bit. I love her tenacity and her courage.

“With it being such a short flight, we won’t even level out much. It tends to be all the way up and then all the way back down, but they’ll serve snacks soon.”

She nods, but she’s not looking at me. She’s leaning with her nose pressed against the window.

Her grip has loosened, and she seems more relaxed, but I don’t want to lose her touch, so I keep hold of her hand, threading our fingers together, imagining how good it would be to go on more adventures with her and be her person.

“I don’t understand. Has your car been parked at the airport the whole time you’ve been working at The Juniper?” Her tone is baffled as we stand in the airport carpark, which has a chuckle rising in my chest.

“Nah, I had someone drop it off for me earlier today,” I tell her.

“Hop in.” I open the passenger side of my gunmetal grey G-Wagon, supporting her elbow as she climbs inside before stowing our luggage in the back.

As I get seated in the driver’s seat, she’s running her hands over the edges of the leather seat.

“Cam, this is fancy as fuck. Are you rich?” She grins at me, and I can’t resist answering with my own smirk as I start the engine and back out of the space.

“I do alright for myself.”

“Fancy hotels, fancy cars, business class flights. You’ve been playing me along with the tools and slutty workman’s clothes, haven’t you? Are you a secret millionaire?”

“What do you mean by slutty workman’s clothes?” I ask, baffled. And also grateful for the distraction from her other question.

“Those trousers with the padded knees and all the pockets. Sluttier than if you were naked.” Her giggle is musical and makes me want to keep making her laugh. “And don’t change the subject. What’s your net worth?”

“Ha, I dunno. Comfortable. How’s that for an answer?” I spare her a glance.

Her eyes narrow like she’s trying to analyse me and nerves prick in my belly. I can’t decide if wealth would actually have the opposite desired effect on this woman and scare her off.

“That first night, in Glasgow. Was that a hotel room?”

“It’s a suite at the hotel, but I was renting it long term,” I tell her.

“Huh. So how come you’re slumming it at The Juniper instead of staying in the hotel now?”

I think about her question. I could easily afford to stay in the hotel with all the creature comforts I could ever need, and yet, I wanted to spend more time at The Juniper, even without the fluffy carpets, maid service, and twenty-four-hour menu.

“It makes it easier to put the hours in to move the project along.” I inwardly grimace, wondering if my workaholic ways are driving the decision.

“And I’ve grown attached to the building.

Realised I quite liked being there after everyone else was done for the day and living there really helps me get to know the place.

” I give my head a shake. What a strange notion, but it’s true.

“Too weird?” I glance at her with a cringe.

Her eyes twinkle. “Not at all. I swear that building has something magical about it. It seems to lure people in.”

“Yeah, well, hopefully my aunt might be able to give us some information about the whole mystery of The Juniper tomorrow.”

“You managed to set up a meeting with her?”

“Aye, kinda. We’ve been invited for tea and biscuits. As well as dinner with my parents tonight.”

“Family dinner?” Her eyes widen like saucers, and there’s a horrified glaze to them which has me chuckling.

“It’s fine, Pixie. I have made it very clear that you are a friend and you’re not here for my body and my inheritance.

” Fairly certain my mum was listening when I spelled it out on the phone anyway.

We’ll see. “It’s just a dinner. And my dad’s cooking.

He knows what he’s doing. Food should be banging even if we aren’t,” I tell her with a wink.

It’s easy to tease her, but deep in my chest, there’s a pull.

I can only hope that with this time together, we can work out a way forward that honours her need for independence with my need for more.

Unfortunately, I have to pull my attention from her to concentrate on navigating the road at that point, checking I’m in the correct lane for the city centre. I weave around the streets, pulling up in front of the office where my meeting is being hosted.

“Come on, I’ll walk you down to Buchanan Galleries so you can explore while I’m in the meeting.” I hold her hand as she steps down onto the pavement and keep hold of it while I lock the car and walk her up the road.

“Cam, I can find my own way. I don’t want to make you late for your meeting.”

“It’s okay, I’ve got time. I wanted to point a couple of places out along the way.”

We saunter down the street, and I point out the first of two buildings I want to show her.

“That bar is like The Thirst Trap–they’ll be open if you wanna pop in for a drink.

I can always meet you there after my meeting.

” We walk another few hundred metres and I pull us to a stop, turning her slightly so she faces the building across the crossroads we are standing at.

“And that’s mine,” I tell her, unable to keep the pride from my voice.

“What do you mean yours?” Her mouth drops open as her gaze is riveted on the building, so similar to The Juniper.

“Well, not mine, exactly. I have a stake in it. That was my first major renovation project a few years ago. The start of my project managing.”

“Can we go in?” she asks.

“I need to head back for this appointment, but you can go in and take a look. Or I can get us a booking in the restaurant for lunch after my meeting if you like? Before we get on the road to Skye?”

She turns to face me, eyes wide with excitement. “Yes, please. Would love to see how it looks inside.”

“Okay, I’ll call in the reservation on my way back up the road. You really don’t mind entertaining yourself for a couple of hours?”

“Cam, I’m fine. I’m looking forward to exploring again. I like this city.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you over the road for lunch at noon?”

Her nod is distracted as she studies the building across the way.

The meeting overruns, and I rush to meet Abby for lunch.

She’s already seated and sipping a drink when I arrive.

We both choose off the set menu for lunch, and it’s a pleasure to watch her tucking into the Scottish fare.

I check my watch. “We should aim to get on the road soon. It’s about five hours without a stop, and I thought you might want to stretch your legs at Glencoe. ”

“I’m ready when you are.” I’m fast realising that Abby is much more agreeable when she’s full of good, hearty food or I’ve banged her brains out–and even then it’s important to feed her afterwards.

It’s no hardship tending to her needs to make her happy.

And if she gave me the chance, I would jump at the opportunity to take care of her long term.

She seems to think that her non-monogamous outlook will scare anyone off long term.

But fuck that, if we’re both happy–what does it matter who we fuck?

I just need to find a way to convince her we can mean something to each other and still be non-monogamous.