Page 5 of The Sweetmate (Check-In #2)

“Look no further. I have arrived.” I throw my carry-on into the overhead bin and then plop down.

Her eyes are wide as she studies me. “Casey.” I grin widely at her and then continue as her cheeks turn pink.

“But not gonna lie, I was expecting you earlier. Did you get stuck in traffic? Security? Did you have something in your bag that you weren’t supposed to or that might’ve have given them reason to search your bag? ” I make a tsking sound.

Her throat bobs as she swallows. “You’re Casey?”

I extend my hand. “Casey Riis. Brox Brunner is my uncle, and this is all his idea. You’re a surprise, though.

I figured he’d assign a real stickler.” I wink because obviously this girl is wound too tight.

I think her brain has exploded with the way she’s gone ghostly white, and her eye is twitching.

She doesn’t take my hand, so I snap my fingers and decide to busy myself with buckling my seat belt. “Shit. Did I already break you?”

“No,” she hisses. “You didn’t break me.” Her eyes turn deadly.

Someone is triggered. Note to self: no joking about breaking her. Maybe no jokes, period. Sheesh.

“I was there. I couldn’t find you . But now I realize you’re the guy I saw sleeping.”

The judgmental tone doesn’t go unnoticed. Excuse me for wanting some rest after months of traveling and press tours. No use arguing. She’s clearly already made her own assumptions about me.

She takes a deep inhale and then exhales and holds out her hand. I gently accept it, and her fingers wrap around mine in a firm handshake.

“Hello, Mr. Riis. I’m Lisa Vinton. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, we’ve hit the reset button. Fresh start. I like it. Cool.” The quiver of her bottom lip has the corner of my mouth tugging up into a smile. She’s going to murder me in my sleep. And I couldn’t be more excited. “Call me Casey, please. We’re about to be partners, right?”

Her hand slides out of mine as she speaks. “Partners? I guess in a sense, but more of a client…situation. Co-workers?”

“Don’t overthink it.” I release a light chuckle. “Co-workers. Teammates. Partners. It’s all the same.”

She clears her throat. “My behavior earlier was completely unprofessional. I apologize. It’s been a long day, which is no excuse.

You caught me off guard—again, no excuse.

And— wait , I’m rambling. Wow.” She casts her eyes down to her lap and takes a deep breath.

“This is a horrible first impression. I’m blowing this.

” After about three seconds, she turns to face me and smiles.

“Mr. Brunner didn’t mention he knew you personally. You’re his…nephew?”

I take a bag of peanuts out of my backpack and pop a few into my mouth.

Speaking between chews, I say, “Yeah. Your boss is my uncle. He and my mom have a sizable age gap. I think she was a major oops on my grandparents’ part, but I’m not judging.

Anyway, my uncle and I aren’t close. You should know none of this was my idea. ”

“That was a lot of personal information within five minutes of meeting you.”

“I’m an open book.”

She presses her lips together in a tight smile and nods. “Even when people don’t ask to read it.”

“Wanna try one of my salty nuts?”

She sucks in her lips as I take her hand and pour a few peanuts into her palm.

Lisa stares at them for a while before finally cutting her eyes to me.

“You didn’t ask if I have any food allergies.

What if I were allergic? Peanut is one of the most common food allergies.

” She pops one of the peanuts into her mouth.

“True. It’s like, one in fifty kids. But I made sure that Brox sent a thorough list of allergies and whatnot for whoever he sent.”

“What?” She begins coughing.

“Plane hasn’t even left the runway, and I’ve already got you choking on my nuts. That’s a new record.” I grab a water bottle from my bag. “Here. I haven’t drunk out of this.”

Lisa takes a generous gulp and then demands, “What do you mean you checked for my allergies? How? Nobody asked me for that information.”

“Sure they did. Brox had you fill out a form for food allergies.”

I’m a professional pastry chef. Of course, I’m aware of allergies and would want to know about the person who’s going to essentially be up my ass for two weeks. One, I don’t want to deal with a lawsuit, and two, more importantly, I don’t want to kill anyone accidentally.

“Brox was in charge of everything. Ask him. I just know that apples are a no-go. So fear not, Snow White—no apples.”

“Snow White. Poisoned apple. Cute.”

“That’s the second cute. Not that I’m counting.”

The pilot comes over the speaker, and the plane begins to taxi.

Lisa mumbles next to me, “Thank God.”

“Nervous flier?”

“Ready to get to the room.”

I smirk. “Oh, me too, me too.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

A joke about how my kiss could breathe new life into her is on the tip of my tongue, but I keep it to myself. Honestly, she looks like she could use a good kissing. One bruising kiss that leaves her breathless and satisfied. Awakens something deep inside of her.

“It’s great to meet you.” Lisa places a set of giant headphones on, which I take as my cue to leave her alone for the rest of the flight.

I connect my phone to the Wi-Fi and use the duration of the flight to search for everything on my new travel buddy.

I discover that Lisa Vinton is the complete opposite of me.

Makes sense why my uncle sent her to monitor me for the next week.

From what I can gather, she’s single, never married, clean record, and has led the most boring life.

Her life is so squeaky clean, I wonder if she breaks any rules—like has she ever walked on the wrong side of the street?

One things for sure—I noticed familiar look in her eyes. One I see every time I look in the mirror.

Loneliness.

***

As we exit the plane and enter the breezeway, I finally break our silence. “Want to get something to eat before we arrive at the hotel?”

“I’d prefer to go straight to my room, please.”

“Need to decompress. Got it.”

She doesn’t say anything but gives me a sideways glance.

Did I go too far? Does she think I’m a jerk?

I’m kind of an ass, but in a lovable way.

She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to come around.

We’re going to be pals before this trip is over.

What a twist since I didn’t even want anyone with me on this trip.

Jensen steps in front of us to grab our luggage on the carousel.

Lisa turns to me. “Who is that?”

“Jensen. He’s my bodyguard.”

She takes a step back, and her eyebrows rise in surprise. “You have a bodyguard?”

“Yes.” Feigning mock insult, I place a hand on my chest. “I’m a little insulted. You know, I’m your client, but I know more about you than you do me. Seems only one of us did our research.” I arch a brow, and her gray eyes narrow.

“I did my research,” Lisa says through gritted teeth.

Firing back with a scoff, I say, “You didn’t even recognize me.”

“You were in disguise. And you were sleeping!”

She’s so adorable all riled up. I bet her feathers don’t get ruffled nearly enough.

Time to fix that. My voice is laced with sarcasm.

“You’re right. What a disguise. Glad I didn’t add the fake mustache to really throw you off.

Seriously, though, are you going to be this thorough with the rest of your assignment? ”

Barely controlling her temper, she hisses, “I am always thorough.”

“You didn’t even know Jensen,” I whisper.

“Where has he been this whole time?”

“Lurking. Being discreet. He’s a freakin’ ninja.”

“Oh, really?”

“No.” I snicker. “You’ve just been oblivious.”

“You seriously share DNA with Mr. Brunner?”

“Half. Or no, more like a quarter. An eighth? Parents are half. Then they share…” I trail off as I take in the way she’s snarling at me.

She purses her lips together and slowly nods before storming off. I call out to her as she walks away to help Jensen with the luggage.

“What are you trying to say about Mr. Brunner’s genetics? You’re not insulting my uncle, are you?” My phone buzzes, and it’s Brox. “Hold that thought. Your boss is calling.”

Lisa freezes and slowly turns to face me. Her mouth drops open, causing my smile to widen.

“Hello?” I answer.

“How’s it going?” Brox asks.

“Pretty sure your minion hates me.”

Lisa shakes her head with a look of pure panic.

“Perfect. I knew she wouldn’t be swayed by your charisma.”

“Oh, you stop it. My charisma.” I narrow my eyes. “Everyone loves me. Eventually.”

“Not this girl. She’s driven. She’s even tolerated one of my most annoying employees for years. If he weren’t so good at his job, I would’ve fired him long ago. Guy’s a real douchebag. So I knew she could handle you.”

“Harsh.” Surprisingly, I’m angered by Lisa’s co-worker. I walk out of hearing distance. “What kind of shit has this guy pulled on her?”

“He’s just a creep with an ego trip. But he gets the work done.”

“He kisses your ass, doesn’t he?”

“Up one cheek and down the other. Anyway, be professional and listen to Lisa. I think she’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

High praise coming from my uncle. His trusting her to be here was enough of an endorsement. “I’ll listen.” A little, I tack on in my head.

“And don’t try to sleep with her.”

“You put us in a room together. I thought that was a bonus? Work motivation. Keep the client happy.”

“Abso-fucking-lutely not. You have a suite. Two rooms connected by a living area. Don’t touch her. Don’t flirt with her. Just let her do her job. You need this PR campaign.”

“I’m kidding.” Kind of. “And I’m innocent of all those rumors.”

“Doesn’t matter. The public thinks you’re a wild whore. We need you wholesome if you’re going to get on bigger networks.”

“Wild whore?” I repeat with a laugh.

“Raging.”

“A raging wild whore? I wish. I’ve had a romp or two here and there, but not raging.” My relationships have always gotten complicated. Messy. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to have a go around with Lisa, though.

“And if anyone hears you’re messing with your publicist on top of that…” He lets the warning hang between us. However, all I’m hearing is: don’t let anyone find out if we do.

I end the call as I watch Jensen get my bags while Lisa stubbornly insists on getting her one suitcase. She confidently pulls her suitcase and holds her carry-on and backpack. I know it all has to be heavy and uncomfortable.

“Let me help you,” I offer.

“You’re not even carrying your own luggage.”

I take my carry-on from Jensen, then turn back to her. “May I take your suitcase?”

“No.” She charges past me toward the exit.

“Why are you being so stubborn?” I chase after her. “Let me help.”

“You’re the client. I’m here to help you .”

“That’s true, but I want your suitcase. As your client, it would make me happy to have your suitcase. I want to hold it.”

She stops and stares at me with an audible huff. “And why is that? Are you treating me differently because I’m a woman?”

Of course not. I’m not offering to help because of her sex, but because I want to have sex with her. Big difference.

“Your suitcase looks more fun than mine. I want to pull it. It would please me if you’d allow me to try out your suitcase. I might want that style…brand… What size are those wheels? Are those little hubcaps?”

“You’ve got to be joking.”

Jensen, bless him, speaks up. “Miss Vinton. He won’t stop until you relent.”

“Seems that way,” she mutters. She turns to him and says, “But if I give in now, he’ll think he’ll get his way every time.”

She’s speaking about me like I’m some spoiled brat and not even here.

“Stop talking about me like I’m a child.” I lean closer to her and whisper, “Unless you’re going to spank me.”

I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth. She looks horrified. And why wouldn’t she? She’s probably comparing me to her dickhead boss. I’m doing everything Brox told me not to, which is being an ass. Even worse is I’m proving the media, Brox, and her right. I am an ass.

“Sorry.” I grab her suitcase and take off for the exit without another word.