Chapter Twenty-Five
A hint of chocolate lingered in Olivia’s mouth as she gnawed her bottom lip and clawed her fingers into the Aston’s passenger seat. The Vanquish snarled at the traffic that appeared to stand still on the expressway and launched past the exit to the city before rocketing toward Brisbane airport. “W-where are we going?”
Jarrah released her hand and brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek all while obliterating the speed limit. “Relax, we’re officially on walkabout.”
Relax? How the hell was she meant to relax? When she’d inhaled the red M&M, she’d assumed their walkabout would be a little more comfortable than roughing it out in the desert. She’d never dreamed air travel would be involved in their search for enlightenment. “I start work in six days.”
“I know.” He captured her hand and brought it to his lips.
She couldn’t figure out what scared her more: her own temporary insanity, his sudden channeling of Michael Schumacher, or the devious smile that hadn’t left his smug face from the instant he’d hurled that blue M&M away in his haste to bundle her into his toy.
“What about Carter Industries?”
His smile evaporated. “Fuck Carter Industries. Their time’s coming.”
“But I can’t afford to fly anywhere.”
The frustrated yet terrifyingly determined look he shot her had her scrambling to figure out just how much money was left on her card. Her meager credit had been her last line of defense against zombie apocalypse. Yet the reality of what she was willing to sacrifice for more time with him was far more life threatening. Not only had he transformed her into a crazy woman, he’d also turned her into a desperate junkie. Cursing herself and her traitorous heart, she sucked in a breath to tell him just what he could do with the grin returning to his face when the Vanquish’s onboard computer chimed and flashed up an incoming call from Charlie.
She hadn’t thought it was possible, but his cocky smile grew even cockier as he silenced her with a finger to her lips and answered the call.
“I take it the good doctor swallowed the red pill?” Charlie’s voice filled the cabin and somehow made the handcrafted walnut inlays and leather upholstery feel cheap.
He completely ignored Olivia’s scowl and patted her knee like she was something straight out of a fifties how to be a good little woman instructional film. “We’re heading to the airport now.”
“And Dr. Williams has agreed to your plan?”
His smile faltered for a split second. Olivia shot out her hand and slammed it over his mouth. “No, Dr. Williams has not. What the hell’s happening with Carter Industries?”
“Fuck Carter Industries. Their reckoning can wait a few more days.”
Jarrah’s smile widened beneath her palm as one smug eyebrow rose. She cursed and squeezed his mouth harder. “Where the hell’s he taking me?”
Charlie’s laughter flowed through the cabin like waves of sunshine. “I’m sorry, love. You have no idea how much this hurts to say, but the arrogant smart-ass sitting beside you is innocent. Plus, it’s been so long since he’s done anything this crazy he wouldn’t even know where to begin.”
Jarrah winked at her before exiting the expressway. The secret phone calls every gas stop, the nervous looks, the concern twisting his features. He may not be guilty, but he sure as hell wasn’t innocent.
“Exec Air Flight 645’s waiting. Domestic terminal, Gate 12. The hostess has your accommodation details.”
Exec Air? Hostess? Olivia’s hand fell from his mouth as Charlie’s words filtered through the chaos in her mind and the imaginary cash register inside her head exploded.
“Doc, I’ve canceled your original flight back to L.A. You’re now flying out on Saturday morning. That gives you the weekend to get over your jet lag and forget about your lapse in judgment before starting that fancy new job of yours. Now, you kids have a good time, and remember, use protection.”