CHAPTER 3

Claire simply could not get over the way the rich guy looked. She sat at the back of the plane, by the aisle, staring at his profile. She should have been thinking about what made him suddenly change his mind and let her take the flight, but she didn't want to. She couldn't.

She had sent a quick text to Danielle and had gotten an even quicker reply. Her friend must have been so worried that she stayed by the phone. She assured her that she would get on the flight and will call as soon as she landed. She could not wait to tell Danielle everything.

Danielle was an amazing listener, and an even better support system. She always talked about anything on her mind, and Danielle would break every bit down and classify them. She basically sorted her thoughts, like one would the laundry.

The announcement to put on seatbelts came over the speakers overhead and Claire settled in for the long flight. It would take them about sixteen hours to reach New York, and Claire was not looking forward to the jet lag. It was funny how, despite being miles apart, the city had the same time as Creek Falls.

A giggle drew Claire's attention back to the others in the compartment. She had found out soon enough that the convoy was just for show, since only two people entered the plane with Mr. Arrogant. The friendly young man who had been in the car with him, and a woman.

A stunning woman. The kind that made her want to cover her face and weep. Her height was just right, her body perfect, and her skin so flawless. She was proud too. It was obvious in the way she walked and the sneer she greeted Claire with once she entered the plane.

She lifted one long, manicured finger and pointed it at Claire. "That's her?"

Donald nodded, his mouth a thin line.

"Why am I not surprised?" She walked past Claire and took a seat beside Mr. Arrogant, draped her hand over his shoulder, and whispered loud enough for Claire to hear. "We see a lot of their kind, don't we? You should have just put her in her place. She has a lot of nerve, walking up to you like that."

Claire waited for his reply with bated breath, but it never came. All he did was shrug off her hand and pick up his laptop. The pout she gave him was pretty impressive. She was trouble, that much was obvious. Claire made a mental note of avoiding her. At least once she got of the plane, she wouldn't have to deal with them again.

Or Mr. Arrogant. He had not said another word to her after their encounter in the parking lot. He sat in stony silence while the other two conversed in low tones. The occasional loud laughter punctuated their conversation, but he never even lifted his head.

Miss Saucy, as Claire dubbed her - she had a word to describe everyone she met whose name she didn't know - leaned over to see what he was so focused on. Suddenly, her expression turned ugly. She rose with all the grace of a woman with the wings of an avenging angel.

Claire shuddered as she walked past. He straightened, looked back until she was out of sight, then buried his head in the laptop again. She felt bored, and tired. Arguing with him made her exhausted. All she wanted was a good nap. She did not even know when she fell asleep on the posh seat of the plane.

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Axel could not resist turning back to check how Claire was doing. It had gotten very quiet in the compartment since his best friend Lisa had walked out in rage. He had to admit, he looked up Claire's profile and her application. Lisa had been curious whose profile he was so intently researching. The fact that it was Claire's profile seemed to upset her. He didn't think too much about it. 

Axel knew Lisa had feelings for him. He had known for a long time. So far, those feelings had not interfered with their relationship, since he purposely ignored every clue she threw his way. There was no way he was dating an entitled, self absorbed lady of society. His parents had urged him to marry her because her father was the president of Sky Group and being his in-laws surely fostered connections on both sides. 

Axel had no intention of being anything but friends with Lisa. He only let her go about terrifying every lady in his life because it took one job off his shoulder. She had the habit of always interfering any time it seemed a lady was getting close to him. He never seemed to mind in other cases, but this was Claire McLennie.

Her profile had been very easy to find. She was the only female who had applied for the position she did. He had to admit, the more he learned about this fiery lady, the more he liked what he learned. She was ballsy, and smart. She graduated top of her class with distinctions in nearly every course.

Her portfolio was packed with experience in management. Even though she was limited by the small town and university, she had been innovative and reached out to every opportunity that presented itself. She had approached her education with an aggressiveness that amazed him.

When he turned back, he sighted Claire asleep. Her head was hanging off the headrest and she was curled up in a fetal position. 

"Want to go set her straight, Axel?"

Axel knew Donald was baiting him. He decided to bite the bait. He never kept secrets from Donald, who had proved to be a far more reliable confidant than most of his acquaintances.

"I do, very much so. Still think she is dangerous?"

Donald scoffed. " That one probably can't hurt a fly. Who knows."

Axel clutched his chest. "I'm easier to hurt than a fly, you know that. My heart is fragile."

Donald rolled his eyes. " Sure. As fragile as diamond carved out of a mountain rock."

Axel gave him a jab with his elbow. " Come on, I'm not that bad."

" Excuse me?" Donald shook his head. " You are so much worse!"

Axel rose. "Well, that has to change now, doesn't it?"

Donald looked like he needed time to process everything, so Axel squeezed his shoulder and walked away to Claire's seat. Something tugged painfully at his heart when he got close enough to study her face under the glowing light of the sun filtering in through the open window. He shifted her back into the seat effortlessly, adjusted the angle the seat was inclined at, then placed a pillow behind her head.

He couldn't resist rubbing circles on her cheek with his thumb. What was it about her that made his heart ache so, that pumped desire through his veins almost painfully? He was going to keep her close, he decided. Not even Lisa could mess this one up for him. Speaking of Lisa, the sharp clacking of heels announced her return.

With an agility most people would have thought impossible, Axel lept from Claire's seat and was at his with his laptop before Lisa entered. He didn't look back when she approached, neither did he show any outward reaction when she pressed her pelvis to his shoulder in passing. She was disgusting him.

The thought made him pause. This was Lisa. He could always tolerate her excesses. Why was she irritating him now? Axel thought it probably had to do with how entitled she was acting, so he didn't think much of it. The thought occured to him that Lisa had always been an entitled spoiled brat and he had never been offended.

Shrugging, he shut his laptop. Donald was giving him a side look which he was trying to ignore.

"You'll get your eyes disfigured if you keep that up." He pulled out a few physical copies of files from his case and began flipping through them.

"I'm glad you finally noticed."

"I noticed since. I was just trying to figure out why you would be looking at me like that."

He raised his head to find Donald's eyebrow lifted. Giving him the most innocent expression he could find in his store of innocent expressions, which was rather impressive, he turned his attention back to the files.

"I'm hungry." Lisa sang.

With him, Lisa never spoke. Axel had no idea why she found it necessary to always put some inflection in her voice when speaking to him. It didn't impress him, if that was what she was aiming at.

"Have you gone off your diet, Lisa? Because the last time I checked, only sweets are served on a plane and they are all food unsuitable for you to eat." 

Lisa chuckled humorlessly. "I've been off my diet for months, Axel."

He gave her a disbelieving look. "That's not what you said at dinner last night."

She pouted. "I don't really follow the new plan my dietician gave me. It's almost the same as not being on a diet."

Axel regarded her thoughtfully, then shrugged. "Okay, let's eat then." He turned to Donald. " What kind of hosts are we if we do not share food with the lady? Do wake her up and invite her to join us for the meal."

Lisa looked like she wanted to cry. "Why should she join us?"

Axel furrowed his brows. "If you're hungry, she probably is too. Besides, isn't it polite to invite your guest to a meal?"

"She's not our guest, and why should you care whether she is hungry or not? You just met her!"

Axel didn't say a word. The searing look he gave her was enough.

"I'm sorry, Axel." She placed one hand on his arm and squeezed. "I'm just wondering why you care so much, that's all. It's not like you to."

"Maybe I'm evolving." He gently pulled his arm away. "Get used to it."

"But you're just fine the way you are."

Axel sighed and closed his eyes. "No. You're the one who wants me to give you all the attention and no one else. We both know that is the only reason why you have a problem with me changing. Because that would mean you will get far less attention than you always did. That makes you upset, doesn't it?" 

Donald coughed quietly beside them. "Your guest is here, sir."