2. Leggy blondes

Adriana Jensen

~•~

Fab and I drove to the airport together. Benjamin was going to pick me up but I told him it wasn’t necessary so we ended up meeting him at the airport.

I put on a smile when we arrived at the place where he and his parents were sitting. Benjamin immediately stood up to greet me. Despite his parents watching, he kissed me on the lips, making me blush when I realized everyone was looking at us.

“Hey, Fab.” He nodded at her, taking both our suitcases.

“Adriana.” His mother finally called out, opening her arms for me. I hugged her shortly and greeted her husband before my eyes landed on the man beside her husband.

“That’s my uncle,” Ben said when he noticed the confusion on my face. “He’s the one sponsoring this trip.”

He had dark shades on so I couldn’t tell if he was looking at me or not. However, that didn’t stop me from assessing him with my gaze. He looked nothing like an uncle. If Benjamin hadn’t told me, I would think he was Ben’s older brother or something.

Not to be rude, I outstretched my hand to him. He would be the one to pay for the hotel and the food I’d eat anyway. “I’m Adriana. It’s nice to meet you.”

His tongue swiped out to wet his bottom lip before he took my small hand in his large one. “I know. Ben’s little girlfriend.”

I fought back the frown threatening to form on my face, not liking the way those words exited his mouth. I wasn’t little. I was twenty-one. I was allowed in a club legally. “Uh…” I didn’t know what to say after that. Every normal person was supposed to introduce themselves.

As though he sensed my thoughts, he finally said. “Saint Giordano.”

This time, the frown broke free. Benjamin’s last name wasn’t Giordano.

“Half brothers.” He explained before letting go of my hand.

I nodded, wiping my hand on my sweatpants. There was something about his touch that unsettled me, but I didn’t voice it out as I went back to where Fabiola had already settled down.

“That man is hot.” She whispered in my ear when I sat down beside her.

My gaze strayed to the man again. I’d never seen him before even if I had been dating his nephew for well over a year. “I don’t see it,” I muttered, being biased. He rubbed me the wrong way and I didn’t think I wanted anything to do with such a man.

Fabiola snorted. “I am pretty sure he’s everyone’s type. I wonder if he’s single.”

“He is.” Ben chirped in and I realized he’d been listening in on our conversation. My cheeks flushed at the realization. What would have happened if I had agreed with Fab that his uncle was hot? “He has made it a mission to remain a bachelor.”

Fab grinned at my boyfriend. “Does that mean I can pursue him? Something about love at first sight.”

“By all means, but you should know he’s not the kind of man to commit.”

Was Ben pushing Fab toward his uncle right now? “Isn’t he like old?” I frowned, scrunching my nose. Sure he looked young but if he was Ben’s uncle… Ben’s parents were in their mid-forties as they had Benjamin pretty early.

“Poor innocent Adriana.” Fab cooed, wrapping her hand around my shoulder. “You’re going to get it one day.”

I shrugged her hand off me, wondering what she meant by me getting it one day and if it was a suitable thing to say in front of my boyfriend. I leaned into Ben’s shoulder, getting comfortable when he tucked my hair behind my neck affectionately. I didn’t need to get the appeal of older men. Ben was older than I was but he was still in his twenties and he was right for me.

When we finally boarded, I was bummed to know that I was sitting next to Saint at the far back. We were flying first class and there were two seats on both sides. Ben and Fab were in front of us and his parents were in front of them.

I was unnerved by the fact that I was sitting next to him even if he didn’t spare me a glance as we settled down. I felt uncomfortable next to him. I didn’t know what I was going to do during the five hours we were going to be on air. I could sleep throughout but I didn’t think I was getting a wink of sleep with Saint Giordano by my side.

My phone dinged with a text and I quickly brought out my phone as a distraction.

[Fab: can we switch seats? I want to sit next to the hot man] There was a follow-up emoji whose face was red and sticking out its tongue, emphasizing how much she wanted him.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

[Me: Ben is hot too, but of course. I wanted to sit next to Ben anyway.]

[Fab: thanks! Owe you one]

I stood up at once and his eyes finally traveled to me. He was still wearing the sunglasses so I couldn’t decipher the kind of look he was giving me. “Are you leaving?” He questioned, his voice deep and husky, the question carrying more meaning than I had answers to.

“Uh, yeah. I’m going to sit with Ben.”

He nodded once and continued to look at his iPad as I brushed past him and walked forward.

“I love you, girl.” Fab was dramatic when I arrived at their seat.

I rolled my eyes and gestured for her to stand up. She dragged her skirt higher, making it shorter before she stood up and unbuttoned the top button of her shirt. We had worn totally different things to the airport. I was dressed in a huge shirt and sweatpants while she was wearing a short skirt and button-up shirt. I wondered if she came prepared to seduce a man.

I felt bad for the poor man she was going to sit with. But then again, he could like it. Most men like tall leggy blondes who don't have many curves. She had small breasts and wasn’t so blessed behind, unlike me, but she managed to pull a lot of men as long as she wanted them.

Whatever. I didn’t care about them.

I dropped down on the seat beside Ben when Fab finally left and he turned to look at me with a half smile. “Hey.”