Page 6 of Terms of the Flight

“A little deep for an hour flight with a stranger, huh?”

He smiled, then clasped his hands in front of him with a shrug.

“Humor me.”

I ran my tongue over my lips, then adjusted my scarf around my neck. I don’t know why it felt so tight all of a sudden.

“Well, alright, uh, I guess I would still travel all over the world. But it would be to experience more of the world. I’d also be getting my perfume business off the ground. It’s called Stamped. I have all different types of products dedicated to my travels and locations.”

His brow lifted and he sat up in his chair. I could tell I’d piqued his interest.

“I can tell you’re truly passionate about that.”

“How you figure?” I asked.

“Well, first, you relaxed for the first time since you’ve been sitting across from me. Second, I can hear your passion and love for it. I can tell this is what you’ve been wanting to do. I don’t want to assume what’s holding you back, so tell me.”

I smiled and bit my lower lip, then leaned forward, placing my hands onto my knees. I tilted my head to the side.

“You’re really nosey and pushy. Anybody ever told you that before?”

He laughed out loud for the first time, and it was as smooth as whisky, but damn did it have a rasp that made my nipples harden. This man had his full set of pearly whites on display like I’d told the funniest joke he ever heard.

“I’ve been told that more than once, but I would say those are just the qualities of a good businessman. Wouldn’t you?”

I shrugged.

“I don’t know. We aren’t doing business, so I don’t know how good you can be at it.”

He nodded with a smirk.

“Anybody ever tell you that you have a smart mouth?”

I returned his smile and leaned back into my seat.

“What can I say? I always have to get the last word in. Can you blame me in a world of people who think they can get over on you just because you’re a woman?”

“I hear you. But I still want the answer to my question.”

“Which question was that exactly, again?” I asked, while swinging my feet.

“I like that. Well, tell me—what’s the hold up with your business idea? Why are you sitting across from me instead of taking over the cosmetic industry?”

He asked question after question, not leaving room for me to bullshit him any further.

“Finances. I make good money here, but I don’t make enough to take a big financial risk. At least not yet—once I get approved for my loan, I will be on my way, and this will be nothing more than a part-time job I do when I want to travel.”

I hadn’t been approved yet, but I needed to speak it into existence.

“Well, good luck, Ms. Khaleya. I’m going to have to keep tabs on you. You just might get to see how good of a businessman I am.”

“Maybe,” I retorted.

I couldn’t help but smile as I stood from my seat and walked over toward the kitchenette. Then I slowed down to look back in his direction.

“Can I get you another water?”

He glanced down, realizing he indeed needed another water.