Standby (Open Skies Book 4) by Becca Jameson (popular e readers .TXT) 📕

“And then what?” she lifted her face to look at him. “He’s like a god at the airline. Full seniority with no blemishes. No one is going to believe me over him, and frankly, I’m not willing to find out. I won’t face that kind of scrutiny.” She shuddered.

“I can understand that. I get it. I do.”

“I’d end up with a fucking scarlet A on my forehead and have to quit my job to avoid the stares. At least right now, it’s all rumor. I hear people muttering under their breath sometimes, but they don’t usually talk about me in front of me. The other flight attendants who know me are fully aware it’s all bullshit. Those who don’t can go fuck themselves if they want to believe Hawke.”

Jake nodded, his hand still smoothing her hair. “How is he not causing red flags among management?”

Shayla groaned. “He’s slick. He keeps his abuse to the flight attendants. I doubt any of the pilots even know. It’s become a low hum slowly spreading like a game of telephone. Most of the other flight attendants probably don’t even know who the fuck is saying these things. They’re just hearing that I’m a prudish cock tease. He’s trying to hurt me without hurting himself.”

Jake sighed. “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

Shayla looked at him. “You think I want to be near him? My palms start sweating every time I enter the airport out of fear I’ll find him suddenly traded onto one of my flights.”

“If that happens, you need to claim you’re suddenly too sick to work and get out of there. You can’t get on a flight with that asshole.”

She shuddered. He was right. She still found it impossible to imagine Hawke would do anything crazy. His job would be on the line. She’d come here with Jake mostly to humor him and partly because she didn’t feel like being alone. The thought of Hawke seriously showing up to harass her in person was unimaginable.

She extricated herself from Jake and rose to head for the kitchen. She needed more coffee and less contact with Jake. His no-touching-each-other rule was probably a good one right now because after that long hug, she definitely wanted more, and it was probably a bad idea.

Chapter 8

Jake followed her, hating that he no longer had her in his arms. The idea of keeping their hands off each other had been his, and now he was kicking himself for it. He wanted to change the rules.

What he knew was that there was no way Shayla was the first woman to be harassed by Hawke Richman. The man was an asshole for sure, but there was more to it. The continued calls and texts meant that he couldn’t stand being snubbed by a woman. He liked control.

Classic dick—lure a woman into his web with fake charm, and then gaslight her into staying with him after he proved to be a creep. Luckily, Shayla saw through it earlier rather than later. Yes, she’d been snowballed for a few dates, but she hadn’t let it go on for months. Thank God.

“Do you know if any other flight attendants have dated him?” he asked as Shayla stirred creamer into a second cup of coffee.

“No idea.”

“Maybe you could ask around?”

Shayla faced him, leaning back against the counter. “You think he’s done this before?”

“Certain of it.”

She sipped her coffee.

He forced himself to keep his gaze on her face. She absolutely was not playing fair with the skimpy clothing she was wearing this morning. Her breasts for one left nothing to the imagination through the thin tank top. He’d noticed her hard nipples more than once.

On top of that, she had amazing legs that went on and on. The few times she’d bent over to get the creamer from the fridge had left him wondering if she was wearing panties or a thong under her thin shorts. He’d seen the fucking gorgeous swell of her butt cheeks.

“I can ask my friends if they know of anyone, but then what? I’m not sure I have it in me to confront a stranger about her previous boyfriend.”

“It’s a longshot. Not that he’s harassed other women; I’m sure he has a long list. But they weren’t necessarily flight attendants.”

“True.” She shoved off the counter. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Good idea, and while you’re at it, maybe put more clothes on,” he teased.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her eyes dancing. “Now that I know I’m affecting you, I think I’ll come out with even less clothing.”

He groaned as she continued walking. “Is that even possible?” he murmured.

She must have heard him because she shot back. “Try me.”

When she finally disappeared into the bathroom, Jake went to his office and booted up his computer. It was time to do a bit of digging into one very nasty Hawke Richman.

It was official. Shayla did not play fair. The woman put on a very skimpy dress after her shower that made Jake do a triple take when she entered his office. He groaned.

She grinned. “What?” She rounded to his side of the desk and leaned her butt against the surface four inches from his hand. “Thanks for letting me stay here. I’d pack up my shit and go back to my condo now that it’s daylight if I thought you’d let me. I assume you’re not going to go for that.”

He shook his head. “Not a chance. Stay here, Shayla. Please. I’ll sleep better if I don’t have to worry about you.”

She sighed. “Okay, but only for one week. I can’t stay here forever. If I do, he’s winning.”

“How about we agree to renegotiate in one week?”

She smirked. “Like we agreed to renegotiate sex in one week?” She set her hand on his desk, twisting her body toward him so that he couldn’t miss the low cut of her sundress and the swell of her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra.

He lifted his brows. “Perfect