by C. Lesbirel
“Sausage biscuits would be nice, please,” Mason says, checking the fuel.
“That’s it. We’re flying you and some random bird to China, and you’re just gonna come in here talkin’ about breakfast?” Jaxon asks in disbelief.
“Watch it, bro. You’re beginning to sound like Shiloh.”
He winces, and we all chuckle. “No, nothing is that bad, she’s like a dog with a fuckin’ bone,” Mason chips in. “Did you hear she’s already asked me when I’d be up for dating again and set me up with a Tinder profile?”
I scoff at the thought of it, the boys are right, she is relentless when it comes to fixing our love lives, but I don’t have a bad word to say about her. Annoying as she is, she’s still the baby of the family, and she does it all with the best of intentions.
“Seriously, she needs to take a look at her own love life with that fuckin’ caveman she’s been pining over instead of trying to sort everyone else’s out.”
He isn’t wrong on that count either. Shiloh hasn’t been herself since our Christmas at the cabin, and Sully said she hadn’t told him much more about what happened in New Zealand. She isn’t the type of girl to keep secrets, she is like Mom in that respect, her heart is always on her sleeve, which is why, even though we joke about her, we’re also fiercely protective of her.
“You never know, she thinks Heaven will be a good one.” I wink as Jaxon catches my eye.
“You like her, bro?”
“She’s a-fucking-mazing. I’m taking her breakfast, but I’ll be back with yours in a bit.”
Mase whistles and Jaxon adds, “Taking her breakfast, she’s got you fuckin’ whipped already, I’d be careful of that one.”
“I knew she would have. Since she refused to ride in the back of the limo when I dropped her off at home the other day.”
“He had you drop her off in the limo?” Jax sounded surprised, and he had no right to be. Clearly, he’s forgetting that I’ve seen the lengths he has gone to, to impress a woman before, and none who were anywhere near as worth it as Heaven.
“Oh yeah, he’s pulling all the stops out for this one,” Mason confirms.
“Her name’s Heaven,” I remind them, backing up and closing the door to the cockpit, leaving them to it.
I set to work making breakfast and smile when I see the little glass covered in pandas in the cupboard. With the trip being so last minute, I’d had to shop for the little panda touches myself, and I hadn’t minded picking them out one bit. It is a good experiment to see the effect our renowned Parker personalized details have on the passenger. Smiling, I fill it with orange juice and recall how her eyes sparkled when I passed her the blanket and pillow yesterday. It feels all the more worthwhile.
Next, I heat up the gourmet sausage biscuits, realizing how little I ever make food for myself. There is always someone around to do it for me, and I thought I preferred it that way, but knowing this will put a smile on Heaven’s face, makes doing it almost fun.
When everything’s ready, I chuck my brothers a couple of bottles of Sunny D and pass them a sausage biscuit each before taking the tray to Heaven.
She stirs when she hears the door open and lifts her head off the pillow to throw me a shy smile, but we both know, I know better.
“You brought me breakfast?”
“Of course. All part of the Parker service.”
“I could get used to this.” She grins. So could I, I think to myself as I study her. Disheveled, imperfect and oh so fucking delectable.
“We’re only about half an hour from landing. Did you want to grab a shower?”
“On the plane?”
“Yeah, the shower room is at the back. Sorry, I should have given you a proper tour when we boarded.”
“That’s so cool. I’d love to freshen up, thanks.”
“No worries. But first, breakfast.”
“This looks really good; I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I saw it.” She takes the tray from me and sits up so she can eat. I perch myself on the end of the bed, noticing that this whole relaxing thing is something I could get accustomed to. I’m usually straight up and out of bed, but Heaven is on a total different vibe. She’s strictly in vacation mode, and I’m trying my best to switch off and not think about the meeting that’s going on back at the Florida office today.
I don’t think I’ve missed a meeting in at least three years. It doesn’t matter if I’m sick as a dog, I’m the first one there and the last one out.
“Your brothers must be exhausted after flying us all the way here. I don’t know how you all do it.”
“Want to see for yourself?”
“As in, see inside the cockpit? While we’re in the air? Is that safe?”
“I think we can do one better than that, you’re on a Parker plane, remember.”
“Oh my God, let me throw some clothes on.”
“Of course.” She’s finished eating and throws on her outfit from yesterday, combs her fingers through her hair and we make our way through the plane to the cockpit.
“Mason, Jaxon, you remember Heaven. You guys can take a break. She’s got you covered.”
“Wait, what? I didn’t say anything like that,” Heaven mumbles, sounding on edge as her wide eyes fly around the cockpit.
“Sounds good to me.” Jaxon shrugs and jumps up, passing me his headset.
“Hope you’ve had a good flight so far?” Mason asks, and Heaven nods politely as he steps past her, gently puts his headset on her, and they disappear into the main cabin, leaving the two of us alone in the cockpit.
“Come on, sit down and take that control. Didn’t you say you needed to learn to drive.”
“Cars, Liam,” she hisses into the mic. “Not planes. I’ll get us all killed.”
“Don’t you feel safe?”
“That’s not the point.”
“Take a look around you, you’re doing it already.”
“I am?” She glances out of the window and takes in the aerial view of Chengdu as we begin our descent.
“Yeah, unless you’re landing or taking off, flying is pretty straight forward. Look, let me show you. You move the control like this to take the plane lower or higher in the sky.”
“Oh my God, this is incredible.”
“We got lucky because the sky is so clear. You can drop her down a little if you want to get a closer look.”
“I can’t believe I’m flying… I love it.” She beams, and her smile lights up my morning.
“It’s hard not to.” I shrug. “Wanna help me land this baby?”
“If you're sure. It’s kind of scary.”
“You’ll be fine, I’ve got you.” I begin sliding the controls needed and show Heaven which ones to move in order to nail a smooth landing.
“Hold onto this and pull it back when I say, keeping it nice and controlled,” I instruct her, placing a hand over hers, so as not to take any risks, and my palm heats at the contact.
18
Heaven
Landing the plane was one of the best experiences of my life, and I feel on top of the world, but the fun side of Liam disappears, and he’s in strict business mode as we depart the plane and make our way through customs. I’m quickly realizing that’s the effect airports have on him. He’s in his zone, and it’s fascinating to watch him in action, also kind of intimidating. We’re half a world away from Florida, yet still, people seem to know exactly who he is, and he commands an air of respect from everyone we come in contact with.
It’s something I admire about him. His passion for what he does and the way he’s made Parker Airlines into such a success story, but I’m trying to figure out how I fit into said story.
Am I just another chapter in his probably ridiculous lengthy book of adventures? As much as I try, I can’t picture myself as anything more, and I’m certain I won’t be part of his happy ever after. Did men like Liam even do happy ever afters? Or, is it too much to hope for that a person really can have it all? I certainly don’t know anyo
ne that does. Of the few rich people I know about or have come across through my work with Panda Hearts, they are addicted to money, power, or both.
Liam seems different in some ways. Down to earth, and I can tell he cares about his family, but that doesn’t mean he has it in him to do the whole relationship thing.
“Are your brothers flying straight back?” It’s such a long way, I’m worried they will be too tired to fly back right away without a proper break.
“No chance, Jaxon loves China, almost as much as you. Although, for different reasons,” he adds. “They’ll have to secure the plane properly, and they’ve booked a hotel. Don’t worry about those two clowns, they’ll keep themselves busy while we’re here. We have bigger problems to worry about.”
“We do?”
“Yeah, and I don’t mean saving your precious pandas. I mean catching a cab because my dopey ass forgot to book one.”
“I think we can manage to catch a cab, together.” I side-eye him, placing a hand on his arm as though he needs reassurance.
“Don’t joke, it’s been a while since I slummed it.”
“Oh my God, you are too much, Liam Parker.” I shake my head and pull my suitcase along, leaving him with no choice but to follow.
“What,” he exclaims, and I don’t bother answering except to giggle to myself. This trip is going to be interesting, if nothing else.
When we step outside, I stop in my tracks and take a moment to inhale the air.
“Everything okay?” Liam pauses, looking impatient.
I can tell he’s a rusher. A busy bee. Everything he does has purpose, and I see that his head is always on the next thing, so I just know what his expression will turn to when I say, “Yeah, I’m good, just taking everything in for a minute.”
Vexed.
Completely and utterly vexed.
No idea why, but it makes me smile.
That and the fact that I’m home.
Liam grabs my case and pulls it to the curb’s edge, holding out his thumb to hail a cab and looking awkward as shit as he does.
Stepping beside him, I close my hand around his, squashing his thumb and tucking his arm by his side. “Watch and learn,” I tell him, I step in front of him, holding out my own thumb.
Just like I knew it would, a cab comes to a stop within just a few seconds, and I pass him a smug grin. “Confidence, Liam. You’ve got to look like that cab is yours. It’s going to stop for you. You’re not taking no for an answer.”
“Show off,” he says, holding the door open for me as I wriggle inside.
“The Ritz, please,” Liam calls out to the driver.
My stomach flip flops.
“We’re staying at The Ritz?”
“Of course. It’s the best.” He shrugs like it’s nothing. Hotels like that are not nothing, they cost about the same price as my month’s rent. I’d only set foot in The Ritz once, when I was leaving Chengdu last time, and my Panda Hearts squad had joined in together to buy me an afternoon dinner at the restaurant. I remember looking at the guests as they checked in and out and wondered what kind of things they have to do to afford to stay somewhere so expensive. Now I was going to be that person, casually checking in with my millionaire boyfriend.
Jeez. I take that back. Seriously, don’t know where that came from.
“You know, one night in that hotel could pay for a panda’s upkeep for three whole months?” I arch an eyebrow at him.
“A wise woman once told me that if you don’t look after yourself first, there’s no point trying to take care of anyone, or in your case, anything else. So, how about I look after you, and you look after your furry friends?”
My mouth flies open but not a single damn word flies out.
He wanted to spoil me and treat me like a princess for the next few days, who am I to argue. Part of me is curious; I want to see how the other half lives. Feel the freshness of sheets made from Egyptian cotton against my skin. Sip the finest champagne, and maybe, just for a short blissful space in time, be on the arm of a man that other women envied and wanted. It is a welcome change from my single life of sofa nights and frozen meals for one.
Without a word, I slouch back in my seat and gaze out of the window, watching the lights and business of mid-morning Chengdu fly by.
My eyes land on the familiar spot of Main Street, and my hand flies to Liam’s. “Wait! Pull over,” I shout to the driver. “We can walk from here. I need to show you something,” I murmur.
“No way, ignore her. She doesn’t realize how far the hotel is.”
My eyes meet the driver’s in the mirror. “Pull over, please. We are going to walk from here,” I insist.
Liam rolls his eyes and a smile caresses my lips as we come to a stop right on Main Street.
“What are you doing. Do you even know where we are? Of course, you do. You know exactly that, don’t you?”
“I do and we’re not far from The Ritz, actually. But, there’s something I just have to show you first. Come on,” I instruct, grabbing the handle of my suitcase and pulling it around to his side of the car where he stands gawping at me as though I’ve gone completely insane.
“Let’s go.” I push him from behind.
“I can’t believe you just did that. This better be good, Heaven, because there’s a hotel suite with our name on it that we could be in right now.
My eyes fly to meet his greens.
“I don’t mean for that. Unless that’s what you want?” he adds, casually.
“What I want is to show you one of the places that made me fall in love with China, and it’s not Panda Hearts.”
We take the next few steps beside each other, Liam looking a little sulky as he navigates his case through the hordes of people. I forget what the hustle and bustle of Main Street feels like when I’m away too long. Everyone rushing past you like they have someplace more important to be and someone oh-so-important to go see.
“Here it is.”
“What is this place?” he asks, staring up at the gold lettering on the front of the traditional Chinese building.
“This is the Storytelling Teahouse. I think it’s the best tea house in China. You’re going to adore this place,” I say, as I make my way inside, working through the people sitting and sipping tea at the outdoor tables.
Just as I hoped, when we get inside, there’s an elderly group of gentlemen at the front telling stories of ancient Chinese history. Some true, others probably not so much. I stop in the center to take a seat in an oversized bamboo chair, tucking my case under the table. There’s a huge cook top full of old steel kettles, and unusually shaped urns in every color you can think of sitting on a table next to the kettles. Steam in the air from boiling water in the kettles fills the entire decorative room with the unique, pungent, wonderful smell of properly prepared Chinese tea.
Groups of men sit around laughing with friends, smoking cigars, and playing cards while other tables are full of women chattering and catching up with one another, some fanning themselves with brightly colored fans to keep the cigar smoke and steam away.
I order two jasmine teas from a guy with no top on then watch in fascination as he stands on one leg while pouring it from the freshly made kettle to the urn and finally into the hand painted China cup he passes to me.
“This place is like another world.” Liam’s gaze is intense as he tunes into the story being told about the Mountain Deity and his Guard Wolf. I recognize it easily, as I’ve sat in this same spot and listened to it being told over and over. Their broken English is a little hard to get used to, but it makes the stories that much more intriguing. It’s a different vibe here than the rest of China, and you can’t help but relax as you sip tea and let your worries blend with the steam in the air and float away. “What’s the tea?”
“Jasmine. It helps to calm the mind.”
“Do you believe in all that stuff?”
“You tell me. Don’t you feel calm?”
He takes another sip and thinks about it
for a second before replying, “I guess.”
“I just thought we could come here, listen to some stories, sip some tea, and chill to refresh before we go sightseeing.”
“I’m glad we did. I mean, I did think you were fuckin’ crazy wanting to walk to our hotel, but now that we’re here, I’m good.”
Settling back in my chair, I sip my tea, and we clap as the story comes to a close. The guy stands and passes Liam a cigar, which to my surprise, he takes and puts to his mouth.
“Oh my God, that thing is huge. I didn’t even realize you smoked.”
“I don’t usually, but seeing as we’re doing the whole chill out thing, I might as well jump on the bandwagon. Here, have a go.” He blows a trail of smoke to the side of my face and passes me the cigar. I’ve never smoked before, but he embraced my idea about coming here, so I’m not going to chicken out.
Lifting it to my lips, I take a long, deep inhale and the smoke instantly hits my lungs, attacking them and causing me to cough and splutter like an absolute idiot.
The elderly group laugh, as does Liam, which earns him a killer glare, and by the time I catch my breath, I see the funny side and laugh along with them.
19
Liam
One thing’s for sure, she wasn’t exaggerating about how much she loves pandas. She must have pointed out every single sculpture and any other art form in the design and shape of a panda on the way back to the hotel, and we stopped to take pictures of all of the ‘unique’ displays, which was annoying because they all looked the same to me. Also, kind of endearing, as she’s so excited about each panda we see, like a kid in a candy store that’s eaten most of the sweets and is riding the wave of a heavy sugar rush.
No wonder she loves it here, the city is clearly as fanatical about pandas as she is because they’re everywhere. The place is dripping in them. It’s like Mason just flew one of our 757’s over and dropped an air bomb of pandas on us, she’d even asked someone to take a picture of us standing under a giant one that was sculpted to look as though it was climbing the side of a tall building.
