Read What He Explores (What He Wants, Book Twenty-One) for Free Online Page B

He reached out and took my bag from me.
    “Yes, sir,” Jared said, his face blank and devoid of reaction. I supposed when you worked for Noah so long, you weren’t surprised by anything.
    Still, my face flamed and I averted my gaze as the three of us boarded the plane.
    Once we were on board, Jared set Noah’s briefcase down and turned to him. “Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”
    “No, Jared. I will call you when we are ready to be driven home.”
    “Yes, sir.” Jared nodded and then disappeared back down the steps and back out onto the tarmac.
    I looked around, shaking my head, still unable to comprehend the kind of wealth that allowed someone to own their own jet. And it wasn’t just any jet – granted, I hadn’t been on many private jets (read: none), but this one seemed like it went above and beyond.
    The interior was done in shades of silver and black, giving the whole plane a sleek, sophisticated, futuristic feel. The seats were wide and opulent, and made of black leather.
    Toward the back of the jet there was a desk set up, with a wide marble top that was attached to the wall. Noah picked up his briefcase and brought it over to the desk, then set it down and looked at me.
    “Are you hungry?” he asked.
    I shook my head. “No.”
    “You must be.”
    “I’m not.” It was late afternoon now, the sun beginning to dip in the sky, and I wondered what Lameuix was going to think about us showing up at his house so late. I thought about our arrival, about having to face Lameuix in the dark, and even though I knew next to nothing about him, and even though I’d asked to come on this trip, a shiver ran up my spine.
    Noah saw the look on my face. “Charlotte.”
    “Yes?”
    “You don’t have to come. I can arrange for you to stay here. Or we can find a place for you to wait Upstate while I go and meet with Lameuix.”
    “No.” I stuck my chin into the air, hoping I sounded more sure of myself than I felt inside. “I want to go.”
    A look of dominance clouded his strong features, his eyes hooded and dark. I knew I was pushing him, knew I was putting him in an awful position. His need to protect me was strong, and I was making it impossible by threatening to go meet with Detective Rake if he left me alone.
    “Very well.” Noah reached over and pushed a button on a console next to one of the chairs, and almost immediately, a uniformed flight attendant appeared. She was blonde and tan, her eyes blue, her skirt short.
    “Hello, sir,” she said, her eyes lingering appreciatively as she took in Noah’s broad shoulders and rugged sexiness. “Welcome aboard. Miss.” She looked at me and nodded, and I nodded back. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or not, but I thought I noticed a look of curiosity flash across her face, as if she was trying to figure out what my relationship was to Noah. If I was a work colleague, or if we were together in a relationship. “What can I do for you?” she asked smoothly.
    Interesting wording, I thought. What can I do for you? Not what can I get you?
    “We’d like to see an in-flight menu, please,” Noah said.
    “Of course, sir.” She turned and disappeared back toward the cockpit.
    “There’s an in-flight menu?” I asked.
    “There’s a private chef,” Noah said, slipping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. “And a bedroom.”
    I froze. I knew there would be punishments. I just didn’t know they would be coming so soon.
    “There’s a bedroom on the plane?” I asked, my voice slightly strangled.
    “Yes, Charlotte. There is a bedroom on the plane.”
    The waitress returned before he could elaborate. She held two menus out to us, and Noah glanced at one quickly while she stood there, waiting. I ran my eyes down the menu. I wasn’t lying when I told Noah I wasn’t hungry. But I knew he would insist I eat something.
    “I’ll have the filet mignon,” Noah said. “Medium.”
    “Certainly, sir.” The flight attendant turned to