Falling at 30,000 feets

s nothing like J

tional furniture and a small balcony. What stood before her was a penthouse suite on

leaming like shards of crystal under the afternoon sun, streets alive with the tiny movement of cars and people far below. The interior was a perfect blend of modern elegance and quiet luxury: polished marble floors in soft gray tones, walls

en and something clean and woodsy-maybe sandalwood or cedar-and th

inless steel appliances and marble countertops, the cozy reading nook tucked in the corner by the window, the hallway leading to what she ass

raped over the backrest. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he watched her take it all in-her

ough warmth to sound genuine. "And you're not just any employee-you're exceptional. You saved

He looked completely at ease here, as if he'd spent time in apartments like this his

undercurrent of curiosity. She'd always known he was more than just a fel

Then he bit his lip lightly, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly before he chose

cs. Instead, she turned back toward the apartment, walking slowly toward the wide glass windows and pressing her palm against the cool

is voice softer now, as if he'd mad

r got t

lkway. Jane, still focused on the view, took a step backward and her foot cau

lap, her hands flying to his

emed to

ing lightly around her sides to keep her from falling further. She was lighter than he expected-fragile, almost, despite the strength he knew she p

t of his heart beneath his shirt, could smell the faint scent of his cologne-something clean and sharp

th natural and completely foreign, and he had to fight the urge to pull her closer. He could feel th

e was only the warmth of her body against his, the quiet sound of their b

shed back in, s

as if the contact had burned her. She stepped back a few feet, putti

as she adjusted her uniform jacket. "It was an accid

is own shirt. Though his gaze lingered on her a second longer than necessary, taking in the

the thick tension that had settled in the air. She walked down the hallway wi

to sound normal and failing slightly. "So I'll take the master bedroom. It has an en-suite b

llway. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to push away the feeling t

ane disappeared into the hallway, closing

knife, broken only by the faint hum of the building's ven

h

ugh the quiet. He glanced at the screen-Michael-

yde

diately, crisp and professional d

ht suspension-he can't set foot in a cockpit until further notice. He's on probation now

y below. He'd pushed for harsher consequences-Reuben's actions had endangered not just Jane, but ev

een fired immediately. What he did was reckless and

tly. "She said second chances are part of building a st

isappeared. He wondered if she knew about Reuben's punishment, if it would bring her any sense of closure. He found him

Day – Pil

ne prepared for their flights. Jane stood in front of her locker, adjusting her uniform with practiced precision, her fingers smoothing down the creases in her slee

h a loud bang that made

tightly his muscles stood out. Jenny wore a concerned expression, her hand resting lightly on his arm as if to soothe him. Their presence

toward Jane, his steps heavy and delibera

the quiet of the room. "Did you orchestrate my punishme

ow and deliberate, as if he weren't even there. She'd known this confrontation

uncomfortable, as everyone in t

you've always resented me for being promoted faster, for getting better routes-but this is too far.

others looking angry on Jane's behalf. Everyone knew Jane was one o

met his furious gaze. There was no anger in her expression-on

ly, her voice carrying cle

face turning red wit

d her locker and turned to leave. Her tone was cool and unbothered, as if she were

in shock at the insult. Jenny's hand flew to her mouth, pretend

rd, her steps ste

her, stopping her path wit

s. "This is all my fault. I lost my senses and asked Reuben to help me get that promotion-he was just tr

enny's carefully crafted facade. She'd seen this act before-Jenny play

ne said, her vo

nyone co

ac

Jenny's head snapped to the side, her hair flying acr

d and closed, no words coming out. Jenny stood still for a l

almly, her fingers flex

quare," she

teps steady. The silence she left behind was louder than any argument could have been-

eyes shimmered-but not with tears. There was something cold and calculating in her

ave misunderstood everything. She's clearly under a lot of stress. Can you help transfer me to

t before softening. He'd always been weak for Jenny's innoc

ate," he said, his voice soft

is eyes were off her, her expression shifted-cold and determined. Jane Harley h

ere –

mulator training facility on the third floor. Michael was talking animatedly about the latest

eing Chief Pilot? Stick to management work for once-approving flight plans, reviewing safet

ut his hand still ached sometimes-especially when the weather was cold or when he'd been using it too much.

den's left hand, which was tucked into his pocket. "You kno

had been with him through everything-flight school, his first solo flight, th

is voice leaving no room for argument. "No res

art exasperated-but didn't argue further.

ation, holding up his hands in surrender. "Ground

d, throwing an arm over his s

without you in the air-we've got plenty of

his lips despite himself. Michael had always bee

ned in slightly, a mischievous

d. "Did you know your record's been broken? T

f. He'd held that record for five years-ever since he'd qualified fo

on-she beat your time by half a year. Started flying lessons when she was eighteen, worked her

front of the windows, to the moment she'd landed on his lap. He'd known she was good-he'd seen her h

s eyebrows playfully. "Don't tell me you haven't not

kept walking, his expre

hat gorgeous captain and me? A breathtaking aviation romance. We'll be the talk of the a

as already replaying the feel of her hands on hi

ulder again before pulling out h

s my b

he training facility, Michael chattering excitedl

hts were no longer

omewhere el

ment with floor-t

of an arrangement, no longer just a colle