MR.SINCLAIR’S ASSISTANT

Shaken

Aria's POV

The suite was larger than my bathroom at home.

For a moment, I simply stood there, taking it all in.

Soft recessed lighting reflected off polished marble countertops. Dark wood cabinetry lined one wall, while brushed gold fixtures added a quiet elegance that somehow managed to feel both luxurious and understated.

Everything about this plane felt impossible.

I set my toiletries beside the sink before hanging my lounge set neatly on one of the hooks.

The mirror reflected a woman who looked far more exhausted than she had realized.

I let out a slow breath.

"It's been a day," I murmured to myself.

The shower came to life with the turn of a single handle, releasing a steady stream of warm water.

Within seconds, steam began curling through the room.

I stepped beneath the spray, closing my eyes as the warmth eased the tension from my shoulders.

The stress of the morning.

The whirlwind of preparing for Milan.

Meeting with executives.

Boardrooms.

Schedules.

Deadlines.

It all seemed to disappear beneath the steady rhythm of the water.

For the first time since boarding the plane, I allowed myself to relax.

I washed my hair before reaching for the body wash provided by the aircraft.

Even that smelled expensive.

Soft citrus blended with sandalwood and white tea.

I laughed quietly to myself.

Of course even the soap on Lucien Sinclair's private jet would probably cost more than my weekly grocery bill.

Fifteen minutes later, I stepped out, wrapping myself in one of the impossibly fluffy towels.

After drying off, I slipped into my cream-colored lounge set. The oversized knit sweater fell comfortably over matching drawstring pants, while my soft slippers completed the outfit.

Comfort.

Exactly what I had been craving.

I brushed my hair until it fell in loose waves around my shoulders before applying a light layer of moisturizer and lip balm.

No makeup.

No heels.

No perfectly pressed blazer.

Just me.

I gathered my things and took one last glance at the mirror.

Much better.

As soon as I stepped back into the hallway, the gentle hum of the engines welcomed me again.

I made my way toward the main cabin.

Lucien looked up from his tablet the moment he heard my footsteps.

His eyes lingered for the briefest second before something softened in his expression.

A smile tugged at his lips.

"Much more comfortable?"

I looked down at myself before smiling.

"A hundred times."

"I thought so."

I laughed as I slipped back into my seat.

"I don't think I ever want to wear that dress again."

"It served its purpose."

"It definitely did."

I tucked one leg beneath me, instantly appreciating how much more comfortable I felt.

Lucien closed the tablet and set it aside.

"I almost didn't recognize you."

I looked up.

"Is that a compliment?"

"It is."

"I'll take it."

"You look..." He paused, as though carefully choosing the right word. "Relaxed."

Something about hearing that from him made my smile widen.

"I finally feel relaxed."

"I'm glad."

For a brief moment, neither of us spoke.

It wasn't awkward.

Just quiet.

Comfortable.

Outside the windows, the last traces of daylight had disappeared, leaving only the endless darkness above the clouds.

The cabin lights dimmed automatically, casting everything in a warm amber glow.

It somehow made the aircraft feel even more intimate.

Another soft chime sounded.

Amelia appeared once more, pushing a beautifully arranged dining cart.

"Dinner is ready whenever you are."

The rich aroma filled the cabin almost immediately.

Fresh herbs.

Butter.

Warm bread.

My stomach answered before I could.

Lucien's eyes flickered toward me.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Heat crept into my cheeks.

"I didn't realize I was that hungry."

"I think our chef will appreciate the compliment."

I couldn't help but laugh.

Lucien pressed one of the discreet buttons built into the armrest of his chair.

Within seconds, the doors leading to the galley slid open, and Amelia emerged, gracefully guiding a polished dining cart into the cabin.

It was set as beautifully as everything else on the aircraft.

White linen.

Crystal glasses.

Polished silverware.

Amelia stopped beside the table.

"Good evening," she said warmly. "Chef Matteo has prepared this evening's menu."

She carefully placed two plates in front of us before uncovering them.

The presentation was flawless.

She set a basket of warm artisan bread between us before pouring sparkling water into our glasses.

"I hope you both enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," Lucien said.

"Thank you," I added with a smile.

With a slight nod, Amelia wheeled the cart back toward the galley, leaving us alone once more.

I looked down at the plate in front of me before picking up my fork.

"It almost looks too pretty to eat."

Lucien reached for his own utensils.

"Give it five minutes."

I smiled.

"You don't think I'll feel guilty ruining the presentation?"

"I think you'll forget about it after the first bite."

I raised an eyebrow.

"That confident?"

He met my gaze.

"I've had Chef Matteo's cooking for years."

I cut into my meal and brought the first bite to my mouth.

The flavors were rich without being overwhelming, every ingredient perfectly balanced.

My eyes closed for half a second.

"Oh... that's really good."

A quiet chuckle escaped Lucien.

"I told you."

I smiled, taking another bite before setting my fork down.

For a few minutes, we simply enjoyed the meal.

The quiet wasn't awkward.

It was easy.

The soft glow from the cabin lights reflected against the windows, turning them into mirrors. Beyond them, there was nothing but darkness stretching endlessly outside.

By the time we finished, our plates were nearly empty.

Almost as if she had been waiting for the perfect moment, Amelia reappeared with the dining cart.

"I hope everything was to your liking."

"It was wonderful," I said sincerely.

"I'm glad to hear that."

She cleared our plates with practiced efficiency, collecting the silverware and glasses before giving us both a warm smile.

"If you need anything this evening, I'll be in the galley."

"Thank you, Amelia," Lucien said.

She inclined her head before quietly wheeling the cart away, the doors sliding shut behind her.

I glanced down at my hands.

"I think I'm going to wash my hands."

Lucien nodded.

"Take your time."

I smiled before unfastening my seatbelt.

"I'll be right back."

As soon as I stood, the aircraft suddenly dipped.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips.

The floor seemed to shift beneath me as the plane hit a pocket of turbulence.

Instinctively, I reached for the nearest seat, but another jolt threw me off balance before I could grab hold of anything.

I stumbled forward.

Straight into Lucien.

Before either of us had time to react, I landed awkwardly across his lap.

One of his hands caught my waist on instinct while the other steadied my arm, keeping me from slipping onto the floor.

"I've got you," he said quietly.

"I am so, so sorry."

Before he could answer, the aircraft lurched again.

Harder this time.

The sudden jolt threw us both forward.

My breath caught as my face collided with his.

Our lips touched.

It was soft. Unexpected. For a brief second I felt his tongue.

The world seemed to stop.

The turbulence eased almost as quickly as it had begun, leaving the cabin eerily still.

Neither of us moved.

His hand remained at my waist.

Mine had somehow found the front of his shirt, my fingers curled into the fabric.

My heart hammered so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

Slowly, I pulled back.

My eyes shot to his.

His were already on mine.

Neither of us spoke.

I could feel the warmth rising into my cheeks.

"I... I swallowed. That wasn't..."

"I know," he said, his voice calm, though a little quieter than before.

"It was the turbulence."

I nodded a little too quickly.

"You can sit back down," he said softly. "The captain will usually leave the seatbelt sign on until we're through it."

Almost on cue, a soft chime echoed through the cabin.

The illuminated seatbelt sign above us remained lit.

"I think that's my cue," I murmured.

A smile ghosted across his lips.

"I'd say so."

Carefully, I shifted off his lap and lowered myself back into my seat, fastening my seatbelt with fingers that suddenly felt clumsy.

"You should probably keep your seatbelt on."

I let out a quiet breath I hadn't realized I had been holding.

"Yeah... probably."

I reached for the buckle, my fingers fumbling with it before it finally clicked into place.

The sound seemed unusually loud in the otherwise silent cabin.

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly finding the view out the window incredibly interesting.

Outside, the sky stretched on endlessly, the moon casting a faint silver glow over the clouds below.

Neither of us spoke.

Not because there was nothing to say.

There was simply too much.

I could still feel the warmth of his hand at my waist.

Still remember the brief, accidental touch of his lips against mine.

A soft exhale came from beside me.

I glanced over.

Lucien had leaned back in his seat, his eyes fixed on the window across from him.

His expression was composed, but there was a tension in the set of his jaw that hadn't been there before.

For the first time since we had met, he seemed just as unsettled as I was.

Oddly enough...

That made me feel a little better.