"Gordon!"

Caitlin's voice broke through the crowd, a note of disbelief coloring her words.

There, in the midst of the bustling terminal, stood a familiar tall figure-who else could it be but Gordon? He wore a crisp white dress shirt, tailored charcoal trousers, and polished leather shoes that could have only been custom-made. Though he did nothing but stand there, his presence radiated an unmistakable air of privilege and authority. People passing by-men and women alike—couldn't help but steal admiring glances, though few dared to meet his gaze.

"Catie."

Gordon's lips curved ever so slightly as he called her name.

Caitlin let go of her suitcase and hurried over, wrapping her arms around him. "What are you doing here?"

When she'd first spotted Gordon in the crowd, she'd almost convinced herself she was seeing things.

He slid one arm around her waist, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head. His voice was low, with a raspy undertone. "Didn't I say I'd come pick you up from the airport?"

It took Caitlin a second to process his answer.

He was right. Gordon had said he'd meet her at the airport.

But she'd assumed he meant the Capital City Airport.

This was Neon Spire.

Thousands of miles away from the Capital.

Her cheek pressed against his collarbone, and even through the fabric of his shirt, she could hear the rapid thump of his heartbeat.

His pulse was racing.

She held him for a moment longer, then pulled away and looked up at him. "Honestly, you could have just met me at the Capital City Airport. There was no need to fly all this way."

"It's an honor to bring you home," Gordon replied, lacing his fingers tightly with hers. "Not everyone gets the chance to pick you up from the airport. I should count myself lucky."

Caitlin let out a soft laugh. "God, Gordon, how did I never realize you were such a smooth talker?"

If she hadn't experienced it herself

she never would've believed this was the same stoic Master Ninth of the Sylvester family the man who barely cracked a smile most days.

"I've always known what to say," Gordon replied, a hint of playful seriousness in his eyes. "I just never met the right person before."

Even Gordon found it hard to believe how much he'd changed. The old him never believed in love.

Caitlin tugged him back toward her suitcase. "Are you sure you've never been in a relationship before?"

"I haven't." Gordon took her suitcase from her without missing a beat. "I swear."

She grinned. "You don't have to

swear. At your age, it's normal to

have an ex or two. The problem isn't having a past it's pretending you don't." tas FindNovel.net

"I really haven't," Gordon insisted, his tone suddenly earnest, almost pleading. "Catte, you have to believe me Every first I've had allofthem are with you."

The last part came out just above a whisper.

Caitlin reached up and pinched his cheek. "Okay, okay, I believe you."

Just like any couple in love, they wandered through the terminal chatting and laughing.

Both of them had booked business class seats.

Their seats were side by side.

But today, business class was nearly empty-sixteen seats in all, and only Caitlin and Gordon occupied them.

As Caitlin glanced around the quiet cabin, she turned to Gordon. "Did you book out the whole cabin?"

Gordon gave a small nod. "Something like that."

She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'something like that'?”