Driven by Jayne Rylon

get me wrong, I like kids. But I can’t see myself having them. I guess that’s one of the reasons I never got married.”
    “I’m not stable enough. I travel all the time. No kid should have to have an absentee parent or be dragged across creation, away from all their friends. I don’t see myself wanting to leave what I do. I love racing. Even when I can’t drive anymore, I want to be a chief. Or maybe an owner someday.”
    “I respect you for knowing what you want, refusing to compromise and taking responsibility to ensure you don’t impact anyone else. You’re a good man, Sebastian. Never doubt that.”
    The kiss he shared with her overflowed with gratitude and relief.
    Disaster averted, they soaked together while talking about nothing important in hushed whispers until the water had gone cold and their skin wrinkled.
    Lynn yawned as he carried her to the thick mattress then deposited her on a pile of pillows covered in bedding as fluffy as a cloud. She burrowed into them then held out her arms, welcoming him beside her.
    “I can’t tell you how many times I’d have traded a year’s worth of Belgian chocolate for a bed while trying to sleep sitting up on a flight across the Atlantic. Now I’d give anything to stay awake a little while longer.” She fought the tears stinging her eyes. If she closed her lids, she knew she wouldn’t be able to open them again. And, all too soon, they’d be going their separate ways.
    “Isn’t that the truth.” Sebastian tucked her close then sighed. “We’ll dream together, tesoro .”
    “Promise?”
    “I do.”
    “Goodnight, Bastian.”
    “’Night, gorgeous.”

Chapter Seven
    Lynn woke to unfiltered sunlight glinting from the cracks in the fancy shades covering the porthole-style windows. She rolled over, searching for Bastian with one hand. She found the warm depression where he’d rested but no man shared her bed.
    So that was that.
    She swung her legs over the side of the mattress, dragging the sheet with her like a toga. If he couldn’t stand to wake up with her, she didn’t want to flash her middle-aged imperfections in the harsh light of day for him to scrutinize.
    Come on, what did you expect after a one-night stand? Just because she’d never done it before didn’t mean she had no idea of the way people played the game.
    A glance at her watch confirmed they had less than thirty minutes until they landed. He hadn’t woken her for breakfast. Less awkward conversation that way, she supposed. She wrangled the spare set of clothes she’d stashed in her carry-on from the bag then consulted the bathroom mirror. It’d been a long while since she looked this alive. She’d take that.
    Still, she had to plaster a fake smile across her face when she slipped into the main cabin. Mark occupied the same chair he had during takeoff, flipping through a motorsport magazine. Sebastian had gone missing.
    “Good morning, cara. I was about to wake you. We need to strap in for landing.”
    “And Sebastian…” She hated that she’d asked but she had to know.
    “Uh…he’s taking care of some business in the crew quarters.”
    “I see.” She dropped into the seat opposite him then feigned interest in the clouds coming closer with the passing miles. Not even the gorgeous formations could interest her this morning.
    “Breakfast is on the table if you’d like a bagel, some eggs…yogurt?”
    “I’m not hungry, thanks.”
    “At least let me get you some coffee—”
    “Mark, stop.” She winced at the bitterness in her command then whispered, “Please.”
    Lynn couldn’t stand for the man to feel obligated to clean up his partner’s mess. She had to keep it together long enough to make the world’s longest walk of shame through the jet bridge and out of the airport.
    “I’m here if you need anything, cara .”
    “Thank you.”
    And with that, he left her in peace for the remainder of the flight.

    After landing, Mark helped her with her luggage then kept