His Bride Bargain by Layla Valentine

Author:Layla Valentine [Valentine, Layla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

CANDICE

Maybe this is normal for billionaires, but I’ve never been in a helicopter before, and even less a private one with my family brand slapped all over it. I didn’t exactly need transport out here, but Aiden offered his helicopter, and though I probably should have refused because I’m still making my point about independence and this being a business transaction only, I’ve always wanted to ride in a helicopter. And the opportunity doesn’t come round every day, does it?

I watch the outskirts of Olympus City fade into dirt and get dryer and dryer as we fly out further, to the center of the state. I’m transfixed the whole time, staring down at our shadow as it crosses over a landscape that looks barren and inhospitable, though it clearly is not as I spot a few plants and animals.

The pilot yells into my headset that we’re coming in to land soon and points towards a body of water that is startlingly lush and green compared to the arid world around it. I won’t admit this to Aiden, but I’m really excited to be here.

Not because of him. Because this place looks awesome. He’s a necessary evil.

The helicopter starts its descent, and the greenery of trees rushes towards us, growing and growing until the grasses are blowing wildly under the rotors, waving like they’re about to get uprooted. The touchdown is a little shaky, but as the engine whirs to a halt, the pilot jumps out and opens the door, offering his hand to help me down.

I take it and thank him, glad that my feet are back on solid ground. Then I look up and see Aiden waiting for me.

He does a little wave, smiling like he’s trying to stop himself, and walks towards me. “How was the journey?” he asks, voice raised so he can be heard over the helicopter. He holds out his hand as if to take my bag, but all I brought was a backpack, which I sling over my shoulder.

It’s important to play this cool enough that he won’t get the wrong idea. “It was fine.”

“First time in a chopper?”

“Yeah.” I nod.

“Exciting, isn’t it? It’s so awesome seeing the world so small underneath. Come on, I’ll walk you to the hotel.”

As we walk away from the landing site, I kick myself internally. I made three promises to myself before I left. One: I would not weaken and start to find Aiden attractive again. Two: I would not let his floppy hair and fake innocence charm me. Three: I would judge him fairly to decide if this could work, but I wouldn’t get attached.

I’ve already broken one and two.

That’s okay; plenty of things get off to a bad start. I still have time to recover my senses.

The hotel is only a ten-minute walk away — in fact, the whole settlement isn’t that large; and you could walk around the entire lake and still go for a hike. That doesn’t stop it being gorgeous. As we

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