Mile High Temptations

**Chapter 1: The Departure Lounge**

Lila Bennett stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her curly brunette locks cascading over her bare shoulders, a razor gliding with precision over her skin. The steam from the shower still lingered, wrapping her petite, fit frame in a sultry haze. She caught her reflection and smirked—damn, she looked good. At 32, she was the kind of woman who could command a room without saying a word, and tonight, she was heading to Omaha with the university basketball team to charm donors on a private jet. A game, a gala, and a whole lot of opportunity.

Her husband, Mark, hovered in the doorway, his brow furrowed as he watched her shave with meticulous care. 'You’re putting in a lot of effort for a bunch of old donors,' he muttered, his voice tinged with suspicion. His eyes lingered on her movements, a mix of desire and dread.

Lila turned her head, her sharp green eyes piercing through him. 'Mark, darling, I don’t half-ass anything. You know that. These donors are dropping six figures for the team. I’m not showing up looking like a hot mess.' She flashed a wicked grin, rinsing the razor under the faucet. 'Besides, you’re not exactly in a position to complain about effort, are you?' Her gaze dropped meaningfully, and Mark’s face flushed. He knew exactly what she meant—his shortcomings weren’t just in the confidence department.

He shifted uncomfortably, crossing his arms. 'Just... don’t do anything stupid, okay? I trust you, but—'

'Oh, please,' Lila cut him off, stepping out of the bathroom, her towel barely clinging to her curves as she brushed past him. 'I’m not the one who needs babysitting. You’ve got the kids for one night. Try not to burn the house down.' She tossed her hair, her tone dripping with playful disdain. 'I’ll FaceTime you later. Maybe I’ll even give you a little show if you’re lucky.'

Mark’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t push. He couldn’t. Lila was a force of nature, and he’d learned long ago that trying to cage her only made her wilder.

Hours later, Lila was 30,000 feet in the air, the private jet’s cabin buzzing with the energy of the basketball team and the deep pockets of the donors. She wore a sleek black dress that hugged every inch of her toned body, her laughter cutting through the hum of conversation like a siren’s call. She was in her element, charming a silver-haired millionaire with a glass of champagne in her hand when her phone buzzed. Mark.

She excused herself, stepping into the jet’s private lounge area, and propped the phone against a table for the FaceTime call. 'Hey, honey,' she purred, her voice a teasing lilt. 'Miss me already?'

Mark’s face appeared, strained and searching. 'Just checking in. You look... nice.'

'Nice?' Lila laughed, leaning forward so her cleavage was just in frame. 'I look fucking irresistible, and you know it. Don’t play coy with me.' She sipped her champagne, her eyes glinting with mischief. 'How’re the kids? Still alive?'

Before Mark could answer, Lila’s phone slipped from its perch, clattering to the floor. The camera tilted upward, catching a glimpse of a tall, broad-shouldered man stepping into the lounge behind her. Dark hair, chiseled jaw, and a smirk that could melt steel. He leaned against the doorframe, his presence filling the small space.

Mark’s voice cracked through the speaker. 'Who the hell is that?'

Lila snatched the phone up, her expression unflinching as she met her husband’s wide-eyed stare. 'Relax, Mark. It’s just an old friend. You remember Jace, don’t you?' She tilted the phone slightly, letting Jace wave casually into the frame. 'He’s... consulting on the trip.'

Jace chuckled, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. 'Yeah, consulting. That’s one way to put it.'

Mark’s face reddened, his words stumbling. 'Consulting? On what? Why’s he even there?'

Lila’s lips curled into a dangerous smile, her tone sharp as a blade. 'Oh, Mark, don’t be so dramatic. Jace and I go way back. He’s got a knack for... handling big situations. Something you wouldn’t understand.' Her eyes flicked to Jace, a silent dare passing between them.

Jace stepped closer, his hand brushing Lila’s shoulder as he leaned down to whisper something in her ear. Her laughter was low and throaty, and Mark’s grip on his phone visibly tightened. The tension crackled through the screen, electric and undeniable.

'We’ve got some business to wrap up,' Lila said, her voice dripping with innuendo. 'I’ll call you later, babe. Try not to overthink things.' She blew a kiss and ended the call before Mark could protest.

As the screen went black, Lila turned to Jace, her eyes blazing with hunger. 'You’re trouble,' she accused, but her tone was anything but angry.

'And you love it,' Jace shot back, his hand sliding down her arm, pulling her closer. The air between them was charged, her breath hitching as his fingers grazed the small of her back. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the promise of something raw and untamed.

Lila tilted her chin up, her lips inches from his. 'Don’t think for a second I’m some damsel who needs saving. If we’re doing this, it’s on my terms.'

Jace grinned, his grip tightening. 'Wouldn’t have it any other way.'

Their mouths crashed together, hungry and fierce, the taste of champagne lingering on her tongue as they stumbled back against the lounge wall. Her hands roamed his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt, while his fingers dug into her hips, pulling her against him. She could feel him, already hard, pressing into her, and a wicked thrill shot through her. This was going to be explosive.