Yes, Sir

5.4

•- Austin Wood -•

Driving in a city of 8.6 million people daily, was nothing like the smooth driving through the island of Oahu. Sure, there was traffic, but we'd hit the mountains nearly half an hour ago. The sweet solitude of gentle music and rolled windows gave that sense of calmness that you could never truly get in the city of New York.

With Laine's hand interlocked with my own, a newfound feeling of content and happiness settled into my bloodstream.

Being alone with her in any situation was enough to give me mild heart palpitations, but watching her mouth the words to the song playing on the radio and her bare feet rested on the dashboard, could send me into cardiac arrest and I wouldn't even mind it.

I'd been to the island on so many occasions, that this second home was as comfortable as it got. I could drive down winding roads that passed more as a path, and I knew my way around like the back of my hand. It was beyond mesmerizing to me that I could have such a relationship with her. There was a level of comfortability that I had always believed I held no capability to feel.

In seconds, the car is pulled to an open parking space. I release her hand much to my dismay before turning the ignition off and removing myself from the vehicle in silence.

I see Lainey shuffling about to put her shoes on but I pull open her door just as she rugs on her sneaker.

"Listen, I know I can be bitchy sometimes and I also kind of suck at my job, but this is not how I want to go out. If anything, make it painless. It won't hurt you so much if you do it fast. Save yourself before you kill me brutally."

I roll my eyes as she takes my outstretched hand.

"No offense, baby, but I wouldn't have your blood on my hands. I could get it done no questions, no traces."

An immediate snort escaped her throat as I shut the passenger door and begin leading her to the overlook.

"And how are you going to do that when you've just killed your assistant?"

I shrug my shoulders and give her hand a gentle squeeze. "Who's to say I don't already have one lined up? Thea hates her job, right? I could pay her off to not say a word. You really need to think through my options before immediately suggesting that I'd not have a backup plan. Hurts my feelings."

Lainey jokingly lifts herself onto her tip toes and presses her lips gently to my cheek. "Someone needs to knock you off your high horse. Might as well be the woman you spend your free time with."

I appreciated her lack of label on our relationship. There wasn't much to it, and I preferred it that way. Being in a relationship was sticky, and horrifying. I could commit freely to what Lainey and I have. Sleeping with any other woman, even as an idea, felt wrong. There was no possible way I could spend a long period of time with the same woman. Boredom struck me fast. Whenever this crashes to the ground, I'll be prepared. But in doing so, I would lose probably the only friend I could ever have in this lifetime.

Putting aside the horrors of loss, I wrap my arms around her waist from behind and lean my head to her neck.

It was moments like these that I would be able to look back on and be proud of. Now that, was an accomplishment.

"It's beautiful," she hums as her head falls slightly to the side, giving me more space.

Her scent of vanilla radiates off her flesh, and I can't help myself as I inhale deeply.

Looking out to the far off distance gave me closure. I wasn't hiding in my office, or hiding in my apartment with late night thoughts of Laine. I was free to be with her without the fear of someone picking up pictures of the two of us. There was no doubt in my mind that the second we step off the plane, her story will only affect those at Wood Enterprise. And even then, they would have to go through me.