Chapter 26
SAMANTHA
It felt like a veil had been lifted. I got a chance to see another side of the man.
Watching him with the kids was amazing. All that cockiness was gone.
He was kind and just cool enough to get the kids’ attention.
I watched him play with that young boy. He didn’t coddle him or pity him.
He treated him like a normal guy, which I suspected the boy appreciated.
“Alright, kids, let’s say goodbye to our special guests,” one of the hospital staff said.
We all waved. One little girl gave me a hug. I hated to leave them. Today had been fun. Sad, but fun. Mitch dropped back to walk alongside me. “Do you want to get some lunch?” he asked. “I would really like to talk. I think we need to talk.”
“We do,” I said. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll let Honcho know,” he said.
I watched him say a few words to his CO before he rejoined me.
I was feeling it. A relaxing lunch was the perfect opportunity to tell him about the baby.
I would always be able to find an excuse not to tell him.
I didn’t want to wake up with a baby belly one morning and him not know about it.
That was not the way I wanted him to find out. It would most certainly piss him off.
Because he was in his uniform, we didn’t think it would be a good idea to go into a restaurant.
Although this was a city filled with military uniforms. Most people wouldn’t bat an eye at seeing someone in uniform.
We picked up a takeout order and walked to a park.
We sat down on a bench under a beautiful shade tree.
Kids ran around with the typical joggers and walking moms crowding the paths.
“That was wild,” I said.
“The hospital?” he asked.
“Yes. I have never done anything like that. It was very moving. You guys make a huge difference in those kids’ lives. That visit is not something they will ever forget.”
“You were a part of that visit,” he said.
“Yes, but you guys were the star of the show.” I laughed. “You’re good with the kids.”
“It’s honestly one of the best parts of this gig,” he said. “When I was first applying to be a part of the team, I never paid much attention to the charity stuff. I was focused on the flying and the tricks.”
“Those kids really look up to you,” I told him. “I think you’ve just inspired some future pilots.”
“I hope so,” he said.
“I owe you an apology,” I said.
“For?”
“Last weekend.” I sighed. “I lost my cool. I shouldn’t have done that in front of everyone. I overreacted. You scared the hell out of me and I reacted.”
“You know it’s what I do,” he said. “I have practiced that move a hundred times. Probably more. I know it looked scary, but that’s the idea. I wanted it to look terrifying.”
“You were successful,” I muttered.
“You know I’m not actually trying to kill myself,” he said.
“I don’t believe you are, but that maneuver was risky,” I said. “You have to admit that. No other pilot would do that.”
“I’m not going to lie. I do like to take risks. I like to push the envelope.”
I took a bite of my sub sandwich. “I know. I guess that’s who you are.”
“You were worried about me,” he teased.
“Not worried, concerned,” I replied. As if there was any difference. “I was dealing with the Medusa situation and then you went and did that. I can’t take that kind of stress. Two pilots in life-threatening situations in a matter of minutes is not okay. My heart cannot take that kind of drama.”
“I’m sorry I worried you,” he said. “But you have to know I wasn’t in danger.
Not real danger. I was in total control the whole time.
My Hornet is an extension of me. If it had a heartbeat, I would feel it.
I know every shimmy and shake that thing makes.
The stick in my hand is part of me. I know when she is ready to crack and when she’s ready to roll. ”
He wasn’t the first pilot I heard say that. “Will you please promise me not to do that again?” I asked.
“That’s a pretty serious promise,” he said. “What you think is dangerous isn’t necessarily what I think is dangerous.”
“When your CO is telling you to pull up, that means it’s dangerous,” I snapped.
He laughed and leaned over to kiss my cheek. “I will do my best not to scare you, but you have to do something for me.”
“What would that be?”
“I want you to admit you were worried about me because you care,” he said with that cocky smile.
I rolled my eyes. “You are such a pain in the ass.”
“A pain in the ass that you care about,” he replied.
“Wouldn’t I be a psychopath if I didn’t care a little?” I countered.
He kissed me again. “You can say it.”
“Fine, yes, I care about whether you live or die. Do you feel better?”
“Yes.” He laughed. “I would care if you were freefalling in a jet as well.”
“Gee, so romantic,” I joked.
“We’re hopeless,” he said. “But you know I’m crazy about you.”
Those were some of the sweetest words I had ever heard. It was silly and sweet and just made me want to throw my arms around him. It was the perfect moment to tell him about the baby. He was relaxed. I felt good. It was the right time.
But I couldn’t do it. I was being selfish. Things were good between us and I wanted to live in that moment without ruining it with something major. I didn’t think our child would mind if I took a little time to appreciate his or her father. After all, it was important for us to be close as well.
“I’m kind of crazy about you,” I told him. “Crazy enough to want you in one piece.”
“Is there a particular piece you’re most interested in keeping together?” he teased.
“I can think of a few pieces I’ve grown very fond of,” I answered.
He kissed my cheek, then my forehead. “I wish I didn’t have to go for a meeting tonight. I would really like to spend it with you.”
“You have a meeting, I have preshow checklists to go over. I can’t clear the sky of wandering birds, but I’m going to make sure everything else is in tiptop shape.”
“What about tomorrow?” he asked.
“What about it?”
“After the show, I’d love to see you,” he said in a thick voice.
See me was code for do me. It wasn’t like I didn’t want him just as badly. “We’ll have to see how things go.”
“You mean if I behave myself?” he said.
“If that’s what it takes, yes,” I said. “Your incentive not to kill yourself in the air is a night with me.”
“Shit, I’ll call in sick right now if that’ll make you happy,” he joked.
“No.” I shook my head. “I would never want you to give up something you love. I think you would wither up and fade away if you couldn’t soar through the air.
You need the air as much as the rest of us mere mortals need oxygen.
You would never be satisfied with your life if your feet were stuck on the ground. ”
“I don’t know about that,” he said. “I was feeling pretty satisfied between your legs.”
I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my throat. “You are such a guy. Always sex with you.”
“I am a guy and you can’t pretend you don’t know why it’s always sex with me when I’m around you,” he said. “Even now I’m thinking about pulling you into my lap and having you ride me.”
“Right here?” I teased.
“Fucking anywhere,” he growled. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”
It was sweet. Hot, but sweet. I liked that I could be mowing down on a ham and cheese sub and he still wanted me. I leaned my head against his shoulder. “You know just how to make a girl feel special.”
“I know how to make a girl feel a lot of things,” he said. “I’ve got a couple hours before I have to be at the meeting. Why don’t we make the most of them?”
“Because I have an appointment with a crew chief,” I said.
“Fine,” he sulked. “But just know I’m thinking about you.
Not just sex. I mean, I’m totally thinking about sex, but I’m also thinking about you.
I like spending time with you. I wish we didn’t have to keep all of this on the down low.
I want to be able to talk to you without worrying about someone reading into it. ”
“Are you really serious about us seeing each other after the season is over?” I asked him.
“Yes,” he said. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“No. I just don’t want to think about a future that won’t happen.”
“Hey, it’s going to happen,” he said and patted my knee. He leaned in and kissed me. It was a very romantic kiss. Not passionate, but sweet. It was like the kind of kiss a man would give his wife after years of marriage. It was the first time I really let myself think of a future with him.
“Then you’ll promise me you’ll be good tomorrow?” I asked.
“I’m always good.”
“You know what I mean,” I said. “I want you back on the ground all in one piece with no injuries. When you’re up there and you get a wild hair up your ass and think you need to defy gravity and fate at the same time, remember I’m on the ground waiting for you.
I want you to come back. I want you in my bed tomorrow.
I don’t want to visit you in the morgue or the hospital. ”
“Baby, you’ve been in this world for a long time. You know there are risks.”
“Yes, there are risks, but that doesn’t mean you need to push it,” I said. “Please promise me you’ll be careful. I just want you to avoid the extra risks involved with maneuvers that aren’t a normal part of your routine.”
He blew out a breath. “I’ll be safe.”
I smiled and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“I’ll expect a treat if I’m a good boy,” he said.
My lips moved over his jaw to nibble his ear. “I will treat you very well,” I whispered. “Very, very well.”
“Like?” His breath caught. His flight suit didn’t leave a lot of room for things to grow and expand without being very evident. “Tell me what you would do.”
“It involves my mouth,” I whispered. “My mouth around a certain part of you.”
He groaned and dropped his forehead against mine. “I’m not going to be able to get up off this bench.”
“If that makes you hard, I won’t tell you about the sucking involved in this thing I will do.”
He flinched, air escaping between his gritted teeth. “Woman, you’re killing me.”
“Just promise me you will do your show and come back to me,” I said. “We’ll order dinner in and spend the whole night enjoying one another.”
“I’m going to hold you to that promise,” he said.
“I hope you will.”
We finished our lunch before we took a cab back to the hotel. We parted ways with heated looks but managed to keep from touching each other. There were way too many people around that might see us. As badly as I wanted him, I could not risk my reputation.