Chapter 1 #4
While this is terrible, it’s also great because for the first time in months, she’s stirred emotions in me that have my heart beating faster than usual, and I feel hot.
Everywhere, to the point I feel uncomfortable.
I reach up and adjust the nozzle on the overhead air vent to cool myself down, bamboozled at the absurdity of how a stranger is affecting my body.
Gulping loudly, I reach for my bottle of water and take a large sip as the safety demonstration continues. “Please ensure your seat belt is securely fastened.”
Mina’s eyes stay fixed on the flight attendant, unaware that I am having a full-on fucking perving session and that my brain is working overtime, searching for all the reasons I suddenly feel drawn to someone I know barely anything about. It’s fucking ridiculous.
The cabin crew busy themselves around us, checking seat belts and closing the overhead storage as the woman over the PA finishes up.
“Please also ensure your seats are in the upright position, and all tray tables are stowed, ensuring any carry-on items are securely stored, and all electronic devices are switched off or set to airplane mode. Thank you.”
When we’re finally ready for takeoff, the aircraft starts to push back from the gate, before taxiing to the runway, gaining speed by the millisecond as it prepares to lift off, and that’s when Mina’s mantras begin and gain volume, her hands now wrapped around the armrest of the seat, clawing at them, digging her fingernails into the leather fabric hard enough to pierce the tough hide.
She’s as stiff as a board, her features pained, and her entire body clenched as if preparing for the end of the world.
I don’t know what makes me do it, but I reach for her hand as the engines grow louder and the aircraft leaves the ground. Then I’m talking to her, reassuring her that she’s safe, that she’s going to be okay, and that I’m here for her.
I then twist in my seat slightly to try and turn her attention to me, and coax her to open her eyes and look at me.
When she does, I’m hit with the urge to kiss her so fucking hard, to help her forget all her anxiety and take her fear away. But I don’t.
“I’ve got you, Mina,” I assure her, wanting to be the only person she needs right now.
She nods, those scared dark eyes meeting my gray-blue ones.
I add, “You’re safe with me, I won’t let anything happen to you.” The aircraft continues to shake as we ascend, the ground below slowly disappearing beneath us, the fluffy clouds that look like cotton candy finally coming into view through the oval-shaped windows.
“The pilots do this every day,” I tell her.
“They do?” Her voice is shaky, sounding unsure.
“Yes. Breathe in and out.” I demonstrate, breathing in, then out, and encourage her to follow me with a slow head bob.
“You can do this. In…” I breathe in, and she does.
“And out.” I blow out a long breath, and she copies again.
“Good girl.” Her pupils dilate, as if she appreciates my praise.
I test my theory and say it again when she matches my breath, in and out. “Good girl.”
She lets out a small whimper, and it’s like music to my ears, the sound going straight to my dick, making it twitch in my boxers. Again. What the fuck? But hell, that’s a sound I would like to hear more of.
Wriggling in her seat, she nibbles her bottom lip, watching me intently, her rapid eye blinks slowing and relaxing as her attention drops to my lips.
Without giving it a second thought, I cup her face with my free hand, her warm skin soft and delicate beneath my palm.
She maintains my gaze entirely, her gentle breath brushing against my face as I draw closer. “You’re doing so well, Mina.”
“Am I?” she asks in a whisper, needing the reassurance.
“So good.” My voice is low and raspy; everyone around us blurs, my focus solely on her.
My heart pounds in my chest from how close she is, her heady cherry scent filling my lungs, my senses, and my mind with everything about her.
I could easily get lost in her beauty. She’s a masterpiece, priceless and stunning—so beautiful that it feels like someone has drained all the oxygen from my lungs, making it hard to maintain steady breaths, and almost has me forgetting where I am.
Until I’m brought back to reality when the airplane unexpectedly jolts, and we’re jostled side to side as it hits turbulence, still ascending, soaring high into the blue sky above the clouds.
“I hate turbulence,” she says anxiously, her voice several octaves higher.
I’m determined to be here for her, and my hand never loses contact with her face or her hand.
The sound of the aircraft continues to creak and groan, sometimes whistling, and the engines change pitch as they adjust to the air current.
“Tell me what you need.” My thumb brushes over the soft skin of her cheek.
She lets out a high-pitched shriek, clenching her eyes together when we hit another patch of choppy air. “Do something to distract me,” she pushes out frantically; her whole body is trembling. “Cole, please say or do anything.”
When she’s begging like this, I do the only thing I can think of.
I lean in and rest my forehead against hers.