Chapter 49
49
ALAINA
R oan was pacing up and down the aisle of the jet, his brow furrowed with worry. “I can’t get a hold of Jake,” he muttered, frustration evident in his voice. “I need someone to go get Rafe from the school. His flight made it before the storm, but he’s there all alone.”
I watched him for a moment, considering our options. “What about Cate?” I suggested. “She could pick him up.”
Roan looked at me, hesitation clear in his eyes. “I don’t know, Alaina. I’m not sure I want to involve Cate in this. It’s a lot to ask.”
I shrugged, picking up my phone. “She’s my sister. She’ll understand. Besides, Rafe needs someone to get him, and we’re stuck here.” Without waiting for Roan’s approval, I dialed Cate’s number. Cate answered on the second ring. “Hey, what are you doing right now?”
“I’m drinking hot chocolate,” she answered. “It’s freezing here.”
“I need a huge favor,” I said, glancing at Roan who was still pacing. “Roan and I are stuck in Indianapolis because of the storm, but Rafe’s flight made it to Chicago before everything got canceled. Can you pick him up from the school?”
There was a brief pause before Cate sighed dramatically. “Alaina, do you realize there is a snowstorm right now? They are telling everyone to stay home.”
“I know, but I don’t think that includes abandoning children,” I said dryly. “You can take him to Roan’s house. We’ll get there as soon as we can. Please, Cate. Poor Rafe is going to be all alone. He’s going to be worried about his dad.”
She let out a sigh. I knew I would get to her if I pulled at her heartstrings. “Fine, you owe me big time for this. I have to drive through a snowstorm to get there.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” I said, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice. “But Rafe really needs someone right now. Please?”
“Fine,” Cate replied, her tone softening slightly. “I’ll go get the kid. You’re lucky there aren’t any diapers involved. I would say no.”
“Thank you, Cate. I really appreciate it,” I said, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “Stay safe, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. You too,” she said before hanging up.
I turned to Roan, who had stopped pacing and was now looking at me expectantly. “Cate’s got it covered. She’ll go pick up Rafe and hunker down at your place.”
Roan let out a long breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you, Alaina. I didn’t want to put her in that position, but we didn’t have a lot of options. I guess I should have more backup plans. In New York, we had a bigger network. I haven’t really established that in Chicago.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said, walking over to him. “Rafe will be safe with Cate, and we’ll get back as soon as we can. If worse came to worst, I would have called Trudy. She would understand the situation. I’m sure there are other parents scrambling right now as well. It happens. It’s not like we did it on purpose. You didn’t abandon him.”
He smiled. “Thank you. I always feel like I have to be super dad, and unfortunately, I don’t think I measure up all the time.”
The pilot came back from the cockpit, informing us that we would be grounded in Indianapolis for at least a few more hours until the storm passed. The pilot was going into the airport to relax. We decided to stay on the jet. It was far more comfortable than waiting in an airport.
“You know, this could be worse. At least we’re not stuck inside the crowded airport with pissed-off travelers.”
Roan chuckled, sitting down next to me. “True. And we have plenty of space to ourselves.”
I smiled, feeling a warm sense of contentment. “We do. So, what should we do to pass the time?”
Roan’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint. “I can think of a few things,” he said, his voice low and teasing.
I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be shocked. “Roan Lockhart, are you suggesting we take advantage of this situation?”
He laughed, his hand reaching out to take mine. “I’m suggesting you take advantage of me . We were pretty rudely interrupted if I remember correctly.”
I felt a shiver of excitement run down my spine. “Well, in that case, let’s make the most of it,” I whispered.
Roan’s lips met mine in a slow, lingering kiss that made my heart race. I melted into him, savoring the taste and feel of his mouth against mine. His hands slid around my waist, pulling me closer until I was practically in his lap.
We broke apart for a moment, both of us breathless. “Let me pull this out,” he said.
“This?” I teased. “I think I can find it.”
He laughed. “The couch turns into a bed. But I like the way you think.”
“Oh please, that is exactly where your mind is.”
“Well, yeah, but I’m a guy.”
“What if the pilot comes back?” I asked.
“He won’t, but just in case, I’ll pull the privacy curtain,” he said as he got to his feet.
I watched him pull a heavy curtain across the aisle, separating the couch from the front four chairs and table.
“You really have quite the setup here,” I commented.
“Sometimes, if we have to fly out to LA or overseas, it’s nice to have a place for Rafe to crash while I work.” He shrugged.
“He’s a world traveler?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but he’s been around a bit.” He smiled.
I stepped back and watched as he pulled the bed out, already covered with sheets. He grabbed a couple of blankets from a bench and we were set.
“This is cozy.” I grinned.
“It’s about to get hot,” he teased.
He shrugged out of his suit jacket and soon it was a race to see who could get naked first. Roan had a head start. I stripped my boots and socks off as quickly as my fingers could manage in the chilly plane cabin. Despite the lighthearted race, I couldn’t help but watch as Roan undid his tie with deft, nimble fingers before tugging his shirt over his head. He paused for a moment, watching me before pulling off his undershirt. His dark hair was messy from the quick movement, falling onto his forehead and making his blue eyes stand out even more.
Damn, I loved the man. He was so sexy and gorgeous and hot. I wanted to jump him. I couldn’t get enough of him. I could see the marks I left on his chest last night. That too was pretty hot. I did that in the throes of passion.
“Tick-tock, Alaina,” he goaded when he caught me staring. He quickly kicked off his shoes and unbuckled his belt.
“You’re on.” I laughed, pulling my own shirt over my head and tossing it at him. He caught it with a smirk, dropping it onto the floor as he watched me unbutton my jeans.
Soon enough, we were both under the warm covers of the bed. Our laughter died down as he pulled me closer, his fingers trailing down the side of my face gently. His gaze was soft as he looked at me, a stark contrast to the playful banter we’d just shared.
“Alaina,” he murmured, his voice nearly drowned out by the distant hum of the airplane’s engine.
“Hmm?” I replied, looking up into his eyes. The teasing glint was gone from them now, replaced with a depth of emotion that made my chest tighten.
“I want you to know.” He paused, his hand cupping my cheek as he seemed to search for the right words. “I want you to know how much you mean to me.”
I kissed him. “Roan,” I whispered, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze again. “You mean everything to me too.”
The look of relief that washed over his face had me closing the small distance between us once more, our lips meeting in a series of slow, deep kisses. Each one was an affirmation of the feelings we had for each other, an affirmation that this wasn’t just a whirlwind romance or a fleeting moment of passion but something deeper, something more profound.
His hands roamed over my body. I shivered under his touch, savoring the electricity that ricocheted through me. As his lips moved down my neck, I arched into him, my fingers pushing through his hair.
“I love you, Alaina,” he whispered against my skin, making me shudder with pleasure.
“I love you too, Roan,” I murmured back, pulling him closer to me. His body molded perfectly with mine, providing me with a sense of comfort and security I hadn’t felt in a while.
His fingertips trailed down my skin. The reverent touch made my heart flutter madly. I could feel his breath hitching with every careful touch. Our bodies tangled together under the warmth of the sheets, each moment more intoxicating than the last.
He tenderly kissed my breasts before sliding his body over mine, supporting his weight on his elbows. He looked down at me, the intensity of his gaze making me melt. I could hardly breathe from the anticipation. His lips met mine in a sweet, passionate kiss that left me craving more of him.
He slid into me, both of us gasping at the sensation. He started to move in slow, steady thrusts that had me clinging to him, nails digging into his back. Every stroke ignited a flame within me that grew bigger and hotter with each passing minute. His voice was low in my ear, whispering sweet nothings and declarations of love that only fueled the fire within me.
My hands moved over his back. I caressed his warm skin, sliding up and down and savoring the feel of his muscles rippling with each movement. I ran my hands lower, grabbing his firm ass and pulling him against me.
His groan of pleasure was soon lost in my own as he increased his tempo, his movements growing more powerful and sure. I met him thrust for thrust, our pace quickening until the air around us felt charged with electricity. Sweat slicked our bodies despite the cool plane cabin, making the sheets beneath us damp, but we were too lost in each other to care.
His name fell from my lips, a breathless plea. “You’re so beautiful, Alaina,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire. His hands cupped my breasts as he kissed down my neck, relishing every gasp and soft moan that he elicited from me. “I want to stay buried inside you forever. So hot. So wet.”
His lips found mine once more, swallowing any further sounds I might have made as he moved within me. His kisses grew frantic as his pace quickened, only pulling away when both of us were gasping for breath.
Roan’s gaze was locked on mine as I felt myself spiraling toward release. Our movements became more frantic as we neared the edge together. Roan’s pace quickened, his thrusts becoming more desperate. My cries became louder, echoing in the confined space of the plane, each one a testament to the pleasure coursing through my body. His grunts of pleasure matched my cries, our bodies one in rhythm and sensation. He buried his face into the crook of my neck, his hot breath panting against my skin.
Then, suddenly, we were there. The pleasure crashed over us like a wave, sweeping us away in its powerful grasp. Roan’s name tore from my lips as we climaxed together. My body convulsed beneath him, humming with the intensity of my release. Roan shuddered above me, his rhythmic movements stuttered as his own climax swept him away.
Eventually, we lay tangled together, our breaths slowing as we came down from the high. He rested his head on my chest, his heavy breathing washing over me.
“That was…” Roan began, but he seemed at a loss for words.
“Incredible,” I finished for him, a satisfied smile on my face.
He chuckled softly, his fingers brushing through my hair. “Yeah, incredible.”
“Does this count as joining the mile-high club?” I joked.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “I think technically you actually have to be in the sky to be a part of that club. I’m not sure what the rules are. I’ve never joined the club. You’re the first woman, besides nannies or my old assistant, to be on the plane.”
I smiled, liking the sound of that.