Chapter 20
Their flight touched down with a soft bounce in Richmond several hours later. The engines roared as the pilot reversed the thrust, slowing them. In moments, they were taxiing off the main runway toward another private hangar, where Ezra waited.
Sam glanced out the window, looking for the jet. He was eager to get in the air, so he hoped Ezra was ready.
Jim steered them along the line of steel buildings and brought the plane to a halt next to a gleaming white plane with black and gold stripes down the side and on the tail. The emblem for Appalachia Resorts was on the door.
The engines wound down, and Jim came out of the cockpit to open the door. He unfolded the stairs, then stepped back. “You’re all set. I hope you have a good trip and everything works out for you.”
Sam offered him a hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Audra smiled at him and echoed Sam’s thanks.
With her hand tucked into his, Sam walked down the stairs, making sure she made it down all right. Her gait was a little stiff, but she made it without incident. Jim followed them down and retrieved their luggage from the compartment beneath the main cabin.
“I hope you didn’t get bounced around too much. Jim likes his stunts.”
Sam looked to his left and smiled as he saw Ezra coming toward them. “It was fine. Smoother than the last time I flew with you.”
Ezra scoffed. “Lies.” He grinned and held out a hand. “Good to see you, Sam.”
“You too.” Sam shook his hand, then Ezra reached past him and shook Jim’s hand.
“Glad you kept it under control.”
Jim smiled. “This bird’s not as maneuverable as our helos.”
“True. That thing’s a tank.” Ezra pointed at his plane. He turned to Audra. “You must be Audra. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry it isn’t under better circumstances.”
She smiled and shook his hand. “You too.”
Sam nudged her shoulder. “See? He does exist.”
Ezra’s eyebrow raised. “You doubted my existence?”
“I think I would doubt most of your groups’ existence if I hadn’t heard their voices on the phone. Especially Asher’s.”
Ezra laughed. “Understandable. We do some crazy things. Are you two ready to go?”
“Could I use the loo first?” Audra nodded toward the hangar.
“Of course. It’s through the door and to your right.”
“Thank you.”
Sam watched her walk away. She was loosening up the more she moved, but he could tell she was still stiff. The bed on the plane would be good for her. She needed to stretch her legs out and relax.
“Damn, Dean was right,” Ezra said.
“About what?” Sam turned to him.
“Asher and Max—and really just Asher—are going to be the only single ones left.”
Sam glanced toward Audra again just as she disappeared inside the hangar. “If I can get her on board with that, yeah.”
“She doesn’t want to get back together with you?”
“It’s not that. Things are”—several words vied for dominance in his mind—“complicated.”
“They always are. Until they aren’t.” Ezra laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll get your bags loaded up. Come on board whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay. Thanks, Ezra.”
“Anytime.” The man nodded, then picked up the luggage and walked away.
Sam wandered closer to the hangar to wait on Audra. He’d used the restroom on the plane. She hadn’t. He was sure it was because the tight space was difficult for her to move around in right now. She’d have more room on Brooke’s jet.
The outer hangar door opened. Audra spotted him and smiled. His breath stuck in his chest. Would she ever not do that to him?
He cleared his throat and held out a hand. “You ready?”
“Yes.” She took his hand, and he led her toward the plane.
“I’m looking forward to that bed.”
He brought their hands up and kissed the back of hers. “Me too. It’s been a long day.”
On board the aircraft, they took seats in the main cabin for takeoff. Ezra climbed in and stowed the stairs, then shut the door.
“I’ll use the intercom to tell you when we’ve reached cruising altitude. You’re welcome to get some shuteye at that point.”
Sam nodded. “Okay, thanks.”
“Yep.” Ezra turned, then disappeared into the cockpit.
Audra wrapped an arm around Sam’s and leaned into him, yawning. “I hate jetlag.”
Sam chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Everyone does. But at least we’re sleeping close to when people in London are.”
“Not nearly enough, though.”
Definitely not. But it would do for now.
The engines spun up, and they were soon moving away from the hangar. Within minutes, Ezra had sent the plane rocketing down the runway and they were in the air. Twenty minutes into the flight, he came over the intercom to tell them they were at cruising altitude.
Sam unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up, extending a hand to her. “Come on. Let’s get some sleep.”
She unbuckled and let him help her to her feet. They wandered into the back of the aircraft and through a door.
“Whoa.”
“No kidding.” Sam shook his head. He hadn’t been to the back of the plane when he’d flown in it before. A queen-size bed sat against the far wall, tufted headboard and all. Stacks of pillows were piled on the gray comforter. On either side of the bed was a nightstand with a lamp.
“When you said bed, I was envisioning a cot that folds down from the wall.” Audra walked toward the bed. “This is amazing. I might actually sleep soundly.”
“Well, let’s find out.” Sam snapped on the bedside lamp, then slapped the light switch on the wall and toed off his shoes on the other side of the bed. He pulled the covers back.
She hesitated, a slight scowl on her face.
“What?” He frowned.
“I wish I hadn’t packed my pajamas in my suitcase. I hate sleeping in my clothes.”
A wicked smile erupted on Sam’s face. “Don’t stay dressed on my account.”
Red stained her cheeks. “I’m not giving up any shows tonight. Sorry.” She lifted the blankets on her side and climbed into bed.
He joined her, turning off the light, then pulled the blankets up as he moved closer. “That’s all right. I remember the details quite well.”
She smacked lightly at his shoulder and chuckled. “You’re awful.”
He chuckled with her and bent his head to capture her lips. “Nah. Just stating facts.” He kissed her. He knew they risked getting carried away and ending things frustrated, but he wanted to feel her mouth move beneath his. To taste her. And to just hold her close.
She moaned, wiggling closer. Sam tunneled a hand beneath her top and spanned her ribcage. She nipped at his bottom lip, and he kissed her more deeply. Need spiraled upward, rapidly choking out the rational side of his mind. With a superhuman effort, he brought his hand up and palmed the side of her face, gentling the kiss.
Audra ran her fingers along his jaw and into his hair. Sam’s eyes rolled back, and he had to exert every ounce of willpower he had not to kiss her again. If he did, pulling back the next time would not be so easy. They’d both end up well past frustrated, and he was afraid it might cause her concussion symptoms to flare up.
“Sam… why do you do this to me?” she whispered.
He could tell by the tone of her voice she meant something far deeper than why she was attracted to him. But he didn’t have an answer for her. He couldn’t explain it, either, except to think they were meant to be.
“Go to sleep, Aud.” He tucked her head beneath his chin.
She wrapped an arm around his torso and snuggled closer.
Need still coursed through him. He couldn’t even use his trick of picturing her face to settle his mind. She was the reason he was out of sorts.
Instead, he turned it on its head and used the way he felt to hone in on her in the hopes his reaction would provide its own distraction. He listened to her breathing, taking in every breath, listening to them gradually grow slower and deeper as she fell asleep. He felt her muscles grow slack until she sank into his body and the mattress beneath them.
He lifted his head to peer at her in the near-darkness. In the low light, he could just see the glimmer of her porcelain skin. He touched her face with one finger, tracing her cheekbone. Bending his head, he pressed a soft kiss to the spot he just touched.
Sam laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes as sleep finally pulled at his mind.