Chapter 14 Liev #2
The young woman, Dani, coughs to cover her laugh. She’s perched in a seat across the aisle, dark hair pulled back, a small nose ring catching the light when she smiles. She’s attractive, dressed head to toe in black, and clearly finds this whole exchange entertaining.
Marco, standing near the aisle in the next row of seats with his tablet tucked under one arm, grins.
He’s tall, well-dressed, with thick black hair styled with enough gel I don’t think even the jet’s engines could ruffle it.
His gaze flicks between me and Sera, lingering a fraction too long on her before sliding back to where I’m standing.
“This one might be out of your reach,” he says to Keke lightly. “He brought a chaperone.”
His expression shifts as he looks back at Sera and then openly ogles her perfect ass, which is unfortunately on display from where she’s bent over stowing a bag in one of the compartments. When his tongue slicks over his lip, I step half a pace toward him without thinking, shoulders squared.
Sensing the movement, Marco’s eyes swing back to me and widen at my expression. I meet his gaze and hold it for a beat. A strained chuckle escapes him before he drops into the nearest seat.
“I’m not worried,” Keke says breezily, lifting a flute of champagne. “I always get what I want.”
Sera finishes securing the bags and takes a seat in the last grouping at the back. I can practically feel the angry vibrations she’s generating and can only imagine what she wants to say but can’t.
I smile then. A genuine one.
Dani leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees to look at the model across the aisle. “You’re going to scare him off, Keke,” she says dryly. “Try being normal, at least for the first five minutes.”
Keke laughs, unbothered. “Where’s the fun in that?”
She stretches languidly, arching her back so that her shirt rises high beneath her breasts. Blue eyes flick back to me with unmistakable intent. This is a game to her. One she expects to win.
She won’t.
I’m not sure what spell my Seraphina has spun around me, but it’s as if other women ceased to exist after that alley.
I take the seat across and diagonal from Sera. Close enough I can touch her if I want, but far enough that the others in the cabin don’t have a clear sightline. Fortunately, they’ve all situated themselves with their backs to us.
How thoughtful.
The cabin door closes, cutting off the noise from the tarmac and the pilots are explaining flight times and weather conditions for New York. Dani and Marco are laughing with Keke a few rows up, the sound light and careless.
No one is paying any attention to us.
“You’re supposed to be protecting me,” I tease.
“I think you’re doing just fine on your own. Besides I had to charge my phone again.” She angles slightly toward me, voice low. “When we’re airborne, I’ll email Brady and Vincent. Let them know about the extra bodies so they can rework the plans.”
“Okay.”
The engines rumble beneath the floor, and a low vibration shudders through the cabin as the plane begins to taxi.
That’s when I make my move. I lean forward like I’m about to speak, but I don’t stop where I should. Scooting to the edge of my seat, I cup the inside of her thigh and bring my mouth close to her ear.
“Liev.” Her tone has a distinct warning tone, but she turns her head slightly so that the soft skin of her cheek is touching mine. I smell the mint of the gum she was chewing on the way here, and my body tightens with the need to taste her.
But I can’t. That would be too obvious to the others, if they were to turn around.
I settle for tightening my grip on her thigh, and she shivers under my touch.
The heat between us is undeniable. But I know that even though her body wants mine, and as much as I crave hers, she’s not ready for me to take it as far as I would like.
I plan to use every moment of the next two weeks to build her trust. Then there will be no going back.
“Interesting timing.” I pitch my voice low, my breath ruffling her hair. “All this vibration.”
My lips lift when I see her fingers curl against the armrest as I slide my palm higher.
I lower my voice further. “Makes me curious whether you like that sort of thing.”
Her inhale catches.
“If you’re still open to experimenting, that is,” I add softly.
Her eyes flick to mine, pupils blown wide. Her mouth parts before she can stop it. I watch her throat work as she swallows, pulse fluttering visibly beneath her skin.
The plane accelerates.
As the nose lifts, I let my fingers brush higher, grazing the seam of her pants until I reach the juncture of her thighs.
My touch is light, frankly I doubt she can really feel it through the fabric but just as the ground drops away, I press firmly against her heat.
Before the tiny sound of pleasure has completely left her mouth, I pull back.
Unfocused hazel eyes blink at me. Unfocused but unafraid eyes.
I straighten slightly, satisfaction curling hot and tight in my gut. Too hot. I’m painfully aware of how hard I’m getting, of how little room there is to hide it if anyone walks back here.
I need to stop.
Her gaze clears and drops to the obvious bulge in my pants before narrowing.
“You know two can play at this game, don’t you?”
God, I fucking hope so.
Her lips press together, then she turns her attention out the small window before looking back at me.
“We can’t do this while we’re working.”
Agree to disagree.
I hold her gaze a beat longer than necessary, then lean back into my seat, severing the tension. I spread my hands on my thighs, forcing control back into my body.
“You’re right,” I say easily, like the moment never happened. Like I’m not seconds from saying fuck it and pulling her into my lap. “Two hours to New York.”
I give her a relaxed smile. “You should send that email.” Then I close my eyes and think of every foul thing I can until my body is back under control.