BONUS SCENE
CAL
“Are you doing all right?” I touch Kaleb’s hand, observing the tension in his shoulders as he peers out the airplane window. “The wing didn’t fall off, right?”
Dragging his gaze off the rush of white clouds, my fiancé gives me a blank look. “Not funny.”
“It’s a little funny.” I wouldn’t make light if I sensed he really felt worried about plane failure. But I can tell he’s not nervous about that.
“A wing falling off is virtually impossible.” He’s cool as a sexy-ass cucumber, and I love it. “This particular plane’s wings are made with heavy-duty aluminum and contain two metal spars supporting the wing load. The spars run through the aircraft and can’t snap off. Structurally speaking, the plane is attached to the wings and not the other way around.”
God, I love this man’s mind. “You researched the mechanics of this exact airplane?”
“Damn right I did.” There’s color in his face, so at least he’s not pale like he was when we boarded in LA. “This is still weird as hell.”
“Flying?”
“Flying over the ocean.” He nods at the water below us. “That’s a whole ‘lotta Pacific down there.”
He makes a good point. Blue water swirls with ribbons of white, stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s pretty, but yes…weird for someone not used to it.
“Maybe the ocean can serve as a comfort?” I suggest. “You grew up by the sea.”
“By it, not over it.” He looks out the window again. “Or in it.”
“Let’s not to think about that.” We’ve flown a few times together since that landmark day he got on a plane to convince me to give us a shot. He’s still new to flying but rallied for this adventure.
It’s a bucket list trip for us both. Nearly two weeks in Hawaii for a series of book signings, speaking engagements, and relaxing, beachy romance.
I’m making sure romance takes top billing.
“We’ll be on the ground in a few hours.” I squeeze Kaleb’s hand again. “Then it’s tropical bliss for twelve days.”
Kaleb lifts one dark eyebrow. “Tell me more about this bliss.”
“Okay, well.” I’m sensing he needs a distraction from the view. “After Tuesday’s radio interview, I’m done for the rest of the trip. The remaining eight days are ours to enjoy fully.”
“Define fully.” His gigantic palm curls around mine. There’s a shift in his posture that tells me he’s doing just fine. “I need details about the enjoying, please.”
This sounds more like the Kaleb I know, but there’s still tension trapped in his shoulders.
You can take a mechanic out of small-town Oregon for two weeks, but putting him in the air takes some practice.
Distraction. That’s what he needs.
“For starters, I’ve got the blue bra and panties you love.” They’re still his favorite, though I had Hayley Nixon order new ones to replace the well-laundered first set. “I’m wearing them now.”
“Really?” Intrigue wipes any worry off his face. “So I can rip them off you the minute we land?”
“Maybe not the precise minute.” I do like the sound of that, though. “I wore them for luck, to ensure a safe, easy flight.”
“That’s what it takes, huh?” He grins. “Must’ve learned that in grad school.”
“Undergrad physics.” I try—and fail—to keep a straight face. “Or maybe airplane psychology. Something like that.”
His eyes drop to the front of my shirt like he’s trying to see through it. “I dunno, Brooke. I’m pretty nervous.” He looks zero-percent nervous now. Staring at my breasts must be helping. “I might need comfort.”
“Comfort, huh?” Why does that sound sexy? “You have something in mind?”
“Yep.” He lifts a hand to straighten a magazine in the seat pouch. Grazing my breast on the way down, he grins. “I need proof you’re wearing that exact bra and panties.”
“Proof?”
“Visual proof.”
“I see.” Rolling my shoulders, I do a sexy little shimmy. As I dip my left shoulder, my boatneck tee slides down to reveal one blue bra strap. “How’s that?”
“Very nice.” He touches the silky strap and his eyes go molten. “I love that you’re really wearing it.”
“I’m a woman of my word.”
“That you are.” The hunger in his voice makes me shiver. “Also, an unbelievably sexy one.”
“Thank you.”
“Mmmm.” He sounds growly and hot, with no trace of nerves in his voice. “What do you say we join the mile-high club?”
“Illegal, I’m afraid.” The way he’s eating me up with his eyes, I kinda wish it wasn’t. “We’ll have plenty of time for that once we’re on the ground.”
“Seems like a shame.” He’s not giving up easily. “Did you pack that red bikini you wore pypo boarding last summer?”
“Absolutely.” I also booked a suite with a private plunge pool that’s perfect for ditching swimsuits altogether, but that’s a surprise for after we land. “I got some new bikinis, too. One in steel blue with those cheeky-style bottoms you like.”
“Nice.” He gives a low growl of approval. “God, I love your ass.”
“My ass loves you back.” Releasing his hand, I drop mine to rest on his thigh. Unable to resist, I let my fingertips trail up his inseam. “I might also have a few surprises planned.”
“Such as?”
I laugh as my fingers inch higher. “If I tell you, they’re not surprises.” Like I’m not going to tell him anyway. “You know that black lace teddy you liked in the window of Mischievous Mermaid?”
His blue eyes go smoky, the color shifting from navy to midnight blue. “I thought Hayley didn’t have your size.”
“There are perks to being a Vulvarine.” The second I mentioned this trip, Hayley phoned her sales rep with a special order.
“Consider it an engagement present,” she said as she gave me the gift-wrapped teddy last night. “Knock his socks off.”
I plan to.
Kaleb catches my hand where it rests on his thigh, my fingers still tickling his inseam. “Are you trying to make me hard?”
“Not exactly.” I just can’t keep my hands off him. “Is that a problem?”
“Behave.” He squeezes my hand, then frowns “Your fingers are freezing.”
“It’s chilly in here.” I stretch to adjust the overhead fan, but he stops me.
“You said you liked the air.”
“I do,” I admit, wishing I’d worn a sweater.
“Here.” Grabbing the fleecy blue airplane blanket from the seat pocket, he spreads it over our laps. “Better?”
“Thank you.” I shift in my seat, snuggling close to his big, warm body. It’s not just for heat. I love being close to Kaleb. “I know better than to wear a knee-length skirt on a plane.”
“I love the skirt.” His palm finds my thigh beneath the blanket. “You have sexy legs.”
I shiver and not from the cold. Will his touch ever stop stealing my breath? Doubtful. His fingers drift higher, teasing the hem of my skirt.
Without meaning to, I inch my thighs apart. Kaleb takes notice and slides his hand higher. His palm feels hot and sturdy and so damn huge.
Glancing around, I’m surprised to discover we’re alone. The row across from us sits empty, and so does the one behind that. There’s a lone man asleep directly in front of us, but no one behind us. It’s a slow time of year on a weekday flight, and the attendants are off slinging drinks at the front of the plane.
“Keep going,” Kaleb says, and I blink.
“What?”
“You were distracting me from my flight phobia by describing sexy things you packed.” His hand continues its trip up my skirt, hidden in the folds of the blanket. “Let’s hear the rest.”
“Right, yes.” I’m a little bit dizzy and struggling to concentrate. Blame the fingers scant inches from the edge of my panties. The tip of one digit ghosts my center, and I gasp.
“Problem?” He looks perfectly innocent.
“No problem.” My voice sounds more like a squeak. “I’m sorry, what did you ask?”
His smile could melt my panties, which…um, I’m kinda there already.
Deft fingers flutter over the scrap of lace between my legs. “You wanted me distracted.” He circles more swiftly, and I stifle a moan. “I’m distracted.”
“Okay.” I’m griping the armrest, and my voice sounds breathy. I can do this. I can keep it together as he teases me under this blanket.
Just to be helpful, I edge my thighs further apart.
“What were we talking about again?”
“Surprises,” he says, and I swallow. “You mentioned the black lace teddy. But surprises sounds plural.”
“Right, yes.” I almost forgot. “I did pack some—” My breath hitches as his thumb rolls my clit. “Tools.”
“Tools?” Kaleb cocks his head. “Mason made me leave my screwdriver set at home. Said they’d confiscate them at security.”
“Not that kind of tool.” But God bless the man for planning to do repair work on vacation. “The other kind.”
“Oh?” His fingers pulse beneath the blanket. He’s teasing me, coaxing me close to the edge, fingertips making magic through damp lace.
Tilting my hips, I press into his touch. God, that feels good.
“What kind of tools?”
“Hmm?”
“What kind of tools, Brooke?”
God, how he says my name. And that slow, sexy swirl with the pad of his thumb. I hold back a whimper as he teases me open through wet, wispy lace.
Gripping the armrest, I arch into his hand. There’s a slow, sexy tingle building at the base of my spine. My breath’s coming faster, almost a pant.
“Tell me about these tools.” The smolder in his voice says he already knows what I packed. “What kind?”
“The battery-powered kind.” I sound breathless and squeaky as the tingle gets fiercer. It moves up my spine, spreading like honey through my limbs. “Tools for—” Another gasp slips out. “—for couples.”
“That’s my favorite kind.” His gaze holds mine as he leans in close. His fingers keep stroking as his lips graze my ear. “Handy for teasing you from behind as I ease inside you and…”
“Oh, God.” Gulping for air, I squeeze my eyes shut.
The warmth of his lips, the heat of his breath on my neck. The piney-sharp scent of his skin. It’s too much. How am I already this close? He’s barely touched bare skin and?—
“Brooke,” he whispers, and my eyes flutter open. “Are you going to come for me?”
Gripping the armrest, I try to answer.
All that comes out is a gasp.
Then his fingers do something amazing and that’s it. I’m gone.
My eyes slam shut as his mouth claims mine, catching my pleasure-soaked cry. I buck in my seat as he coaxes me over the edge.
He smothers my yelp as the orgasm takes me. I’m riding his hand, wave upon wave of forbidden pleasure. The blanket start slipping, but he holds it in place. Holds me steady as his fingers strum and swirl. He’s kissing me still, so hot and possessive that I’m finding it hard to stay conscious.
Jesus Christ.
He brings me down slowly, the heel of his hand on my thigh.
As my eyes flutter open, his gaze locks with mine. “You’re flushed.” One edge of his mouth ticks up. “Nervous flyer?”
“My God.” I’m boneless and limp in my seat. “How are you so good at that?”
He smiles and kisses the tip of my nose. “How are you so fucking sexy?”
I laugh and press my thighs together as he straightens my skirt under the blanket. Glancing around, I’m relieved to see no one’s noticed. The earth might’ve shifted, but only for me.
Flushed and a little bit sweaty, I smooth down my crumpled skirt. “I can’t believe you just did that,” I whisper. “You’re lucky we didn’t get caught.”
“I’m lucky for many reasons.” He kisses me softly, snugging the blanket around my hips “For starters, I’m headed to Hawaii with my beautiful, brilliant, hot as hell fiancée.”
“God, I love you.” I reach up to cup his cheek, and the rasp of his stubble fills my palm. “That was insane.”
Kaleb smiles. “Is that an official diagnosis?”
“It is.” I straighten some more, trying to regain composure. To recall what we were talking about before. “I have another surprise for you.”
He looks so deliciously smug. “Let’s hear it.”
“What part of surprise didn’t register?”
“The surprise part.” Kaleb chuckles. “Not a fan.”
I know this about him, and I get it. The man’s had enough bad surprises in his life. But this one’s all good.
Plus, I already planned to tell him anyway.
“Well,” I say softly, glancing around to be sure we’re still shielded from prying ears. “I packed one more thing you might enjoy.”
“Oh?” He kisses the spot where my neck meets my shoulder. “Tell me about it.”
“It’s really more of a visual thing.” Still stroking his cheek, I look deep in his eyes. “But I can say the surprise is pink.”
“Pink, huh?” His eyes drop to my lap and I laugh.
“Not that,” I say, tipping his chin up with the edge of my hand. “The surprise is also twirly.”
“Twirly?” God, I love the flash in his eyes. “I like the sound of this.”
“I thought you might.” And I can’t believe I’ve never shown him my most embarrassing talent. “I can attach this surprise with double-sided tape, but bondage tape also works. Which is perfect since I also packed?—”
“God, yes.” He looks absolutely giddy. “You packed the nipple tassels, didn’t you?”
Damn right I did. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
Hooded blue eyes drop to my mouth, then travel their way from my still-exposed bra strap to the swell of my breasts. When he meets my eyes again, he smiles. “This is going to be a damn good vacation.”
It certainly is. “I love you so much.” Not just because our sexual chemistry is off the charts. “And I love this journey with you.”
He knows I don’t mean Hawaii. I mean the rest of our lives together.
“I love you, Brooke.” He smiles and my insides turn melty again. “So fucking much.”
“I love you, too.” And I love what he just did to me. What I’ll be doing to him as soon as we reach our hotel. “Thank you for making me come on an airplane.”
“The pleasure’s mine.” He kisses me softly as white clouds sail past the window. “And so are you.”
I hope you enjoyed that sexy glimpse of Kaleb and Brooke’s future in-flight shenanigans.