Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Charlie
We boarded, and I quickly took the reins to let Hope enjoy herself with the fully stocked kitchen, any movie or show she wanted on the TV, and the internet. I also told her she could take a nap in the bed.
The thought of her and a bed was another reason I'd locked myself in the cockpit and sent the crew to quarter in their lounge area. I would call them if I needed them.
Takeoff was a breeze, and soon, the stick was steady as we headed back toward New York City.
When the door opened, my heart jumped because I knew it was Hope. I flipped on the autopilot and turned toward her.
She asked, “Can I join you?”
I nodded and patted the copilot seat. “Just don’t look down and freak out like last time.”
“I won’t look down, but I was bored back there by myself.” She tensed, but she squared her shoulders and sat. For a second, she was quiet, then she asked, “Why do you love flying?”
I stared out at the empty horizon and took the controls. “Because it’s the most free I ever felt. Want to take the wheel?”
“No!”
I guided her hands to hold the yoke, which guided us up, down, over left, over right, or even a twist for a roll. I showed her how I was doing it. “It will make you less afraid, and I’m right here, to fix everything.”
She held but closed her eyes. “I can’t.”
“You know how to drive,” I said, and when she opened her eyes, I switched full control to her.
She sighed and held us straight. “I never do it, though. I usually call for a service.”
I lifted my eyebrow and hovered near the control button in case she messed up. “But you learned?”
“Yeah.”
For a second, she flew us just fine. I winked at her. “Good, because you’ve been flying yourself for a minute now.”
She let go immediately and sat back. “Take the wheel.” Her face was red, but I retook control as she said, “I came to talk, not crash us.”
I checked we were on course and gently maneuvered us. “It’s not a wheel, but okay. What’s going on?”
Done with flying. I turned on the autopilot again.
“Part of me worries what your family might think of me when we break up.”
I kept my hands on the yolk for her nerves. “Why?”
She sucked on her bottom lip for a second, and I wondered if she would talk. Then she let out a breath. “I have friends, but I’ve never had a support system where you can just call someone, and you have family that knows what to do.”
I pursed my lips. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
She smiled. “So you said you wanted to be like Gerard and prove yourself.”
“Yeah?”
She patted my arm. “And your mother wants you to start your own business doing something you love.”
Hope’s idea of an airline sounded interesting. I shrugged. “She wants me to be happy.”
“So you should totally start your own airline. I’m good at advertising, so I could get you customers.”
The idea of running a business with her at my side sent my heart into double speed. “You’d stay with me?”
She nodded. “If I believed in you and the business that you’re actively building, why not?”
If I could, I would jump at this chance. I would have time to seduce her romantically too. “I like the idea. Let me mull it over.”
She shrugged. “It’s better than working for your brother.”
Kir wasn’t that bad, but she was right. I wasn’t happy at my father’s company, where I was in charge because of my last name.
Generally speaking, though, he was the responsible one who could do anything with his eye for detail.
She stared off and not at me, though, so I refocused on her.
“So, what’s your plan when we get back to Manhattan? ”
She smiled a little less brightly. “I’m going to go to the interview since you hate my idea.”
I reached out and took her hand. “I don’t hate it. It’s… me.”
She tilted her head, and I swore she saw something in me as she asked, “What do you mean?”
I froze. I never spoke about my faults, but I saw myself clearly. I blinked. “Starting a company needs a lot of focus and attention to detail, and while Gerard was good at it, I’m not sure about me.”
Her eyes brightened, and she cupped my face. “Well, that’s honest. Thanks for telling me.”
I turned and faced her. She stilled and pointed me to the sky. “Drive the plane.”
I shook my head. “We’re using autopilot for a few more minutes.”
She tilted her head. “So you think I’m going to kiss you on the lips, then?”
My heart beat faster. She was on the same page. I inched closer. “We both know you want to.”
“This doesn’t mean anything.” She ran her hands through my hair.
“Absolutely.”
We kissed. This time, no one cheered, but I didn’t need applause when kissing Hope.