Buckle Up
Delaney
So far, the flight had been smooth and easy. But my stomach was still tied up in knots.
Tessa was engaged.
And I'd had no idea.
This wasn't even the strangest thing. As far as I could tell, my parents had no idea either.
Thanks to the internet, I already knew plenty about Ryder Vaughn.
And let's just say he was exactly the kind of guy that Mom would just love to post all over social media, especially if he was dating her favorite daughter.
And forget dating. An official engagement would be social media gold, complete with endless photos and running commentary.
But Mom hadn't posted anything about him at all – which could only mean one thing. She didn't know.
In other weird developments, she'd been posting a lot less about Tessa and more about silk scarves.
Apparently, she'd bought a bunch of them while in Paris.
With my money.
I still hadn't confronted her, because what was the point? I knew exactly how it would go. She'd call it a loan. I'd call it theft. She'd argue the account was still in her name. I'd argue that it couldn't be a loan if it was never repaid.
And on and on.
After a whole lot of sniping, it would end like it always did – with neither of us talking and Dad trying to make peace. By skipping the argument altogether, I arrived at the same ending without dragging Dad through the middle.
Then again, it's not like he and I were talking these days either.
As my thoughts churned, I glanced out the window and spotted the Mackinac Bridge far in the distance. My stomach gave another lurch as the jet engines changed pitch, like the plane was slowing for its descent.
I gripped the arms of my seat just a little tighter. Was I really doing this?
Before leaving, I'd asked Maddox to keep my arrival a secret, suggesting that he tell them only that he was bringing a guest. I didn't want us to be that rude – showing up as a pair when only one was expected.
But the fact it was me? I'd asked him to keep that part under wraps. Selfish or not, I wanted to see Tessa's genuine reaction – not something planned or rehearsed.
If she didn't want me there, I needed to know, if only to avoid making a fool of myself.
In the seat next to me, Maddox asked, "You okay?"
I swallowed. "Yeah, totally."
He studied me with concern. "Are you sure? You don't look it."
I let out a nervous laugh. "Gee, thanks."
"Hey, not everyone likes flying."
Normally, I wasn't a huge fan of flying. But flying like this? Yeah, it was totally different.
I didn't even know what kind of jet this was, but I'd never sat on leather quite so soft. And the rest of the interior was just as impressive. Between the polished wood, brushed metal, and whisper-quiet cabin, it felt more like an executive lounge.
There were ten seats total – enough for the two of us plus eight others. I'd actually counted, all while trying not to look like an imposter.
I was pretty sure I didn't belong here.
And yet, during most of the flight, I'd been surprisingly at ease while Maddox and I talked about nothing in particular – just movies, Chicago, and whatever happened to cross our minds, like all of this was perfectly normal.
We did not talk about Sloane, not by name, anyway.
Even so, thoughts of her loomed large in the back of my mind – and not only because I felt awful she was missing.
She was the reason Maddox was heading to Mackinac Island.
Apparently, Ryder had talked him into a long getaway, telling Maddox that the island was the perfect place to get some peace and quiet while riding out the media storm.
Maddox didn't say which media storm, but it's not like he had to.
Back in Chicago, I'd had barely two hours to get ready. I'd spent those hours tying up loose ends – saying goodbye to Walt, cleaning out my car so it could be stored courtesy of Maddox, and trying to convince myself I hadn't completely lost my mind.
One thing I hadn't had to do was pack. For months now, I'd been living out of two measly suitcases, the same ones I'd lugged to Chicago, back in June.
Okay, technically neither suitcase was small, but I'd been recycling the same handful of outfits ever since leaving West Haven ages ago.
At the rustic cabin, it hadn't seemed like a big deal. Most days, the only person I saw was Walt, who wasn't exactly a fashionista.
And besides, I'd been in full writing mode, camped out in leggings and T-shirts while hammering away at my next book. I'd gotten so much writing done that I was shockingly ahead of schedule.
Now, as the Mackinac Bridge loomed closer and closer, I shifted nervously in my seat. I wouldn't be in the wilderness now. Sure, tourist season was nearly over, but I'd be standing next to Tessa, who always looked like a million bucks.
Absently, I said, "I should've done some shopping."
Maddox said, "So shop while we're there. My treat."
I was touched by the offer, but I couldn't accept. "Why should it be your treat? I'm the one who packed so light. And besides, it's not like they sell a lot of clothes."
"So shop online. Have them delivered."
I bit my lip. "I'm not even sure that's possible in the winter."
"But it's not winter. It's fall. And winter or not, there's always a way."
This made total sense, and I probably should've known this already – even if this was my first visit during the off-season. "You're probably right. But I have my own credit card, so…" I shrugged. "I guess what I really wish is that I had more of my own stuff."
He looked thoughtful. "You mean from that storage place in West Haven?"
I blinked. "You knew about the storage place, too?"
He winked. "I knew everything."
In spite of the wink, I couldn't even tell if he was joking. Still, I had to tease him. "Maybe I know something you don't."
"Oh, yeah? What's that?"
"How about…the number I'm thinking of." I smirked. "You don't know that, do you?"
"Sure I do."
Yeah, right. "Okay, what is it?"
He didn't hesitate. "Two."
I laughed. "Why two?"
"Just tell me. Was I right?"
And now I felt like an idiot. "Well…if you want the truth, I actually didn't think of one."
He laughed. "Good. Then two it is."
"Why two?" I asked again.
"Because two's better than one."
"It is?"
His voice softened. "What I mean to say is, I'm glad you're here." His gaze met mine. "I missed you."
I had missed him, too. Still, it made no sense. "But we only spent those couple days together."
He smiled. "I know."
"So, why are you smiling?"
"Because you smiled first."
"I did?" But he was right. And I was still smiling – a big, goofy grin that probably looked ridiculous.
"Yup. And I know why, too."
At something in his eyes, my heart gave a warm flutter. "Why?"
"Because you missed me, too."
I snorted. "Is that a question?"
"No. It's a statement of fact."
I gave him a playful swat to the arm. "So you are a mind-reader."
He looked adorably cocky. "Yup."
For a moment, neither of us said anything. As a wisp of a cloud drifted past the window, I drank in the sight of him. He was ridiculously attractive.
My gaze dipped to his lips. They looked infinitely kissable, especially now, curved into a slight smile, like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
Damn it.
He probably did.
Just then, the jet gave a gentle bump. Instinctively, I reached once again for the armrest. But instead, my hand landed on his.
His hand felt warm and strong, and I didn't pull back. I didn't want to – and not because of anything to do with the flight. When his fingers curled around mine, my heart gave a dangerous little stutter.
Maddox looked down at our joined fingers before lifting his gaze to mine.
Suddenly, I couldn't seem to stop myself. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. And just like that, he was kissing me back.
His hand came up to my jaw, his thumb stroking my cheek as the kiss deepened and grew more frantic. When his tongue found mine, my pulse went absolutely haywire.
Suddenly, I couldn't seem to get nearly close enough. I shifted toward him, hardly aware that I was moving until his free hand settled at my waist and drew me the rest of the way.
Before I knew it, I was perched sideways across his lap, kissing him like the past few months had never happened. His mouth stole every coherent thought from my head, leaving only warmth, longing, and the sudden certainty that I'd missed him far more than I had ever admitted.
His arm tightened, keeping me exactly where I wanted to be. His mouth was warm. His body was hard. And the scent of him – all clean and masculine – was icing on the cake.
I half-forgot where I was – until a soft chime echoed through the cabin.
Maddox pulled back with a quiet curse. For a long moment, neither of us moved. I wasn't even sure I could move. I felt dizzy and warm in all the right places.
I might've been panting.
I wanted to say something, but I had no idea what.
But then, the pilot's calm voice announced that we'd begun our final descent. I blew out a long, shaky breath as something like sanity came rolling back.
Maddox grinned.
When I grinned back, he glanced toward my abandoned seat and asked, "Want me to buckle you up?"
I wanted him to do something, alright.
Still, I slid back into my own seat and watched with warm amusement as he secured my seatbelt without asking a second time.
Afterward, he fastened his own, and my gaze strayed southward. At what I saw, I stifled a smile. Apparently, I wasn't the only one whose body was already circling third base.
My lips parted as I stared for a beat too long. Catching myself, I looked up with a little start.
Maddox gave me a wicked grin. "Hey, don't hold that against me."
I didn't know whether to laugh or groan. "Oh, great. Now you think I'm a hussy."
He snorted. "Maybe I'm the hussy." But then his expression softened. "Hey, I want you to know something."
"What?"
"No expectations, okay? Ryder's place has plenty of bedrooms."
I smiled. "You already said that. I mean…before we even left."
"I know. But I still mean it." He leaned toward me just a fraction. "And just because you jumped me—"
"Jumped you?"
"Hey, I didn't climb onto your lap."
"Well…maybe you pulled me onto your lap." My chin lifted. "You ever think of that?"
He gave a slow nod and said in a voice filled with promise, "Yeah. All the time."