Wedding Daddy

Chapter 1

Chapter One

J ill’s heart pounded as she rushed through the bustling airport, her suitcase wheels clattering loudly against the tiled floor. She glanced at her watch, panic rising with each passing second. She was already late for her flight and prayed that it had been delayed for some reason. Flights got delayed all the time, but she knew if her luck had anything to do with it, the plane would already be in the skies before she arrived.

She had done her best to catch the flight in time; her bags had been packed and ready the night before, and she’d even selected the outfit she would wear to the airport, but fate seemed to be conspiring against her that morning. First, she had slept through her alarm. Then she noticed a tear in the pants she’d chosen. As if that wasn't bad enough, her car had stalled on the road and died halfway to the airport. Frustrated and panicking, Jill had almost abandoned it on the side of the road before it finally coughed back to life.

“Please, excuse me,” she called out as she weaved through the crowd in her path. “I can’t miss this flight.”

She’d spent a large chunk of her savings on this plane ticket and couldn’t afford the penalty for changing her booking. When her brother called to tell her that he’d proposed to his long-term girlfriend, she had been so excited for him. Then she heard the venue they had chosen for their wedding and groaned. For the umpteenth time since she got the news, Jill wondered why the hell he had chosen to get married in Italy, of all places. It wasn't like America had a shortage of nice wedding venues.

Her best friend had a lovely beach wedding in California a few months ago, and it had been beautiful. Why Terry and his new bride had insisted on getting married in Italy remained a mystery to her. She figured it had to do with the fact that his fiancée came from a wealthy family and had her heart set on a destination wedding for a long time.

To give him his credit, he’d offered to pay for her ticket, but she had turned him down. He was already paying for her hotel room, and she assured him she could handle the flight ticket. Jill was starting to regret that decision. She would regret it even more if she missed her flight. As she ran toward the check-in counter, she glanced at the flight information display board, hoping to see that hers had been delayed. Her heart sank when she finally located her flight and saw that the boarding gate had been closed.

Finally, she reached the check-in counter, breathless and disheveled. “Please, I need to get on this flight,” she pleaded with the agent, her voice tinged with desperation.

The agent, a young woman with a sympathetic smile, shook her head. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the gate is closed. You’ll have to book the next flight.”

“I can’t afford another ticket. Please, is there something you can do for me?” she begged the gate agent with an earnest look in her eyes. “I know that plane doesn't leave the moment the gate closes. It’s still out there right now...”

“Doesn’t matter, ma’am,” the agent replied, her voice tinged with an edge of frustration. “No one boards after that gate closes.”

“Bullshit,” Jill hissed. “I’ve seen plenty of people board long after the gates were closed. You just don't want to help me.”

“Ma’am, you’re being unreasonable. I have other people to attend to, and you’re causing a scene.”

Jill glanced behind her and saw that a line was starting to form. Her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment, and she almost slinked away; she hated being a public spectacle, but she remembered how important this was. She would not forgive herself if she missed her brother’s wedding.

“Please,” she pleaded fiercely. “This is an emergency. My brother... He’s getting married, and tonight is the rehearsal. I need to be there for him. You see, my mother?—”

“I’m sorry, ma’am.” The agent cut her off, clearly done with her. “You need to leave, or I’ll call security to take you away.”

“Don’t do that...”

“What’s going on here?” a deep voice said behind her. “You’ve got people waiting to check in here.”

Jill turned around, worried that security had indeed arrived to throw her out of the airport. It wasn’t security. Instead, it was a tall, older gentleman. He had a frown on his face, and she could tell he was irritated by the situation. The gate agent quickly snapped to attention, and Jill rolled her eyes when she saw her smile endearingly at the man as she explained what was going on. When she was done, he turned to her, his brows furrowed in a disapproving scowl.

“There’s nothing that can be done about the flight you missed. Either you book a new flight or leave the counter so people who were smart enough to get here in time can check in,” he chastised her in a belligerent tone.

Jill’s hackles rose, and she bared her teeth at him. “I’m sorry, but this is none of your business.”

“It is my business when your incompetence inconveniences me.”

Again, his belligerent tone made her grit her teeth. He was talking to her like she was a little girl who had left her lunch at home, and Jill curled her hands into fists as she glared at him. “I paid for my flight just like you. You don’t get to tell me what to do,” she hissed, hating how whiny he made her sound.

“Again, little miss,” he drawled sarcastically, and she wondered how he managed to sound even more condescending with every sentence, “that flight is gone, and no one is going to open the gate to let you in. Common sense dictates that you either book a seat on the next flight or step aside so the rest of us can check in.”

He was right, and that just pissed her off even more.

“The next flight leaves in two hours anyway,” he said, leaning forward to glare at her some more. “Whatever it is you have to do over there can wait for two hours!”

“That’s not the point,” Jill retorted.

“What is the point, then?”

“She can’t afford a new ticket,” the gate agent chimed in, and Jill grew red in the face.

“No, that’s not...”

“Fine, I'll pay for a new ticket for her,” the man said, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. “Anything to get this line moving.”

“I don’t need your money,” she growled at him.

“Looks like you do,” someone in the line said impatiently.

“I don’t want it.”

“Just take the money,” someone else said. “We’re tired of standing in line.”

“Ma’am, either you let this kind gentleman pay for a new ticket for you, or I call security to get you out of here,” the agent snapped. “I’m sure the last thing you want right now is to be placed on the No Fly List.”

Jill paused for a moment to think about it. In a perfect world, she would tell this strange and very rude man to kick rocks. Then again, in a perfect world, she would have gotten to the airport early enough to avoid all of this. She wished she could turn down his help, but she couldn’t afford a second ticket, not if she intended to pay her bills next month. And missing her brother’s wedding was not an option. She was the only family he had left.

“Okay,” she said grudgingly, unable to meet the man’s eyes as she stepped aside to let him pay.

When audible sighs of relief came from the crowd behind her, she sank her head in embarrassment. The agent collected her details and handed her a new ticket. Jill mumbled her thanks and apologized to the people in the line as she slunk off to a corner to hide her face.

A few minutes later, she watched the gentleman who had paid for her ticket wheel his luggage away from the counter. He stopped to take a call in the middle of the lobby, and Jill watched him. Tall and broad-shouldered with salt-and-pepper hair that gave him a distinguished look, she could very well imagine him wearing a suit and standing at the head of a boardroom.

He looked good and carried himself well, so she wasn’t surprised he got second looks from women as they walked past him. She would have done a double take herself if he was not too old for her. He had to be at least three decades older than her. Also, he was a bit of an ass. Just because he was old enough to be her father did not give him the right to speak to her like she was some naughty kid who needed to be scolded.

That didn’t change the fact he had helped her when he had no reason to, and she knew she owed him a proper “thank you.” Not the mumbled words of gratitude she’d grudgingly said to him after she got her new ticket. Sighing as she got to her feet, she grabbed her luggage and walked toward him.

He was ending his call when she approached him, and she saw a look of impatience cross his face before he masked it. Resisting the urge to bare her teeth at him, she swallowed her pride and got ready to do the right thing like she'd been raised to do.

“I came to say thank you for paying for my ticket,” she said, pushing the words past the thick log in her throat. “It was really kind of you, and I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. It was not my intention.”

He seemed to relax a little, but his expression still held a hint of chastisement as he spoke. “It’s alright. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. That is why you’re supposed to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.”

It was the tone. She wouldn't have a problem with what he was saying if he didn't say it in that condescending tone that immediately set her teeth on edge.

“I’ll have you know I planned on getting here long before my time for check-in,” she bit out through gritted teeth. “Things just didn’t work out for me this morning.”

“You must be a real lousy planner, then,” he said dryly, seemingly unaffected by her rising ire.

“I’m not a lousy planner,” she hissed in frustration. “It was out of my control. First, my alarm didn't go off when it was supposed to...”

“Or it did, and you were too lazy to get out of bed.”

“Then the clothes I was going to wear had a tear in it and...”

“That is definitely your fault,” he interjected.

“And my car died on the way here this morning!” she snapped so loudly that a few heads turned in their direction.

He paused for a few seconds, watching her as she glared at him. “You know, your car probably won’t stall on the road if you get it checked regularly.”

“You don’t know that. It’s a machine. They break down all the time.”

“Not when they are taken care of. I should know. It’s my job to make sure they don’t stall out of the blue.” His lips thinned in disapproval. “You know, I have a daughter about your age, and she’s just as forgetful as you are about taking care of her car. I’m starting to think it’s a problem with your generation.”

“Maybe if your generation made cars that didn’t need so much money and effort to take care of we wouldn’t have that problem,” she hissed.

He frowned in confusion. “What does that mean?”

“I don’t know,” she hissed. “I just don’t want you to win.”

“Win?” He looked even more confused before shaking his head in disappointment. Jill would have preferred it if he’d turned her around and spanked her instead. That would be a lot less humiliating. “Why are you driving to the airport so early in the morning anyway,” he continued. “You should have gotten someone to drop you off.”

“Did it occur to you that I don’t have anyone to drop me off at the airport?”

“How come?” He looked genuinely perplexed. “Don’t you have friends or neighbors who can help you?”

“They’ve all got things to do.”

“I’m sure one of them could make the sacrifice for you. Besides, pretty girls like you probably have a few men ready to do her any favors. These are the types of favors you should be asking from them.”

“Men?!” she exclaimed before bursting into laughter. He had called her pretty but said it with a scowl, making her wonder if he’d meant it as a compliment. “Why would you think I have a few men at my beck and call, ready to do anything I want.”

“Because that was how things worked,” he replied. “I’ve given a few pretty women rides to the airport in my day. Don’t you have someone like that?”

“No,” she replied, too tickled by the look of confusion on his face to remain mad at him. “And you know there are easier ways to ask me if I'm a slut, right?”

“What?!” he spluttered, then began a coughing fit that scared her for a moment before he got a hold of himself. “That was not my intention.”

“Really? Because that is what it sounded like to me. Just so it’s clear, there is a vacancy if you’re applying for the position.”

“Excuse me!” He sounded so outraged, and it took all her strength not to burst into laughter as she watched his face turn red. “I think I'll take my leave now. Good day and good luck.”

Jill chuckled as she watched him walk away with his back straight and his shoulders high. For a moment, she considered following him and teasing him some more. It had been a long time since she’d had this much fun with anyone. The life of a college student working two jobs to put herself through school didn't hold much in the way of entertainment.

Ultimately, she decided to spare him. After all, he’d paid for her ticket, so she could attend her brother’s wedding because of him. Besides, it looked like he was heading into the first-class lounge, and she knew she could not follow him there.

A woman walking across him stopped, clutching her chest as she took a good look at him, and Jill giggled. She understood the feeling very well. He looked good from afar and even more devastatingly so when she got close to him. She was almost certain she would have swooned herself if she had not been so irritated at him for most of their conversation.

Even now, staring at him as he walked away, Jill wished they had met under different circumstances and that she was a few years older so she could... do nothing. There was no point in deceiving herself. Her last relationship ended almost two years ago, and in that time, she’d found herself less and less interested in getting into any entanglements.

She doubted he would be the one to change that. Even if he was handsomer than the devil, sexier than sin, and made her wish they were still arguing.

When it was time to board, she joined the queue and waited to be allowed through the gate. The gentleman who had helped her had already gone ahead of her as part of the priority group, and he’d glanced at her as he walked through the gate with a strange expression. Jill had waved and grinned at him, guessing he was still reacting to her last statement.

He did look very shocked when she asked him if he wanted to know she was a slut, and she chuckled wickedly to herself. It also occurred to her that she didn’t even know his name or seat number. She would have loved to send him a drink or something even though she was sure the drinks he would be served in first class were better than anything she could afford. It was the right thing to do.

Her father always said that when someone does something nice for you, you must do something nice for them back. That way, you are never a burden to anyone or owe them anything. It was a principle he held dear, and he worked all his life to make sure he owed no one anything, even if it meant doing everything himself.

Growing up, he was all she and Terry had after their mother ran off when they were children. Her father worked hard to ensure their mother's absence didn’t affect their lives too much. It didn't always work, but she was grateful to him for all the sacrifices he made for her, and she had promised herself that when she finally finished college and got a job, she would make sure he lacked for nothing.

When he died of a heart attack two years ago, it had been the worst moment of her life, and she’d been devastated. For the first few months after his death, Jill struggled to find a reason to keep fighting to live. It wasn’t until Terry came down to her college and spent a week with her, pulling her out of the pit of despair she’d fallen into, that she finally found a way to get back up. It was another reason she would not have forgiven herself if she’d missed his wedding.

After pulling herself back together, she threw herself into her studies, working so hard that she had no time for anything else. Even though her father was no longer there to reap the fruits of his labor, she still did this for him. All he wanted was to watch her graduate from college, and she would never forget the feeling she got the day she finally walked across the dais to receive her degree from the dean. Even though her father was not there, it felt like he was in spirit.

Now that she was done with college, Jill found herself at a crossroads. Exhausted from years of nonstop study and having to work two jobs to put herself through school, she was burned out and confused about what to do next. She had gotten a few job offers or could continue with her schooling, but neither of those options appealed to her.

It was also not lost on her that she was doing the very same thing her father did that led to his heart attack, working herself to the bone. That was another reason this trip to Italy was important. Jill was not only going for her brother’s wedding. The wedding rehearsal was that night, and she would watch her brother get married the next day.

Then while Terry and his new bride went on their honeymoon, she would spend a few more days in Italy, eating, praying, and loving her way into some much-needed perspective. Hopefully, the loving part involved some actual lovemaking. It had been too long since she had sex last, and Kim had even blamed her lack of motivation on her dry spell.

“What you need is some good dick to clear those cobwebs in your head,” Kim had said late one night as the two of them stayed up painting each other's toenails.

That was easy for Kim to say. She never had a problem hooking up with guys and didn’t share Jill’s aversion to one-night stands. Kim also came from a nice middle-class family, which meant she didn’t have to work two jobs to put herself through college. Jill had to admit that her best friend had a point. She really needed to get laid, and she hoped this vacation would allow her to do that.

She was not looking for something serious. Just some fun experiences with someone... or a few people that she could forget about in a week when she finally returned home to her normal life. The thought alone made her grin. It sounded nothing like her, and it was all the more reason she had to do it.

Looking around at the people waiting to board the plane with her, she knew some were also headed to Italy on vacation. Most of them were traveling in groups, and she checked out some of the men, disappointed when she didn’t see anyone that caught her fancy. She hoped she had better luck at Terry’s wedding. According to Kim, weddings were the best place for hookups and one-night stands. Second only to college. Unfortunately, Jill’s track record in college was terrible. She’d had one terrible relationship that ended badly after she caught her ex cheating on her, and almost no other sexual experience to speak of.

The image of the gentleman who helped her came to mind, and she immediately dismissed it, even laughing at herself as she did. If she had any hopes of getting anything out of this trip, then she had to be very realistic, and there was zero chance he would be interested in her. Besides, she needed someone to “fuck her brains out,” not scold her like she was a child.

When she got to the agent at the gate, she handed him her boarding pass and watched as he checked it out. He did a double take and checked again before raising his head and smiling at her. Jill was stunned when he informed her that she had been upgraded to first class.

“I don’t understand. Did I win a promo or something?” she asked as her ticket was handed to the attendant who would take her to her seat.

She could barely contain her joy as she was taken to the front of the plane, and her breath left her in a whoosh as the attendant ushered her into the first-class section. This was only her second flight and her first time in this part of the plane. Everything screamed luxury, from the spacious plus seats that looked more like luxurious recliners with more legroom than she could imagine to the soft ambient lighting that gave the whole space a serene atmosphere. Jill could hardly believe she was about to experience such comfort and opulence. It seemed her luck was finally turning around.

She wondered how she’d gotten so lucky as the attendant led her to her seat at the front of the plane, and then she noticed a familiar thick head of hair in front of her. It was the Good Samaritan from earlier, and she immediately got very suspicious as they moved close to him.

He was flipping through a magazine when she approached and looked up when she stopped beside him. “Did you do this?” she asked him.

He paused, one of his eyebrows rising. “Yes, but I’m starting to think I shouldn’t have.”

Jill heard how hostile she sounded and was immediately embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to... It just took me by surprise. That's all.”

“It’s alright,” he said. “I saved you the window seat, but you can have the aisle seat if you want.”

“I’m fine with the window seat,” she blurted out. She would have been fine with any seat. It was first class.

“Do you need anything else?” the attendant asked.

Jill shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Well, if you do need anything, don’t hesitate to push the call button, and one of us will attend to you.”

“Thank you. So this is how the other side lives,” she said after the hostess walked away and she was finally alone with her helper, a smile of amazement spread across her face as she took it all in.

He closed his magazine and dropped it on the table in front of him, amused to see her look so awestruck. “Glad to see you like it.”

“Like it? I love it,” Jill exclaimed. “My legs are not even touching the seat in front of me.” She turned to him. “I don’t understand. Why are you doing this? I mean, first, you pay for a new ticket for me, and now... this?”

He shrugged. “No reason. It looked like you were having a bad day and could use some cheering up.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “Also, I figured I owed you an apology.”

She frowned. “An apology? For what?”

“Like I said, you were having a bad day, and my manner of approach earlier certainly didn’t help.”

“Are you kidding? You got me a new ticket. That more than makes up for how rude and annoying you were.”

“So you admit I was rude and annoying.”

“A bit,” she said, unable to help the grin that appeared on her face.

“Then I owe you an apology. If my daughter found herself in the same situation you did, I would hope she found someone nice enough to help her and that this person did so in a kinder manner than I did.”

She could tell he was worried, and it made her heart grow warm. “Trust me, you were a lot kinder than you give yourself credit for. Also, I was being a bit of an ass myself. It was my fault for getting to the airport late. Well... my car’s fault, to be specific, and before you say it, I know I should take better care of her. She’s always been so reliable, so I get a little complacent about taking her in for maintenance.”

“Even the best-maintained cars can still get faulty out of the blue,” he said with a small smile. “I should know. I work with them.”

“That’s right. You’re a mechanic.”

“Something like that, and before you ask, no, I don’t make the cars, so I have nothing to do with why they cost so much to maintain.”

It took Jill a minute to figure out he was referring to her earlier statement, and she burst into laughter. “Nice to know you’re not as grumpy as I thought you were.”

“No, not always.”

The pilot instructed everyone to put on their seat belts, and she fumbled with hers, dropping the clasp twice before a large hand closed around hers. She went still, her cheeks turning red as he helped her fasten her seat belt. His knuckles brushed against her stomach, and she wished she had taken the Pilates class Kim signed her up for seriously.

“Thank you,” she mumbled as he sat back.

The plane prepared for takeoff, and she held her breath, feeling a drop in her stomach as she heard the hum of the engine. She hated this part of flying, and the last time she’d been on a plane, she’d had a small panic attack during takeoff. At the time, she’d blamed it on her lack of experience, but as the plane taxied down the runway, she realized it was more than that. She really was terrified.

Grabbing the arms of her chair, she closed her eyes and prayed feverishly that they didn’t suddenly drop out of the sky and crash. Her stomach twisted and turned, and she felt faint. Out of nowhere, she felt a hand close over hers on the chair. It was warm and comforting. Like an anchor, it held her down, making her feel like nothing bad would happen if she held on to him.

“Breathe,” he whispered, and she realized she’d been holding her breath.

She gulped in air and started panting. “Easy now,” he continued in that deep, soothing voice. “Slowly breathe in and out. That’s it. That’s my girl.”

In a flash, she went from panic mode to something else entirely. Something she couldn’t put her finger on. Something she wanted to happen again. Finally, the plane was flying smoothly in the sky, and he let go of her hand. Jill fought the urge to grab it back.

“Feel better?” he asked.

She nodded. “Thank you. I know I shouldn’t, but I get really scared when we leave the ground or come back down.”

“That’s understandable. Took a while for me to get used to that unsettling feeling myself.”

“You used to be scared of flying too?”

“You sound surprised,” he said with a small chuckle.

“You don’t look scared at all. You look like you’ve been flying forever.”

“I won’t say that exactly, but I've been on my fair share of planes.”

“How long have you been flying?”

“Long enough,” he replied, holding back a smile.

She narrowed her eyes. “How old are you?”

His lips quivered as he continued to fight a smile. “Old enough.”

“That’s not an answer.” She scowled at him.

“It answers your question, doesn’t it?” He glanced at her and smiled when he saw her scowling at him. “Fine, how old are you?”

“Old enough,” she replied tongue-in-cheek, her scowl turning upside down.

“That’s not an answer.”

“It answers your question,” she said, grinning at him as they stared at each other.

It was hard to describe, but something was strange about sitting with him like this. The screen door was closed, so they were in their own private cocoon. Or maybe it was the fact that they were in the air, headed toward Italy. Why wait to get to Italy to do the things she wanted to do when she was sitting next to a gorgeous man with a voice like honey and eyes she could drown in?

So what if he was older than her and spoke to her like she was a little girl? Somehow, it made it even hotter, and she was not ready to explore why. That was something sensible Jill would do. She had left sensible Jill at the airport. This version of herself was open to taking risks, having as much fun as she could, and living life to the fullest. And that started with the man in a first-class cabin with her.

The problem was she had no idea how to do any of that. She’d only lived one way all her life, and it would be hard for her to do things differently. So instead of doing things her way, she was going to ask herself what Kim would do. If Kim found herself in a private cabin with a strange, sexy man, only one thing would be on her mind. And that would be to flirt her ass off.

“So what do you do?” he asked before she could say anything.

“Nothing for now. I just graduated from college, and I'm trying to decide what to do next. Are you married?” she blurted out.

His brows went up. “What?”

Jill’s face heated, and she almost lost her nerve. She was not good at flirting and had no idea what to do, but she was in now, and there was no going back. “You said you have a daughter, and I don’t see a wedding ring, so I’m wondering if her mother is still in the picture?”

He was quiet for a few moments, humor swimming in his eyes. “No, I’m not married. I was, but I lost my wife a few years ago.”

“Oh...” Jill groaned inwardly as her attempt to flirt got off to a terrible start. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to... I was not prying or anything. I just...” She looked down. “I wanted to know if you invited me to join you here because...”

“Because what?” he asked when she stopped talking.

She raised her head and looked at him. “I wanted to know if you were just being nice or if you had something else in mind.”

“You’re a little too young for that, aren’t you?”

“I’m old enough,” she replied, and they shared a smile.

He didn't say anything for a few seconds. “I was just doing something nice for a pretty girl who looked like she could use it.”

“That’s disappointing,” Jill said and pouted. “Here I was thinking I'll finally get to join the mile-high club.”

He coughed and jerked back in shock.

Jill spoke without thinking but couldn’t deny she was pleased to get a reaction from him. “Have you ever done it before?”

“Done what?”

“You know, join the mile-high club.”

He stared at her as he decided how to respond. “Why haven’t you decided what to do after college? You should have figured that out even before you started.”

“That’s not the answer to my question,” she said stubbornly.

“I know. I don’t plan on answering your question, so I asked you mine.”

She folded her arms. “Not answering your question until you answer mine.”

“Kind of childish, don’t you think?” he asked, slightly amused by her reaction.

“Then we’re both being childish since you refused to answer my question as well,” she pointed out.

“Not the same. I asked a perfectly reasonable question. Your question was inappropriate and...”

“Let me guess, childish?” she interjected. “Not sure you know how joining the mile-high club works, but it’s generally not recommended for children. Plus, we already established that we are both old enough. Now, are you going to answer my questions?”

He was quiet for a long time. “Fine. I’ll answer your question. Yes, I am a member of the mile-high club,” he said with an amused headshake.

“Is it as fun?—”

“My turn. So why haven’t you decided what to do after college? You should have figured that out even before you went in.”

She shrugged. “I have offers from three companies in three different industries, and I don’t know which of them I want to go into.”

“That’s a nice conundrum to find yourself in. Why are you finding it hard to decide?”

“No.” She shook her head. “It’s my turn to ask.”

He smiled and nodded. “What’s your question, then?”

“Having sex on a plane, is it as fun as everyone claims it is?”

This time, he didn’t react to her question. “It’s just like having sex anywhere else. Depends on who you’re doing it with. Get someone who knows what they’re doing, and it could be fun for you?”

“Did you know what you were doing?”

“Not the first time,” he replied, turning to look at her.

Jill could tell he was hoping to intimidate her, and she met his gaze, ready to call his bluff. “How long did it take you to know what you were doing?”

“My turn to ask the question. Do you make it a habit to go around asking strangers about their sex life?”

“No. As a matter of fact, I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Then you need to be careful that you don’t ask these questions to the wrong person.”

“And who is the wrong person?”

“Someone who will give you exactly what you are asking for.”

“Are you the wrong person, then?”

“You need to stop asking me things like that.”

“Why?” she leaned forward. “Are you going to punish me if I don’t?”

“Maybe I will,” he said, his eyes gleaming. “Trust me when I say you don’t want that.”

“Why not? How do you plan on punishing me?” She sounded out of breath and felt a tingle run down her spine.

“Well, I was thinking I could get the hostess to take you back to economy. Or I could turn you over my knee and give you the spanking you’re clearly asking for.”

Jill felt a rush of wetness between her legs, and her nipples instantly turned hard. “You could do that.”

“Thinking about it now, I don't think that’s a good way to punish you since something tells me you’ll enjoy that.”

“You don’t know that.” She didn’t either. She’s never been spanked in her life, and until a few moments ago, she had never even considered it as something she could be into. Now, it was all she could think of, and she couldn’t believe she wanted this man to bend her over his knees and spank her. “But I’m willing to try if you are.”

He chuckled. “What are you doing here? What do you hope to get out of this?”

“I don’t know. Fun...”

“And this is your idea of fun?”

“It could be.” She twisted her fingers in her lap, suddenly feeling vulnerable. “All I’ve done in the past three years is study hard and work my ass off. Three years in college and I barely have any memories to make up for it. Didn’t attend any parties or hooked up for the hell of it.”

“And this is your way of making up for it?”

She shrugged. “It’s okay if you’re not into it. Let’s be honest, it’s quite silly of me to think you’ll be interested in me anyway.”

“Trust me when I say my interest in you is not the problem,” he said, and she felt a hot shiver wash over her. It wasn’t just what he said, but the way he said it as his eyes held her captive. There was no mistaking what his intentions were. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea for you and me to go there.”

“Why not? I promise to go slow if you’re worried you won’t be able to keep up.”

He burst into laughter, the sound deep, rich, and so primordially male it sent every female part of her into overdrive. It also made her wonder if she was the one who would struggle to keep up with him. He did look very fit.

“No, I’m not worried about that,” he replied.

“What is it, then? Because you have to admit, I’ve done some things to deserve getting spanked.”

“Yeah, like what?”

She leaned across their seat, her face close to his, aware that with the shirt she was wearing all he needed to do to get a very good view of her cleavage was to look down. So far, he didn’t seem to be taking the bait. “Got to the airport late...”

“Happens to the best of us,” he said with a shrug.

“I was rude to you back at the airport.”

“So was I?”

“I didn’t take my car in for a checkup, and I know that pissed you off.” Her eyes gleamed. “You know, for a moment there, I thought you were going to spank me right in the middle of the airport.”

“I thought about that.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I’m not your father,” he said quietly. “That is not my job.”

“You can be my Daddy if you want,” she whispered, her voice dropping low. It should sound weird and cringe to say things like this, but looking at him, it felt right. “I mean, I did ask you if you wanted to know if I was a slut.”

“Now, that’s something that deserves a spanking,” he said, his eyes flashing with exasperation. “I still can’t believe you called yourself that.”

“What do you want me to call myself, then?” she asked breathlessly. A look crossed his face, and she instantly knew he’d thought of something. “Go on,” she said. “Say it. I want to know.”

He paused for so long she was close to giving up. “I’ll call you Princess,” he finally whispered. “And every time you do something I don’t like, I’ll turn you over my knees and spank you until your ass turns red.”

Jill bit her lower lip to hold back a moan. “And when I do something you do like?”

“Then I’ll make you feel good.”

“How?”

“There are so many ways I can do that. I could use my hands, my mouth, and if you’ve been a really good girl, I’ll even give you my...”

“Say it,” she whispered, his words so stirring she had to keep her legs tightly closed together to dull the storm he was wreaking between them. “What will you give me if I’m a really good girl for you?”

He looked into her eyes and slowly shook his head. “I think this has gone on too far,” he said, moving away from her.

“No!” she cried, her disappointment so gut wrenching it felt like a fist. “Don’t be a tease.”

“It’s just the first hour in a twenty-hour flight. You want my advice, try to get some rest. I think I’ll do the same.”

“Fine,” she said, huffing and puffing as she sat back in her seat. She was wet between her legs, her nipples were hard and aching, and she was too aroused to try to sleep.

It didn’t help that he seemed so unbothered by any of it. He had simply picked up his magazine and resumed reading like nothing had happened. Like it wasn’t just a few minutes since he was talking about spanking her and making her feel good with his mouth, and hands, and...

Jill bit back a groan and tried to ignore him, but it was hard. Her body was so attuned to him that every time he flipped a page, she wished it was her skin those fingers were flicking through. Unable to take it anymore, she decided she was going to the restroom or anywhere else on the plane. She had to move away from him, or she was scared she would do something crazy like leap on him and beg him to take her.

“Excuse me,” she said as she got to her feet, wishing now that she’d taken the aisle seat. “I need to use the restroom.”

“Sure,” he said, sitting up and moving his long leg out of the way.

As she tried to walk past him, her foot caught the edge of the chair, and she tumbled forward, falling right into his lap. He caught her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders and holding her up.

Jill braced herself on his chest, her cheeks turning red as she looked up at him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to...” Their eyes met, and she snapped her mouth shut. If she had any doubt that he wanted her, she could see it in his eyes and feel it in the thick log pressing against her ass. The desire in those eyes held her in a thrall, and all she could do was look up at him.

“I should spank you for this,” he whispered, his voice throaty and hoarse.

“Do it,” she replied immediately, too aroused to be shy. “Stop threatening to spank me if you’re not actually going to do it. It’s not fair.”

“Like any of this is fair to me,” he whispered. “Fuck me, I shouldn’t want to do any of this with you.”

“Why not?”

“You know why.”

“I told you already, I’m old enough.”

“You keep saying that, and I wonder if you know what you’re really asking for.”

“Who cares,” she said, not looking away from him. “It’s just you and me right now. And we’re in international airspace, so what we do here doesn’t matter.”

“I know that’s a load of bullshit, but fuck if it doesn’t sound reasonable to me right now.”

“So are you going to spank me or not?” she asked.

“I have something better in mind.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“This,” he replied, a moment before he crushed his lips on hers.

Jill had only a moment to take a breath… then she lost her mind. Nothing about the kiss was gentle. Not the way his lips closed over hers or the way he held her close to his body, hands running up and down her arms. This was not how you kissed a stranger you only met a few hours ago. Not that she could have done anything to stop it. It was apparent that only one person was in charge here, and it was not her.

He nipped at her lips when she tried to go too fast, then resumed kissing her, his lips sipping on hers like the finest of wine. Jill groaned, her nipples growing hard as he unlocked any defense she’d hoped to mount against the onslaught of sensations coursing through her. His tongue slid between her lips, and she opened up instinctively to him.

Barely suppressing a moan, she grabbed his shirt and held on as her mouth filled with the taste of him. She was straddling him now, and her body arched to him so her breasts were pressed against his chest. Between her legs, she felt his powerful thighs rise and drop rhythmically, and it took a while to realize he was trying to stop her from feeling the thick weight of his erection. Pressing herself down until her mound brushed against him, Jill gasped when she felt it.

It was thick and big, pressing back against her sweet little cunt like it had a life of its own. A moan escaped her lips, and he immediately swallowed it. He tasted sweet and warm. Or perhaps that was her. It was hard to decide. Not when his tongue was in her mouth and then hers in his, both of them pawing hungrily at each other as they devoured themselves.

Trembling in his arms when he slanted his head and stroked his tongue deeper in her mouth, she could feel her panties getting soaked with the juices from her wet, dripping, and aching pussy. She’d never been this wet all her life and would have been alarmed if the level of moisture between her legs didn’t match her desire for this man. Kisses were not supposed to be this devastating to the senses, and she had no idea what she’d hoped to get when she allowed him to kiss her. But now she knew he would have to do something with the flames of arousal whipping through her, or she would go crazy.

He pulled back, and she moaned in protest, her lips trying to follow him.

“Fuck me,” he muttered as he grabbed her head and looked into her eyes. “What are you doing to me?”

That was supposed to be her line. She was the powerless one here. The one who felt like she was going to die if he didn’t continue kissing her. She’d been half joking when she was flirting with him earlier, but now she knew he could have her if he wanted to take her.

“Kiss me,” she mumbled, looking down at him with wide eyes.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, little girl,” he whispered. “You have no idea what you’re asking for.”

She scowled at him. “I’m not as innocent as you think I am. I’m no virgin if that’s what you’re scared of. Come on…” She ran her hands down his chest and arms, feeling the muscles under her fingers. She got to his belt buckle and started to undo it. “Let’s live a little.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled it away, not taking his eyes from her. Then he pulled her close and kissed her again. She moaned and kissed him back, grateful when he wasted no time in pushing his tongue inside her mouth this time. His fingers slipped inside her shirt, and she had no idea her buttons had come undone until he was cupping her breasts beneath her bra.

She shivered and jerked in his arms, moaning when she felt his hard length pressing between her legs. Jill began to rock back and forth, gently rubbing her pussy against his erection. Even with all the layers of clothes between them, she could feel his hardness stroke the core of her feminine softness.

“Stop that,” he growled, and she went still, the dominance in his voice satisfying a part of her buried so deep she had no idea it existed. “You’re going to take what I give you and nothing more. Anything else and this ends right now.”

“I’m sorry,” she said immediately. “Please, don’t stop.”

“Good girl,” he whispered, hand cupping her breasts, moving until he was gripping and tugging firmly on her nipple. “You’re really wet, aren’t you?”

She nodded feverishly, biting her lips so she didn’t moan out loud.

“I know. I can smell it from here, and fuck if I don’t want to bury my head between your legs and taste for myself how wet you are.”

Now, all she wanted was to have him bury his head between her legs. She would beg for it too if she wasn’t worried it would be too much for her. His hand on her breasts was driving her crazy enough, and she breathed roughly as he tugged and squeezed her nipples. There was no protest from her when he unbuttoned the rest of her shirt and pushed the straps of her bra down her arms.

Then her nipple was in his mouth, and there was no stopping the thick moan that vibrated from her throat. Pleasure overwhelmed her, driving her crazy and making her pussy wetter until it throbbed and ached.

“I think I’m starting to go senile. I don’t remember this feeling this good,” he groaned as he tugged on her nipples with his teeth, his hands sliding between them. “Now, I have to see just how wet you are.”

He shifted in the seat until they were lying side to side. One hand slid between hers, holding her open as he reached into her pants. Jill gasped when his knuckles brushed against her mound through her panties and she shuddered when he pulled it to the side and stroked through the soft creamy slit of her pussy.

“Oh my God!” she whispered harshly, bucking against him and trying to drive the finger he was using to tease her into her body.

He looked into his eyes as his fingers stroked and played with her clit, the slick excess of her juices building around his hand. She gasped when a finger slid into her, and she couldn’t look away as he toyed with her pussy, playing with it and rubbing circles around it. She was primed already, her desire a flame that had been simmering for some time.

The hand between her legs, his mouth on her nipple, and the way he looked at her like a man enjoying knowing he was giving a woman so much pleasure were like fuel to the flame. She moaned and bucked, thrusting to the rhythm of his finger as her inner flesh gripped tightly around him. She tried to close her legs around him to stop the movement of his hand and give herself time to catch her breath.

He pushed a thigh between her legs, holding them open so he could continue his devastating ministrations. She experienced a moment of clarity as she imagined what she looked like, letting a man she’d only just met a few days ago play with her pussy in the first-class cabin of a plane where the only thing separating them from the other passengers was a thin sheet of glass.

Then the hand between her thighs pressed more firmly against her as his fingers slid down the juice-coated slit once again. Her hips bucked, her back arching as the tip slid inside her clenching entrance, and a strangled cry left her throat. The sensations were more than she could bear, and her body jolted from the shock of realizing he wanted more. The need for satisfaction sliced through her, her pussy pulsing from fierce flashes of desire.

“Please,” she whimpered, plagued by a tsunami of burning desire. She had no idea what she was asking for, only that he could give it to her, and if he didn’t soon, she would lose her mind. “Please, I need to… Don’t torture me like this.”

“Not torture. Only pleasure,” he replied. His eyes flashed with dark fire, and his face flushed as he came over her.

His hand pressed between her legs on her swollen clit as he cupped her cheek and possessed her lips with ravaging greed. His tongue possessed her mouth like a ravenous conqueror, greed and hunger striking fire to her already sensitized body. Her hand dug into the hair at his nape, her fingers clenching as she cried out beneath the onslaught of his rapacious kiss.

He gave her little chance to breathe and even less to move. His body held her captive, his hands between her legs stroking against her sensitive flesh as pinpoints of fire shot through her body. Jill fought for breath, for her very sanity, as the deep caress at her clit drove her higher into the dark sensations attacking her body now. Between her thighs, his fingers rotated, pressed, and ground against her tormented bud as she tilted her hips and thrust against him.

Her eyes widened as the sensation began to build, and it was not long before she was consumed by the sensations flowing through her. When she came, it was like an avalanche of sensations picking her up in its wake and sending her tumbling and flying down a hill. She opened her mouth to cry out in ecstasy, but he closed his lips over hers, swallowing the sound and anchoring her to reality as she lost control.

Jill’s vision slowly returned, along with her hearing and every other sense she’d lost as she climaxed. He still had his mouth over hers, but she doubted that it had been enough to silence her screams of ecstasy. In all her life, she’d never had an orgasm that good. Not with any of the men she’d shared a bed with or even the toys she’d been turning to more frequently in the recent past.

Her legs were still shaking, and her voice was croaky as she raised her head to look at him. “So do I qualify for the mile-high club now?” she asked.

He threw back his head and laughed, the low and deep sound vibrating her cunt. It hadn’t even been a minute since he made her come, and she was already ready for another.

“Here, drink this.” He handed her a bottle of water.

She didn’t realize how thirsty she was until she drank, smacking her lips when she was done. “That was refreshing. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, humor dancing in his eyes. “Think you’re ready to go back to your seat now?”

“Not quite,” she replied, burrowing deeper into his side. “I like it here.”

He sighed but didn’t make any attempt to push her away. Instead, he pulled her closer, making space for her right next to him so their bodies were curled around each other. They spent the rest of the flight in each other’s arms, talking about nothing and flirting outrageously with each other. And when the flirting became too much and words were no longer enough, they made out.

They made out a lot, and Jill had to admit he was a great kisser. And the things he did with her nipples were out of this world. It was like flying in the clouds, and she never wanted to come back down. She didn’t leave his side when the flight attendant came to take their food order and stayed tucked between his legs as she ate.

Later, when she fell asleep, his arms were still around her.

“Was I a good girl?” she asked, unable to keep from teasing him once more before she dozed off.

His lips curled in a grin as he gave her the reply she sought. “Yes, Princess.”

She slept with a smile and woke up a few hours later when he shook her awake to tell her the plane was landing.

They got off the plane together, but he was held up at immigration and promised to meet her at baggage claim when he was done. Jill found her luggage and was waiting for him to join her when she realized how silly all of it sounded. Not only had she allowed a stranger to finger her in the first-class cabin of a plane, but now she was waiting for him.

This was supposed to be some quick, harmless fun, a nice memory to cherish when she was old. Well, she’d had her fun, and now it was time to leave. She considered staying and seeing what plans he had for her. She’d really enjoyed the time they spent on the plane together, and it would be nice to see how much more fun he could be when they had more space than what their small cabin had allowed them. But that was something sensible Jill would do.

This version of herself would not be content to settle for just one man when a whole city of gorgeous men waited for her. Men she never had to worry about catching feelings for. Men she could use for sex who wouldn't demand anything else from her like this man seemed to do without even trying. Something told her messing with this stranger could only lead to one thing, and the last thing she needed was to leave Italy with a broken heart.

She grabbed her bags and hurried away without giving herself a chance to change her mind. She got through customs and found a cab to take her to her hotel. As the cab drove away from the airport, she turned around and saw him walk through the gates with a confused expression as he looked around for her.

Jill almost turned back and went to him. She fought the urge and stayed put, watching the distance between them grow larger, and assured herself she was not making the biggest mistake of her life. The cab was pulling up to her hotel when she realized that in all their interactions, not once did she ask for his name or what he was doing in Italy. He was literally nothing more than a stranger to her now.