Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Even though I was afraid it would take the shine off my excitement, I texted Jared to let him know I was flying to London. That I was spending an indefinite period of time there, but I’d be home for Christmas.
We’d just reached Inverness Airport when my phone buzzed in my purse with a response from Jared.
Ok. Have fun. Be careful. Call me if u need me.
Grateful at his measured response, I told him I would and that I loved him.
I knew Jared had thundered across the Highlands to “rescue” me out of his love and protectiveness, but I was hopeful that he was finally starting to see me as a grown woman with her own mind.
The problem with impulsivity, however, was that there were no more direct flights to London out of Inverness that day. We had to fly to Edinburgh first. Fear had cut through my nerves as I followed Theo through the airport and fumbled with my shoes and belongings at security. He guided me, though, helping me place my shoes on the conveyor belt and making sure I had all my electronics out of my bag and in the tray. The only time he broke contact was when we each had to step through the doorway sensor thingy. Then Theo’s hand was on my lower back again as we waited for our trays to go through the machine sensor too.
By the time we got to our gate, I was a sweaty mess.
Theo seemed to find my first visit to the airport amusing and adorable.
“It’s like watching Bambi try to walk for the first time,” he teased, rubbing my shoulders as we stood at the gate.
I rolled my eyes. “Funny. Is that what the first woman you slept with said to you afterward?”
Theo threw his head back in laughter, even as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me tight to him so my back rested against his chest. His laughter had drawn attention and I tried not to flush as he nuzzled my neck. I felt his smile against my skin.
Our teasing banter helped abate the nerves, but by the time we got on the plane, I could feel my knees shaking a wee bit. It finally hit me that I was about to find myself thousands of feet in the sky for the first time in my life.
Theo sensed the change as we took our seats. He didn’t ask if I was all right nor did he smother me with protectiveness. Instead, he just quietly wrapped one of my hands in both of his and held it. He held it while everyone boarded the plane, while the flight attendants ran through the safety instructions (which I listened to harder than I’d listened to anything in my life), and he held it while the plane gained speed on the runway and thrust into the air. I squeezed my eyes closed as the pressure forced me back in my seat, and I relaxed marginally at the touch of Theo’s lips on my hand and then on my cheek.
And then on my lips.
Despite the awkward position, he kissed me thoroughly, hungrily. It was an NSFW kiss if ever there was one. But I didn’t care because when he finally let me up for air, the plane had leveled out.
“We’re flying?” I gasped, peering past him out the window.
Theo leaned back to let me see out.
Amazement replaced my fear, and when the flight attendant came around to offer a drink and snacks, I started to enjoy myself.
Landing, however, was a nerve-racking business and I let out a little yelp as the wheels hit the runway. Theo tried not to laugh.
Once we arrived at Edinburgh airport, we didn’t have to go through security again. Theo led me through the much bigger, busier airport, and I tried to take in all the shops and restaurants as he marched with long-legged strides. He’d already told me we would eat for free in the business lounge since we were flying business class.
As we neared large glass doors with the airline logo etched across them, Theo slowed, digging into his coat pocket. “Go ahead, little darling. I’m just looking for the tickets.”
I stepped toward the doors, and they slid open automatically. I’d barely taken a step inside when a woman dressed in the airline uniform stepped forward, her palm up toward me. “I’m sorry, miss, this is business class only.”
Heat exploded across my cheeks and I turned toward Theo as he stepped inside.
His gaze moved over my face before he looked at the airline attendant. To anyone else, his expression was a mask of disinterest, but I’d seen the flicker of irritation in his eyes and the popping of the muscle in his jaw as he pulled the tickets out of his pocket. He handed them to the attendant and drawled mockingly, “Perhaps you should look at a person’s ticket before making assumptions about what they can afford.”