The threatening step toward me is warning enough.
"No, no, no." I put my hands in front of me as I walk backward. "What are you doing? Can't you go without me?"
"No, I can't."
Within a split second, I'm tipped over his shoulder, holding on to his concerto like it's my lifeline.
"Achilles!" I shriek. "I don't want to go. This is a death machine."
We pass a flight attendant at the bottom of the stairs, his smile barely faltering when Achilles walks up.
"Help! Sir, this is a kidnapping!"
"They work for me,mon trésor.Consider them accomplices."
"Mr. Duval," the captain greets him as we walk past her at the top of the stairs.
"Hi, Connie."
It's only when Achilles is moving toward the large seats, his back to her, that I get to see her, and fuck, she's pretty. How often is he alone on this plane with her?
He doesn't put me down until the doors are closed. The seat is nothing like I imagined on a plane. It's a comfortable armchair with a seatbelt, and Achilles perches on his haunches in front of me as I watchConnielock herself in the cockpit with a copilot.
"She's beautiful," I mumble. "You had sex with her, didn't you?"
He laughs softly as he buckles my seatbelt. I'm holding the concerto to my chest, feeling like it's the only thing keeping me safe.
"Oh God, you did."
"My, my, Nyx. Are you always this jealous?"
"Yes." My answer is quick, no shame. "So? Did you?"
"Yes. But I've had sex with a lot of people. I was trying to fill a void inside me, and I was stupid. She's not the only woman you're going to meet that I've had in my bed." He looks around the plane, at my seat. "…or wherever I've had her."
I stare into his gaze, and I hope the fury turns him to dust.
"Ew. I hate her. I hate you. And what about that void now?" I say through gritted teeth. "Should I be worried about you trying to fill it with other girls?"
I watch him bite his lower lip, trying to stop that stupid smile from spreading.
"Trust me, with all that jealousy and attitude, that void is filled."
I hit my head against the headrest. "God, Achilles, I spent years stressing about Chase being with other women. Iknewhe was cheating on me. Is this what it's going to be again? Fuck your void."
His hands slide up my thighs until they're under my uniform skirt, and he squeezes tightly, liquifying my lower stomach.
"Let me offer you a deal instead of stupid reassurances," he murmurs in a gravelly voice. "Read the concerto, and then tell me if you have any doubts about what I feel for you."
I take a breath through my open mouth, trying to keep my eyes on his intense stare.
"Can you put words on it? What you feel for me?"
"That's not who I am,mon trésor." He lowers his head, kissing my inner thigh from my knee to my skirt. These tights are useless against his delicate assault. "But I wrote it." Another kiss, higher. "And if you allow me, I'll play it to the whole world."
I'm panting by the time his lips press against my core. Even through the layers of clothes, I melt under his touch.
I push against his mouth, but he pulls away.
