“Why didn’t you answer my emails? After we did it, I wrote you so many times.” The hurt of him disappearing without a single word still stings.
“It was a onetime thing. We both agreed.” He raises the wrist joined to mine, places my hand on the table, and covers it with his.
“But we couldn’t be friends? Or even talk about it?”I gave you my virginity, asshole.
His eyes lower to the table and he shifts in his chair. “Danni, I was going to be gone for four long years. A lot can happen.”
My heart sinks. “You wanted rid of me.”
“Yeah.”
Alrighty.I am such a fool.“Why the hell start it all over again?”
“Jesus, Dan. You don’t understand.” His brows contract.
“Huh? Use your words.” Communicating with this man is like pulling teeth.
His glistening eyes lift back to mine. “I fell hard and I couldn’t deal. I thought, given time, I’d get over you. Then, you walked into the funeral home and, well damn.”
Holy shit.I can’t believe I’m hearing this. I bite down on my lower lip, wondering if this is a dream. If so, I hope to never wake up.
His penetrating stare bores into the depth of my soul. “Your turn. What made you bolt this morning?”
“I can’t.”I’ve already said too much.
“Can’t what?”
“Risk.” I whisper as I would to a priest in a confessional and before he can respond, the nearest loudspeaker sounds out our flight number.
Saved by the bell.
Chapter 13
Cole
I don’t know what I expected butlife-alteringwas not it. Does it mean she wants to return home to Vermont? Move in with me? Should I praise the fates, laugh, or cry? We barely know each other, except in bed, which was so fucking amazing I can’t imagine another day without her.
Still, she’s a chaotic nightmare and I need time to think this through, to study the ramifications, and to make a plan. How the hell do I invite an amateur sleuth into my bed? My future?
On the flight home, I sense she wants me to say something more but words fail me. Even if I could explain my confusion, she wouldn’t want to hear it.
Up until Stacy’s wake, I figured I’d settle down with a local girl. We’d get along, have a couple kids, enjoy each other’s company, and grow old. I was certain I’d outgrown mind-blowing sex. That kind of thing is for randy teens not for a grown man about to turn thirty. Now, all I can do is picture her pretty face as I crashed into her clit. She shuddered around me and I lost my ever-loving mind.
As the plane levels off, my lack of sleep catches up with me, and my eyelids droop. I dream of her beautiful lips around my cock and moan in pure delight.
“Sir, would you like a drink?” The flight attendant bangs the beverage cart into my knee, waking me with a jolt of pain.
“Yes please. We’ll both have coffee.” Face heated, I lower the tray and hide the bulge behind my zipper.
To my left, my gorgeous prisoner breathes in and out with her long, blond lashes resting on her pink cheeks. For the love of God, how can I want her so friggin’ bad? I am screwed.
When we land, I need to send her to jail, to New York, or my bed. Ah shit, what am I going to do?
Under me, wheels clunk, the seatbelt sign flashes, and the plane dives hundreds of feet in an instant. As it dips right and left, the pilot speaks over the loudspeaker, his calm, southern drawl not fooling anyone.
“Sorry folks. Winds are whipping around outside. We’re in for a bumpy ride but there’s nothing to worry about. We’ll be landing in about ten minutes.”
I gasp as we bank so hard, a suitcase falls from the overhead. Reaching into my pocket, I grab the cuff key and release Danni. If we’re going down, we’ll need both our hands free.
