The adoration in his parents’ eyes astounded Grace. They were evidently so proud of him and all he had achieved. Holding out a hand Patrick helped his wife to stand before they bid their goodnights, retiring to bed ready for the flight back in the morning.
“That was beautiful. I didn’t know you played too. So talented, Mr Carter. Play something else for me.” Grinning he began to play as Grace closed her eyes letting his voice wash over her senses.
First class flying was a wonder to behold. As if it hadn’t been enough that they had been shepherded into the VIP lounge at the airport they were now safely seated in Upper Class being drip fed alcohol and nibbles. Each of them sat in their own well equipped little pod, none of the normal two-three-two formation seating to be seen anywhere. Grace gazed around a little intimidated and very scared. Flying was her biggest fear. She wished to God that Alex hadn’t insisted she fly with him. She would have been much happier on the train but the discussion had soon turned very heated with Alex stating that he could afford the best and he wanted to treat her, he wantedher to travel with him. He had downright refused to even consider the train as an option so here she was sitting in her own mini suite on the upper deck of a very famous airline, trying desperately not to let her fear show. Glancing across, Patrick and Ann were happily flicking channels whilst sipping on their complimentary drinks. Alex played with his TV screen, adjusting his earphones. Sensing her watching him he glimpsed up flashing his trademark smile. The smile suddenly disappeared when he saw the look of terror spreading across her face. Whipping the earpieces from his ears he was out of his seat and kneeling at her feet in seconds.
“What’s wrong, babe?” His voice was tight and anxious.
“I’m not good with planes, sorry. I told you I should have gone on the train. I stupidly thought we’d be sitting next to each other downstairs and that would somehow make it easier for me but now I can’t even hold your hand. Alex, you’re too far away. I don’t know if I can handle this.” Grace tried desperately to stop the tears that were about to fall.
“Shit, why didn’t you tell me how bad it was? Babe, what can I do?” Alex recognised the signs all too easily; he felt it every time he had to get on stage. The sweaty palms, the cold clammy hands and the heartbeating out of his chest. He could see it all in her eyes right now. Reaching up he placed his palm on her cheek, cupping her face as she leaned into his hand. Grace shook her head; there was nothing he could do, they were sitting on the bloody plane now with nowhere to go. She was just going to have to endure the nightmare for however long it took to get to London.
“Shall I see if we can move downstairs? There might be a few spares. Is that going to help? Grace, tell me what to do. I’m lost here, baby,” he pleaded with her. He could see she was frightened and he wanted to fix it. Protect her no matter what. He wanted to take away the pain she was suffering.
“Alex, you cannot sit downstairs. Christ, I saw what happened when we went to breakfast. You freaked out in case someone would see you. How are you going to cope sitting down there with other people?” She could feel the tingling creeping up from her fingers and toes. Her vision would start to blur next then the vomiting would begin. Great. Even his parents were taking note of the commotion now; this was the last thing she needed. “Just sit down. I’ll cope. I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
That was it, he wasn’t letting this drop. She needed him and it was sink or swim time. Holding herface with both hands now he kissed the tip of her nose before pressing the button to summon the cabin crew.
“I’ll fix this, baby, just keep breathing with me.” He lifted her hand from the knots she was trying to wring in her lap, placing it flat against his chest directly above his heart. “Here, feel it?” She nodded and closed her eyes trying to concentrate, slowing her breathing to replicate the rise of fall of his chest. When the steward arrived he refused to stand as he addressed the uniformed man. Instead he spoke without removing his attention from Grace for a second. After explaining the problem the attendant disappeared with the promise of returning.
“Alex, you don’t have to do this. I’m making a scene. Everyone is staring at me and your parents think I am some kind of nut job.” Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks right now. You are more important and if I have to sit downstairs then I will. I need to fix this.”
Patrick leant over from his own suite to speak to Alex.
“Son, I can sit downstairs with Grace if it helps. You could stay up here; I’ll take care of her.” Alex thanked his father but insisted if Grace went then so did he. Staying alone in first class wasn’t an option ifshe wasn’t with him. Seconds later the steward returned to address the couple.
“Sir, we have a couple of seats together but they are in economy, I’m afraid, and a refund would be impossible. The other option is that you be seated downstairs for takeoff and landing but return to us as soon as it’s safe to move around the cabin. That way we could ensure your privacy for most of your flight with us today.” The man looked almost apologetic as he spoke.
Unbuckling Grace’s overly tightened seatbelt he assisted her out of the small booth before turning his attention to the staff again. “Lead the way.” Grace commenced with her protestations but Alex only turned to quieten her with a kiss. “Shh. I’m not changing my mind.”
As they headed down the metal staircase Grace felt his grip on her hand tighten as he pulled his sunglasses down from their resting place on top of his head. Dipping his head low, he concentrated on the floor as they were led to seats at the front of the cabin. Alex slid in first, sitting beside the window, pulling Grace into the aisle seat next to him. Reaching across her body he fastened her seat belt before he attended to his own, then grasped her hand tightly again as she rested her head on his shoulder. He felt the shudderemanate through her body. Raising his arm he tucked her into his side holding her tightly in place as he whispered to her, softly reassuring her that he would take care of her.
As the engines roared into life Grace wiped away a stray tear that trickled down her cheek. This was stupid; air travel was safer than crossing the road but somehow her body didn’t buy into that. As they taxied down the runway Alex lifted her head to allow her to look into his eyes. When he was sure he had her full attention he started to quietly recite the words to the lullaby she loved so much. His voice barely above a whisper, he held her interest. By the time they were in the air he had completed two full recitals and he had seen her visibly relax in front of him. Smiling softly she mouthed a quiet thank you to him as he rewarded her braveness with a gentle kiss.
The abrupt cough at their side alerted them to the steward who stood now waiting to escort them back upstairs to their rightful seats. Once safely up there Alex guided her to the bar area where they sat for the remainder of the flight sipping on complimentary soft drinks as they chatted with his parents, who were desperately trying to keep the poor girl occupied before they had to take up their seats in economy for landing.
Once again they returned to their seats in economy and awaited the aircraft’s landing. Alex made sure he held her attention completely, only this time he didn’t recite her lullaby. Instead he told her a few - until now - untold tales of some of the things they had got up to during his time in the band. He watched her as she laughed out loud, listening to him retell some of Ben’s more explicit shenanigans. Before she knew it people were slowly filing past them, trying to exit the plane first. The crew had suggested that they remain seated until the cabin was empty. They would then be escorted off the aircraft, straight onto a waiting buggy that would whiz them through to the VIP section of the airport.
Grace breathed a sigh of relief when they were finally all seated in the huge hire car, provided of course by Uni-Fi’s management company. They wouldonly have a couple of hours at the house before they would have to head off back out to the promotional gig. Grace hadn’t admitted it to him but she was secretly excited about watching the band perform. She would be watching him from the VIP bar area which only served to fuel her delight. Then there was the after show party to look forward to. To think how much her life had changed over the last few weeks. One minute she was happily sitting at home watching them on DVD, the next she was dating the lead singer. Fangirl moment or what?
Stepping out of the car, Alex gripped her hand tightly, pulling her along behind him. She tried to follow Ann inside as Alex spoke to the driver but he refused to let go of her hand as she tried to pry it free. Instead he held her firmly in place, gently squeezing her fingers as he finished his conversation.
“Thanks, Alan. See you later.” He stood, pulling her tightly into his side, releasing her hand as he did, only to throw his arm over her shoulders instead. “Come on, I wanna show you my room. You’ll have to tiptoe though. My parents are real strict; no girls in the bedrooms. It’s the rules. No making out either.” Grace shot him a very stunned look as the colour drained from her face. Flashing his panty dropping smile hechuckled. “Gotcha! It’s actually my house so I make the rules. C’mon, Gracie.”
Closing his door behind them he watched as she placed her bag on the bed before she headed over to the window. His bedroom overlooked the land to the rear of the house. The boundary was blurred out by all the trees that surrounded the grounds but all she could see was greenery; not at all what she had expected when they weren’t that far from London. Hearing him cross the room she turned to see him throw himself onto the massive bed, resting on his side, propped up on his elbow, supporting his head with his hand.
“You have a great view from up here,” she murmured as her eyes returned to skim across the landscaped area.
“I have a great view from down here too.” He patted the bed beside him. “I think you should come over here now, you’re too far away. The driver will be back in a couple of hours so get over here.”
Grace walked over to sit on the edge of the bed only to be pulled backwards. Forcing her to lay down he leant over her as he started to bestow soft kisses all over her face. Adjusting his position on the bed, he grabbed her legs, swinging them around so that she now lay beside him. He had never before experienced this feeling of needing tospend every minute with one person. Thinking about the rental running out on the lighthouse just made he feel ill. There was no way he would be happy living God knows how many miles away from her. Staring into those green eyes alone made his world change on its axis.
With his face only inches away, Grace placed her hand behind his neck, pulling him down to kiss her. His hand slid underneath her shirt, allowing his fingertips to caress the bare skin. Teasing her, he traced his fingers along the waistband of her jeans, running his nose down the length of her neck, sending chills over her skin. As he nuzzled at the hollow of her neck she moaned, no longer in control of the sounds she was making. Kneeling beside her now, he removed his faded black T-shirt before helping Grace out of hers. He needed to feel her skin against his bare chest. Reaching up she undid the buttons that held his jeans in place, sliding her hands underneath the fabric, pushing them down as she did. Alex stood to remove the rest of his clothing, watching intently as Grace undressed. Bra abandoned on the floor, she started to push her panties down her hips. Lifting herself on her heels, she wriggled them down towards her ankles, where Alex grabbed them, pulling them from her legs.
“God you’re beautiful,” he murmured as he crawled back onto the bed, positioning himselfbetween her legs, Grace wrapping her legs around his waist effectively securing him in place.
Resting his forehead on hers he started slowly rocking against her, their bodies finding the perfect connection, mouths locked together. Feeling her hands trail gentle lines up and down his back forced a groan to escape from his throat. As his breath became faster so did hers, matching his rhythm, spurring him on. Lifting her hips, he positioned himself at her core. “Open your eyes, Grace.”
