About the Book
"First time on a privatejet?"
Hope loosened her death-grip on the armrests even as a rueful smile touched her lips. "I wonder what gave it away."
Colin smiled, and her heart skipped a beat like she was in the throes of her first schoolgirl crush. "I like that you don't hide it. It's...refreshing."
Refreshing.
She was forty years old, and he thought her...refreshing.
The jet accelerated down the runway, pressing Hope back into her seat. She closed her eyes as they lifted into the air, her stomach dropping with the ascent.
When she opened them again, Colin was watching her. Something smoldered in his gaze, and her breath caught in her throat.
The plane suddenly shuddered with minor turbulence. Hope started in her seat, and Colin reached for her hand. Their fingers brushed. A jolt of awareness shot up her arm. Neither moved away.
As the turbulence subsided, Colin's hand shifted, covering hers. His palm was warm, slightly rough. Hope's breath caught in her throat.
"You read the fine print in our contract?"
Hope swallowed. "You're talking about..."
Seeing that she had a hard time putting it to words, Colin stated bluntly, "Before the flight lands, couples are expected to become comfortable with physical contact. It's in the contract."
A flush covered her cheeks, and she could feel her face burning hotter when she noticed Colin staring at her mouth.
Am I ready for this?
The soft click of Colin's seatbelt releasing seemed thunderous in the cabin. He moved beside her, the leather creaking beneath his weight. This close, she caught new details—fine lines at the corners of his eyes, the subtle notes of his cologne mingling with scotch on his breath, a tiny scar near his jaw.
"May I?"
Hope could only nod, no longer trusting herself to be coherent.
Colin's hand came up to cup her cheek, turning her face toward his. "Close your eyes," he commanded softly.
She obeyed, feeling vulnerable and exposed in the intimate cabin. The anticipation was almost painful.
His lips touched hers, gently. Hope remained perfectly still, afraid to breathe. To move. Or do anything that might break the moment.
Then Colin's hand slid from her cheek to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangling in the hair at the base of her tight bun. The kiss deepened, his mouth moving more insistently against hers.
A small sound escaped Hope's throat, part surprise, part surrender, and Colin pulled back slightly, his breath warm against her lips.
"Open your mouth,kyria."
