The plane sank lower and lower, her stomach dipping with the motion. Finally the plane touched down, more smoothly than she would’ve expected. They began gliding across the water.
“Well done,” she said into her microphone.
“We’ll be there in a jiffy.”
They floated past the larger lake homes, then the smaller ones that stair-stepped up the mountain. Mia took in the beautiful views, feeling everything inside her settle. She could almost smell the woodsy pine and fresh air. Home.
Her heart fluttered in her chest as they drew nearer. The plane’s nose was aimed straight for the bay, blocking her view of the inn. But Levi was probably waiting for her. She’d texted him with their ETA.
The engine went silent, but the plane continued drifting forward. They took a sharp right turn, finally bringing the inn’s dock into view.
Levi stood at the end, waiting. His hands were tucked into his jeans pockets, and a black T-shirt stretched across his chest.
Her heart clutched at the sight of him. She knew the moment he caught sight of her in the window. He broke out into a wide grin, and she couldn’t stop the smile that formed in response. She couldn’t wait to get her arms around him.
When the plane glided close Levi reached for the bar under the wing and pulled them in to the dock.
She took off her headphones as Skeeter said, “Go on out. I’ll grab your bags.”
Levi opened her door and grabbed her hand, helping her onto the float, then safely onto the pier.
She had only a moment to take in his beautiful face before he pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around him and nestled her nose into the space between his neck and shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of him.
“I missed you,” he whispered against her temple.
“I missed you too.”
He eased back and cradled her face. His heated gaze roved over her features as if he were trying to memorize them. Then, finally, he leaned in and brushed her lips with a soft kiss before easing away.
It had been two months.
Two. Months.
Mia grabbed his face and brought it back to hers. She kissed him again, her lips lingering over his like she’d dreamed of doing when she was three thousand miles away from him.
Levi slanted his lips over hers and took the kiss deeper.
Better. So much better. She snuggled closer, losing herself in the warmth of his touch, in the safety of his arms, in the passion of his kiss.
“Uh, don’t mind me,” Skeeter said from someplace far away. “I’ll just be taking off now.”
Mia felt Levi’s hand leave her back long enough for a wave, and then she was again oblivious to anything but his demanding kiss.
Moments later when he finally drew away, breathless, they were alone. He kissed her forehead. “Have a seat. Let’s talk. I want you all to myself for a few minutes.”
Mia edged around her bags and sank onto the bench beside him.
Levi tugged her close. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. You’re probably exhausted.”
“A little. But at the moment I’m feeling pretty content.”
“How were your flights?”
“On time. That’s about the best you can hope for. It’s so good to be back here.”
They sat silently for a long moment. Mia closed her eyes and drank in the feel of his arms around her. The taut muscles of his chest under her head, the heavy thumping of his heart beneath her ear.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You never said how the phone call with your dad went last night.”
