Page 136 of Enticing Her Love

“Absolutely.” He stood beside Sutton.

“Sorry. He’s obsessed with that camera,” Sutton said, secretly loving that Flynn wanted to savor their memories.

AS THE PLANE took off, Flynn turned the camera on Sutton gazing out the window. Through the camera’s eye, he drank in her delicate features and the porcelain skin he knew every inch of by heart. He was going to miss doing assignments with her after she started her new job. Hell, he was going to miss everything about her.

The plane slanted a little. Her fingers curled around the book he’d given her. As the plane leveled out, her gaze shifted to her lap. A sweet smile appeared as she ran her fingers over the leather cover. Her hazel eyes flicked in Flynn’s direction, and her brows lifted. “Really? Would you put that thing away?”

“You know me better than that.” He winked. “Why don’t you read to me?”

Her smile widened, and she unzipped the cover. She ran her fingers over the red-and-black hardcover. “Are you sure you want me to have this?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

“Won’t your grandfather be upset?”

“Nope.” He’d told his grandfather his plan that morning, and his grandfather had said he’d seen it coming. Flynn had asked him how, and his grandfather had just barked out a laugh, as if it were a stupid question. He shouldn’t be surprised. They’d spoken a few times while his grandfather was supposedly on a cruise, and they’d spent most of that time talking about Sutton.

Her fingers found the pink tassel at the top of the bookmark he’d made for her, and she opened to it. Her brows knitted as she studied the bright pink flower petals he’d dried and pressed inside the laminated bookmark. “Are these from the rainforest?”

“Yeah. I thought you might want—”

A thunderous crack exploded around them, and the plane lurched, shaking violently. The color drained from Sutton’s face as the plane careened to the right, and Gregg’s harsh voice rang out, identifying himself over the radio. Flynn grabbed her hand, the concern in Gregg’s voice escalating, “Multiple mechanical failures…”

“Flynn!” Tears streaked her cheeks as the nose of the plane lifted, shaking so hard it sounded like it was going to burst apart.

“It’s okay. Look at me, Sutton. Focus on me,” he shouted over the metallic rattling. He was shattering inside at the terror in her eyes and the reality that the plane was going down.

“Are we going to die?” Sobs burst from her lungs.

“No. We’re are not dying today. Do you hear me? We just found each other. We are not dying.”

The plane careened to one side, and Gregg hollered, “We’re going into the trees. Get down.”

“Flynn!”

He put a hand on her back, pushing her chest to her legs, and assumed the same position. Their eyes locked, and he spoke fast. “Keep looking at me, baby. You’re going to be okay.” God, please. Take me, not her. “I love you, Sutton. You are my world.”

“I love you, t—”

The plane tore through the tops of trees, the deafening sounds of Sutton’s screams and wrenching metal exploded around them as the plane took a nose dive, and then the world went black.

The End

Gotcha! This is a Steele novel, after all. Turn the damn page!

Chapter Thirty-Nine

SUTTON TRIED TO make sense of her disorienting surroundings. It took a minute for her brain to fire and realize the plane had crashed. Panic consumed her. Her head was throbbing. She was upside down, suspended by her seat belt, and she couldn’t see. Something was pressed against her face. “Flynn,” she croaked, tasting blood, and saw him out of the corner of her eyes. “Flynn!” Panic engulfed her anew. He was upside down, a branch pinning him at an awkward angle, and blood dripped from his head. Please don’t be dead. “Flynn! Wake up! Flynn!” She reached up to move whatever was against her face, and a sharp pain seared through her wrist. She cried out, hot tears spilling free.

“Sut…?” Flynn’s voice was strained, but it hit her like a lifeline.

“Flynn? Oh God. Flynn! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m right here.” His fingertips touched hers. “Don’t make any sudden moves. I don’t know how stable we are. It looks like we’re pretty high up in the trees.”

“Oh my God.” Sobs burst from her lips.

He pushed his hand closer, catching two of her fingers between his fingers and thumb. “Focus on me, baby. Try…to calm down. Tell me…where…you’re hurt.”