Page 66 of Tease Me

“Unless you want me to carry you,” Henry whisperedin my ear.

“I’ll be fine.” I giggled as I removed my sandals.

The pilot indicated that we should come with him, and he led me through the ankle-deep water toward the plane.

He opened the door. “Now, watch your step. I’ll get you to situpin the front seat next to me.”

“Oh no, Henry should sit there.”

“It’s okay, I’ll sit there on the way back,” Henry said behind me.

I glanced at him over my shoulder. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Okay.” I climbed into the cockpit and ogled the hundreds of knobs and dials as the two men settled into their seats.

Steve handed each of us a headset, and as I settled the large, padded disks over my ears, they crackled to life.

“Okay, how’s that? Can you both hear me?” Steve’s voice sounded like he was miles away.

“Yes.” I nodded.

“Roger that, Captain.” I couldn’t decide if Henry’s slightly high-pitched voice was from excitement or the headphones. Either way, I giggled.

The pilot helped me with my seatbelt,and then started flicking switches and turning dials. The propeller out of the front windshield began to spin and the plane roared to life. I squealed as we left the safety of the shore and headed out to the middle of theseaway.Our speed picked up quickly, and the pilot turned the plane parallel to the beach.

The momentum increased as the water whizzed by, and it took me a few seconds to realize we’d lifted off. We rose quickly, and I squealed again as we flew over a couple of kids in kayaks and soared into the air.It was incredibly graceful, andwithin seconds,we were high in the sky.

Long golden beaches stretched as far as I could see and met with an intense ultramarine ocean. Vegetation-covered deserted islands dotted the landscape, and giant tankers and equally large cruise ships cruised along the horizon.

“Oh, wow. This’s incredible.”

“I know,” Henry said as if he was in a trance.

Of all thewonderfulthings Icouldsee, I couldn’t see Henry. I wanted to hold his hand and squeeze my gratitude into his palm. As soon as I could, Iwas going toshow him just how grateful I was. Emotion gripped me as I realized how lucky I was, and in that moment, I was eternallygratefulthat I’d discovered Memphis.

We soared over dozens of tiny, deserted islands surrounded by sand and a series of sailboats with colorful billowing sails that skipped over the tiny whitecaps dotting the deep blue ocean. Ittrulywas a magical experience.

About fifty minutes into the flight, the engine noise changed.

“What’s happening?”

“It’s okay, love. We’re just coming into land.” Steve gave me a thumbs-up signal, and I repeated his move, showing him that I was okay.

We gradually lowered toward the water, and I was on the verge of screaming when sea spray kicked up as we ricocheted off the ocean. We bounced a second time, and I was nudged back in my seat when a wave announced we’d touched down completely. We glided along for acouple ofminutes before Steve twisted a dial, the engine noise dulled, and the propeller slowed.

The pilot angled the plane toward a sandy beach, and wepeacefully glided to a stopat the water’s edge.

“Here we are.” Steve unbuckled his seatbelt. “You twogo andstretch your legs, and I’ll get things set up.”

Before Ihad a chance toask any questions, Steve left his seat and walked, hunched over between the seats to open the door again.

Henry hopped out first, and I grabbed my shoes, bag, and hat and followed his lead. I stepped out onto one of the pontoons that kept the plane afloat.

Henry splashed into the shallow water and reached up to me. “Come on.”

I put my arms around his shoulders, and with one arm beneath my knees and one around my back, Henry lifted me into his arms. As he carried me to shore, I kissed his cheek. “That was wonderful. Thank you.”

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