Page 66 of The First Time

I erupt into a deep laugh. Her excitement is contagious. A couple of minutes later, the plane is coasting in the air on the way to our destination. We should be there in thirty minutes. I’ll be starting to descend in about twenty.

Layla keeps looking out the front windshield and side window with a big grin. Making her happy gives me more joy than I’ve ever experienced in my life. I could easily make this my mission for the rest of my life.

“Do you have any idea what you flying a plane is doing to me right now?” she says to me.

I bite my lip, just thinking about sliding my finger into her panties and feeling how slick and turned on she is.

I cover the microphone to my headset and whisper. “Having you sit next to me with that headset on is doing things to me, too, baby. You’re, without a doubt, the sexiest co-pilot that has ever existed. If I weren’t flying a plane right now, I’d have my finger so far up that cunt of yours, you’d be screaming my name.”

Her skin flushes as her jaw hangs low. “Captain Crawford! Do you talk to all your co-pilots like that?”

I wink. “Only you, Freckles. You’re the only co-pilot I want for the rest of my life.”

Her eyes go wide. Shit. I think I just confessed I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Was that too soon? I know I should take my time, make sure we get this right, but it’s so damn hard when it’s the person I’ve pined over for a decade.

I turn back to the windshield, terrified to see what her reaction is once the shock wears off. Thankfully, air traffic control givesme the green light to begin descent. I just hope that I didn’t ruin the whole trip by putting my damn foot in my mouth.

I take my time with the descent, sneaking a peek at Layla, who still seems enthralled by the entire process. As soon as the wheels hit the ground, I press my feet on top of the rudder pedals until the plane slows to almost a complete stop.

“What a freakin’ rush!!” she claps next to me. “You did amazing!”

That’s a good sign that the whole trip is not ruined. I breathe a sigh of relief. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

As soon as the plane is parked, I cut the engine. The staff opens the door, and the stairs are ready for us to walk down within minutes. I go to grab our bags, but she unbuckles and jumps out of her seat.

She wraps her arms around my neck and throws herself at me, our lips clumsily crashing together. I pull her tight against me as her lips move along mine with fervor.

“Can they see us up here?” she asks breathlessly against my lips.

“Yes, it’s not a commercial aircraft that’s sixty feet tall. They can probably see us.”

She pouts her lips at me, and I kiss her forehead gently. “Let’s go. We can get to the house quickly, and I’ll take care of you there, baby.”

I grab her hand and our bags, then start to walk down the steps of the plane. I can’t explain the feeling I get after flying. It’s like my brain is completely calm and at ease. But with this beauty on my arm, it adds a whole new level.

I know every motherfucker in my vicinity is jealous of me, and they should be.

Just through the building, in the parking lot, is a black Ferrari Portofino waiting for us. I have several friends in the surrounding areas who have done very well for themselves, but I’m not very materialistic, so I’ve never reached out to them to borrow their things.

That’s probably why they jumped at the opportunity to let me use their things because they know it’s not the reason for our friendship.

“This is the car we’re driving?” Layla stands in awe as I place our bags in the trunk.

Like promised, the key is on top of the back right tire. I grab her hand and lead her to the passenger side of the car, where I open the door for her. I hold out my hand for her to take a seat.

“It is,” I reply, then walk over to my side and get behind the wheel.

“You didn’t rent this thing, did you?”

“Ha! No, baby, I didn’t. It’s my buddy’s car, the same one letting us stay at his place tonight.”

“No one who owns a car like this owns a small little home in Charleston.”

My lips twitch. “That’s a very astute observation. I guess we will see if you are correct when we get there.”

I grab her hand and place it on my thigh, holding onto her the entire time I drive along the roads. The neighborhood is secluded and nestled up against the water. I sent money to Tonyand asked him to put together an array of items at the house for when we arrived.

It doesn’t take Layla long to realize by the homes we’re passing by that this house is gonna be huge.

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