Page 51 of The Passion

I realize my mind is wandering when I see both the cabin crew looking back at me, waiting for me to speak again.

“Actually, a cup of strong English breakfast tea would be lovely and maybe a sneaky chocolate, even though I shouldn’t.”

“What happens in the air stays in the air.” Christie, the other air steward, laughs as she pulls out a tray with a vast array of chocolates to choose from. “Take whatever catches your fancy, Iwon’t tell.” I can’t help but laugh. It’s the simple things that can break the tension I’m feeling.

“I make decisions on huge business deals every day, yet why does it seem like a major life decision right now choosing between chocolates.” And although I’m making a joke, it’s the truth.

“They will still be here if you want more later on.” Christie smiles at me as I take two from the container. I’m sure they are more used to serving champagne and caviar, but a cup of tea and chocolate will do me nicely right now.

Settling back in my seat next to Flynn, quietly so as not to disturb him, Devlin places my tea on the tray and walks away without saying a word.

That first sip is like liquid gold. Like the comfort of home.

Sitting in silence is not the best for me at the moment, because it allows my brain to race. So, hearing Flynn starting to stir and his eyes blinking open is a relief. Seeing me sitting next to him startles him, and he sits up straight instantly.

“Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep for this long.” He rubs his hands over his face and through his hair, trying to wake himself up quickly. It’s such a simple thing, but he looks hot as hell doing it.

This is when I love Flynn the most. When he is soft and not trying to put on any front for the rest of the world. I have only seen it a few times, but this real Flynn, that I’m not sure many people know, is gentle, thoughtful, and full of kindness. I feel special that he has chosen me to share this side of himself with.

“It’s okay, I’m fine. I had a good sleep too. Guess we both needed it.” I lean over and lay my head on his shoulder because I just needed some physical contact with him.

“We may have a good reason, but what’s his excuse?” We look over at Forrest who is certainly still out to it.

“You don’t know what your brother was up to last night…”

Flynn is quick to cut me off. “Unless it was work, which in all honesty it probably was, but if it wasn’t, I don’t want to know.”

We both keep our voices soft, trying not to wake Forrest.

Flynn opens his arms wide. “Come over here.” He wants me in his lap, and I can’t say I’m disappointed.

I’ve never been much of a cuddler, but with this man, something is different. If I had a choice, I would spend as much time as possible wrapped in his strong embrace. It calms me, makes me feel like I matter.

“Are you really okay? I know you.” And I think he truly does.

“Not really, but I will be, it’s just going to take time.”

“I know, princess.” He kisses me on the forehead which has now become my favorite kind of kiss. It’s so tender and really does make me feel precious to him.

“Why do you call me princess?” I have always wondered since that first time it slipped from his lips.

A smile spreads on his face at me reminding him of his term of endearment.

“To the business world, you are a queen reigning over your company and all around you, but to me, you are so much softer than what the world sees. All the beauty and the strength of the woman in charge, but some days, you just want to step aside and be you. And I’m the lucky one who gets that realness of the woman behind the queen. So, you are my princess and mine alone.” He almost looks like he is embarrassed by his words, but to me, they mean the world. He sees me, and that’s all that matters.

I take in a deep breath of that same scent that caught me off guard the night we met in the bar, and my body is already reacting in ways I don’t need it to right now.

“We need to talk,” I blurt out, trying to find a distraction from the heightened awareness of being so close to his body and that damn scent which works like a spell on me.

“Every man’s favorite words…” I can feel the tension creeping into his body.

“Oh, just men? The same feeling happens to us too, you know.” Damn men think it’s all about them in this world.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” And he probably didn’t, but I’m touchy at the moment and anything will probably make me react defensively. Flynn’s looking at me like he is trying to work out my mood and where my head is at.

“Whoa, okay, let’s talk. There is obviously something you need to get off your chest.” Flynn is already picking up my anxiousness from my reactions.

“You aren’t going to like what I have to say, but you need to listen and think about this logically and not react straight away.” Without giving him time to say anything, I launch into my next words.

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