Page 6 of Stick Work

“What?” I ask. Her eyes are way prettier. Where the hell did that thought come from?

She glares at Harper’s back, shooting daggers. “It’s crazy that you guys can’t go anywhere without getting hit on. My God, we’re on a plane and the flight attendant gave you her damn number.” I relax a bit. She’s been around us hockey players enough to know what it’s like. “You never know who likes you for you, or who just wants you because you play hockey.”

I snort out a humorless laugh. “Toss in important parents, and that really complicates things. Some people want to get close to me just to get close to my father.”

Her hand touches mine, genuine concern in her eyes as they rake over my face. “I’m really sorry, Elias. That’s tough.”

“It’s okay,” I respond, her touch fucking me over. I grab my rum and take a big mouthful.

“Are you going to call her?”

I nearly choke on my drink. I set it down, wipe my mouth, and catch Taylor’s cocky grin. “No, I’m not calling her.” I nudge her with my shoulder. “It’s you and me this weekend, remember?”

“I remember.” Her voice is soft, her lids falling slightly, and I can’t help but wonder if she’d whisper to me in bed, if her lashes would shade her pretty blue eyes as I put my cock into her. “I like this…” she shakes her head. “I mean, I like that…well, that my first time is with you.” Her eyes go wide. “I mean my first flight.” She throws one hand up. “I’m sure Kalen wouldn’t want me having a drink and would be checking my seat belt.” She shakes her head. “I love him, but it’s nice to be out from under his thumb.” As soon as the words ‘under his thumb’ leaves her mouth, pink crawls into her cheeks.

What the heck is that all about?

It was just the other day she joked about being my roommate, but then said she didn’t want to be under my thumb. Does she want to be under my thumb, or rather…under me? I gulp, and quickly dispel that image.

The plane picks up speed as we race down the runway, and Taylor turns from me. I’m not sure if it’s to hide her blush or watch our ascent. Her fingers dig into the armrest. I peel her fingers off, and she gives me a fast glance as I take her hand in mine, offering security and comfort.

I gesture toward the window and she turns. Leaning in, I catch the scent of her hair. I know exactly what kind of shampoo she uses, considering we share a bathroom. That comes with its own torture. It wasn’t long ago she’d walked in on me. I had just rubbed one out in the shower, and my cock was still hard when her door flung open. She stood there in complete shock, as I scrambled to cover myself up. What must she have thought? When she finally came to her senses, she bolted, and we never talked about it.

I’m always careful. The last thing I want to do is walk in on her naked. I snort. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I want that, but it’s not in my best interest. I do not want to close my eyes at night and have that visual dancing around inside my brain. At least at my parents’ house, there are plenty of bathrooms and bedrooms. Since they have old fashioned values, no way will I be sharing a room with Taylor, and for that I’m grateful.

As the plane takes off, the roar of the engines fade into the background, leaving only the occasional hum of the cabin. She turns back to me, her wide eyes betraying a mixture of awe and nerves. “What was that sound?”

I smile, leaning closer to reassure her. “That’s just the landing gear retracting. Completely normal.”

She exhales, her tense shoulders dropping slightly. “Okay. Normal. Got it.”

Moments later, the plane banks hard to adjust its course, and gravity tips me toward her. The ground below flashes past, a dizzying mix of clouds and cityscape, and she lets out a startled “Ohmigod!” Her voice trembles, but there’s something endearing about the way she inches closer, seeking comfort. The warmth of her leaning against me stirs something deep inside, and for a moment, I can’t focus on anything else.

“We take off into the wind. We’re just adjusting for that,” I explain, trying to keep my voice steady even as my pulse spikes. “Nothing to worry about.”

The plane steadies, and she relaxes, her head tipping slightly as a smile teases the corners of her lips. “I think…that was kind of fun,” she says, her voice laced with surprise.

“Kind of fun?” I tease, chuckling.

“Well, once I knew we weren’t, you know.” She flattens her palm and flips it dramatically. “Flipping over, it was…exhilarating.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Trust me, nothing is flipping over.”

“Good.” She grins, the tension melting into excitement as the flight smooths out.

Before long, our meals arrive. It’s a long journey, so after we eat, I settle in. I’m half-watching a movie while she busies herself with her e-reader. She pauses, rummaging through her bag, and pulls out a tube of lip balm. Her motions are slow, deliberate, and far too distracting as she applies it, her lips glistening in the cabin's soft light.

“It’s so dry in here,” she murmurs, rubbing her lips together.

I nod, clearing my throat. “I’ll grab some water when the attendant comes by. Or another wine?”

She flashes a playful grin. “Both. Definitely both.”

Soon after, she starts to shift in her seat, glancing around nervously. “You okay?” I ask, watching her unbuckle her seatbelt.

“Yeah, I just need to use the little girls room.” She stands, and I quickly move aside to let her pass.

First-class means she only has a short walk to the lavatory, so I stay in the aisle, stretching my legs. The plane jolts slightly, and I grab my seat for balance. A few minutes pass. Then a few more. A knot of worry tightens in my stomach. Could the turbulence have startled her? This is her first time flying. What if she’s unsteady or overwhelmed?

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