Page 12 of Turbulent Fires

He lifts my computer, steps over me, then plops down in the seat beside me, his body fully connecting with mine in the super small space. How in the world do people do super long flights this cramped together without going up in flames?

My stomach is currently reacting to this man. The low swoop I haven’t felt since the last time I saw him makes my legs shaky. It’s a good thing I’m sitting. I try to compose my features, not wanting to give him the power of knowing how much he affects me.

“How did you know I’m on this flight?” I ask. I can’t imagine the pilots taking the time to look over the flight manifests of all their passengers.

“I saw you getting onboard,” he tells me as he leans back. “Then you gave me your number.”

I’m seriously confused for a moment before I remember the flight attendant approaching. My eyes widen. “You had the flight attendant get my number.” It isn’t a question.

He waves his hand in the air again as if it’s no big deal. “Minor details,” he says with a chuckle.

“That’s got to be illegal,” I tell him, trying to be irritated. In reality, I’m quite impressed with the man’s persistence. Isn’t this what I said I’ve been looking for?

“If it is, I hope you don’t press charges until we land. My co-pilot will need me up there for that part of the flight,” he tells me.

My mouth gapes for a moment before I laugh. I can’t seem to help it when it comes to this man. It’s crazy. He’s infuriating and charming all at the same time. His appeal hasn’t lessened in the least in the time we’ve been apart.

“How in the world do you happen to be piloting the exact flight I happen to be on?” I ask.

His grin grows wider. “I wasn’t supposed to be on this flight. The captain got sick, and I filled in for him. I think fate has a wicked sense of humor that seems to be working in my favor.”

“Well, that was sure... convenient,” I finally reply, not knowing what else to say to him. How long can he sit here before he has to go back and fly the plane? Is he making all of the passengers around us nervous?

“It seems to be working out. I’m staying at this quaint little place that has rumors of being haunted,” he tells me with a wink.

My mouth once again gapes. He can’t know where I’m heading, can he? I then remember the flight attendant getting my number. She had to have glanced at my computer screen, which clearly showed the place. Would this be considered stalking? Even if it is, do I mind? Probably not. That might make both of us a little crazy.

“Where exactly are you staying?” I ask with suspicion.

“Beechwood Springs,” he says, utter confidence dripping from his tone.

“That makes no sense. Airplane crews stay in the cities close to the airport, like Charlotte or Raleigh.”

“I’m not the crew, I’m the captain. Besides, I’m a fill-in. I don’t have another flight for a while,” he tells me with a wink. “That means I have all the time in the world.” Heat flickers low in my spine with a thrill that shocks me. This man is truly getting to me.

I turn away from him to gather myself as I look out at the people sitting around me. No one is paying the least bit of attention to us. Maybe I’m the only one who feels this electricity zapping all around.

“You don’t give up, do you?” I ask, my voice a bit husky.

“Nope, not when I’m so damn intrigued by you.”

“I don’t do relationships.” We might as well get this out of the way now. “I also don’t take you as the type of man who rushes to the altar.”

He laughs, looking utterly relaxed. “Nope, not in the plans. That doesn’t mean we can’t have fun.”

I turn back and look at him. He intrigues me, no doubt about it, but he also seems just as into me. Of course, that could end as soon as I quit fighting this. Is that what I’m afraid of? Maybe I love the danger of it all.

“Are you going to sit back here and flirt with me for the entire flight?” I ask as I move my laptop a bit closer, using it like a shield.

“You seem busy, and we have plenty of time after the flight,” he assures me.

“You’re assuming you’ll see me when the flight ends,” I tell him, gaining back my confidence. I’ve sparred with him before and walked away the victor. I can do it again.

He simply chuckles as he leans his head back and closes his eyes as if he’s going to take a nap. I want to demand he go back to the front of the plane, but I’m sure if there’s a problem, they’ll come and get him... won’t they?

I turn my attention back to the screen, my heart hammering louder than my keyboard clicks. I can’t concentrate so I open my chat window again after checking that his eyes are still closed.

Me:He’s sitting next to me right now!!!!

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