Page 13 of Turbulent Fires

Chloe:Who?

Me:Him!!!

Chloe:The hot guy who had you all aflutter from the flight a month ago?

Me:Yes!! And he’s the pilot of the plane so I really think he should be up front, but he’s here! He just slid in beside me like he owns the place.

Chloe:Jump on that man right now. Rip your clothes off, then jump on him. You said you’d go on a date if you saw him again. Forget the date and simply find a bed!!

Me:You’re a terrible bestie with even worse advice!

Chloe:I’m the best friend in the world, and it’s been forever since you’ve had a decent O. Jump on and ride the magic wand!

Me:Who are you!?!

“Tell Chloe I like her thinking, and I want to be besties with her now.” I freeze as Wolf’s words break through my muddled brain. I turn and look at him in horror as he glances at my computer screen. For probably the second time in my life, I feel my cheeks heat as embarrassment rushes through me. I quickly shut my computer screen, even though it’s far too late.

“You do realize that most men would’ve given up when I walked away the first time, right?”

“I’m certainly not most men,” he assures me. “It’s also clear you were impressed enough to talk about me with your best friend. That means you’re as intrigued as I am.”

“Clearly, you’re not most men,” I say, not knowing what else to come back with. I’m not touching the statement about what was said between me and the bestie. The plane hits a pocket of turbulence that has my stomach doing a swoop. The plane then dips, and I reach for the armrest, but get his hand instead. Electricity shoots through me. My breath catches in my throat.

Before I have a chance to analyze what this means, he stands. “Duty calls,” he says in a husky whisper that has me growing hot and wet. He steps over me but looks down and winks. “I’ll see you when we land.”

He finally walks back up the aisle and disappears into the cockpit. I don’t let out a breath until he’s out of sight. Will I wait for him, or will I run away again? I want to keep my promise to Chloe, but this man scares me. He scares me like no other man has ever done before.

I tuck my computer away, all ability to work long gone. The seatbelt light is firmly back on as the plane shakes in the turbulence. I’m too confused and intrigued by a certain pilot to have any anxiety in the flight itself. That shows how much Wolf muddles my brain. Being in his presence feels like being swept up in a tornado. The weirdest part of all is that I seem to love it.

This man is pulling at me... and the strangest part is I want to allow it.

Chapter Five

Audrey

I’ve never once been flagged at an airport. Still confused when the plane landed, I gathered my items and made my way down the aisle, wondering if Wolf was going to try to stop me. He didn’t come out of the cockpit. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

But he also said he’s staying in the same place as I am, which is a ways from the airport. Just because we’re at the same place doesn’t mean we’ll run into each other. I thought he’d try to stop me from exiting the plane. Again, I know I sound crazy. I can’t seem to help myself.

None of that matters now, because some person with a badge seems to have a power trip going on at the moment, and there’s nothing I can do about it unless I want to never be able to fly again.

After stepping off the plane with the rest of the sleepy herd of passengers, I was making my way toward the exit when a very serious-looking TSA agent stepped in front of me.

“Ms. Audrey Beach?”

I looked up and blinked. “Yes?” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to acknowledge my name to the man who looked far too serious.

“You’ve been selected for a secondary security screening. Please come with me.”

And that’s how I’ve ended up walking side by side with this man while passengers skirt around us, grateful they aren’t in my position, instead of traveling to the quaint little bed and breakfast that seems even more appealing than before.

My stomach twists as we silently walk. “Is something wrong?”

He doesn’t answer; he gestures me toward a sterile-looking hallway off to the side, somewhere I could easily disappear from. A shudder runs through me as I contemplate making a break for it. To hell with traveling. I’m fine staying close to home from here on out.

Two uniformed guards flank the entrance to a room. Have I been placed on some sort of watchlist I wasn’t aware of? Did someone plant something in my bag? I’ve heard of this happening before, and I have to admit I get distracted by my phone and computer when I’m waiting to board a flight. It wouldn’t be that difficult to sneak something into my bag if the person was quick enough.

I silently curse as I remember every true crime show I’ve ever watched about fake security and taking people who are never to be seen again. That doesn’t happen inside the US, though, does it? I’m led through the door into a small windowless room with a metal table and plastic chairs. The man asks for my ID.

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