Page 31 of Brazen
I held her and whispered, “My family are clearly all crazy.”
She laughed and wrapped her arms around me. “Then you get it from them.”
Then she closed her eyes, and her lips met mine. Every cell in my body instantly activated, and I ached for her. I held her tightly and deepened the kiss. Hope was the best kisser, because I forgot the world. All I wanted was her.
As the world became colorized again, our gazes met as my family cheered. She mouthed to me, “Damn.”
I laughed and nodded. She was right. Then I held her waist. It was time to get us back to our lives and have some alone time. I waved to my family as we walked off the ship. “We’re going to get going now. Bye.”
Twenty minutes later, after hugging everyone and saying goodbyes individually, Hope waved one last time. “Nice meeting everyone.”
I held her hand and escorted her to the golf cart that would transport us to my plane, then we would head home, where, ideally, we could pick up where we'd left off in Paris.
Chapter Sixteen
Charlie
* * *
We boarded, and I quickly took the reins to let Hope enjoy herself with the fully stocked kitchen, any movie or show she wanted on the TV, and the internet. I also told her she could take a nap in the bed.
The thought of her and a bed was another reason I'd locked myself in the cockpit and sent the crew to quarter in their lounge area. I would call them if I needed them.
Takeoff was a breeze, and soon, the stick was steady as we headed back toward New York City.
When the door opened, my heart jumped because I knew it was Hope. I flipped on the autopilot and turned toward her.
She asked, “Can I join you?”
I nodded and patted the copilot seat. “Just don’t look down and freak out like last time.”
“I won’t look down, but I was bored back there by myself.” She tensed, but she squared her shoulders and sat. For a second, she was quiet, then she asked, “Why do you love flying?”
I stared out at the empty horizon and took the controls. “Because it’s the most free I ever felt. Want to take the wheel?”
“No!”
I guided her hands to hold the yoke, which guided us up, down, over left, over right, or even a twist for a roll. I showed her how I was doing it. “It will make you less afraid, and I’m right here, to fix everything.”
She held but closed her eyes. “I can’t.”
“You know how to drive,” I said, and when she opened her eyes, I switched full control to her.
She sighed and held us straight. “I never do it, though. I usually call for a service.”
I lifted my eyebrow and hovered near the control button in case she messed up. “But you learned?”
“Yeah.”
For a second, she flew us just fine. I winked at her. “Good, because you’ve been flying yourself for a minute now.”
She let go immediately and sat back. “Take the wheel.” Her face was red, but I retook control as she said, “I came to talk, not crash us.”
I checked we were on course and gently maneuvered us. “It’s not a wheel, but okay. What’s going on?”
Done with flying. I turned on the autopilot again.
“Part of me worries what your family might think of me when we break up.”
