Page 14 of Girl Going Nowhere

The little hum that rises from his throat drowns out the flight attendants closing the door once everybody is on board and seated. “My mom is from Madrid. She moved to Chicago to marry my deadbeat dad, who she met when he was in Spain for a college trip with his buddies. I’m sure she regrets that trip now, considering everything the dick has put her through. Anyway, Rafael is just something that ties me to my Hispanic roots.”

“That’s nice. Not about the deadbeat dad thing, but…” He obviously knows that, so I let my words trail off. “Is he not around anymore?”

His eyes go to the tiny window to see what the workers are doing. “Not if I can help it. He did a number on my mother and me, then moved on to the next unsuspecting woman.”

I frown at his cool tone. “I’m sorry.” Not knowing what else to say, I settle into my seat and turn my head toward him. “I was just thinking about my parents. They’re good people. They probably just wish they had a different daughter.”

One of Rafael’s eyebrows pops up. “I highly doubt you could have done anything to make them wish that.”

“Maybe I murdered somebody.”

“Did you?” he counters easily.

“Only their pride,” I muse humorlessly. Shaking my head, I release a sigh. “I’ve made dumb decisions over the years. One of them led to some pretty heavy consequences.”

Rafael studies me, his eyes going from my eyes to my lips to the rest of my face as if he’s looking for something specific. “Drugs?”

Snorting, I murmur, “No. Maybe I should tell them at least I didn’t get hooked on cocaine, so they know how lucky they got with me.”

His low chuckle has him easing into his own seat. “I don’t suppose you’re going to let me in on whatever it is you did?”

If I were smart, I wouldn’t. But he’s a stranger. A free therapist, really. Some people use bartenders to tell their problems to; I tell random men on planes who are captive audiences. “I hooked up with the wrong person and wound up pregnant and alone. Well, not really alone. I have my daughter, who’s the best kid out there. But the guy…” I make a face, thinking about Jonathon Dover. “It’s better he’s not in the picture.”

“Wow. A single mom.” There’s admiration in his tone that I’d like to think is because of his mother’s struggles based on his comment about his father. “You’re right. It could have been cocaine.”

Our conversation stops when one of the flight attendants starts going over safety protocols. It only makes me white-knuckle the armrests tighter as I picture us going down in a fiery crash like the plane inAirplane Disastersdid the other night.

“Not a fan of flying?” Raf guesses after we’re told to buckle up before we begin to taxi.

“Yeah, about that…” My eyes widen when the plane starts moving. I have to pinch them closed and try to do the breathing technique that Emily reminded me of when we talked earlier. Last time I got on a plane to see her, I hyperventilated until one of the other passengers thought I was going to need medical attention. “I’m sort of terrified right now. I should apologize in advance for being stuck next to me because I’ll more than likely have a breakdown or three if turbulence hits.”

He doesn’t laugh or tease. Instead, my eyes startle open when a hand peels mine away from the armrest. My seat mate weaves our fingers together, offering me a soft smile. “Anytime you need to squeeze my hand, do it. You won’t hurt me.”

I gape at our hands. When was the last time I held hands with somebody other than Maia or my parents when I was little? I’m not sure I ever have.

Not with a guy. Finn wasn’t entirely wrong. The usual men I go after are looking for a quick fuck and an easy exit. Nothing more.

Rafael is completely relaxed as the plane starts moving down the runway. “I should probably ask if you have a boyfriend or something that could potentially beat my ass for holding your hand. I’d like to consider myself a lover, not a fighter.”

I swallow my nerves that are drumming to an erratic beat inside my chest. “Is that your way of confirming that I’m single?”

All he does is grin, revealing teeth that should be displayed in a toothpaste commercial that could rival the many Maia’s father has been featured in.

My grip tightens around his as we start to lift off the ground. “No. There’s nobody who will beat you up,” I rasp hoarsely, refusing to look out the window as we ascend.

“Good. Then look at me.”

My head turns, and ever so slowly, I force my eyelids open.

That’s when he leans over and kisses me.

Distract yourself,a voice echoes in my head.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Rafael

I’ve had ahard-on since getting a good look at the woman whose mouth slowly opens for mine. Kissing her definitely was a dumbass move because now I need to find a way to talk my boner down or go to the bathroom and take care of it myself. Especially knowing that Blake can kiss.

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