Page 64 of The High Price Of Loneliness

The ride to the Manassas jetport was smooth and uneventful. Angelica was still enjoying the sightseeing from the SUV limo as she had been “sequestered” by Edward most of the weekend in their hotel suite. She hinted as she said, “I hope to get invited again sometime when you return to D.C. I would love to do some touristy things like visiting museums or galleries. There is so much history and amazing things to see here.”

He inquired, “What did you like most that you saw or heard about on this first trip?”

Angelica replied, “My favorite thing about Washington, D.C., was seeing it with you. You make everything special and exciting, Edward. If I came here again with you, perhaps the Smithsonian Museum while you were working and in your meetings. The spa was a dream day for any girl, and I loved it, but I would probably go to as many museums as possible. There are so many of them! Plus, I still owe you that interior decorating project for your new condo here, Mr. Gray.”

Gray responded, “Duly noted.”

It was a short drive to the jetport, and no sooner than the skyline of D.C. was fading away behind them on their drive than they were pulling into the regional airport loaded with private jets. Edward said, “Last flight, we were upgraded to that Gulfstream 650, for no extra charge, as it had just landed in Sarasota, and they needed to move it to Washington, D.C., for a large group. So, we will likely be on a different plane going home.”

Angelica commented, “Well, that makes sense. I was going to ask why you got such a huge jet just for the two of us. I thought you were just showing off for me, and I felt both good and bad about it.”

He commented, “I should have explained that then, but it just didn’t come up.”

Their driver pulled into the jetport, and they went inside together on the way up for Edward to register with the flight master. He was an old veteran with thick white hair who had seen all kinds of presidents and prime ministers flying in and out of D.C. As he looked at his screen for reservations, he waved Edward over and asked, “Who might you be?”

“Gray. Edward Gray.”

The flight master nodded and said, “I see you right here, Mr. Gray. Your Cessna Citation Ten is fully fueled and ready. We are just waiting for one more of your crew to wrap up another flight now. So please have a cup of coffee or juice, and we will be right with you as soon as he checks in for your flight.”

Angelica cozied up to Edward in the lounge with her arms around him and asked, “Do you ever get used to this?”

He thought about the question but wasn’t sure of its meaning and asked, “Can you elaborate on that?”

Sighing, she said, “This life you lead is very high profile. Extremely high power. Very full of fancy stuff.” After a pause, she added, “What do you do to unplug and relax?”

Edward thought about her question and said, “I think I relax most when I’m working out. My mind gets clear, and my heart is pumping. I feel best right after that.”

Chiming in, she smiled and said, “Those are endorphins, and they are really good for you, but that’s not unplugging, that is jacking up your metabolism to get a natural high. Would you ever consider taking a walk on the beach with me or just listening to a meditation session together?” She smiled at her second influence on her Master of the Universe that morning. And as far as she could tell, he still didn’t catch on to her gentle guidance. “No pressure, nothing fancy, just us unwinding together. Just an idea.”

Edward nodded and said, “Maybe. Let me think about it.”

Angelica leaned closer, with a seductive smile, and whispered, “What would have to happen for me to convince you to try either just once?”

Gray said, “That, I do not have to think about very long. If you agreed to join the Mile High Club with me, on our flight home, I would do either or both with you.”

Angelica asked curiously, “What is the Mile High Club?”

The flight master called them. “Mr. Gray, your crew is ready for your flight whenever you want to board. Your luggage has already been stowed and secured for you, sir.”

“Thank you, let them know we are on our way,” Edward responded as he took her hand in his for the walk to the plane.

“Edward, you didn’t answer me.” She was intrigued to know more.

Gray spoke quietly in her describing what is required to be “officially” a member of the Mile High Club.

Angelica’s eyes widened a bit, and she put her hand over her mouth as she laughed and said, “No way. Are you kidding me? And people actually do that?”

Edward nodded as they climbed aboard.

The Cessna Citation 10 is a mid-size jet seating about ten people, so it is still a big plane, to be sure. It was beautiful and luxurious like the Gulfstream, but with lots of burled wood and white leather seating. The aircraft had two club sections, each with two seats facing forward and two facing backward, for meals, meetings, and conversations. Edward led them to the second club section, further back in the plane for more privacy.

Angelica looked sheepish, thinking about Edward’s request to have sex once they were high in the sky. Flying at over thirty thousand feet in the air while doing it would qualify them as Mile High Club members.

She looked at Gray and asked plainly, “Do you do this with all your girls, Edward? Is this how you impress them with a ride in your private jet?”

Her tone was a bit off-putting, but Gray replied unblinkingly, “Actually, you are the first woman I have ever trusted to bring on a business trip or introduce at an important business dinner. So, this is a bit of a first for me as well, Ms. Hart.” He spoke quietly and steadily, gazing directly into her eyes. Something told her he was speaking the truth, and she softened.

“Well, I still don’t know about doing it with people watching.”

---