Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 107(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Damien catches me staring as we walk to the seats and gestures to the curtain. “There’s a bedroom back there for long flights or if we have to fly overnight. Jet lag’s a bitch, after all.”
I nod as if I’ve ever experienced jet lag, trying not to let my mouth hang open in awe as we sit.
“Will you tell me where we’re going now?” I ask hopefully.
Damien grins. “I told you I wanted to take you out for food. So we’re going to the best restaurant I know.”
I want to ask him more, but then the pilot comes out to greet Damien and introduce himself to us, and the flight attendant pours us drinks and gets us snacks as the pilot preps for take off. She runs through a safety demonstration, and then the jet engine is rumbling, and we’re speeding down the runway.
I clutch Damien’s hand as we take to the sky, equally filled with adrenaline and a little nervousness, but it only takes a few minutes before we level out, and I stop feeling like my stomach’s been left behind on the ground.
There’s an electronic ding, and then the pilot’s voice filters over the speakers. “Once again, welcome aboard. There’s clear skies and good winds today for our route to Paris, and our flight time will be around seven hours. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.”
I gape at Damien, who’s grinning at me.
“Paris?!” I gasp.
“Paris,” he repeats back.
“But I-I didn’t pack clothes or bring anything with me, and I have work tomorrow.” Practicalities get in the way of my giddy excitement.
But Damien doesn’t look the least bit concerned, with a knowing glint in his eyes and a smile on his lips. “I told you I’d take care of you, pretty girl, and I meant it. I’ll take you shopping for clothes in Paris, and I’ve already spoken to the school.”
“You … you spoke to the school?” I pause, catching up to what he means. “You’re the Bright on the donor list,” I say, remembering the list of donors that always sends the school a generous sum at the start of the year for supplies and training and whatever else keeps the school going. It’s one of the best private schools in the area, largely because of the resources they can afford.
Damien nods. “I make sure to support Lola’s education any way I can,” he tells me. “It has the added benefit of getting to know the principal and your boss. I explained to him that you were going away on a last-minute trip and that you’d need cover for a few days. It’s taken care of.”
I choke on a shocked laugh. “You really weren’t kidding about looking after me.”
Damien’s eyes darken. “I would never joke about that.”
As I stare into his eyes, it feels like nothing else exists but us. A thousand feet off the ground, the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders for a few days. There’s a tug in the center of my chest pulling me to Damien, and I’m hopeless to resist.
I don’t know which one of us moves first but sparks fly over my skin as our lips meet. I moan as his hand sinks into my hair, and he takes over, kissing me so deeply I don’t think I’ll ever recover. His tongue traces the seam of my lips, asking me to open for him, and I know I’d do anything he asked. I whimper as his tongue sweeps against mine, needing closer, needing more. I feel like I’ve been set on fire with need, and I grip his shirt in my fists, unsure what I’m asking for but feeling like I might combust if I don’t get it.
“Can I get you—oh!” The flight attendant’s sentence cuts off with a startled sound, and I pull away from Damien so fast my head spins. My face heats, and I duck my head, unable to look the woman in the eye.
Damien just chuckles, unperturbed. I try to squirm away, realizing I’m still straddling his lap, but he hooks his arm around my waist and holds me against him. The message is clear and only makes me flush hotter—he’s not embarrassed or ashamed. The flight attendant apologizes profusely, clarifying that she was just coming to ask if we’d like anything else and when we’d like our meal served. Damien answers her kindly while I bury my head in his shoulder and pretend to disappear.
I barely hear what Damien answers over the rushing of my own blood in my head.
“You okay, pretty girl?” Damien whispers into my hair, and I groan as I lift my head.
“Just not used to getting caught making out with someone,” I mumble, laughing a little at myself. “I don’t know how you’re so chill about it.”
“The entire world could be staring, and I wouldn’t give a shit so long as you’re in my arms, Delaney.”