Page 5 of Flight Risk

He grabbed my hand, his grip firm but gentle. His smile widened and radiated like the early-morning sun. “I like when you call me Tav.”

I blushed deeply. The nickname had slipped out. I blamed the early hour and my lack of coffee.

“Tavian,” I murmured.

“No. Tav. From now on, you call me Tav.”

I licked my lips. “Okay,” I said. “But really, how is it that you got me a ticket? They were sold out.”

He turned to glare at the desk where the bored airline worker sat. “They oversold, you mean. I explained to them it was in their best interest to make room.”

I raised a brow. “And somehow that room ended up being right next to you?” I shouldn’t question it. I should just be thankful.

“It was.” Tav smiled again, and I lost my train of thought.

When his eyes sparkled, I could almost see the color of his scales reflected in his irises. I’d only seen Tav in dragon form one time. It had been totally accidental, but I’d never forgotten it. He was beautiful, like all the dragons. His dragon stood out the most to me, though. His beautiful deep cyan scales that reflected the sun in the most beautiful way were breathtaking.

“Let’s get some coffee, shall we?” Tav’s voice brought me out of my daydream, and I shook away the thoughts of him in his dragon form.

“Of course,” I said.

Chapter 4

Tavian

This was my chance. The time I had between now and when we landed should give me ample opportunity to work up the nerve to ask Kier out on a date. Or at least get to know him. Perhaps both.

I wiped my hands over my slacks once we were seated in first class. Normally, I settled into the first-class pod, put up the partition, and slept or worked when I had an overseas flight. That was not happening on this flight.

Kier sat next to me; a partition was available if we didn’t want to talk. I kept it open.

His eyes widened when he got to his seat. “This is bigger than my actual recliner at home,” he said. “More comfortable, too.” He settled into the chair and started playing with the controls. I smiled as he leaned back and sighed. He fiddled with the heated-seat options.

I pointed to the cabinet next to him. “There are extra blankets, pillows, and an eye mask in there. I think you can warm them as well, if you get chilled.”

He chuckled. “Can I live here?”

My phone buzzed in my hand, and I opened the messenger app to find a message from Thorne.

You owe me big time

Kier might not realize it, but there had not been an open seat in first class. I had instructed the airline worker to transfer Thorne’s ticket to Kier. Thorne would have to get over it. He could enjoy his next two days sightseeing.

Book a hotel room. On me. Get yourself a hot date. If you have to pay for that, I’ll cover it.

The next reply came quickly.

Fuck off

Don’t blow this chance

I shut off my phone and tucked it away in my bag. Meanwhile, Kier sat next to me. He was sitting with his hands in his lap, just staring forward, like he was fighting the urge to fidget.

“Are you nervous about flying?”

He startled and looked at me. “No, I’m not. I’m just—I’ve never been in first class before. It’s a little overwhelming.”

“Why didn’t you book a first-class ticket when we went over there? The rest of the clan was up here. Was there not enough space?”

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