Page 74 of Best Man Speaking

I flick my eyes up, grateful for my height, as I watch her discreetly four rows ahead, where she’s sitting next to Erica.

I look down again, and there’s still no reply.

My options to get her attention are limited to me physically going to speak to her or throwing the pretzels I’d brought for a snack over the three rows separating us. Neither option feels like the best of ideas, especially with Jules beside me. He’d have me committed if I started to throw snacks.

Finally, my phone lights up.

Hallie:You paid for my Wi-Fi?

Marcus:If you prefer, I can just shout filthy things at you across the plane.

Hallie:I’m sure Jules would be thrilled.

Marcus:Precisely. I thought I’d keep my plans for you to use my face as a chair just between us.

Three dots move on the screen, but no message arrives.

Marcus:Was that a squirm I just spied?

Hallie:Yes. Yes, it was. The thought of your tongue between my thighs is making me wet.

Marcus:What about the thought of me bare as we fuck? Of how I’m going to push my fingers back inside of you after we’re done so I can feel how wet you are then.

My eyes are on her as I pressSend, waiting, craving to see her reaction to this thing she’s asked for that I, too, now desperately want.

Two rows ahead, Hallie coughs, and Erica turns to her, asking if she’s okay.

My chest warms, pulse throbbing as I quickly type once more.

Marcus:Go to the bathroom, bring the hotel paperwork you organized so meticulously with you. Give us a reason to get close enough to argue.

Hallie:I can’t believe you’re making me do this.

Marcus:Don’t pretend you don’t want it.

Hallie:I hate you.

Marcus:I’m sure how you feel about me fits into three words, but I’m positive those aren’t it.

I don’t move, hardly breathe, waiting to see if Hallie gets up from her seat.

She waits a minute. Maybe two. Fuck, it could be an hour until, finally, she stands, a handful of papers grasped tight.

I count to ten, and then I’m up and out of my seat, trying not to race to the back of the plane.

I find her tucked around the corner behind the bathrooms, where there’s seating for the cabin crew. Luckily, at this moment, they all seem to be otherwise engaged.

“You have exactly two minutes,” Hallie says as I approach.

Without any time to waste, I pull her into a kiss.

Her lips part beneath mine as I trail my hands up her body, one coming to find its favorite place: pressed against the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair.

I hold steady as she takes from me, her tongue meeting mine hotly, her teeth gently nipping at my lower lip. The want within us is, as ever, insatiable. Twisting our bodies so our hips line up, I let my hands slip down Hallie’s waist and dip into the side of her black overalls. This item of clothing shouldn’t be sexy, but the space it gives me to move and touch this woman has my appreciation growing.

Hallie doesn’t even stiffen beneath me; there isn’t a single ounce of hesitation as my fingertips reach the bare skin of her ass, grazing gently as I move them between her thighs. I kiss her deeply, and her legs open for me. I take it as the okay I needto push the lace of her panties to the side, gliding through the slickness there. She’s soaked.

Our lips finally part, and it’s only then I notice Hallie’s hands have snuck up and under my shirt to press against my skin, nails biting slightly against me. Her eyes are luminous, and I brush a strand of hair out of her face and behind her ear before stepping back.

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