Page 29 of Bound to the One-Night Stand

My soul hears her words and the longing hidden within them. She needs something all right. But not until we get to the resort. If only this flight wasn’t so damned long. If only I had the time to book a private plane instead. Then none of this would have been an issue.

Thankfully, the flight attendant is able to get her door open with ease. The bad news is that it’s a malfunction. Now, instead of being right across from me, she’s a few rows down where I can’t even see her.

Some start to a honeymoon. Storming my way over to the bar, I get a shot of bourbon for myself and a juice for Jessica. I have no clue what she likes, what she doesn’t like, what she drinks, eats, or anything. Stopping short, my brain threatens to short-circuit.

How in the hell am I supposed to make it work with a complete stranger? The only thing we really have in common is our sexual appetite and proclivities. Granted, she’ll probably deny it with her dying breath.

Walking over to her little booth, I stop short as I watch her looking at her phone. She doesn’t seem to see me yet. Her shoulders hunch up around her ears as sorrow drifts off of her, souring the air.

Who could be texting her? Is it her mother? Seeing as I know nothing about her family except what the officiantsaid, it stands to reason her mother is making her miserable about this. The moment we’re back in the states, I’m going to insist on meeting them so they can know once and for all Jessica’s happiness comes first. Even with them.

When I hunch down to hand her the juice, she jumps and turns off her screen. An odd niggle of suspicion slithers down my brain, but I refuse to allow it to take hold. We’re just now at a point where we can learn about each other. It wouldn’t help to allow my emotions to get the better of me.

She glances up at me under her thick lashes and blinks. “Hi. I didn’t see you there.”

“I can tell. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh. You didn’t. I was just… Um. I was just looking through my messages.”

“Anything particularly troubling?”

Her lips turn down. “No. No messages at all.”

“Ahhh. Maybe everyone is giving you space since you’re on your honeymoon.”

“I suppose.”

When her mood doesn’t lift at my words, I sigh and hand her the drink. “All settled in then?”

“Yes. Thank you.” She turns the glass in her hand and frowns at it. “Are you trying to get me drunk so you can have your way with me?”

The bark of laughter vibrating in my chest is genuine as I lean over and kiss the top of her head. “I don’t need to get you drunk to do that. I didn’t know what you liked, and juice seemed to be a good, neutral starting point.”

Jessica nods, takes a sip, and smiles. “Good choice. Mother always gave me apple juice when I was feeling out of sorts.” Silence looms in the distance as she tips the glass back and drains it as expertly as taking a shot.

My lips quirk into a smile as I take the empty glass from her and gaze down at her face. “And does this mean you’re in better sorts now?”

She hangs her head and twiddles her fingers for a moment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. When I get scared, I can turn into a little bit of a brat. I get it if you don’t want to be around me for a little bit.”

Frowning, I tuck my finger under her chin and turn her gaze to me. “I’ll never abandon you. Even if I’m mad as hell, we’ll talk it out.”

“Oh.”

That little word speaks volumes, and if I ever get my hands on the asshole who made her feel like this, they will rue the day. Taking her hand in mine, I kiss her knuckles before turning it over to kiss her palm. A shiver jostles her arm, drawing a smile to my lips.

So fucking responsive.

“I’m going back to my cabin. If you need anything, you know where to find me.” Grabbing my phone, I scroll back through the messages from Kessily until I find Jessica’s number. It takes a moment or two to send her a text. “That’s my number. If you need anything, text me. You don’t have to use Kessily as a buffer.”

“Yes, Master. I understand.”

Again, I tilt her face up. “In public, there’s no such need for an honorific. Devin will do just fine.”

A small grin teases the edges of her lips. “Yes, Devin. I understand.”

Leaning forward, I gently kiss her lips, pulling away before I can lose myself in her soft sighs. “Good girl.”

My mind churns as I make my way back to my cabin and pull out my laptop. Though I’m not planning on workingduring this trip, I can’t help but feel like my omega is hiding something from me. Even as I type her number into my screen, a sick sense of dread makes my stomach churn.

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