Page 10 of Vinny

“Army Special Forces Medic,” Vinny answered, gaining a nod of approval from the attendant. With Vinny attending to the man, Annalissa sat with her arms around the now crying woman, soothing her as best as she could.

The Captain announced that they would be making an emergency medical landing in Kansas City and shortly they began their descent. Vinny and a nurse from the back of the plane had the man as stabilized asthey could, but he was hoping they would land soon. He did not like the coloring of the man’s face, nor the erratic heartbeat.

Suddenly, the plane lurched slightly and Vinny was immediately aware that the plane was at a slight angle as it came in.What the hell?He jerked his eyes over the seat to Annalissa knowing she hated landings. “Hold on,” he shouted to her as the plane landed hard, veering to the right. The shuddering of the aircraft told him that they had landed too hard on one of the wheels, but the pilot managed to right it so that they were able to come to a stop.

The hard landing caused the oxygen masks to fall from the overheads and the screams of several passengers could be heard.

Goddammit,he cursed looking at the dismay on Annalissa’s face as she sought his eyes for reassurance. “We’re okay, babe,” he said, reaching back to grab her hand.

She gave him a curt nod, keeping one arm around the woman. The captain explained that they were safe, but that an ambulance would be out to remove the ill passenger and then the aircraft maintenance would need to see about the plane. All passengers would have to disembark and be moved to the terminal for the duration.

This was, of course followed by apologies from the Captain and grumblings from the fellow passengers. The ambulance arrived shortly and Vinny stepped back to allow them access as they removed the ill man and his wife.

He looked down at Annalissa seeing the effects of stress etched on her face, and without thinking pulled her into his arms. Tucking her in tightly, he cupped the back of her head against his chest, her face resting against his heart. The other hand encircled her small waist, pressing her into his warmth.

She went willingly, enveloped in his protection. Comfort. Care. After a moment, she was aware of the sensations of being held so close by such a virile man. She felt the strength of his arms as hers gripped his biceps. She was aware of her breasts pressed against his stomach. And against her stomach…she could feel the bulge of his arousal.

Vinny’s awareness was also heightened. Her breasts, which had seemed much smaller than he was used to when holding a woman, pressed firmly against him and he could swear her nipples were actually poking his abdomen. Her cheek against his chest had his heart beating loudly, sure that others could hear as well. And his dick…it had a mind of its own and right now was telling him that this woman in his arms was all woman. And very desirable.

Pulling back regretfully, he kissed the top of her head saying, “Let’s go, babe. We need to get off with everyone else.”

Sorry for the loss of his heartbeat against her face, she knew that he was just comforting her. Nothing else.Even if he called me ‘babe’. I’ve never been anyone’s ‘babe’. But I know him…he probably calls everyone that.Determining to be brave, she pushed away, nodding.

“I thought you said this flight would be uneventful?” she joked.

Shaking his head, he smiled at the beauty in front of him. “Guess I was wrong about that. But surely we’ve had our share of excitement for one trip. Hopefully, it’ll be smooth sailing the rest of the way.”

5

Hours later, the hotel near the Kansas City airport was filled with the passengers from the flight. The airline determined that their flight would be canceled and they were shifting the passengers to other flights. Wanting one more day with her, Vinny agreed to take a flight the next day and she readily acquiesced. Once again, they had connecting rooms in the nearby hotel. Easnadh had been unloaded along with their luggage and they were comfortably settled.

Vinny called Tony to give him an update before calling Gabe. Assuring them both of their safety and comforts, he hung up listening to Annalissa talking to her father.

“I’m fine. We just had an emergency landing and are having to spend the night in a hotel in Kansas City. Yes, Easnadh is with me. Yes, right here in the room. No, I haven’t checked her but the landing wasn’t that hard. Yes, dad, I’ll take her out tonight and make sure. Mr.Malloy is in the room next to mine. Dad, I’m not leaving Easnadh with him. The harp is perfectly fine in my room.”

Vinny listened, his anger growing.The man hardly asked about his daughter, only caring about the instrument.He heard her hang up and moved away from their connecting door. Waiting a few minutes before knocking, he entered. She sat on the bed, a faraway look on her face. Startled, she jumped when she saw him standing there.

“You were lost in thought,” he said, slowly walking toward her.

“Yes, I was…um…just…well, I had to call my father,” she stammered.

Vinny noted her demeanor.Back to being shy. Cowed. Now I understand why.She not only has Todd and Gordon bullying her, it appears that her father is the worst bully of all. And the last thing she needs is another dominant man in her life. And that’s what I am.

Looking at her tired face, he thought, she needs someone soft. Someone who will let her…He realized that he wanted to be what she needed but had no idea if he could or not. Shaking his head, forcing the battle of thoughts from his mind, he stuck out his elbow and quipped, “May I have the honor of taking you to dinner, Ms. O’Brian?”

She giggled, the first laugh she had had all day. Standing and taking his arm, she agreed. “Why yes, Mr. Malloy. It would be my pleasure.”

Once again Vinny laid in bed, his thoughts a tangled mess.What the hell happened to the man who had all the answers?His mind wandered back to the dinner he had shared with Annalissa.

She asked about being a medic in the Special Forces, really listening as he described what he did. Well, the gentle version. He did not think that she could handle the realistic version.But then, she’s stronger than she seems. Stronger than she thinks.Her gaze focused on his eyes as he spoke. Not looking around to see if there was someone else who would be a better catch for the evening. He had always taken pride that most hook-ups considered him to be the prize but now realized that it was due to what they thought he could do for them in the sack...but not him as a person. This was different. She smiled when he talked about being a twin and laughed at his jokes. And all it took was one look at her guileless face to know that she was as sincere as she appeared.

When was the last time I had that? Have I ever had that?He told her tales of his brothers-in-arms, now coworkers for Alvarez Security.He talked about his friends and the women they had all fallen in love with and saved.

Realizing that he only opened up to friends he wondered,Is this friendship? Is that what’s happening here?If it was, he liked the feeling. A lot. Enjoyable, comforting, relaxing.

And then?Oh, Jesus, what a fuck-up.She had excused herself to go to the ladies’ room when two women approached him.

“We’ve been waiting forever for that little mouse to leave,” one of them had said, immediately drawing his ire.

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