Page 94 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
A beat passes while we sit in his cockpit. It’s almost pitch black except for the dotted lights on the runway.
“I always wanted to be a pilot,” I admit. Those words sound surreal, hitting the air. “I’ve never told anyone that.”
“Lina.” His eyebrows furrow. “That’s incredible. I didn’t know that.”
I pick at the button on his bomber jacket. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve told anyone.”
“Why haven’t you done it yet?”
I lower my head as I play with the zipper on his jacket. “I don’t know. I guess I thought that I wasn’t smart enough or that I wasn’t capable, I guess.”
Carter cups my face, moving it up to force eye contact. “You can do anything you fucking want to—especiallyflying.”
I curl my upper lip. “You think so?”
“Absolutely.”
“Really?”
“Are you kidding?” His eyes bounced between mine. “You are brilliant and driven. Not to mention quick and level-headed. The perfect combination to do any goddamn thing.”
I blush, struggling to accept his compliments. I usually love to get empty and weightless accolades from guys, but the way Carter looks at me when he speaks tells me they are so much deeper and truer than any I’ve heard before.
Grinning, I lean in for a quick kiss. “You’re incredible, Captain Hernandez. Do you know that?” I mutter into his mouth.
He slowly shakes his head, smiling. “I’m just a regular guy infatuated with a woman who’s completely out of his league.”
Wrapping my arms around his torso, I bury myself beneath his unbuttoned shirt and jacket. And as my chest lightens, my soul recharges. Carter and I are simply ourselves.
The world around me no longer exists because, at this moment, it’s just me, him, and a plane.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lina
Carter and I are just getting out of the shower after our four-mile run. My endurance has significantly increased recently, and I was quite proud of myself for being able to last as long as I did. On the days Carter and I run together, he ends up getting a workout, usually in the morning or at night without me, then again with me—and once again for our after-post-work sessions. The additional cardio between runs is speeding up that process.
“What is that?” I ask, pulling on my sweater.
Carter comes back up the stairs, holding up a black egg-shaped thing no bigger than the palm of his hand. “You don’t know what this is?”
I purse my lips together. “Obviously, I know what it is, but I’ve never used one before.”
“Good. Then I’ll be your first.” Excitement dances across his face.
I arch an eyebrow, completely aware of where this conversation is going. My heart beats faster as butterflies fill my stomach with anticipation.
I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet, but I try to play it cool. “You literally just fucked me in the shower, and we just came back from a run. Now, you want to give me another orgasm? I’ve heard those things are intense.”
“I was thinking we have a little extra fun while ordering in and spending the evening looking at flight schools.” He smiles, extending his arm out for me to take the toy. “Even though I already know where you should go and what process to take, you should probably find the best fit for yourself.”
“You want me to research flight schools while I have this egg in my vagina?”
“Absolutely.” He chuckles. “Then, after we’re done, I’ll give you another little treat.”
I snatch the vibrator from his hands. “Yes, to the egg because I’m curious to see what this thing can do.”
“Good girl.”
