Page 49 of Had To Be You

Jesus. Her vulnerability is intoxicating. I feel a high, like she’s the perfect hit of the best drug. Hearing that she’s felt the same way I have this entire time makes me want to give her even more.

I lean in closer. It isn’t easy to open up in this way, but it feels too damn good. “I felt it, Ellie. I felt it every damn time our eyes met, every time my skin grazed yours. I still do.”

Her eyes widen and she smiles, carefree and stunning, and my body heats all over. Learning she was just as attracted to me as I was to her makes my heart beat triple time. I swear it could beat right out of my chest.

“Me too,” she says softly, reaching for my hand across the table, running her fingers over mine. “You do crazy things to me, Liam.”

Shit. Is there any other way to respond to this woman who has me teetering on edge all the fucking time from how sexy she is? I can’t resist.

I lift up my glass and lick my lips while holding her gaze. I want to wind her right up, so she feels exactly like I do.

“Now, will you finish your cake? I’d like to take you home and undress you and do all kinds of crazy things to you.”

Ice clinks in my glass as I knock the remaining liquor back.

Subtlety is not my finest attribute, but my direct approach seems to work. I watch Ellie shiver from my words. She studies my face, composing herself, but the blush across her chest gives her away.

I’m affecting her. She’s worked up because of me. She’s aroused and I caused it. Perfect.

“If you insist.” Her lips curve into a smile that lights up her entire face. She takes a slow sip of her drink then sets the glass on the table.

“Ready when you are,” she says, with pure sex in her eyes.

There’s no way we can get out of here fast enough.

Chapter Nineteen

Ellie

His hand is on the small of my back as I walk up the steps to the door of the small plane that rests on the tarmac. My eyes are the size of saucers as I enter the cabin, which resembles an elegant living room with leather chairs and sofas.

Liam leans into me, his mouth inches from my ear as I take in my surroundings. “I hope you’re not afraid of small planes, Ells,” he says, his voice low and dreamy. “I promise you’ll be safe.”

Twisting my body to look at him over my shoulder, I smile nervously. “I’ve only been on a plane once before, but never one this small. And this one has couches, Liam. And dining tables. And a wet bar.” What the hell? I mouth, and he chuckles.

Liam surprised me this morning after waking me up in his bed. In between kisses, his hands roaming my body, he informed me I would not be going to work today but would instead be boarding a private plane with him to a secret destination. He had everything covered; we just needed to swing by my apartment to pack my things and pick up my passport. Where to? He wouldn’t tell me. In his words, My lips are sealed, don’t even try.

The pilot steps out to greet us and a flight attendant offers us each a glass of champagne from a silver tray because how does one travel to their destination without a flute of champagne? Then she proceeds to show us around the cabin. There are couches near the front of the plane and a table and leather chairs near the washroom at the back. I haven’t said a word during the rundown of emergency exits and safety briefing for the simple fact that I’m speechless. I can’t believe this is really happening, that this is really my life.

Liam and I take seats next to each other while the staff disappear into the front of the cabin to prepare us for takeoff. He asked that we were not be disturbed unless we call for assistance. The flight attendant then pointed to a button, instructing us to push if we needed absolutely anything. I’m not sure I would dare ask for a thing.

I drop my carry-on bag to the floor next to my feet while Liam pulls his laptop from his travel bag, setting it on the small table in front of him. He may have ditched his tailored suit for dark jeans and a gray pullover sweater, but he’s been all business since we stepped into the town car this morning to bring us to the airport.

He looks over at me with a soft grin, and I take notice of his hair and the soft dark strands that my fingers are begging to run through. He apologizes in advance for needing to take care of some more work once we’re in flight.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be over here enjoying the journey,” I say, sipping from my champagne flute in dramatic fashion. He shakes his head at me, like flying in a private plane with staff to handle your luggage and serve you charcuterie isn’t totally mind-blowing. I whisper playfully, “Do you always travel like this?”

“Not always,” he says, “but it serves its purpose, every now and again.”

We buckle our seatbelts and prepare for takeoff, Liam holding my hand as the plane takes off. Once we’re in the air, Liam powers on his computer while I sip from my champagne and curl my legs up underneath me, pulling out the crossword puzzle book Liam gifted me. We sit together in silence, Liam occasionally running the tips of his fingers softly over my leg as he works.

We’ve been in flight for a half hour or so when he gets up to take a call, pacing the rear of the cabin with his moody-Liam face. Mr. Always-in-Control is agitated about something. It’s sexy as hell. I want agitated Liam to bend me over this seat or have his way with me in the tiny aircraft’s restroom. Probably not the best time for that, Ellie.

“What do you mean he didn’t show up?” Liam’s voice echoes off the cabin’s walls, pulling my attention from my crossword. His posture is tense, his free hand pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I get that but come on, Noah,” Liam says, stopping in front of a cabin window, his hand slipping into his pocket. “He’s going to seal his own fate. What is he thinking?” I watch him listen to whomever it is on the other end of the call, annoyance written all over his face.

“I get it. Okay, keep me in the loop and let me know as soon as you track him down.” Liam ends the call and walks towards me, fire in his eyes.

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