Nick winked at the flight attendants who were riding out the turbulence in the bar section. He grabbed a bottle of tequila and two glasses. One of the girls scooped ice and a lime into each.

"Do me a favor love and tell the captain to take the bumps down a few notches."

She nodded and walked gracefully toward the cockpit despite the turbulence. He shook his head. They really were remarkable women. They hadn't revealed a thing about the past to Sabrina. He decided to give them all a raise.

Funny thing that, giving gorgeous women money for not sleeping with him.

He turned and walked back to the lounge area. Marley must be in the back taking a nap. He didn't mind. He knew he wouldn't be getting Sabrina into bed just yet.

Soon, though.

Very soon.

He smiled at her, even though she couldn't see him with her eyes so tightly closed. Time to start laying the groundwork.

"Here we are. Liquid courage."

Her eyes opened a crack. She stared at him sitting beside her then snapped her eyes shut again.

"I don't drink."

"There's a first time for everything."

He poured himself some tequila and sipped it, smacking his lips together.

"God, that's good. I can already feel myself relaxing."

She opened her eyes again. The poor thing looked terrified. He really was a heel. A shot of guilt went through him. He squashed down the voice of his conscience and smiled reassuringly.

"You know, I'm a bit afraid of flying myself. Not to mention this is a new pilot."

"It is?"

"Yeah, it’s my first time flying with him. I've never experienced this sort of turbulence before. It's a bit frightening. Even poor Marley had to take something and lie down."

"He did? Oh God. This is not good."

He smiled grimly and handed her the second glass, splashing a liberal dose of tequila into it. This time she took it, staring at it uncertainly.

Good girl.

"There you go. Bottoms up."

She lifted the glass to her lips and drank. He watched her as her face crinkled.

"It's strong."

"It's good medicine, love. Here, have another splash."

He tipped the bottle into her glass, squeezing his lime into it. It cut the taste a bit. She stared at the glass in her hands and then lifted her eyes to his. He inhaled sharply at the trusting look on her lovely face.

This was wrong. What he was doing was wrong.

He was going to hell, that much was certain.

But like the devil himself, he knew he'd enjoy the ride.

She sipped her drink until it was gone per his intructions. Then he opened a drawer in a side console and fished around until he found a deck of cards. He brought them back over to her and started shuffling.

"Poker? Just to take your mind off the fact that we are hurtling over the continent thousands of miles in the air."

She blanched.

"Christ love, I'm only joking. Look, the turbulence is much better already, isn't it?"

She nodded.

"And you feel more relaxed, don't you?"

"Yes. Thank you."

He poured her another drink.

"You should always listen to Dr. Falcon. Now take your medicine like a good girl."

She tried to give him a stern look but quickly dissolved into giggles. He watched as she picked up her glass. She was already getting used to the taste he could tell. That boded well for his plans to wine and dine her all over Europe.

And bed her. Frequently. Mustn't forget that part.

She finished her drink and then another after he refilled her glass, shamelessly pressing her to drink. She leaned back and closed her eyes, the empty drink still in her hand.

He stared at her, the cards forgotten in his hands.

She'd bloody well fallen asleep!

No woman had ever fallen asleep on Nick Falcon. He was a bloody rock star! Women fainted sometimes in his presence, but slept? Never! Only if he'd worn them out by shagging them all night long.

Nick's sense of outrage was quickly replaced by something else entirely while he watched her sleep. He felt protective of her in a way that was foreign to him. He'd trounce anyone who wanted to do the things that he was contemplating. Or anyone who tried to get her drunk as he just had.

The girl pretty much made him want to trounce himself, when you got down to it.

She looked so innocent in her sleep. Softer somehow. He knew it would be magical to wake up and see her laying so sweetly beside him. And he'd do anything to keep her safe.

Gingerly, he reached to pull her drink from her hand. He tugged the edges of her wrap over her front, and she snuggled a bit into the warm cashmere.

Then he leaned back and did the only thing he could do. He dealt himself a game of solitaire.

He had a feeling he'd be doing a lot of that in the next few weeks.