Chapter 10

Kristina

I had been on planes before, just nothing so small. Motion sickness wasn’t my thing, and it took me a little bit to realize what exactly was going on. I was dizzy and shook my head a little as I tried to regain my composure. The last thing I wanted to do was vomit all over the beautiful aircraft that Merrick was taking me on a trip in, but I wasn’t so sure I was going to be able to stop myself.

The drink the flight attendant handed me helped a little, and I started to sip it while I looked straight into Merrick’s eyes. He was calm and smiling, and it relieved a lot of the fears I had been having. The anxiety certainly had something to do with how sick I felt. There was no doubt I had given myself this stomach ache by over thinking all the problems that could happen with a small plane.

The truth was that all my worries could have happened with a large plane as well. Hell, I was probably safer in a plane than I was walking across the street in New York, but the perception of fear was all encompassing for me at that moment.

My stomach was twisted still, but the dizziness had lessened as we leveled off for our flight. The nervousness over being on a private plane with Merrick was still there, though. I was used to dating guys who could barely make their rent; now, I was in an airplane worth more than I’d earned in my entire adult life. It was extremely surreal.

“Are you feeling any better yet?” Merrick asked. “We can move over and sit on the couch if you’d like? It might help if you aren’t looking directly out the windows. I can close the shades, and we could even turn the lights down if you thought it would help.”

“Yeah, maybe getting up and moving around a little will be helpful.”

He reached over, unhooked my seatbelt and helped me stand up. My legs wobbled much more than I was used to, and I held onto him for support. The plane didn’t spin around as I took in the rich oak and leather, though, so that seemed to be a good sign.

“Do you want to sit or walk?” he asked.

“I thought walking would be best, but maybe sitting is better.” I laughed as I tried to make up my mind. “I’m sorry; I just don’t feel like myself.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m here, and we are having a great time,” Merrick said as he held onto the sick bag the flight attendant had given me.

“I don’t think this is the idea of a great time, but I appreciate your upbeat mood,” I said softly. “Tell me more about yourself. What other things do you like to do besides work?”

I snuggled in next to his chest and listened to his heartbeat as he started to talk about his hobbies and likes. I really just needed something to take my mind off of how I was feeling, and I didn’t feel like talking, so it was better that he did the talking, and I did the listening.

Merrick went on and on telling me all about the things he and his friends did in their off time. He instinctively kept talking as his hand stroked my hair, and I felt myself drift off to sleep. It was a surprise to me when the plane jolted as we landed nearly three hours later.

“What happened?” I asked as I looked around and tried to reorient myself to what was going on.

“We are here. How are you feeling?”

I took inventory of myself, and I was actually feeling just fine. The dizziness was gone; I was hungry instead of sick to my stomach, and I felt totally rested. I did feel a little groggy, but that was probably from sleeping for the whole flight.

“Actually, I feel pretty good. I guess sleep was the cure. Sorry if I ruined your plans for the flight.”

“Do you feel up to walking a little bit? You didn’t ruin anything. I’m glad you’re feeling a little better, though. Hopefully, the rest of the day turns out well. You make sure to go slow and slap me around if I’m doing anything to make you feel sick again.”

“Sure, that sounds great.” I laughed.

“Okay, then I’ll move forward with my plan for the day. You speak up if you start feeling sick again. We can always change our plans … no problem there. If you just want to get a hotel room and sleep all day, I’ll make that happen.”

“Oh, you’re game for a hotel room?”

“I mean for you to rest. But if you think you’re okay to continue, then let’s do that.”

“I’m game to give it a try. Where are we?” I asked as I looked out the window.

The rolling hills all around us seemed to be covered by vineyards. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought Merrick had teleported us right over to Italy, but the airport and signs gave it away that we were indeed still in America. Although Merrick was rich, he wasn’t rich enough to get us to Italy in three hours.

“California, Sonoma to be exact.”

“Really? I’ve always wanted to come here. Oh, this is exciting,” I said as I tried to catch my breath. I jumped up as if my energy had been zapped back into me and followed Merrick off the plane and to a convertible that was there waiting for us. The deep blue Lexus had tan leather that wasn’t as soft as the airplane but certainly still very luxurious. Every stitch of the leather was perfect, and I could only imagine having a car as beautiful as that one was.

The crisp air was still very warm, and the smell of fruit filled my nose as I climbed into the passenger seat. I already felt like a princess after taking a private jet to California, but the convertible had me feeling even more special as we drove off the airport and made our way through the curvy landscape of the nearby hills.

“So what are we doing with our day now that I’m feeling better and we are in this beautiful location?” I asked in an effort to get him to give up his secret plans.

“Patience my sweet girl. Relax and enjoy the scenery.”

“In case you haven’t learned this about me yet, I don’t have much patience.” I laughed as I did my best to relax and enjoy the scenery. “I once snuck downstairs on Christmas morning and opened my presents early. Then I wrapped them back up and pretended like I didn’t know what each of them was. I don’t do patience very well.”

“Wow, that’s crazy. I’ll keep that in mind as I torture you by not telling you where we are going.”

The rows of grape vines filled my entire view. They moved up the hills and down into the valley. Every turn off seemed to have a vineyard sign with old lettering and rustic appeal. I could have gotten lost for years just visiting all the quaint little businesses. So when Merrick finally pulled off the main road and toward the Sonoma Valley Wine vineyard, I could hardly contain my excitement. Obviously, I had suspected we were going to some sort of vineyard, but I was excited that we had finally arrived at our destination.

As much as I enjoyed drinking wine, I hadn’t been to any vineyards yet. My work, life, and general location held me back from finding the time to visit one. Although I often dreamed about taking a trip with my girlfriends out to California for a wine tasting weekend.

I saw Merrick glance over at me as we drove down the long driveway toward the vineyard. I couldn’t stop smiling. The closer we got to the main building, the more I felt like screaming out with joy. The wind was in my hair; I was with a delightful man, and I was about to visit my very first vineyard. Life was as near perfection as it could possibly get at that moment.

“These are friends of mine, and I’ve been promising them a visit for a long time, so I’m really excited to finally get out here.”

“You’re excited? I’m excited! I can hardly stay sitting in this seat!” I yelled as I unhooked my seatbelt and sat on the back of my seat with my hands in the air.

The air even felt different in California. It was moist and filled with scents that went beyond just the normal smell of grapes from the vines. In this part of California, there wasn’t the smog and pollution like there was near Los Angeles; instead, the sky looked totally clear as we pulled up to the main building.

A middle-aged man and woman were standing at the double door entrance just waiting for us. I had to wonder how long they had been standing there before we arrived or if they had arranged a meeting time with Merrick. The woman was slender with shoulder length blonde hair and a casual tan pants on. The man looked more rugged with his flannel shirt that had the sleeves rolled up and his thick forearms showing.

“Merrick, it’s so nice to see you again,” the woman said joyfully as she approached our car and hugged Merrick before he had even fully gotten out.

It was clear to me she was a nice woman. Some people just had a way about them that you couldn’t deny. I saw it when I looked at her; she was a kind-hearted woman with a genuine fondness for Merrick.

“Ella, it’s nice to see you too. And Jack, you’re looking great. Someday you’ll have to tell me how you keep yourself looking so good at your old age.” Merrick and Jack laughed. “This is my friend, Kristina.”

Friend seemed like a cold term, but I was a little relieved that he had said that instead of girlfriend or something Although I really did care for him, and the connection between us was amazing, boyfriend just felt like too close a term for someone I’d only known for such a short period.

“Wow, I don’t know how Merrick managed to convince you to date him? But welcome,” Ella said as she teased Merrick.

I shook hands with both Ella and Jack, and both handshakes ended in them pulling me in for a hug. I figured that was just how things were done out in wine country. As Ella led us into the main building, she started talking about how long they had owned the vineyard, and all the changes they were making.

As much as I wanted to pay attention to her, I found myself focusing in on all the details of everything that was going on around us. The doors were solid wood with a symbol burned into them; I couldn’t make out what the words said as we walked past, but the picture was of a man and a woman holding hands. Inside the big main room, there was furniture that looked custom made for the area; the wood matched the building. There was a large bar with dozens of wine glasses hanging above it, and we went straight there as Ella continued to tell the story of their vineyard, and Jack started pouring us wine.

“Before we head out on a tour, you’ve got to taste our latest Moscato wine,” Jack said as he poured us two glasses of pink wine. “It’s our rose, Moscato. I think it’s amazing.”

“It’s pink. I’ve never had pink Moscato.”

“Our whole vineyard is Moscato, so it’s worked out well that it’s become so popular.”

“I’m in heaven; can I just stay here with you forever?”

“We are always in need of summer help,” Ella said as she took a few sips of the wine with us.

“Hey, well I might not have a job for much longer; I might just take you up on this offer,” I joked.

“Our door is always open, and you can even bring Merrick with you if you’d like.”

“Yeah, could you imagine me living outside of New York? I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”

The Moscato was filled with the perfect combination of peach, wood, and citrus flavors. It tasted more like a wine from Italy than it did a wine from California. After finishing our small glasses of wine, we made our way to a large golf cart and loaded into it. Jack drove us out through the rolling hills to the furthest northern spot.

“Thank you so much,” I whispered to Merrick as he grabbed my hand. “This is amazing.”

“I’m just glad that you’re feeling better. I can’t stop thinking about those beds in the back of the plane. I’d like to get you naked and taste every inch of your body on the flight home.”

His words warmed my body, and I quickly looked to see if Ella or Jack had heard what he said. My chest rose, and I pulled in a long, full breath and imagined what fun our ride home was going to be, as long as I continued feeling well.

“Behave yourself,” I said as I let my hand squeeze his thigh and gently graze his package.

“Oh, you better behave yourself. Because I’m not planning to behave at all while we are here. The second I find a free minute, I’m going to pull you into these vines and kiss the hell out of you.”

“Nope, I refuse to behave,” I teased.

“Okay guys let’s get out here, and I’ll show you around the grapes,” Jack said as we stopped at the edge of the property.

The rest of our afternoon was something out of a romantic comedy film. The feel of Merrick’s hand in mine was so comfortable I hardly noticed it until we had to let go of one another. There was a brief moment where we were able to sneak away and kissed while Merrick pressed me up between two grape vines.

His lips were starting to feel like home to me after only a couple of dates together. I welcomed his tongue into my mouth and relished the quick moment we had together. He teased me, and I teased him back; I could have stayed right there all day long if we didn’t have to catch up with Jack and Ella.

“They are going to be looking for us; we should get back,” Merrick said as his hand kept my hips pulled up next to him.

“Nope, I’m perfectly happy right here with you.”

“In the middle of grapes?”

“Yes, I’d take you right here if those two weren’t just down the row from us,” I said as I watched his expression of desire intensify.

“You’d have sex in the middle of a vineyard?” Merrick asked a little surprised by my idea. “Don’t tease me now.”

“Hell, yeah. I’d do you anywhere.”

“Anywhere?”

“Yep.”

“Now you’re really teasing me.” Merrick laughed. “I’ve got some pretty major fantasies. Public sex is one of those things I’ve thought a lot about. Are you sure you want to agree to this?”

“Where would you want to have sex? The airplane, I’ve got that one. Where else? Your office? That seems like something you might like.”

“The movie theater, my balcony, and the conference table at my work.”

“Those seem reasonable.” I winked at him. “I like the conference table idea. That big huge table with us on top of it. Anyone could walk in at any moment. That sounds really exciting. When should I come visit you at your work?”

“Oh, you’re killing me!”

I laughed and grabbed his hand again as we caught up with Jack and Ella a little farther down the row. By the smiles on their faces, they seemed to know something had been going on with us but didn’t appear to mind all that much at all. I didn’t hide how much I liked Merrick, though, and I cuddled up next to him and held his hand for the rest of the afternoon.

Talking to his friends and learning about my favorite wine filled my heart, and by the end of the day, I was exhausted. We had walked up and down several of the rows of vines. Jack told us about the special blend of grape they used with the process and how it was different than what others did.

Of course, Jack and Ella gave us a couple of cases of their wine to bring home too. That was where the benefits of a private jet really came in handy; we didn’t have to worry about carry-on baggage limits or how much alcohol I could carry home. Although I didn’t drink frequently, I could really get used to having some of Jack and Ella’s wine around my house; it was by far the best I’d had.

The sun was getting close to setting as we climbed aboard the jet for our flight home. I wasn’t someone who traveled in luxury at all, but climbing onto a plane that was all ours was wonderful. There was no waiting, no worrying about the time. Even knowing that there was a bed in the back made me relax a lot.

“Dinner?” Merrick asked.

“Not just yet; let’s make sure I get through the take off alright. I’m worried that the air sickness I had before is going to come back.”

“Yes, let’s sit on the couch.”

It was a perfect idea, and he closed the window shades as I leaned up against him again. The takeoff was much smoother for me, and by the time we leveled off at our altitude, I was starving and ready for dinner.

“I can’t get over how stunning you are?” Merrick said as he pulled me back into his lap when I stood up.

The flight attendant had been just about to walk out to talk to us, but she quickly turned around and pulled the curtain to her area. It made me giggle to think that she was just on the other side of a piece of fabric and knew exactly what was going on with the two of us.

“You better be careful; I’ll start getting used to all these compliments.”

“Get used to them. I’m planning on giving them for a very long time.”

His hands wrapped around me, and I couldn’t help but kiss him and hold onto him. I didn’t want that evening to end. I didn’t want to let him go. If I could have stayed right there on that couch with him for the rest of my life, I would have been happy.

“She’s going to hear us,” I whispered as I felt Merrick’s hands start playing with the button of my pants.

“It’s fine; we can go to the beds.”

“She’ll still hear us back there goofball.”

“That’s the fun of it,” he teased as he quickly stood up and walked back to the two beds in the rear section of the plane with me in his arms.

A plus twin size bed was on either side of the plane and Merrick brought me over toward the one on the right. There was a thin door that he pushed closed, but nothing that would have kept the sound out. It was more like a partition to separate the rooms. I wanted to be one of those wildly adventurous women, and I liked telling Merrick that I’d sleep with him in all those crazy locations, but the truth was that I was rather tame when it came to public displays of affection.

“I don’t know,” I said nervously as I looked at the door.

His lips started to distract me as they moved down my neck. My body slipped back into a feeling of comfort, and I closed my eyes while I took in the tender touch of his lips on my skin. It was exciting knowing that there was another woman only a few feet away. My adrenaline soared, and I felt myself getting more and more excited. The warmth from his hands electrified me. I started taking off his shirt and moved quickly to feel his naked skin against me. But Merrick moved just as quickly as he pulled my clothes off too.

Merrick leaned back in the bed, and I admired the firm curves of his muscular body. For a man who spent so much time at a desk, he was really in great shape. I let my fingers tease him up and down his stomach before they latched around his hardness.

“Oh, shit,” he moaned while my fingers moved up and down his shaft.

“Shh, she’ll hear you,” I teased as I stroked him harder.

I couldn’t wait much longer, though, and soon I was wrapping his body in protection and hovering over him as I prepared to let him slide inside of me. Our eyes stayed locked together as his body pressed inside of me, and my hips started to move forward and back against him.

His hands held me tight against him as Merrick started to push his body and mine to our limits. Hard and fast we moved while both of us got more and more excited. My delicate softness wrapped around him and tightened as my body felt the pleasure of us.

“Yes,” I screamed. “Yes, yes, yes.”

“Shhh,” Merrick said as he put his hand over my mouth. “You don’t want her to hear you.”

His smile told me that he didn’t care if the flight attendant heard us or not. I tried my best not to moan out in pleasure, but the more he pressed himself inside of me, the harder it was for me to ignore the jolt of excitement I felt building up from my middle.

Finally, he thrust one last time, and it opened the explosion. I gripped onto his shoulders and let my body rush through the wave of feelings. The electricity between us was so strong I actually thought there was a spark as we both let out a final sigh of pleasure.

I fell into him and let my head rest on his shoulder and my body wrap around him as I tried to catch my breath. The lull of the airplane noise combined with our exhausting day, and I felt myself drifting off to sleep, but I fought back.

“What are you passionate about?”

“So many things. I like helping the boys and girls’ home; those kids are our future, and it’s so important to guide them along the right path.”

“I know what you mean; that’s why I started working at Girl Tech. It wasn’t just about teaching girls technology; it’s more about giving them the guidance they need to be successful while also providing the tools they need.”

“Girls Tech?” Merrick said as he lifted his head and looked at me.

Shit! I felt the panic rush through my body as I realized what I had just done. I had in one simple sentence, exposed myself and my lies.

“Um, yes, I work for Girls Tech.”

“You were the one who called me and yelled at me,” Merrick said as he sat up and pushed me away from him.

“Yes, that was me,” I said as I looked away from him.

“I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“I didn’t know it was you. Or I mean…I didn’t know I was going on a date with you. Honestly I had no idea,” I said defensively.

“Was this all some sort of set up?” He asked as the question stung me into silence.“This was a game to you? Wow, I seriously didn’t see this coming.”

“It wasn’t a game, Merrick. I didn’t know it was you when I called.”

“Oh, right. You said my name and hunted me down to get my private number. This is really happening? Shit, I never thought I’d fall for something like this. But damn you are good. Really good. What, were you going to ask me for a donation when we got back to New York? How was this going to work?”

I felt the anger as it boiled up inside of me. I wasn’t using him. Yes, I had lied about talking to him that first time, but I wasn’t using him for a donation. What we had was real, and it was really hurtful how quickly he threw it all away. We were literally still naked in bed, and he was giving up.

“Stop it, Merrick. Yes, I called you. Then literally got a call from you moments later. It wasn’t until Patty sent me your profile that I put it all together. Yes, I’d love for your organization to support Girls Tech, and that was why I let September still call and talk to you about getting on our newsletter and seeing what we do. You seriously think I’m the kind of person who would sleep with a guy for a donation to my charity? Seriously?”

I was fuming with anger by that point, and so was Merrick. We both angrily got dressed and went back toward the front of the plane and sat in chairs across from each other. The flight attendant was soon out to visit with us and bring us some dinner.

“I never would have guessed you were this kind of woman.”

“Really? I’m what kind of woman, Merrick? You have spent a lot of time with me … do you seriously think I’m the type who would do something like this? Come on!”

His expression softened a little, but I could tell he wasn’t willing to give up the idea just yet. It would probably be best if I just let things calm down a little and visited with him in a few days. I knew I hadn’t really done anything wrong. I had lied about talking to him, but that was it. I hadn’t tried to swindle him out of money or anything like that.

“I don’t know. Why wouldn’t you have just said something to me?”

That was the million dollar question. I really couldn’t explain the why behind it all. Basically, I didn’t want to look like the kind of woman who was tricking him, and in keeping my secret, I ended up looking exactly like that woman.

“We can talk about it more when you calm down. Let’s just eat something; I’m starving.”

“Fine,” he huffed. “Wendy warned me about you; I should have listened.”

“What? What did Wendy say? I questioned him.

“Just that women were willing to do crazy things for money. Didn’t you tell Ella and Jack that you might not have your job for much longer? What was that about?”

“I need to bring in some donations before the end of the year,” I muttered, knowing it was only going to make me look bad. “I’ll likely be leaving my job though since the dollar amount is too large. But that had nothing to do with me meeting you.”

Merrick rolled his eyes at me and didn’t seem interested in continuing our conversation at all. We still had two hours of our flight left, and I suspected it was going to be a really long two hours. The uncomfortable tension between the two of us was thick, and I felt like I could have cut it with a knife.

“I’m just trying to come to terms with all of this; it’s a bit much.”

My stomach felt sick as we finally landed back in New York, but not because of air sickness. We debarked the plane in silence, and he drove me back to my apartment with barely a word.

“You know me, Merrick. We haven’t known each other long, but you know who I am; you can feel it. I know you can.”

“Let’s just take some space for now.”