Chapter Fifteen

~Hannah~

I DON’T KNOW WHY he’s so calm. We have minutes to get to the gate in time. There’s no way they’ll let us through security now.

Is this what I’m destined to deal with all the time if I stay with him forever? Because I have to be honest, I can’t do that. I’m way too organized for that. I get to the airport at least an hour before the flight takes off.

I mean, who shows up with only a few minutes to spare?

“It’s going to be fine,” Brad says with a smile as he turns toward the airport.

“Do you want to just drop me off and I’ll run in and check us in?”

“No.”

I stare at him and then shake my head, completely knotted up inside. But, I should calm down. This is his show, and if the plane leaves without us, that’s not my fault.

Yeah. That’s it.

Rather than pull into the parking lot, he takes a turn on what looks like an employees’ road that winds behind the airport, back where the planes are parked.

“We’re going to get in trouble,” I mutter, but he just chuckles next to me. “Who are you? You’re acting very weird.”

“Relax. I know that’s not easy for you, but I’ve got this. We’re not getting in trouble.”

I sigh, not believing him in the least, but decide to take both our advice. What’s the worst that will happen? We won’t go on this trip?

Hell, an hour ago I didn’t even know there was a trip.

He turns away from the commercial airliners and drives over to a smaller plane that has the main door open, the stairs pushed against it like it’s waiting for passengers.

“This is our ride,” he says casually and parks about ten yards from the plane.

“This?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He winks before getting out of his truck, talks to a member of the ground crew, and opens my door for me. “Your carriage awaits.”

“We’re taking a private plane?”

“We are.”

I hop out of his truck and stare at the gleaming white and black jet, completely shocked.

“Wow.”

“Hi, Chief.” A man steps out of the plane and shakes Brad’s hand. “We’re ready when you are, sir.”

“Great, thanks. We’re ready any time. Hannah, this is Jeremy. He’s the pilot today.”

“It’s a great day for a flight. Smooth sailing the whole way.” He smiles and walks back inside the plane and disappears.

“I requested that we not have a flight attendant today,” he says with a smile and leads me inside the jet. It’s bigger than I thought it would be. There are at least a dozen plush leather seats, all comfortable recliners that swivel. “There’s a bathroom in the back, and there’s a galley with snacks and drinks if you want anything.”

“I’m fine,” I reply, completely shocked. “This is gorgeous. How did you manage this?”

“It’s Max’s plane,” he says and helps me fasten my seatbelt. The pilot quickly comes back to go over safety features and introduce us to the co-pilot, and then he disappears behind the door leading to the cockpit and I hear the engines start. “We’re using all of his fun toys over the next few days.”

“That’s pretty cool.” The seat feels like a big hug, wrapping around my body and cradling me. “This might be the most comfortable airplane seat I’ve ever been in.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“What’s not to like? It’s a super fancy treat. Max seems nice.”

“I like him,” Brad replies with a shrug. “He’s generous, and he hasn’t let all the money go to his head.”

“That’s good.” I nod and watch as Brad takes a seat across from me, swivels to face me, and clicks his own seatbelt closed. He crosses one ankle over the opposite knee and rubs his fingers over his mouth, watching me with hot green eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s no fucking loveseat or couch on this plane,” he says immediately. “As soon as we’re airborne, I’m pulling you into my lap.”

I laugh, but electricity is zinging through me at the intensity of his voice. “I guess I’ve been warned.”

He doesn’t reply, and we’re quiet as the plane picks up speed down the runway and takes off. I glance outside, surprised that the plane ride isn’t bumpier as it climbs away from the green trees and blue lakes below into the sky.

“A smaller plane usually means more turbulence,” I comment and turn to find him still watching me.

“This plane is pretty steady.”

I nod and squeeze my legs closed, completely taken off guard at the sexual tension in the air. If I thought it was there earlier at my house, it’s nothing like right now.

I’m going to have sex in an airplane.

That’s new.

We sit, staring at each other, until there’s a ding over the speakers that signals we’re at cruising altitude and we’re safe to move about.

Within seconds, Brad is out of his seat and next to me, unclipping my seatbelt and lifting me into his arms.

My hands dive into his hair as his lips find mine, and it’s like we’re starved for each other, like we haven’t been together in ages rather than just this morning.

Rather than sit with me in his lap, Brad quickly strips us both out of our clothes, and guides me down to sit in my seat, scooted forward so my ass is at the very edge of the chair.

The next thing I know, he pushes my legs up, spreads them wide, and buries his face in my core, making me bite my lip to keep from crying out.

I don’t need to alert the pilots to the show happening twenty feet behind them.

“You’re so damn sweet,” he growls, watching me as he licks and nibbles, then pulls my lips into his mouth and makes a pulsing motion, succeeding in puckering my nipples.

I’m quite sure I’m going to have a bloody lip by the time this is over.

And I couldn’t care less.

“You can make noise,” he says.

“No way.” I have to grip the arms of the chair for dear life, not worried in the least that I might pierce the leather with my nails. “They can hear.”

“No, they can’t.” He grins and pushes a finger inside me, watching me almost leisurely. “They have headsets on to talk to air traffic control. They’re in their own world.”

I gasp when he pushes a second finger inside and makes a come here motion, making me quiver and see stars all at once.

“Oh God.”

“That’s right.”

“I can’t even.”

“Oh yes. You can.” He lowers his mouth to my clit, and that’s it. I explode into a million pieces. Without missing a beat, he wraps his arms around my back and picks me up, settling in the seat and me on top of him, straddling his hips.

I lower myself onto him, and when he’s buried as far as he can go, I lean in and kiss his mouth, loving the smell and taste of me on his lips.

“You make me crazy,” I whisper.

“Not nearly as crazy as you make me,” he counters, gripping my ass and urging me to move up and down in a long, quick motion. “I couldn’t wait to get airborne so I could have my way with you.”

“I have to admit, this is a first.”

He fists his hand in my hair and pulls me down to kiss him. “You make me want things I never have before, Hannah.”

“Like what?”

I bear down and squeeze, making him clench his teeth.

“This. Sex where someone could hear.”

“You said they can’t hear.”

He grins. “Well, they probably can’t.”

I pause, momentarily mortified, and then throw caution to the wind and move faster, bearing down harder.

“Trying to make me come?”

“Hell, yes,” I reply and bite his neck. “And I want you to be loud.”

His fingertips dig into my hips and every muscle in his body tightens as I continue to nibble and bite. And when I sink my fingers into his hair again, he cries out and comes apart, leaving me with a very satisfied smile.

“You look like the cat that ate the canary.”

“Or the girl who made you come,” I counter. “I’ll have bruises on my ass later.”

He frowns. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ever apologize for that,” I reply as I stand and walk, naked, to the back of the plane. Once I’ve cleaned up, I return to find Brad already dressed, my clothes laid out on the chair we just had wild plane sex on.

I watch him as I pull on my clothes, fluff my hair, and sit opposite him, the way we started this trip.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asks casually, his voice calm.

“You sure do switch gears quickly.”

“I always want you, Hannah. I could take you again right now. But we’ll take a break. In the meantime, I’m thirsty.”

“Me too.” I smile gratefully, my nipples puckered all over again. “A Coke would be great.”

“Done.” He stands to go fetch our drinks, but pauses to lean in and kiss me thoroughly. “I’m going to fuck you frequently over the next few days.”

“Thank God.”

***

“Jesus.” I drop my handbag on the table by the doorway of the condo and stop to stare straight ahead. It’s all beautiful, but the view is already my favorite part.

And I’m barely inside.

We’re on the top floor of an owners’ building of this resort on the beach in southern California. Laguna Beach, to be exact. I’ve never been any farther west than Montana, and never to an ocean.

This is just spectacular.

“The penthouse has three bedrooms,” Brad begins as he carries the luggage into a bedroom, and then returns to look at me, then the view, and back at me again. “Hannah?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

The ocean is bright blue, and disappears into a sky just as blue as the water. There are palm trees and brown sand and a pool with a sunshine embedded in the tile below us.

I turn to stare at Brad, and then launch myself into his arms, kissing him crazy.

“I take it that’s a yes,” he says with a smile when I pull back.

“I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Is this your first time to the ocean?”

I nod and when he sets me on my feet, I make a beeline for the sliding glass doors that lead out to a covered balcony, big enough for a dining table that seats six, a gas fire pit and a sectional sofa.

“This is amazing.”

“Max chose well when he bought this place,” Brad replies as he joins me at the railing. “He says it’s a good investment, and while I’m sure that’s true, he also spends quite a bit of time here.”

“Why would he ever go home to Montana?”

“Have you seen his house there?”

I shake my head no and he grins.

“It may not have this view, but it’s pretty great as well. Come on, I want to show you the condo and then we can do whatever you want.”

He takes my hand and leads me inside, pointing out five bathrooms, three of which are attached to bedrooms, a formal living space, and a dining room off of a gleaming white gourmet kitchen.

When he takes me into the master bedroom and shows me the adjoining bath and closet, all I can do is laugh.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. This is a vacation home?”

“I know, it’s crazy.”

“Brad, this closet is my dream closet.”

I turn in a circle, taking it in. It must be two hundred square feet, with floor to ceiling shelving and built in dressers. There’s a vanity area, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling over an island with more drawer space.

“It’s mostly empty,” I murmur.

“Max is single,” Brad reminds me. “And he’s here about six months out of the year.”

“A woman should be using this closet. I need to set him up with someone.”

He laughs and tucks my hair behind my ear. “He does fine by himself. We’ll take the smaller master suite on the other side of the condo. It also has a sweet bathroom and an ocean view. I’m not going to have sex in my brother’s bed.”

“Ew. No.” I laugh and follow him back to the living room. “This is just amazing. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“There was no way you’d survive a whole week off at home,” he says with a laugh.

“I’ve taken weeks off before.”

“Not unplanned,” he points out and I have to nod in agreement. “This way, you’re really on vacation. No need to feel guilty for being lazy or indulgent.”

“You’re good to me.”

He simply smiles and kisses my forehead. “What would you like to do first?”

“I’m putting my bathing suit on, grabbing my iPad, and parking my ass by the pool to read a book.”

“Excellent,” he says with a smile. “Let’s do it.”

***

“I can’t believe I fell asleep by the pool,” I grumble later that evening at dinner. It’s a bit early, but I woke up starving, so Brad took me back to the condo to change clothes so we could eat at one of the resort restaurants. Our table is by the window so I can look out at the water. “Thanks for pulling the umbrella over me.”

“I know you say you tan, but that much sun can’t be good for a redhead.” He spreads some butter on a piece of bread and passes it to me. “Here. Eat.”

“Yes, sir.” I take a bite and close my eyes in happiness. “Oh, it’s fresh out of the oven.”

“Keep making that face,” he says quietly.

My eyes fly up to his in confusion.

“I’m already hard,” he says and takes a bite of his own bread. “You’re about three seconds from me carrying you out of here.”

I smirk and take another bite. We ordered pasta, and I can’t wait. If it’s half as good as this bread, I’ll be in heaven.

“Did I miss anything good during my nap?”

“No,” he replies with a smile. “And you looked sexy as hell with your sunglasses on, your iPad resting on your chest.”

“What did you do?”

“I got a little work done. I took a call and sent an email on my phone.”

Our food is delivered, smelling absolutely delicious. I take a bite and decide on the spot that I want to live here all the time.

“This is so good.”

“Delicious,” he agrees, but I shake my head no.

“All of it. The plane, the condo, the ocean. Being here and doing it all with you. It’s amazing. And I know that you didn’t have to take time from work, and that doing so at the last minute was probably stressful, so thank you. I won’t complain or say you shouldn’t have because frankly, it’s all too fantastic. I’m so happy that you did. But I know it wasn’t easy.”

“I haven’t taken time away in a long time myself,” he admits. “Too long, honestly. My crew was happy to see me go, and I know they have everything handled. I just had a few things to wrap up, and you napping gave me the opportunity to do that. But you’re welcome. It was a spur of the moment idea. I’d been up on the mountain at the tree house project with Jenna and Max, and after our meeting, I was talking about you with Max.”

“What were you saying?” I smile innocently, bat my eyelashes, and take a sip of my water.

“That’s classified,” he says. “But then it occurred to me that Max is always offering the plane and condo to Jenna and me and we never take him up on it. You have time off, and it’s not hard for me to take off for a couple of days. So here we are.”

“Was Max surprised?”

“Oh yeah. But pleasantly so. I mentioned earlier that he’s generous. It’s true, he is. He’s paid for our parents’ winter place, so they didn’t have to sell the Cunningham Falls house to pay for it. Now they have both.”

“That’s awesome.”

“He’s funding the tree house project, but that’ll pay him back within a couple of years. Jenna’s vision for it is amazing. She won’t have any issue with drawing in tourists.”

“She’s so smart.”

He nods. “So while my brother is a pain in the ass a lot, he’s also a good man. And he’s generous with his family.”

“He’s a pain in the ass because he’s your brother.”

“Of course.”

I laugh and sit back, finished with my dinner. “This was so good.”

“I’ve heard the dessert menu in this place is ridiculous.”

“Well, we’re going to have to sit here for a minute so I can hold it. Because I’m totally getting some.”

He grins and then looks up when the waiter approaches.

“I have binoculars for you,” he says and sets them on the table. “There seems to be some whale activity.”

He points outside, and I immediately reach for the binoculars, in complete awe of the enormous humpback whales that are jumping out of the water.

“Seems it’s dinner time for them, too,” Brad says.

“Is that what they’re doing?”

“I don’t know, it sounded good.”

I pass him the binoculars so he can see them too. He watches for a moment, then hands them back to me, and I watch while he settles the check with the waiter.

“I have an idea,” Brad says. “Let’s go down and walk on the beach for a while, let our dinner settle, and watch the whales. We can always come back later for dessert.”

“You’re a smart man, Chief Sexypants.”

He rolls his eyes and stands, holding his hand out for mine.

“Are you ever going to stop calling me that?”

“Nope.”