Chapter Seven

Kealen

The time on my watch read five-thirty, fifteen minutes longer and her plane would be landing.

Her plane. . .

Even as I thought the words, it felt right, but I wasn't sure if she would come walking out that runway door. I hoped she would, but hope ran thin.

It was a chance meeting and I wasn't ready to watch it slip through my fingers. There was no way for me to know that I would find her there. Yet I did, and now I wanted her in my life more than I could have ever imagined.

Leaning against a cement post, I twisted my watch into the skin around my wrist. It burned, the red ring was spreading higher and deeper, but I couldn't stop myself. I had gotten the email that the ticket was claimed, there was just no possible way for me to know if she had actually had the balls to get on.

Glancing back down, I watched the second hand tick in slow motion, each second seeming longer than the last.

What if she doesn't come?

I wanted Allie to step out into the brightly lit terminal, gracing me with that big beautiful smile. Nothing would make me happier than to see her face, her sweet lush body, and that ass I could ride for days.

When she told me she was a virgin—a full blown, never been touched virgin—I had to admit it turned me on. The idea of having a blank canvas really stroked my ego.

The animal in me wanted to show her what it felt like to have a cock buried deep inside her pussy. I wanted to feel her pulse around my length as her juice drenched our skin and her body rippled in waves of pleasure. The purity and innocence was begging me to steal it away, turning her into a sinful goddess.

I wouldn't force her to do anything, but damn, I was going to try like hell to make her mine. There was nothing I wouldn't do to have my way with her. But it wasn't just the thought of claiming her for myself that cemented my need to have her.

There was this rush, a spark that ignited someplace deep inside that was telling me to not let this one go. That small voice, that tiny distinct chirp that kept clicking in my ear, it wouldn't stop. So, I decided to listen.

Through the window, I spotted the nose of the plane as it rolled into position. The door lined up with the air-bridge, sealing around the edge. My stomach jumped into my throat, jumbling the air I tried to take in.

This is it.

Standing up straight, I tucked my hands into my pockets, waiting anxiously for the terminal door to open. I could feel my heart pick up, beating harder and faster than it ever had in my life. I had never really been someone who got nervous, but this was different.

I was putting all my faith in this gut instinct I couldn't shake off. There had been something missing from my life, and I knew from the first time I saw Allie, it was her.

So many years of my life had been spent building my name and business. Now it was finally time to get what I really wanted.

The realization that I needed her set in the moment I touched her, and I haven't been able to get her off my mind since. She was there every minute, smothering my brain and taking over when I should have been focusing on the next project.

But even as I let the beginning lines draft to paper and the lead strokes form my creation; her smile would build the arches, her broad lashes would stencil the details I wanted in the wood.

I had drawn up two buildings since the first time I saw her, and in each one bits of her existed. She became my muse, my vision, the art I drew life from.

Folding the cuffs on my sleeves, I cleared my throat as I watched the people start to flood the small terminal.

An older couple came off first, the man was pushing his wife in her wheel chair, leaning in to kiss her cheek as they crossed through the gate. The flurry of bodies pressed in behind them, squishing and squirming to squeeze past the two elderly travelers.

Lifting my head to look above and around the unknown faces, I tried to see through the crowd. It was hard as hell to make out one person from the next as they all tried to scurry through.

Where is she?

Come on, Allie, tell me you took the risk.

A heavy voice wafted up from the onslaught of meddled tones. “Move, Grandpa!”

From the corner of my eye, I saw the old man's shoulder get thrown with a sharp jolt. His wife let out a light screech, reaching up to hold his arm. Her voice came out soft and light. “Joel, let him by, it's alright.”

Hardening my stare, I tried to ignore what was happening and keep my eyes straight. But I'm not that kind of guy, and just being a fly on the wall was something I could never do. Flashing a look behind me and back at the gate, I did my best to keep my ears open while still keeping watch.

A gruff voice, filled with way too much anger, peddled the couple. “Come on already, just get the fuck out of the way.”

Turning to see what the hell was going on, I was honestly shocked by what I saw. A younger guy, most likely early twenties, was shoving the man in his back, trying to make him move.

He was standing directly behind the old man, with his teeth bared like a rabid dog as if these poor two people were impeding on him on purpose. The kid had this arrogance that soured the air around me.

And I didn't like it.

The old man's face was scrunched up in anger, ready to give him a solid lecture on manners and respect. “Hey, Buddy—”

Taking one last look at the crowd still flowing out of the gate, I rolled my eyes and started towards them. “Excuse me, is there a problem here?” I asked, eyeing the young guy, and gently laying my hands on the couple's shoulders.

I couldn't just stand there and watch this dick of a human being bully around these poor people. It wasn't right and I wasn't going to stand for it. Straightening my back, I asked again. “Is there a problem here?”

My voice came out harsh as I talked more to the bully than the couple. The cocky kid chuckled under his breath. “Yeah, get these two old fucks out of my way. That would solve everything.”

The woman cupped her jaw and let her head fall into her hands. Her husband wrapped his arms over her shoulders, leaning in to kiss her head. “Don't let the ass behind us bother you. He can either go around us or wait.”

“Did you just call me an ass?” The kid cocked his head, furrowing his brows. “Don't make me—”

“Don't make you what?” Lunging forward, I slipped myself between the couple and the guy. This kid really had no respect for anyone around him, and it pissed me the fuck off.

There are plenty of things in this world I can deal with, but royal fucking assholes are not one of them. Balling my fists, my teeth ground down as my back snapped straight.

I was waiting for him to answer, to say the words so I could put him in his place. Fighting in the airport wouldn't end on a good note for either of us, but deep inside I wanted him to just give me a reason to lay him out.

An assault charge and a night in jail wouldn't color my career nicely, but it would be worth it.

He seemed to me like the type of guy who needed a good ass kicking to drop him off the fucking pedestal he had put himself on.

I towered over the young man, glaring down, daring him to speak. If he knew what was good for him, he'd turn and walk the other way. Those people did nothing to him, nothing was done purposely to piss him off.

And if he couldn't recognize that, I was more than happy to show him.

His chest puffed up, the testosterone filling the space between us as we both refused to break eye contact.

Come on, give me a reason.

All I needed was for him to say one thing, anything, and he'd have a whole world of hurt coming his way. The thing I kept wondering was would he recognize he couldn't win this battle or would his tongue get the best of him?

He honestly didn't have to speak for me to see the type of person he was. He was a spoiled rich kid, who had probably never heard the word no in his life. I could see by the way he held himself that he was used to people jumping as he spoke and bending over backwards to please him. He just spewed this stench of rotten asshole.

“Nothing to say?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest and arching a brow. “You had a whole lot to say to these poor folks, what happened?” Slowly, I rolled my sleeves up, never taking my eyes off him.

Fumbling his bottom lip with his teeth, he tried like hell to keep his shoulders from bending forward in submission. “Look, I'm just in a rush, I need to get by.”

“And that excuses how you talked to them?” Rocking my head to the other side, I lowered my chin into my chest. “Apologize, and then go on your way.”

Scrubbing his jaw, he blinked rapidly, shifting his eyes between my face and the room around us. He was rattled, either from me in general or because I wasn't going to let him get off easily.

“How about I just go on my way?”

Taking a small step in, I let my toes touch his, purposely scraping them together. “That's not what I told you to do.”

“I don't have to answer to you.” The kid made an attempt to walk around us, trying to keep his eyes on the ground.

Blocking his path, I snapped my hand against his chest. “Apologize.”

“And if I don't? What are you going to do?” His cockiness reemerged, staining the room around me in red.

Did he really just tempt me?

I thought he had seen how serious I was, that his actions weren't okay and he needed to stand up and say he was sorry to these to people. He didn't.

Leaning into his ear, I whispered. “If you don't, you'll be leaving here in an ambulance. Can you understand that? Do not fuck with me.”

His face drained to white as I watched him swallow a large lump down his throat. He heard me that time.

Turning to the couple, he nodded his head. “I'm sorry.” His eyes moved rapidly around from ceiling to floor and back again, never locking on mine. It was the reaction I wanted, even if I didn't get to smack him like he deserved.

The old man nodded at him, rubbing his wife's back. Her hands were curled tightly into her lap as she smiled nervously and nodded too.

Stepping back, I fanned my arm out to let him pass. “That's better, now get the hell out of here.”

He stood frozen, fiddling with his hands, then wiping them anxiously on his thighs. Laughing inside, I was tempted to lurch at him quickly just to fuck with him. But I held back, figuring his balls had just shrunk enough in size.

“Get out of here,” I demanded, waving him off. The kid rushed passed me, breaking into a slow jog. After making sure he kept on his way, I turned back to the couple. “I hope you both have a better evening.” Taking my wallet out, I tugged out a fifty dollar bill and held it between my fingers. “Here, have dinner on me tonight.”

“Oh no, no no no. I can't accept that. I should be paying you for teaching him a lesson.” The man shook his head, laughing. “I'm not as nimble as I used to be, these old bones can't handle it anymore. But, he deserved a good kick in the ass.”

“Joel.” His wife snapped her head up, giving him a nasty glare.

Smiling, I took his hand and folded it around the bill. “Dinner for you and your lovely wife.” While holding his hand, I shook it, letting go of the money. Flashing them one more smile, I walked back to the terminal door.

It made me feel good to know that they would have a better night, and even better knowing that another jerk had just been knocked down a peg.

Glancing around the room, it was mostly vacant now with a few stragglers hanging around, charging their phones in open sockets and rifling through their bags.

My eyes zeroed in on each and every face, but none of them were Allie.

Fuck!

She's not here.

She didn't come.

Letting out a heavy breath, I felt deflated. My shoulders fell forward, eyes dropping to the floor. I had been so hopeful she would take this chance on me, that she would feel the same excitement I had.

Dragging my hand over the back of my neck, I kicked a foot into the floor and turned to leave.

“Do you always put yourself in danger for people you don't know?” Her smile was sparkling, eyes squinted tight. “I was waiting for your head to pop off.”

There she was, right behind me, holding the same green satchel she had back in Waterford. Her hair was pulled into a high bun, loose strands dangled around her cheeks, framing her face.

She was beautiful, turning a bitter moment into a high I couldn't explain.

“You saw that?”

“I did.”

“And?” I asked, breaching the space between us.

“You're noble, that's a good thing.” Crossing one leg over the other, Allie leaned against the wall.

“Noble?” Laughing, I lifted a finger to her arm and stroked her soft skin. “I'm no prince, that's for sure.”

Tilting her head, she smiled big. “You came to my rescue, you came to theirs. . . That's pretty close.” Standing up, Allie leaned in, raising up onto her toes and kissing my cheek.

“I'm glad you decided to take my offer.” Drawing my fingertips over the curve of her jaw, I traced her throat. She was warm to the touch, cheeks blushing cherry red as I caressed her neck.

“What did I have to stop me?” Falling back onto flat feet, she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Her lips thinned as she smiled, tucking her chin into her chest.

We stood quietly, not saying a word. I wanted to scoop her in my arms and hug her, letting her bury her face into my neck. I wanted to smell her perfume, feel her skin on my face and her lips on mine.

Allie twisted her toe into the floor, her fingers running long lines down the strap of her bag. “So, what now?”

“Well, I still owe you dinner.” Grabbing her hand, I twined my fingers around hers and led us away. “And this time, it won't be interrupted by salt water.”

Giggling, I felt her fingers tighten in mine. “I didn't mind that, not one bit.”

What she didn't realize was that this was just the beginning. I was a man who took the world and made it mine, I could give her more than she could ever realize.

Now it was time to show her. There wouldn't be anymore room for her to worry or hide from her past.

I was going to help her move forward.

She was about to create new memories.

Memories that would stick with her forever.