His voice is gruff over the phone, it’s one of the reasons he's always turned me on. Even when I was a younger teen, when my breasts were just filling out, I still remember going to bed at night, touching my nipples, fantasizing about his low gravelly voice whispering in my ear before he lowered himself and began sucking the tight little buds.

Over the phone he says, "Ella, I was not expecting to hear from you today."

I tell him about the mix-up, as briefly as possible, not wanting to draw attention to my stupidity.

He just laughs, and tells me that my missed flight is his opportunity. After a beat, he adds, "An opportunity to help your parents of course."

I swallow the annoyance that he is thinking of my mom and dad and not me. Coordinating the flight is easy enough, Brett sounds so genuine that it takes away any fear that this detour is putting him out.

Of course, internally I am freaking out.

And after we had set the time and place, he adds, before hanging up, "Ella, I'm so glad you called. I miss your voice."

His voice is the least of what I have been missing. I hang up knowing I have ninety minutes to kill before I need to meet him. It doesn't give me a long time to prep, but I know if I have more time it will only make me overthink everything.

It's not that I have some grand idea that the moment I step on his private jet he is going to seduce me. I mean, obviously, that's what I want to have happen but I'm no fool.

Maybe that day in the ocean wasn't sexual at all to him. Or is something he has completely forgotten about.

But damn, a girl likes to dream.

My roommate has already left for the airport. So, all packed and with ninety minutes to wait, I do what any young woman would do with the sudden prospect of meeting the man she has been admiring her entire teenage life.

I make sure the dorm room was locked, and decide to dress in something more provocative.

If I’m offered admittance in the mile-high club... I want to be ready.

* * *

When the Uber pulls up to the small airport on the outside of Boston, there is a moment where I wish Kari was here with me. I can count the number of times I've been alone with Brett even though there's no way in hell I could count how many times I’ve wished I had been.

A fluttering excitement bubbles up in my belly, and I don't think it is just because my clothes may be just a tad too tight. Plus, I'm not used to wearing thigh highs under my skinny jeans.

I step out of the car, hoping like hell, I won’t be taking them off by myself tonight.

Rolling my suitcase behind me, I identify the commercial hangar in which his jet is parked. He must see me coming, maybe he has even been watching for me, because the moment I get to his parked plane, he wraps me in a warm hug.

"Brett, it's so good to see you," I tell him as he kisses me on the cheek.

He smells like a man. Not some stupid college boy, with rank weed and cheap beer seeping from his pores. No, Brett is all man. His dark hair has flecks of silver and his face has just the slightest bit of stubble. He wears a collared shirt and a leather belt, polished shoes and tailored pants. I instantly want him to turn around so I can see his well-toned ass from behind. His watch is gold, his cologne earthy; I inhale the scent of him as he gives me a hug.

"Ella, you look so...."

I pray that he doesn't end his sentence by saying so grown-up, because that will only cement my fear that he still sees me as some little girl.

But Brett never disappoints.

"You look so damn good," he says.

The confidence-building statement causes a shiver to run down my spine, all the way to my core. I savor it, having always relished in Brett's compliments.

And right now, it's even better. There is no one around to hear them except me.

"The driver said he thought there was supposed to be a pretty bad windstorm? Have you heard anything about that?" I ask Brett.

He takes my suitcase and carries it to the garage. "Yeah, we need to talk about that. It's just hit and miss right now. People keep saying it's only gonna get worse. And I don't know if I feel safe leaving until the storm blows through."

My face must've fallen, because it continues, "Don't worry Ella, I'll get you home to your parents before Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, they invited Kari and me to join you. Did you hear about that?"

I nod, wanting to say more. I bite my bottom lip instead not trusting myself to keep back the floodgates of what I really want.

The last thing I want to do is ruin my friendship with Kari or further strain the relationship with my mom and dad.

"What is it Ella, cat got your tongue?" he asks.

"Oh, I'm just thinking how it's not the worst thing in the world to be stuck in this hangar with you."

A grin spreads across Brett’s face, and he guides me toward the plane with his hand on the small of my back. My skin dances with desire.

"Oh, I'm not leaving you in this hangar Ella. It's fucking cold outside. Let's get up in the plane. It's warmer there, and you can have a drink and relax. I know you just got done with exams."

"You know about my test schedule?" I give him a smirk as he guides me up a narrow flight of stairs to his luxurious eight-person jet.

"I ask Kari how you're doing every now and then. Want to make sure you're hanging in there."

"You ask Kari about me?" Of course, Kari has never mentioned something like this. Why would she? Oh, by the way I saw my dad and he asked how you're doing? It would make no sense. Especially since my parents ask about Kari all the time. Mostly because they're obsessed with how perfect she is.

"Well, I've always had my eye on you Ella, for a long time. I wouldn't want some college asshole to treat you wrong."

"Oh, so it's not just inquiries about my academic success? You're curious about my dating life?" I tease him, emboldened by the fact we've known one another for so long. It isn't uncomfortable or awkward even though it's just the two of us on his plane.

It's like we've both been waiting for this moment.

He looks at me sternly before he answers, "Hell yeah I want to know if you're dating anybody.”

I inhale through my nose, not wanting to ruin this perfect moment.

He continues, almost with a hint of nervousness in his next question, “So, are you?”

"I’ve never dated anyone,” I say in almost a whisper, but with confidence.

He turns and closes the door to the plane and suddenly everything is quiet.

Suddenly everything has narrowed into this moment.

I blush, thinking about how many times I've touched myself, dreaming of him and now we are in such close proximity--alone.

How many times I've wondered if all those glances over the years, all those near misses, were ever about more than just the fact that I'm his daughter's best friend? All those times I wondered if it was more.

"Never dated anyone at all?" Brett asks, turning back to face me.

"I never met someone I wanted to date." I lick my lips with my chin lowered, my eyes raised. "I wasn't going to waste my time on boys.”

My voice must hint at more because Brett takes a step toward me.

"You're not interested in boys then? You like girls, Ella?" His gaze is heavy on me but I don't look away.

I shake my head, taking a deep breath, my breasts rising as I do. His eyes are all over me, and I want them to stay that way.

"Not girls. Not boys," I tell him. "I only ever wanted a man."

I swallow, and Brett takes another step toward me. My purse falls from my shoulder and drops to the floor with a thud. I don't bend over to get it. Neither does Brett. Instead his mouth moves closer, inches from mine.

"Any man?" he asks.

"No," I manage. "You. Only you."

And then he kisses me.