The air stewardess walks over to the group and says something. They all nod. Calum and Nisha take their seats and Hudson walks towards his. Time for take-off, it seems. He stops by me, glancing down at mylap.
“You might want to do that up,” he says, repeating the first words he ever said tome.
“Sorry?” I say, playing along. Hudson smiles slowly as he leans over, grabs the seatbelt and tightens it. He is wearing the same aftershave he wore the first time wemet.
“There, you’re all strapped in and ready for take-off,” Hudson says, placing a hand either side of me on the armrests. He leans down, and I tilt my head back to receive his kiss. As usual, it is full of heat, passion and goddamn filth. Just the way I like it.Bloody hell, these men are determined to turn me into a gibbering mess before we’ve even landed inThailand.
“Earth to Louisa,” Hudson murmurs as he pullsaway.
I can hear Bryce’s chuckle and Max’s snigger either side of me. “Get in your seat,” I say, slapping him playfully on thearm.
The captain speaks over the tannoy system and within a few minutes we are coasting along the runway, getting ready for take-off. I can hear Nisha talking animatedly to Calum. I’m pretty sure she’s discussing what film to watch first. Having all the latest blockbusters available on the in-flight movie system is as much a novelty as flying first classis.
The plane makes the familiar rumbling noise as the engines power up for take-off. Bryce takes my hand in his and grips it firmly. I’m not afraid of flying, I find the whole experience exciting more than anything. Bryce, however, has his eyes squeezed shut. He doesn’t open them until the plane has evenedout.
“Thank fuck for that,” he says, relief at a successful take-off relaxing hisfeatures.
“I didn’t know you were afraid of flying,” Isay.
“I’m not. I just don’t like that part. Once we’re up in the air, I’mfine.”
Raising his hand, Bryce motions for the air stewardess and asks for a beer for himself and a bottle of sparkling water and a glass of Prosecco for me. Within a few minutes she is back with the drinks. I take mine from her and pop them on the table in front ofme.
“Thanks,” Isay.
“Would you like me to get you anything else? A cushion, blanketperhaps.”
“No, thank you. I’m great fornow.”
Leaving us to relax, the air stewardess makes her way over to Hudson and Max, who order some drinks from her too. Bryce leans over, gives me a kiss on the cheek and hands me a set of headphones. He points at the TV screen fitted into the partition in front ofme.
“For the movies. They’ve even got the Avengers film Max and I sawyesterday.”
“No thanks, I’d ratherread.”
“Fair enough. What book are you devouringtoday?”
“I don’t think you’ll knowit.”
“Tryme.”
“It’s just a paranormal romance… Vampires and wolf-shifters, stuff likethat.”
“And you say my tastes are strange.” He shakes his head, pops in his headphones and settles back to watch a movie. I make myself comfortable, open my book and lose myself in the story about three ridiculously hot vampires and theirlover.
An hour or so later my eyes are beginning to tire, so I pop my book on the table and stretch my arms and legs, circling my feet. Max told me I should move my legs regularly to prevent blood clots. It’s such a long flight and sitting in the same position for long periods can cause them. The thought of getting sick and not being able to enjoy this holiday is enough to get me following Max’sinstructions.
Looking over to my left I see that both Max and Hudson are asleep. My bladder is so full from the sparkling water and Prosecco that a trip to the bathroom is needed. Getting up, I make my way to the front of the airplane. Nisha is watching amovie.
“Everything alright, Nish?” I askher.
She pulls out one of her headphones. “Sorry, what wasthat?”
“Youokay?”
“Never better,” she says with a wide grin. “I mean, look at us. We’ve practically got the whole plane toourselves.”
“Cal alright?” I ask, nodding in his direction. He’s fast asleep and snoringgently.