Her stomach flipped and continued to teeter. He wasn’t kidding when he said he would be showing
her many firsts. In a few minutes she would be leaving earth and rocketing through the sky at God
knew how many miles an hour.
As they stepped onto the tarmac, the pavement was hot beneath her sandals. Dugan loaded their
luggage on a cart, and Lucian clasped her hand. “Ready?”
Evelyn hesitated. Birds flew. People walked. These were the facts of life. “Um . . .”
Taking her other hand, he drew her close and kissed her softly. “It will be fine, Evelyn. My pilot has
over thirty years’ experience under his belt, and I not only trust him with my life, I trust him with
yours.”
Perhaps it wouldn’t be so intimidating if it weren’t so large of a jet. How did a thousand tons of
metal just float through the air? She licked her lips nervously. She could do this. This was her first big step—well, more of a leap—in her plan to experience new things. The world was her oyster. Whatever
that meant.
They climbed the steep set of stairs jutting out of the belly of the plane, and she gaped at the luxury awaiting them on the inside. Butter-colored leather and polished wood dominated the cylindrical
space. Windows were adorned with dainty navy blue curtains. Seats were arranged aesthetically for
conversation or dining.
Cool air pumped into the cabin. She’d seen the inside of an airplane on television. This was not a
plane. This was a flying mansion.
“Our room’s back here,” Lucian said, carrying their smaller bags through the door.
She followed him. Yup, it was an actual bedroom. Against a wall, the king-size bed was made up
with soft accent pillows. Two swivel chairs sat adjacent on the other wall, with a small glass table in between.
“Watch this,” he said, smirking like a young boy. He really did love his toys. He typed in a code on
a small hidden panel, and the wall began to move. She jumped back and stared in awe as blue sky
came into view.
The wall literally extended and lowered, forming a balcony on the side of the plane. Great. A plane with collapsible walls. It didn’t make her feel safer.
“Come see,” he said, taking her hand.
Reluctantly she followed. It was disorienting, being so high. The limo seemed to have shrunk. She
stepped back in the plane and he chuckled.
“Can you close it back up now?”
He sighed at having his fun spoiled. After pressing a few buttons, gears shifted and the wall rose,
locking back into place.
“Is it locked?” she asked nervously.
“Yes, Evelyn. Relax. Let’s have a drink.”
They returned to the main area of the plane, and a flight attendant waited behind the bar. “Good
afternoon, Mr. Patras. Can I get you a drink before takeoff?”
As Lucian ordered their beverages, Evelyn settled into a large upholstered chair. There was a long
couch, but the chair seemed safer. Her fingers located the seat belt and buckled it, pulling the strap as tight as it would go.
Lucian tsked as he handed her a cool glass of something pink and fruity. “Are you planning on
staying buckled the entire flight?”
“No,” she sassed. “Only for the parts when we’re in the air.”
He shook his head, but a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “Drink your cocktail. It will calm
your nerves.”
The alcohol went right to her head, and soon they were speeding down the runway. Her heart
dropped into her ass as they left the ground, and she may have whimpered a few times. She also may
have punctured the leather armrest with her fingernails. The sense of hurtling upward eventually
evened out and she breathed again. Captain Hertkorn’s voice announced they were traveling at speeds
Evelyn didn’t want to contemplate, and Lucian unbuckled his belt.
“Would you like another drink?”
She glanced at her glass, about to decline, and was shocked to see it was empty. “Okay.”
He pressed a button and the flight attendant returned. Where had she gone? Their drinks were
replenished, and as Evelyn sipped her second fruity cocktail, she embraced its settling effects.
Lucian’s fingers traced over the back of her hand. “Come in the back with me.”
Her eyes widened. That would require unbuckling her seat belt. “I’d rather stay here.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
“Lucian, I’m a turbulent sneeze away from wetting myself. I suggest you let me stay in my seat.”
He reached over and clicked the button on her buckle. Her breath caught. Leaning in, he swept her
hair off of her shoulder and slowly kissed her neck. “Nothing will go wrong. The captain will let us
know if things are going to get bumpy. Now, come with me. I have great plans for the next hour, great,
distracting plans.”
She rose on shaky legs and he led her to the bedroom. Her eyes immediately darted to the fall-away
wall. Safety hazard! She jumped when his palm settled on her shoulders, tickling her skin beneath the
straps of her tank top. His casted arm banded around her waist and tugged her close. He was already