Filthy Secrets: A Steamy Romance Boxset Collection

by Nova Rain

  “Why does your plane look like a whale?” I asked, squinting over at him.

  “Because it’s named after one,” he answered, a big smile bursting upon his lips. “Meet the Airbus Beluga. The wider body means more cargo, which means fewer hours in the air. It saves companies a lot of money.”

  I left the minibus, wearing a smile. It was a bit bigger than I thought it was going to be, indicative of my mood. I was going to travel to Canada. In a flying whale.

  Wouldn’t that make a good headline for a story?

  Yes, it would. There was no doubt in my mind about that. People would be amazed to see pictures of this strange aircraft. They would also love to read more about it. Sadly however, this wasn’t the right time to bring up my idea. Michael and Jake had been hiding from their former employers for a while. I was sure they meant to keep their anonymity. Having a reporter like me interviewing either of them could blow their cover. Their beards might have altered their looks, but it would only take one keen eye to recognize them.

  I noticed two rows of three seats each as I entered the plane. Jake was in the pilot’s seat, going over a chart.

  “Welcome aboard, Ava,” he murmured, not taking his eyes off the paper in front of him. “For the record, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “It’s a brilliant idea,” Michael disagreed, taking his seat. Finding my own on the left of the cockpit door, I saw something strange on the blue cushion. It was a small, black device, with a pair of earpieces plugged in it.

  “That’s an MP3 player.” Michael quenched my curiosity before I could open my mouth. “It’s for you.”

  “Why would I need an MP3 player in here?” I wondered, taking the device in my hand.

  “It’s just for the takeoff,” he explained, looking back at me over his shoulder. “Believe me, you’re going to enjoy it.”

  “Takeoff checklist,” Jake announced, handing a sheet of paper to his colleague. Interrupting them crossed my mind. I had no idea what Michael’s words meant, but this was a nice gesture. If anything, it showed consideration. He wasn’t content with offering me a free flight to Ontario. He wanted to make it even more interesting. Yet, he and Jake were much too busy reading that checklist and flipping switches. A comment from me would distract them.

  A few minutes later, I heard the faint spin of the engines. With each passing second, it gained in speed and volume, until the plane began to roll out of the hangar. I lifted the earpieces up to my ears and put them in, watching as the Beluga moved down the taxiway. Seeing the top of the wings of a Cessna, I laid back in my seat. Slowly, the plane moved into position on the runway, in the direction of the snowy Catskills.

  In a matter of seconds, the large bulk of metal was hurtling down the runway. Slammed back into my seat, I pressed the “play” button on the MP3 player. A piano note caressed my ears. Then, another. The introduction was much too familiar for me to make a mistake: piano accompanied by violins and cellos. It was a slow, magnificent tune that had been warming the hearts of millions since its release in the eighties. Guns ‘n’ Roses “November Rain…” The rumble of thunder that followed the melodic notes sent chill after chill down my spine. Looking out the cockpit window, I watched threads of clouds lingering over the slopes of the Catskills as my heart dove into a sea of emotion. I closed my eyes, feeling as my whole body was pushed back, when the plane left the ground.

  For the next eight minutes or so, I lost touch with reality. My body might have been heading for the clouds, but my heart and soul were already in them. I had heard Guns ‘n’ Roses hundreds of times in the past. It had been in my personal top ten for years, but never before had it made me feel like this. Perhaps my surroundings were responsible. An airplane, roaring up into the sky, offering views of snowy mountaintops. Maybe it was the pain of my breakup with Curtis. It could also be the man in the co-pilot seat. Michael’s thoughtfulness had moved me. Perhaps it was all of the above. At any rate, by the time the song was over, a smile of bliss had been painted on my face.

  “Thanks again, Michael,” I spoke in a drowsy voice, pulling the earpieces out of my ears.

  “Sweetheart, I told you, you can’t talk to the pilots until the plane is safely on the ground,” he declared, throwing a quick glance back at me. “Sorry. Cockpit rules.”

  “I understand.” I nodded, deciding to keep my mouth shut for the remainder of the flight. Besides, Ontario was less than an hour away. Staying silent wasn’t going to be so difficult. I’d have plenty of time to speak to him later. Now, I had another reason to look forward to landing in Canada, other than sightseeing: telling Michael how much this experience meant to me. Putting it into words would be challenging, but I would try nonetheless.

  Chapter Three

  Michael

  Relief.

  This was the feeling I had when I spoke to Ava about what she could not do in the cockpit. Did I like it? No. Was it necessary? Yes.

  I had never invited anyone into my workplace, let alone a curvaceous blonde like her. Focusing on the job and flirting with her was a recipe for disaster. More than that, I could imagine Jake’s reaction, and it would not be good. My friend was, hands down, the most professional pilot I had ever worked with. He liked to do things by the book. “Rules guarantee our safety” he used to say. He wasn’t wrong about that. I just wished he bent them every once in a while.

  A smooth landing concluded our short hop to Ontario. Although there was a company minibus at Downsview Airport, I put Ava in a cab and gave the cab driver the address of Prescott Isle Lodge, our overnight hotel. She wanted a word with me and so did I, but if she rode in that minibus with us, she would talk in front of Jake. Honestly, I didn’t want to have a conversation with her like this: tired from the flight, in a cramped space, and with my best friend present. I didn’t have any secrets from him, but there was a good chance for her to collapse, like she almost did the night before. Furthermore, the idea of a conversation with Ava by Lake Huron sounded way more interesting than the interior of a vehicle.

  Daylight was fading into dusk as Jake and I arrived at Prescott Isle Lodge. Situated close to the bank of Lake Huron, the hotel was one of the few hotels I actually liked staying at. It was a somewhat large, wooden structure, giving off a vintage vibe. I could smell the wood from twenty yards away. Its balconies offered incredible views of the lake itself, as well as city lights in the distance. Alas, when I glanced at the entrance, it dawned on me that I would have to wait to enjoy those views. Ava emerged from the reception area, wearing a dark-brown coat, with the hood over her head. She waved at me first and then turned left. Figuring out where she was going became apparent the moment I glanced out at the lake. There was a pier about forty yards away and right above it, a big, wooden shed.

  I checked in in a hurry, understanding why she had chosen solitude over my company. Sadly, for her, Ava had allowed heartache to take over. It was natural, but I wasn’t going to leave her alone out there. I grabbed my coat from my suitcase and got out of the hotel, unwilling to let her wallow in pain once again.

  The sky was a dark-gray shade as I made my way towards the pier. A light breeze picked up sand and tiny pebbles from the ground. The water was a metallic indigo. I caught a glimpse of the rippling waves, as my shoes hit the wood with a thump. Sitting down, Ava was gazing out over the calm surface, her calves dangling over the edge of the pier.

  “I take it you like it here.” My deep voice tore through the silence.

  “I do,” she admitted, turning her head right to face me. “I don’t think the word ‘beautiful’ is enough to describe it. Look at all that.” She gestured towards the water. “It’s so peaceful I could just fall asleep out here.”

  “I’m going to ask you a question and I want you to tell me the truth,” I began, my tone firm. “Did you come up here to brood over your ex-boyfriend?”

  Ava breathed a sigh. “No. It’s just that…” She paused. “It keeps coming back. It should I guess. We’d been together for three years. I c
an’t forget it all so fast.”

  I whistled at the number of years. “That’s a long time. I’m surprised he didn’t ask you to marry him.”

  “That’s precisely the problem, Michael.” She assumed an emphatic tone. “He did. We got engaged five weeks ago.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” I let out a soft whisper, leaning forward to get a better view of her face.

  “It’s okay,” she assured, holding in a sniffle. “I’m the one who should apologize anyway. You’ve done so many good things for me, and I haven’t even thanked you properly. I’ll never forget that takeoff, Michael. That song; those views… I can’t even describe how incredible the whole thing was.”

  “Well, I can,” I insisted in a lazy voice. “It was a feast for the eyes and the ears at the same time. Melody, powerful lyrics, combined with rugged mountaintops, lots of snow and a thin haze. A person can only enjoy one of those things at a time. All of them together? No.”

  “Very good,” she praised, flashing me a glance of admiration.

  “I should thank you for today, too,” I remarked. “You added a feminine touch to a place that reeks of bovine manure.”

  “Bov…” She chuckled, her light-brown eyes sparkling in the dark. “Oh my God…”

  “It’s true,” I insisted, maintaining a calm voice. “No woman had ever set foot in one of those whales until today.”

  “You’re a good man, Michael Compton,” Ava complimented, smiling at me. “And I might regret asking you this, but, uh…” She faltered. “Will you be my friend?”

  “I was hoping I could become something more than a friend,” I confessed, gazing deep into her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry.” All of a sudden, her voice lost its nerve. “I’d like that very much, but…”

  “My timing is off. I know,” I interrupted her. “Put your head right here, blondie.” I requested, tapping my shoulder twice.

  “You’re too nice to me,” she remarked, lowering her head on my shoulder. “I don’t deserve this.”

  “You deserve better than the cheating prick you broke up with, that’s for sure,” I spoke my mind. “It’s a good thing you didn’t marry him.”

  “Do you believe in soul mates, Captain?” She posed the question, a light breeze causing more ripples on the surface of the lake.

  “No, I don’t,” I replied, my voice coming out stiffer. “I don’t believe there’s a right person for everyone. Men and women have to work hard on a relationship if they want it to last. It all depends on the outcome of their efforts. If they can find a balance between each other, fine. If they can’t, they should break up and find someone else.”

  “I did believe in soul mates,” Ava admitted as I curled my arm around her shoulder. “I thought I’d found mine, my perfect fit. That’s probably why this breakup hurts so much.”

  “I doubt it,” I disagreed. “I mean, maybe that’s one of the reasons, but it’s not the main reason.”

  “Please elaborate, Captain,” she requested, her breath on my neck tempting me to use my mouth for something a lot different than speaking.

  “It’s your ego, darling,” I pointed out, tipping my head back. “It’s your bruised ego. You think you don’t matter as a woman anymore. You don’t feel wanted. Desirable. Sexy. You’re afraid everyone else is hotter than you.”

  “Alright,” she muttered and tilted her head back up. “How do you know? Because I don’t remember writing it on my forehead or anything.”

  “I know a thing or two about women,” I claimed, my voice rising in volume. “And if you walked into a bar right now, most of the guys in there would love to sleep with you. The straight ones anyway. There’s nothing wrong with you, Ava. Remember that. You’re tall, you’ve got beautiful eyes, sweet curves… I could go on, but I might cross the line and you wouldn’t like that.”

  “Awwww, Michael…” She purred, tilting her head to the side. Leaning forward, she laid a tender kiss on my cheek, testing my limits once more. To add to my disappointment, she put her head back on my shoulder. “Let’s not talk. Let’s just enjoy the view.”

  She was referring to the water, but my eyes were somewhere a lot closer. In truth, I was staring down at her golden strands, my heart dancing in my chest. And I would welcome this frantic pounding, if she had agreed to give me a chance. We would be kissing and touching each other, savoring the cool breeze on our skin. But no. Ava was too heartbroken to jump into a relationship with me. I hated it, but I was going to respect her wishes. Pressuring her would not change her mind. It would just upset her more and ruin her opinion about me.

  Chapter Four

  Ava

  Thank God Penny wasn’t around to see this. Had she been here, I’d never hear the end of it. Phrases like “you must be stupid,” “you should have kissed him,” and “forget that loser” would have come out of her mouth. I wouldn’t mind the name-calling and the advice about letting Curtis go, but her comments about my actions would have been cause for an argument.

  She liked Michael. She had praised his sense of humor, his kindness and his great looks more than once in the past. And although I could see those traits for myself, there was still a problem.

  My aching heart.

  My confidence in men had been shattered, along with my self-confidence. I didn’t want to hear about a relationship, no matter how great my boyfriend could turn out to be. I was sorry to have let Michael down like that, but my hands were tied.

  After dinner, I excused myself and went up to my room. I needed some time alone with my thoughts. I walked up to the balcony door, thinking of my destroyed relationship. The skies above Ontario had cleared. Recalling my last argument with Curtis and his endless apologies, I settled my gaze on the moon’s reflection on the surface of the lake. I wished I was floating in that shimmering strip, bathing in the ample moonlight. Relishing that experience would ease my pain. But then again, getting back ashore would mean the return of this darkness in my soul—a return to a world of agony and self-doubt.

  Chapter Five

  Ava

  I firmly believed that Michael’s attitude towards me would change the following day. Why wouldn’t it? He had been trying to boost my ego, and I hurt his in return. He could have been cold and aloof, for good reason.

  However, his behavior didn’t change at all. The smiling man that had flown me to Canada hadn’t gone anywhere. He was right there, illustrating that my rejection hadn’t affected him at all.

  Seeing him crack jokes at breakfast offered me a sense of relief. I had been fearing the moment since I turned him down. I believed the atmosphere would be awkward between us. At the same time, though, his good mood helped me realize that there was no pettiness in him. In turn, this conclusion led to doubt.

  Had I reached the correct decision? Was solitude a better alternative than dating this man?

  The gut-wrenching pain within me provided answers to both of those questions. My brain might have been questioning my judgment call, but my heart was adamant. It protested at the thought of someone new. Yes, Michael was a nice, sweet man. He had been amazing to me but dating him sounded absurd. I needed time to mend my broken heart. Having a new boyfriend in my current state was a terrible idea.

  Michael, Jake, and I spent the rest of the day driving around Lake Huron. I loved the scenic route. The road was narrow at times, but the views were beyond wonderful. One minute the elevation was rather high, and as we went further inland, I was gazing out at the lake’s sparkling surface. The next minute, the road took us very close to the bank, making me stare at the clear water underneath. My cell phone worked overtime, because I wanted to get as many pictures of that scenery as possible.

  The lake itself wasn’t the only attraction in the area. We drove through numerous groves, towns, and villages. In spite of Michael’s complaints about his new job, he seemed to be enjoying himself. He wouldn’t stop pointing at cafés and restaurants he had been to, saying what he liked about them. Personally, I liked the experience. I
t was a welcome break from driving through urban areas. I reveled in the fresh air, the ample shade and the scents of pumpkin ash, chestnut, and elm trees. There was just one downside to all this: the low temperature. I had a great time, but I was sure it would be even better in spring.

  A feeling of sadness came over me at the sight of that enormous jet. Only God knew when—or if—I would get back to Ontario. After the development in my relationship with Michael, he wasn’t going to fly me back there. Why would he? So that I could reject his advances again? He was nice, but he wasn’t an idiot. Unless he was some sort of masochist, he would not invite me on another flight to Canada.

  My joy of going back to work on Tuesday was moderated when I imagined Penny’s reaction to my narrative. She wasn’t going to like my decision; I knew that much. But this was my life. I was going to have to live with my decisions, not her. For all my love for her, I couldn’t do what she wanted.

  The entire floor was still quiet as I strode past my colleagues’ cubicles. Most of them were on their computers, going over their daily assignments. I bypassed my office and headed for the kitchen, in dire need of some coffee. Yet, a glance at the empty coffeemaker on the counter disappointed me.

  “Just my luck…” I sighed, pulling the overhead cabinet open.

  “Someone’s not having a good morning,” I heard Penny’s voice behind me, along with the click-clacking of her heels on the floor. “What’s the matter? Didn’t you make it with a gorgeous pilot last night like I did?”