Girl on a Plane

by Cassandra O'Leary

  Sinead and Gabriel both shook Charlotte’s hand, and settled into the cosy sofa.

  “And she’s seen Gabriel naked.” Ryan raised an eyebrow, as Charlotte leaned close and swatted Ryan across the knee.

  Charlotte shook her head. “I have not! Really, I haven’t.” Charlotte’s face flamed bright red as she caught Sinead’s eye.

  Sinead’s mouth had popped open. She closed it with an effort and bit her lip. Charlotte looked half stunned, half mortified. Sinead didn’t think Charlotte had done anything to be jealous of. Now she knew why Gabriel had warned Sinead not to take everything Ryan said to heart. He joked and poked fun, but he was a good friend to Gabriel.

  “Someone tucked Gabe into bed the other night, and I know it wasn’t me.” Ryan beamed, dark eyes shining with amusement.

  Sinead’s chest felt tight. She looked down at where Gabriel’s hand touched hers, resting on the sofa. It was comforting.

  Gabriel frowned, rubbing Sinead’s hand. “Fully clothed, Ry, steady on.”

  Twisting a curl of hair round her finger, Charlotte looked up at Ryan. “Yes, be nice. We don’t want to make Sinead feel uncomfortable.”

  Charlotte looked uncomfortable herself, the way her eyebrows pinched together. Sinead watched as Charlotte stood, smoothing down her dress. “I’ll go and order some more drinks.”

  Poor Charlotte, she looked as if she wanted to escape.

  After asking for Sinead and Gabriel’s drink orders, Charlotte wandered off towards the long, Art Deco style copper-panelled bar.

  “What’s the story with you and Charlotte?” Gabriel questioned Ryan as soon as Charlotte was out of earshot.

  Ryan shrugged and leaned back. “She’s a sweet girl, very attractive but you know, I’m her manager. I hired her actually. She’s … smart. Surprisingly smart.” A dreamy look passed over Ryan’s face.

  Sinead leaned forward, wanting the full story. “Where did you meet her?”

  Ryan’s expression brightened. “At a London Business School presentation. She was working for one of the big banks and oversaw development of an app for their credit card marketing division. It looks incredible. It was part of her masters of business administration. I reckon she’ll be a real asset in analysing the marketing opportunities for the European expansion. We’re already drafting plans based on her research. She’s kind of brilliant.”

  Sinead’s ears pricked up at the mention of Charlotte’s studies. She’d long wanted to study, but she hadn’t managed it yet. And Ryan sounded besotted with Charlotte. She didn’t know if he realised it himself.

  Gabriel leaned forward too. “Interesting. You’re dating then?”

  Ryan shrugged. “Having a bit of fun, I guess. Trying to meet some new friends in London, getting out and about. But I’m not exactly looking for my soul mate.” Ryan paused, sadness or some other emotion making his mouth droop, and his eyes glassy.

  Sinead tipped her head to the side and studied Ryan’s face. His strong jaw and the harsh line of his dark eyebrows were half in shadow. He turned and caught Sinead’s eyes.

  Then a cheeky smile slid across his face. “Don’t worry, Sinead, I won’t lead Gabriel astray. He informs me his man-whore days are behind him.”

  Sinead snorted. Ryan was funny, but there was sadness too. She guessed he used humour to cover up for more difficult emotions. Something she could relate to.

  Gabriel groaned and put his head in his hands.

  She crossed her legs and looked from Ryan to Gabriel. “Boys, behave yourselves now. Gabriel may have a whorish past, but I suspect it was his best friend who led him down the garden path. You might be the devil in disguise.” Sinead winked at Ryan, who let out a chuckle.

  “You were right, Gabe, she’s funny. Gorgeous too. You should hold onto her.”

  “I intend to.”

  Sinead snuck a glance at Gabriel, who was already watching her with a broad grin on his face, and eyes full of heat. This night was important to him. She had the impression Ryan was like a brother to Gabriel and his opinion held a lot of sway.

  Sinead swung around to face Ryan before Gabriel made her internal thermometer go haywire. “So Ryan, tell me about your new job here in London.”

  “I’m heading up the European arm of Global Village, setting up new business relationships, especially with London society and business high-rollers. I’ll be looking at partnerships with the airlines and hotel chains. But I guess I’ve got a bigger job ahead of me than I realised, since Gabriel’s stepping aside as CEO. He’ll have some more time on his hands, so you must be happy.”

  She cocked her head at Gabriel. “You’re stepping aside as CEO?”

  Why he hadn’t told her about such a significant decision? Didn’t he feel enough for her to confide in her?

  “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it for a while but I only made it formal today. I need to make some lifestyle changes, slow down and spend more time in Melbourne. Especially since Mum isn’t doing so well.”

  “I see. I’m sorry to hear about your Mum.” Sinead almost whispered her last comment, and Gabriel brushed her hair back behind her ear. She shivered, rubbing her hands down her thighs.

  Charlotte returned and placed their drinks on the table, smiling at each of them. White wine for Sinead, a pint of lager for Gabriel, another red wine for Charlotte. Ryan’s Scotch sat untouched on the table but he grinned at Charlotte and patted the seat beside him. Charlotte sat close to him, but seemed unsure what to do with herself.

  Sinead sipped her wine, tuning out of the conversation for a while. She went over Gabriel’s comments in her mind. He wouldn’t be CEO anymore, but he needed to stay close to his mother in Melbourne. He had to be worried about her and must find it difficult to talk about. But where did all that leave the two of them? A long distance relationship at best. At worst? She could be waiting for him for a long time.

  Gabriel’s fingers threaded through hers, his thumb stroking in circles on the back of her wrist. He held onto her firmly, rarely letting go, seeming to need the physical connection. Her mind wandered to his swim, and their scalding kiss by the side of the pool. There was the promise of more kisses to come.

  When the conversation filtered into her mind again, Charlotte was explaining her work situation. Sinead was being incredibly rude by zoning out. She tried hard to focus.

  “I was astonished when I was accepted into the MBA programme. Then I had to work out how to pay for it. I was so excited when this job came up with Global Village. I always wanted to work in the travel industry. I’d love to extend my horizons and see more of the world. Of course, I want to do so many things in my career, sometimes it’s hard to choose which path to follow.” Charlotte paused and focused on Ryan as she spoke. “It’s like the Butterfly Effect. One tiny event or decision can change the course of your whole life. Meeting someone who influences you, taking a new job.” Charlotte’s story came to a conclusion when she frowned, then took another gulp of her red wine.

  Charlotte’s words struck a chord with Sinead, although probably not the way the other woman had intended.

  She shifted forward, talking to Charlotte. “I know what you mean. When I met Gabriel, it was completely out of the blue. Then we were thrown together again, like there was something more at work than mere chance.” She offered Charlotte a smile, but the other woman stared into her wine.

  “Anyway, I admire you for studying and working at the same time. I’ve been thinking of doing something else. I’m a flight attendant and I love travelling to different cities, the glamorous side I suppose, but it can be draining. I’ve always wanted to go to university, but I don’t know if I’m smart enough. I’d like to study business or marketing.” Sinead surprised herself by voicing the idea aloud.

  She’d never dared tell anyone she wanted to go to university. In her family, there was no encouragement to choose anything besides a low-paying job and having a couple of kids by the age of twenty-one. There was no need for a woman to pursue a career or use her brain. Of
course her family had no money anyway, so Sinead had wrapped up the dream of an education and placed it neatly on a shelf until she’d earned enough to make it a possibility.

  Gabriel leaned towards her. His hand was hot and huge on her back, inching downwards. “You should do it, Sinead. I know you’re smart enough, there’s no doubt in my mind you’d make a formidable businesswoman. You already speak several languages and you’re a natural negotiator. Great at organising people too.”

  Gabriel sounded so certain, she really wanted to believe him. “You really think so?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Gabriel’s lopsided smile popped out, the one she loved so much.

  Not loved, liked. She liked it.

  It warmed something deep inside her and made her throat constrict at the same time. When he leaned in to her and placed a gentle kiss on her temple, her heart nearly exploded, right then and there. Nearly detonated like a grenade. Because she believed it. He actually saw something in her, beyond her looks or the heat always flaring between them.

  If the signals from her heart were anything to go by, it might be time to push the boundaries of their arrangement.

  She’d never been one to follow all the rules, and some were begging to be bent, if not broken. She was feeling pretty bendy.

  Strolling to his nearby hotel, the soft press of Sinead’s hand in his, even the biting winter breeze couldn’t steal the warmth inside him. Gabriel wasn’t imagining the way she watched him at the bar, the heat in her eyes.

  This thing between them was going great, even if the physical side was progressing slower than he’d like. It could be time to chat to her about her rules, see if she really wanted to stick to them.

  There wasn’t a lot of chat as they walked but it was comfortable strolling beside Sinead. Their footsteps formed a beat as they sloshed through puddles on concrete against the background noise of cars whizzing past, splashing as they went. The sounds of the city went on around them as always, but he was keenly aware of his pulse, his heartbeat.

  Sinead shivered, pulling her coat around her with one hand, giving him the perfect excuse to wrap his arm around her shoulders. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm and her back. Keeping her warm. Nothing more.

  He was already overheating, picturing the clinging knit dress under her coat. Bright blue, showing off her curves. Along with his new favourite knee-high boots. She looked hot, even if the clothes didn’t provide much protection from the elements. He’d been holding back all night, trying not to run his hands over the places emphasised by the dress. Trying not to tear it off.

  That thought had him marching, urging her forward. Faster. “Not far to go. Let’s pick up the pace so you don’t freeze your sweet backside.”

  “Okay, but I can’t run in these boots.”

  “I don’t think they’re meant for running. They’re more for indoor games.”

  “You cheeky man. What makes you say so?”

  “I’ve got a very good imagination and I’ve been thinking about it all night. You in those boots, minus the dress, your legs wrapped around me.”

  “Oh.” He soaked up the breathy sound she made, like she was picturing it too and it left her gasping. Like she wanted it as badly as he did. Like the very idea of it got her motor running.

  “Yes, oh. Here we are.”

  She’d agreed to come back to his hotel, but maybe she only wanted a drink. Now they were approaching the main doors, he wasn’t sure if she’d come upstairs with him or not. It didn’t seem right to assume. He pulled her towards him and grasped both of her hands.

  “Come upstairs with me.” He didn’t mean it to sound like an order, so he took her hand gently and let his gaze drop to her mouth. “I want to kiss you again and I don’t want an audience.”

  Sinead’s grey eyes sparked with molten silver. Her lips parted, then stretched into a wide smile. “Yes, okay.”

  He could swear his heart stuttered with the impact of her words, matched with her expression. So beautiful, but so scary. How did she shake him up so bad? What could she do to him if they got serious?

  Gabriel wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings since he was too desperate to finally get her alone. They made it through the foyer to the lift, then the doors were closing and he was locked inside the confined space. Alone with Sinead. He hit the button for level thirty.

  He stood awkwardly next to her for a second, his hands forming fists at his sides. Then he stopped thinking and pushed Sinead back against the mirrored wall. She gasped, then reached out and grasped his shoulder.

  Raising their joined hands up on one side of her head, he leaned in and stole a quick kiss. He placed his other hand on her hip, gripping her there, loving the feel of her warm flesh yielding to his touch through her dress. He kissed her again, biting her full lower lip, something he’d been aching to do for days. She tasted like fresh cherries, sweet and sour. His body responded to it like an aphrodisiac.

  He tasted her again, licking along her bottom lip until she opened her mouth to him, tilting her head to give him full access. She melted into him, her tongue finding his and her body pressing against him in all the right places. He deepened the kiss. With a shudder, she swayed into him. He thrust his tongue in her mouth in time with the movement of his hips. So delicious.

  She ran her hands over the front of his shirt, then pushed him back. “Stop.”

  He stepped away, breaking the contact between them. Heart pounding out of control, hands shaking. Stunned she’d told him to stop, apparently out of the blue.

  “This is your floor, isn’t it?” Sinead looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes.

  The lift had stopped and the doors were wide open. He hadn’t even noticed.

  Gabriel took her hand and kissed her knuckles, then met her eyes. “Sorry, I guess I got carried away.”

  She nodded, hiding her expression behind her loose hair as she ducked her head.

  They walked a few doors down the hallway to his suite. Swiping his key card in the lock, he opened the door and let Sinead walk ahead of him. He supposed he seemed like a gentleman, but he really wanted to watch her walk, the sway of those hips. He wasn’t sure if he’d get any closer to her tonight, so he’d make the most of the view. She only went a few paces before stopping to remove her coat. No complaints from him. There was the figure-hugging dress again.

  She turned to him and touched his face, stroking along his jaw. Suddenly every nerve ending in his body was on high alert.

  This time he couldn’t stop his more primitive instincts taking over and he went to her, skimming both hands down her sides, following the indentation of her waist, the curve of her hips. Her shaky exhale of breath said he’d had an effect on her. A good one, he hoped. But he stopped there, grabbed her coat and ditched it in the closet. He didn’t want to push her.

  Sinead breathed out slowly, and he noted her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. He’d done that to her, got her all turned on. The most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen.

  He watched as she scanned the large, luxury suite. Acres of beige carpet and eight foot ceilings adorned with dangly chandeliers, met polished black tables and supersized modern art canvases. There was a dining table to seat about ninety.

  She glanced at him as her eyes popped open. “This room is only for you?”

  “Yes. I know it’s a bit much but they upgraded me. I like the extra space in case I need to hold meetings here.”

  He walked past her, ushering her into the living area. The long and sleek black leather couch looked cold and uninviting, but he’d been picturing laying Sinead down there since he checked in. He’d hoped he’d have the chance to bring her here. But now he wasn’t sure what to do with himself, or her either. He didn’t want to do anything to stuff things up.

  He got rid of his jacket, chucking it over an armchair. He liked the way her eyes roved over him, and the way her lipstick was all smudged.

  He gestured towards the sofa. “Sit. Would you like a drink? There’s
a fully stocked bar in the kitchen.”

  “Thanks, I could use a whiskey.”

  He was surprised she wanted the hard stuff, but he didn’t comment and decided to join her. It might loosen them both up. He strolled across to the kitchen, making himself relax, locating a couple of crystal tumblers.

  When he poured the drinks in the open-plan kitchenette, he looked over the black marble counter to see Sinead settle back on the couch, exactly as he’d hoped. But she fidgeted with her hands in her lap and smoothed her dress down, inching it lower to cover her knees. Why was she nervous? Had he already gone too far with the kiss in the lift?

  Gabriel fiddled with the overly complicated stainless-steel refrigerator with a built-in icemaker, adding a few cubes to each glass. The ice cubes tinkled against the glasses in the quiet room as he walked over to her.

  Offering her a glass, he sat next to her. Close, but not touching. Not yet. “Irish whiskey. Only the best for you, Irish.”

  Sinead took the glass in her hand and raised it towards him. “Cheers.” She took a great slug of her drink.

  He hesitated, took a small sip of the smooth whiskey, which burned in his throat and warmed him from the inside.

  Then he spoke at exactly the same time as she did. “I want to us to be together.”

  “This isn’t really working for me,” Sinead blurted.

  For a long moment, he stared at Sinead, unsure of what she’d said. Then the jumble of words rearranged themselves in his head. And what a punch in the gut they were.

  “Shit. Sorry, I’m not swearing at you. Did I stuff up? Kissing you in the lift?” His heart beat like a drum and his stomach churned, waiting for her to explain.

  “No, it’s not that. I mean the rules, they’re not really working for me. I want you to touch me, and I want to touch you.” Her voice was low and husky, tinged with nervousness.

  Gabriel’s heart pounded, faster, blood rushing through his temples, but for an entirely different reason than before. Not fear of scaring her off, or fear of rejection, now it was pure anticipation.