Coffee and Cockpits

by Jade Hart

  I floated like a piece of flotsam, not caring where the current took me, full of memories of Nina. If I wasn’t careful I’d get a boner and wouldn’t be able to leave the surf. I doubted Mrs. Na-Na over there with her floral one piece and Hula-Hoop of a hat would appreciate seeing me with a massive hard-on. Then again, judging by her pot-bellied, red-nosed hubby, maybe she would.

  Closing my eyes against the sun’s glare, a hand collided with my chest, sending me spluttering under water. Salt water stung my nose as I shot off the sandy bottom ready to pummel someone. “What the—”

  Joslyn burst into giggles. “Too easy.”

  I bared my teeth, launching at her. “That’s it. You’re shark meat.” No one dunked me without paying a serious price.

  She squealed as I picked her up and harpooned her into the water. She kicked and flailed, looking like a drowned possum.

  I laughed as she emerged from the water, hair clinging to her scalp. “You’re such a douche-canoe.” She swiped a hand over her face; a smile fighting the pout on her lips.

  I pointed to myself with a fake wounded expression. “Me? You started it.”

  She pushed the water, dousing me in a wave. “You never let me win.”

  I advanced on her as she reeled backward. “You’re so tiny. How could I? It wouldn’t do my pride any good to know a whippet of a sister could kick my ass.” I didn’t think I’d truly appreciated how much I loved my annoying stepsister. No one else managed to break my jail of anguish. Who teased me so well and reminded me life was for moving forward, not looking back.

  And she’d helped me learn about Nina.

  The moment I thought about her, blood gushed into my shorts again. I needed to have a wank, or do something to dispel my pent-up frustration. Fighting an erection every time I thought about Nina wasn’t going to work.

  Joslyn splashed me again. “So… where have you been? I came searching for you yesterday. Couldn’t find you. Come to think of it, I couldn’t find Nina either.” She put hands on her hips. “Are you putting the moves on my best friend?”

  I narrowed my eyes. Did she mind if I was? I’d never stopped to think if she’d be pissed. Would she think I was stealing Nina from her?

  I paddled backward, pretending the coconut trees were a lot more interesting. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  She scoffed. “Come on. You’ve at least kissed her by now. You conveniently forget it was me who siphoned you all that juicy gossip. The one who indulged your annoying questions.” She winked. “Don’t tell me you haven’t been using this island stranding as a perfect time to get into her knickers.”

  I shot her a scowl. “You know it isn’t like that.”

  “I know it isn’t.” She sighed. “I’m worried about you. I just wish you’d tell her the truth so you can move on if she doesn't like you like that. She needs to know.”

  A smile broadened my face. I had told Nina the truth. With the falls crashing behind us, I’d spilled my stalkerish secret. And so far so good. One thing I’d never tell Joslyn was I’d already been in her knickers. That wasn’t shareable with a sister. No matter how close we were.

  “I did tell her.”

  Her eyes popped. “You did! Wow. And?”

  I shrugged, playing it cool. “She seems to like me, too.”

  She threw her arms around my neck. “Really? Liam, that’s wonderful! I’m so happy you got her to open up. She was always so standoffish when it comes to men. I think it stems from her daddy issues.”

  I winced, remembering her anguish as she hung up on her yelling father. Was that entirely true, though? After seeing her dancing with Nikolai, I wondered if there was more to her. She certainly looked like she enjoyed being in his arms. Bloody guy and his Salsa skills.

  Why the hell did I say goodnight to her outside her fale last night? Why didn’t I go inside and finish what I started? My insecurities that she’d ditch me for the dancer/engineer only increased, rather than diminished, the more time I spent with her.

  What if I wasn’t enough?

  Needing to see Nina to ease the band of pressure around my chest, I struck off for the shore. “Come on. Breakfast time.”

  * * * * *

  The outdoor restaurant bustled with staff and guests. My eyes scanned the crowd, homing in on the one person I couldn’t wait to see. There was no hope for me. If I couldn’t spend a few hours away from her, I might as well sign over my manhood and beg her to keep me. Sad excuse of a man.

  Nina sat at a table closest to the pool, dressed in a yellow summer dress, her hair high in a ponytail, showing off the long expanse of her neck. I’d kissed her neck. Nuzzled her.

  I stopped to drink her in.

  Joslyn ran into the back of me. “Oi. You can’t stop in the middle of the road like that.” When I didn’t move, she followed my eyes and sighed. “Liam. You are besotted.”

  Pinching me, she whispered, “Don’t think Nina doesn’t know you’ve fallen for her. You’re not as subtle as you like to think.”

  Ouch, that sucked. It was so hard to know which card to play: egotistical pilot or considerate island lover. Could Nina see how pathetic I was when it came to her? How much I wanted to make her smile and laugh. To provide her with everything she ever wanted?

  Joslyn left me gawking and flounced to the table. Nina stood when she saw her, smiling. They wrapped their arms around each other.

  I frowned as they stayed in the embrace far longer than normal. Nina’s eyes popped wide to something Joslyn must’ve mentioned. Damn meddling sister. Now, what the hell had she said?

  I stalked toward them, deciding to play the egotistical pilot card to keep my girly thoughts at bay. Nina’s eyes sent explosions of horniness racing through my body. I should’ve released some of my pent-up frustration. If I let Nina come anywhere near that part of my anatomy, I’d last a minute, if that.

  Joslyn smirked at us. “I’m off to get some breakfast.” She practically skipped to the buffet.

  Nina shifted self-consciously. “Hi.”

  My voice box deserted me. “Morning.” I cleared my throat. “Did you sleep well?”

  She bit her lip. “No. Terrible. Ask me why.”

  My stomach floundered. Oh God, the way she watched me, I knew I shouldn’t ask. We were in a restaurant. With witnesses. My voice dropped to gravel. “Why didn’t you sleep well?”

  She stepped closer, resting her hands on my chest. Her eyes captured me. “Because you weren’t beside me. Because you left me after the most amazing night of my life. Because I wanted you so badly even the sheets turned me on.”

  I groaned, grabbing her hands, pressing them hard against my pecs. “You keep telling me things like this when we’re in public. Not fair.”

  Her lips parted. “We weren’t in public last night. You could have taken me on the runway.”

  My cock surged. Holy fuck.

  “Nina, you’re severely testing my self-control.” Pulling her into me, I pressed her hips against mine. Her eyes popped and she sucked in a breath, noticing how hard I was. I murmured in her ear, “As much as I wanted to take you at the airport, I want to do this right. I don’t want to rush it. Just like with our first kiss. I need you to need me.”

  She kissed the hollow of my throat, sending gusts of sensation all over me. “I need you, Liam. How many times do you want me to say it? I’ll beg.”

  I chuckled. “I like the sound of—”

  “Get a room you two.” Joslyn plonked down at the table, her plate dotted with an assortment of food.

  Nina and I jumped apart. I sat down immediately so my shorts were no longer in view.

  Nina’s cheeks could’ve started a fire. “I’m going to get some food.”

  She left, not making eye contact with either of us.

  “Way to go, Jos.” I was pissed, but also ecstatic. Nina was as churned up as I was. Excellent.

  She waved a waffle in my face. “You be careful. If this is just about sex, then go for it and have fun. But
if you’re falling harder than she’s falling for you… protect yourself. I love Nina, but I don’t want her hurting you.”

  I didn’t have time to reply. Nina slinked into her chair, depositing an English breakfast in front of me.

  “You got me food.” Why did that squeeze my heart and wring it dry? Such a simple gesture, but damn it made me happy.

  She smirked. “I doubt you want to stand anytime soon.”

  Joslyn burst out laughing.

  I knew I should be embarrassed, but I wasn’t. I threw her a grin and stabbed a sausage.

  “So, what’s on everyone’s agenda today?” Joslyn asked.

  Nina fluttered her lashes my way. “I have some ideas.”

  Joslyn rolled her eyes. “Save those ideas for when the sun has gone to bed. I’m planning on putting in a solid eight-hour-day on my tan. You keen to be my fellow lying-on-a-lounger-lizard, Nina?”

  She laughed. “Tempting, but I don’t think my skin could handle it.”

  I swallowed my mouthful. “Besides, Jos. Nina’s busy.”

  They both looked at me.

  “I am?” Nina quirked an eyebrow, looking entirely too smug. If she thought I was going to lock her in a fale and not let her leave the bed, then she was mistaken. That was for later.

  I didn’t want to spend time away from her though so that meant I had to take her with me to work.

  “Yep. You’re coming to the airport with me.”

  * * * * *

  I parked the jeep outside the bustling terminal. More holiday makers had arrived and it was pure chaos as people tried to arrange taxis to hotels, or find their luggage.

  Dodging trolleys and dithering passengers, I escorted Nina to the hanger where the Boeing lay in pieces.

  A plague of locusts had taken over the morbid science experiment. The Boeing’s undercarriage was now a skeleton. The landing gear was engaged, how it should’ve been when we came in to land, and two men, with their hands covered in grease, worked on the pistons.

  Nina sucked in a shaky breath, eyes swimming with tension. “My God, it seems even worse now.” She squeezed my hand. “We survived that, Liam. You kept it flying. I’ll never stop being in awe.”

  I tugged her closer, wrapping an arm to comfort her. “We were lucky. None of the engines cut out, and the flaps didn’t fail. I can’t take credit for us landing safely.” I kissed her temple. “To be honest, it freaked me out seeing the plane in bits, but after our kamikaze spin last night, it doesn’t affect me so much anymore.”

  She looked into my eyes, a smile breaking through. “It was fun, wasn’t it? Completely reckless. Probably not the best thing for that ancient plane, but it did help put my worry away.”

  The night ride achieved what I’d hoped. It allowed us to spend time together doing something we loved and gave us a new memory of flying. Replacing the crash with stardust and fun.

  I kissed her. “Do you think you can fend for yourself for an hour? I have to speak to the CAA. Find out where we stand.” I also owed Mack a huge thank you for allowing us to take the crop-duster last night.

  She nodded and pressed her lips again my cheek. “Yes, I’ll be fine. Go do your captainly duties.”

  The thought of leaving her crippled me. I titled her chin up with my finger and brushed her lips with mine. “I’ll come find you.”

  She murmured, “Try not to be too long.”

  Giving her a soft smile, I scanned the hanger for the one person I hoped she wouldn’t see. I hadn’t thought of Nikolai being here when I impulsively decided to bring her with me. Stupid.

  I couldn’t see him, didn’t mean he wasn’t skulking somewhere.

  There was nothing I could do about it either. Gritting my teeth, I disappeared into the office.

  The moment Liam left my side, I was consumed by the broken machine in front of me. Its wings were strapped to large pulleys suspended from the ceiling. Scaffolding encircled the undercarriage as well as a platform at the rear of the plane where so much damage occurred.

  My feet moved on their own accord, propelling me toward the wreck as if I were a shard of metal and it was a magnet. I gaped wider with every step.

  Pistons, hydraulics, and inner aircraft workings were on display, and I weirdly thought to avert my eyes. As if I looked up the skirt of a beast and saw things not proper for public viewing.

  I weaved around engineers, all assessing different items of wreckage. The entire process was more streamline and efficient than I thought it would be. I envisioned slow going and no urgency. After all, Samoa was a small island where barely a ripple of stress lived. Timelines and deadlines didn’t seem to exist here.

  I froze.

  Nikolai worked on top of the high-rise scaffolding at the back of the plane. A bundle of wires pooled at his feet while a large tool bag was slung over the railing. A screw driver was wedged between his teeth, his light blue overalls covered in smudges and dirt.

  He stared at the open tail of the plane with a gaze both direct and genius-smart—almost as if he could fix the plane by eye power alone.

  One minute he was studying the mess, his face contorted into a thinking pose, the next his eyes zeroed in on mine. He spat the screwdriver into his hands. “Nina! I didn’t expect to see you here!”

  I didn’t know what to say as he scaled the scaffolding like a flipping monkey and landed beside me. His arms came around me, squeezing me tight. “I came to check on you last night, but you weren’t there.”

  I inhaled, which was a big mistake, and got a whiff of male, grease, and hard work. Mixed in with metal and airplane fuel, it was an intoxicating cocktail.

  My cheeks blazed. Good thing he hadn’t walked in to see Liam on his knees and me spread-eagled on the bed. “Yes, I went out. Sorry.” I didn’t elaborate on what we’d done. That was personal. Private.

  “Are you feeling better today?” His eyes probed into mine.

  “Yes, much better. Thank you.”

  “Great. So I’ll expect you on the dance floor the minute the sun disappears then.” He smiled. It was such an open and beguiling smile, I returned it.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Perhaps Liam would want to dance, too. Or would that just be weird? Yep, too weird.

  “If you spent last evening with Liam, it’s only fair if you spend this evening with me.” He leaned in, his messy brown hair kissing his forehead.

  My heart stuttered warningly in my chest. I stepped back, brushing my sun-frazzled hair from my face. Thank God Liam wasn’t around to hear that. I didn’t want to layer onto his insecurities where Nikolai was concerned. Changing the subject, I asked, “How’s the investigation going?”

  He grinned, completely in his element, staring up at the hulking plane. “We had a bit of a breakthrough this morning, actually. Come with me. I’ll show you.” He stole my hand, dragging me toward a temporary set of steps positioned by the door.

  The emergency slide we activated had been removed. It lay sad and lifeless in the corner of the hanger. I untangled my fingers from his before he darted up the steps two at a time. I looked around, trying to see Liam. Wherever he’d gone, I couldn’t find him.

  Not knowing if it was a good idea or not, I took my time climbing the stairs. Crossing into the cabin filled me with conflicting emotions: one, a moment of relief that I was brave enough, and two, a horrid feeling that it wasn’t over. That any moment the plane would drop from its pulleys, crash against the ground, and this time, I wouldn’t survive it.

  Nikolai gave me an understanding smile, his hands rested on the seats in the centre of the aisle. “You okay? You’ve gone pale.” He retraced his steps toward me.

  I fought the urge to run and find Liam. My neck twinged, sending a fiery burn down my spine. Stupid whiplash still hadn’t healed.

  Shoving emotion aside, hoping my face was serene, I said, “No, I’m fine. What were you going to show me?”

  He tilted his head. “I know this will be hard for you, but it might help you heal knowing what happened
.” His tone was sweet and encouraging.

  The small perks of interest from Sydney nudged me. You do like him. What’s not to like. Yes, but he’s not Liam.

  Nikolai motioned down the aisle, walking a little before waiting for me to catch up. “I’ll make sure to tell you in the nicest possible way. No scary stuff. I promise.”

  I smiled for his benefit, suffering guilt in silence. Every step I took to the rear galley layered more wrongness on me. What would Liam say if he caught me down here?

  As if he’d appear from the cockpit, my head swivelled to look behind me. The door hung open, showing the drab and unused control panel—lifeless in its hanger death.

  It was so strange being on the plane without Liam dressed in his dashing pilot’s uniform, and Sam and Joslyn’s bubbly personalities. It was like walking in a home of a person who died. A funeral procession down the aisle. I needed a wreath, or flowers, something to show my respects.

  “You coming, Nina?” Nikolai called.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I picked up my pace. Nikolai waited for me by seat 24B. I was sure that wasn’t a coincidence.

  “Remember what I told you? That you made me feel for the first time in ten years? I’ll always think of twenty-four as my lucky number. It was where my heart started beating again.”

  My own heart flopped. What the hell happened to him ten years ago? Was it related to what happened to Liam? How did they know each other? Knowing I needed to put an end to his outspoken declarations, I opened my mouth to say… something, anything. I didn’t know.

  He must’ve sensed my reluctance, as he said, “Come on. We’ve removed the panels at the back so you can see what happened.”

  The sudden urge to understand why we crashed was the only thing moving my feet. The moment I knew, I’d leave. I needed to track down Liam. I needed to dispel this shaky confusion rioting inside.

  I gasped. Nikolai wasn’t kidding when he said they’d opened the plane. A few rows of seats were torn out and overhead lockers removed. The chunk left behind was open, showing coils of wires and a terrifying black sooty shadow.