By the time we got to Thano’s truck, my heart was beating like a racehorse. We never took his sports car up to the cabin. Not after the tree fell on it.
Opening the door for me, he smiled as I slipped into his car. Leaning in, he kissed me on the lips. “Ready for some fun?”
With a giggle, I nodded my head. “Totally ready! Do I get a hint?”
He laughed and tapped the tip of my nose. “Nope.”
Shutting the door, I watched him walk around the front of the truck. Even though my head was spinning, I still wasn’t sure if this would all work out, I couldn’t ignore how much I loved this man. I’d never really loved anyone besides my parents, Claire, and her parents.
Thano jumped in and started up his truck. “Okay, let’s go have some fun.”
Keeping my mind busy with smalltalk, I wasn’t paying any attention to where we were going as I went on and on about nothing.
“Claire and Blake are trying for a baby.”
Thano smiled. “Are they really? Good for them.”
Nodding, I felt a tiny bit of jealousy in the pit of my stomach. “Her folks are pretty happy about it. They’ve been bugging them about it for a while.”
“Are you close to her parents?”
“Yes. I mean, they’re like my second parents. I know they love me like I’m their daughter.”
He reached for my hand and kissed the back of it. “You know my parents adore you, Kilyn.”
With a shrug, I looked away.
“Tonight, my mother said she loved you.”
Looking back at Thano, I asked, “She did? She really said that?”
With a huge smile, he nodded. “Yep.”
It was then I noticed we were at the airport. Anxiety washed over my body as I looked back at Thano. He was pulling into a different part of the airport. The area where private planes were kept.
“Where are you going?” I asked with a nervous edge to my voice.
All he did was turn to me and wink.
Pulling up to a hangar, Thano put his truck into park. “We’re here! Come on.”
Before I had a chance to even ask why we were at a hangar at the airport, Thano got out of his truck and made his way over to my door. I opened it and slowly got out. Lacing his fingers with mine, we headed over to the three guys standing a few feet away.
“Thano! Damn, man, it’s good to see you.”
The guy seemed to be the same age as us. His blond hair was a mess, but the only thing you noticed was his sky-blue eyes.
“Saul, it’s good seeing you. It’s been awhile. How are you doing?”
The man’s eyes quickly looked over at me before his attention went back to Thano. “I’m doing good. Still flying people all over the place. Your dad called in a favor for you I see.”
My heart began pounding as my eyes drifted over to the small jet that was parked outside of the hangar. Swallowing hard, I tried to speak but nothing came out.
Thano’s laugh caused me to look back at the men. “He did. It’s a quick flight, right?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve already called in the flight plans so we’re good to go.”
Oh. My. God.
We were flying somewhere. In a plane. In a small plane.
Turning to me, Thano must have noticed the sheer look of horror on my face. And then it hit him.
“Oh, shit. Kilyn, I wasn’t even thinking. Baby, we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”
My eyes bounced between him and the plane. Whatever he had planned he went to a lot of trouble to plan it. I wasn’t about to let my fears stand in the way.
“I’m . . . I’m fine, honest.”
His hands cupped my face, bringing my eyes to his intense stare. “We don’t have to do this.”
Lifting my hands to his, I smiled. “I’ve flown since my parents’ death. It’s always been on big planes and not smaller ones, though.” With a nervous chuckle, I continued. “I’ve missed out on some pretty fun trips because I wouldn’t fly on a smaller plane. It’s a stupid fear.”
He barely shook his head. “It’s not stupid.”
I pressed my lips together and forced a grin. “I want to do this.”
The way his thumbs moved across my cheeks had a calming effect on me. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been so sure.”
Thano dropped his hands and I instantly missed his warm touch. “I need to get the bags. Wait right here.”
I stood there and watched as he grabbed the bags and brought them over to the jet. My heart was racing as I listened to them talking.
There would be two pilots. The flight to Dallas would be short. A car would be there to pick us up.
My hand came up as I rubbed my fingers against my forehead. I was trying like hell to ignore the sick feeling in my stomach, as well as the headache that was quickly coming on.
Closing my eyes, I counted to twenty. This was good. I needed to do this.
I swear I blacked out because before I knew it, we were up in the air and I was gripping Thano’s hand so hard it was turning white.
“I’m sorry I forgot, Kilyn. I can’t believe I did that.”
By the time the plane leveled out some, I was feeling much better. “It’s okay. I don’t even remember telling you how my parents died.”
He looked down and then back up at me. “You didn’t. My father did.”
I nodded. “So, because of you forgetting, does this mean you’re going to tell me where we are going?”
With a laugh, he shook his head. “No. But I know something else we can do.”
Wiggling his eyebrows, my mouth dropped. “No! Thano, are you insane?”
“No. I’m thinking we need to relax you. What better way to relax than sex?”
I quickly looked around the plane. There were four large chairs and behind them was a table.
“Whose plane is this anyway?” I asked.
“My Uncle Mitch’s. He flies all over the place for work.”
Thano smiled and I couldn’t ignore my libido screaming at me to climb on top of him. Why did I listen to him and wear jeans?
Standing, I walked back to the table and ran my finger over it. “So, will the pilots be coming out anytime soon?”
“Why? Does talking about my Uncle Mitch turn you on?”
Widening my smile, I placed my finger in my mouth and gently bit down on it. “No, but you do.”
His eyes darkened and my body blazed with a fire deep inside. The way he was looking at me had my stomach flipping and flopping with each step he took closer to me.
“Do you want me, Kilyn?”
With a deep breath in, I whispered, “Yes.”
“Are you still wanting to leave me?”
My head shook. “No.”
“Good, because I’ll never stop loving you and fighting for us. Do you understand that, ladybug?”
I found myself holding my breath when he stopped directly in front of me. “Do you?” he asked again. Pushing the breath out, I nodded.
“Say it,” he whispered as he dipped his face and buried it into my neck.
Oh. God. I wanted him to rip my clothes off and have him take me up against the table and I didn’t give two shits who heard or saw.
“Say . . . what?” I panted.
He chuckled and his hot breath hit my neck, causing goose bumps to erupt over my body. “That you understand.”
My eyes closed. “I understand. Thano, I want you desperately.”
His lips moved softly across my skin. “Desperately, you say?”
It was becoming harder to stand while my legs grew weak. “Y-yes. Please.”
“But you said we couldn’t.”
Gripping onto his strong arms, I felt his muscles contract under my touch, causing my body to burn with want. “We can. Oh . . . God . . . we can!”
His velvety hands slipped under my shirt and made their way to my breasts.
“I feel your nipples and damn if I don’t want to suck on them.”
With a force, I p
ulled him closer to me. “Yes,” was all I managed to get out.
“Kilyn, if we do this it has to be fast.”
My head dropped back as he moved those magical lips across my neck. “Fast. Okay. Got it.”
“Do you? Because, baby, I’m going to fuck you and you’re going to be very quiet. Do you understand?”
Oh. Lord. Thano talking like that had my body ready to explode.
“Yes,” I panted.
He lifted me and set me on the table as he took a step back and undid his jeans. He didn’t have any underwear on, so when he took himself in his hand and began to stroke himself, I thought I was going to come right then and there.
“That’s hot,” I whispered as I unbuttoned my jeans and slipped back off the table, pushing them down. I couldn’t get my sneakers off and Thano clearly grew impatient. He grabbed me and spun me around.
“Put your hands on the table. I’m fucking you from behind.”
My heart was racing, and the moment he pushed inside of me, I called out, “Oh, God!”
Thano grabbed my hair and pulled it back. “You have to be quiet.”
Pressing my lips together, I tried like hell not to utter a peep as Thano fucked me. It felt like heaven and I knew I would come quickly. I loved this side of him, which still surprised me somewhat.
When my legs began to quiver, I knew I was going to have to concentrate on keeping my mouth shut.
“Baby, you’re squeezing down on my cock and it feels so good.”
That was my undoing. I came hard while my entire body shook. Trying to keep quiet seemed to intensify the whole experience.
Thano pushed in hard and I felt him grow larger. He made a small grunt and released his cum into me. A wide smile grew across my face as I dropped my head and fought to drag in air.
“Shit,” Thano said in a hushed voice.
Turning to look over my shoulder, I stared into his green eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t have anything to clean us up with.”
With a quick look around, I saw some napkins. Reaching for them, I handed them to Thano as he pulled out and quickly began cleaning me.
I loved how he always put me first in everything.
He slowly pulled my jeans up, turned me to face him, and kissed my lips.
“Hey, Thano, just letting you know we’ll be starting to descend here shortly.”
Both our eyes widened in horror. My mouth dropped open as a giggle escaped while Thano’s mouth grew into a crooked smile. My heart skipped a beat at the sight.
It was right then and there I knew nothing mattered but our love for each other. No matter what was thrown at us, we’d make it through all of it.
Together.
MY HEART WAS beating like I’d just run a damn marathon. When Saul started talking, I couldn’t believe it. Then Kilyn started giggling and my heart felt as if it were soaring in the clouds next to the plane.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watched as Saul headed back to the cockpit. When I looked back at Kilyn, she had her hands over her mouth as she tried to keep in her laughter.
“Do you think he saw us?” she asked in a whispered voice.
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t think so.”
She closed her eyes and said, “God, I hope not. That would be so embarrassing if that got back to your father!”
Laughing, I pulled her close to me. “I couldn’t care less if it did get back to him. But, it looks like we’re members of the mile-high club.”
Kilyn wiggled her eyebrows. “I’ll be sure to add that to my résumé.”
My eyes dropped to her lips. Leaning in, I kissed her gently before pulling back. “How do you feel about flying now?”
When her teeth sunk into my lip and she peered up at me through those long eyelashes, my heart felt as if it had skipped a beat. “I’ve suddenly grown a fondness for flying.”
Throwing my head back, I let out a roar of laughter. I was pissed at myself for making such a stupid mistake with the plane, but if having sex was Kilyn’s way of getting past it . . . I was totally okay with that.
“So, what’s in Dallas?” Kilyn asked making her way back over to her seat.
Letting out a soft chuckle, I looked at her. “Oh, no. There is no way you’re getting it out of me. It’s a surprise.”
With a pout, she dropped into the seat. “So, wait. If we’re headed to Dallas tonight . . . are we really going to the cabin?”
“Nope. I just said that to get you to pack a bag. We’re staying in Dallas for two nights.”
Her smile practically lit up the entire plane. “I’ve never been to Dallas!”
“Well, I’m glad I’m the one who gets to take you.”
“Me too. And I don’t even care where we’re going. I’m just glad we’re together.”
Taking her hand in mine, I lightly kissed the back of it. “Me too, ladybug.”
Once we landed, Saul and the other pilot taxied up to a private hangar. Kilyn and I got off the plane and quickly headed to a car that was waiting for us. I don’t think I’d ever seen Kilyn so damn excited. She was like a kid in a candy store.
Slipping into the car’s backseat, the driver greeted us by name. I don’t know how my father did it, but I owed him big time for helping me plan out tonight.
“Mr. Drivas, Ms. O’Kelly. My name is Ted, and I’ll be your driver for the next few days. Are you ready to go to your destination?”
With a huge smile and my heart racing in my chest, I replied, “Yes, we are.”
I watched Kilyn as she looked out the window. “Dallas is huge! It’s so beautiful at night.”
“Yes, it is,” I agreed.
Kilyn was so busy looking out at everything she didn’t even notice we had pulled up at our destination.
“This is my business card, Mr. Drivas. Please call me when you and Ms. O’Kelly are ready to head to the hotel.”
Taking the card, I slipped it into my wallet. “Thank you so much, Ted.”
My hand took Kilyn’s as I gave her a little tug. “You ready?”
Her head snapped around as she looked at me and nodded her head. “Oh, yeah! Totally.”
The second we stepped out of the car and she looked at where we were and her eyes lit up, I knew all the trouble and money it cost me to do this was worth it.
When she turned and looked at me, she had tears in her eyes. “A carnival? You flew us to Texas on a private plane to take me to a carnival?”
With a wink, I replied, “That’s one reason.”
Her little crooked smile swept me off my damn feet. “Are you insane, Athanasios Adrax Drivas?”
Fuck, I loved when she said my full name.
“No. I’m in love.”
A single tear slipped from her eye and slowly rolled down her cheek. Lifting my hand, I wiped it away.
Taking her hand in mine, I led her to the entrance. “Come on, they only stay open until one in the morning and we have a lot to do in only a couple of hours!”
I’d never seen Kilyn laugh and smile as much as she did tonight. We played games, rode rides until I felt like I was going to throw up, and ate carnival food until Kilyn thought she was going to throw up.
It was the perfect night.
Well, almost perfect.
Standing in line at the Ferris wheel, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. With Kilyn standing at my door only just a few hours ago, ready to leave, I hoped like hell I wasn’t about to really scare her off.
“We’re up next!” she said with excitement in her voice.
As we approached the ride, my knees felt weak and my stomach was already twisting up in knots. Rubbing my hand across my pocket, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was still there.
Kilyn hopped into the bucket with a wide smile on her face. “My whole body feels like it is tingling!”
Chuckling, I took her hand in mine as we slowly made our way higher as the rest of the buckets were filled with people. When we got near the top, her jaw fell open and she g
asped.
“Thano. It’s beautiful. Look at all the lights.”
I looked out over Dallas and nodded in agreement. “Was it worth the plane ride?”
She turned and looked at me. “This night has been beyond amazing. I don’t think you could do anything else to make it any better.”
Swallowing hard, I looked into her eyes. “I’m hoping I can.”
Her green eyes filled with desire. She opened her mouth to talk when the ride started, causing her to let out a small yelp.
We both laughed as she looked out at everything. “This is amazing. I never really knew they were so tall.”
“You’ve never seen the one up at Pikes Peak?”
She shook her head. “Nope!”
“Well, when it opens, I’ll take you. Talk about views.”
Kilyn smiled as she settled into my side. We went around two more times when I finally built up the courage to do it. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the blue box.
I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. “Ladybug?”
“Mmm?”
“I need to ask you something.”
She moved away some and looked me directly in the eyes. “Anything,” she said with a slight smile.
I’d never felt this way before. Not even with Savannah. There was something so profoundly different about this moment with Kilyn. Licking my lips to help with my dry mouth, I smiled and spoke with a wavering voice. “I love you so much.”
Her face softened and warmth radiated throughout my body from the smile she gave me.
“I love you too, so very much. I’m sorry I freaked out earlier.”
“None of that matters. All that matters is you’re here with me right now.” Looking into her eyes, I let out a breath and whispered, “You’re so beautiful, Kilyn.”
With a flush on her cheeks, she peered down at her hands.
Opening the box, I took a deep breath and slowly blew it out as I got ready to speak from my heart.
“You’re truly the only woman I’ve ever felt my heart stop for. The thought of not having you in my life is one I never want to ever have again. You are my life. My future.”
I held up the velvet box that held the princess-cut diamond. Kilyn covered her mouth with her hands and tried to hold back a sob.
“Kilyn O’Kelly, would you do me the honor of marrying me?”