On a gasped breath, Calix pulled away from me. Leaning his forehead against mine, he spoke. “Nova McKnight. Beautiful.”
I nodded - because it was. And he squeezed me tighter.
“We have to go.” I smiled as I spoke the words he had been saying to me for the last hour. “We’re going to miss our flight.”
He lifted his chin to glare down at me. “Smart ass.”
I giggled and he peeled me from the wall, leading me to the front door and outside into the fresh night air. I saw the limo parked, running, and waiting for us, and I stilled. I hadn’t seen or been in the limo since the night of my abduction.
Suddenly, my bliss deflated and a heavy weight settled into the base of my heart as flashes of that dark, frightening night flooded my brain. My hand in Calix’s went slack and I stared, feeling pale and shocked, at the black stretch of a car glimmering in the night.
Calix glanced down at me. I knew this because even in my state, I felt the heat of his eyes on my body. I heard him sigh heavily, and then I was in his arms, bridal style, and he was carrying me to the ominous limo. The driver, also a man I remembered from that night, one of the men who’d been in my bedroom, opened the door. Gasping a moan, I shoved my face into Calix’s neck and held on tight - almost for dear life - as he settled us into the belly of the car.
The door closed.
I flinched.
Calix squeezed me tighter.
I felt his pulse beating against my lips in his throat.
The car moved forward.
And I breathed.
“Baby?” Calix questioned softly, but he didn’t release his hold on me.
“Please,” I moaned against his throat. “Don’t let go.”
Again, he tightened his arms around me and I didn’t lift my face from his throat. “Never, love.”
The promise in his words wasn’t one I missed and I hugged him tighter to me, practically sewing myself to him. And I thought, in that moment, that if I could - I would.
Chapter 9
The limo rolled to a gentle stop and I felt Calix’s body shift beneath mine. Since leaving his house almost an hour ago, I hadn’t moved from his lap. I hadn’t wanted to move, and Calix hadn’t given me any indication that he was uncomfortable beneath me. I hadn’t fallen into sleep, but I couldn’t deny that my eyes were heavy and my body had relaxed of its coiled tension. I was warm against Calix, snuggled tight against his chest with his strong arms wrapped around me.
“We’re here, love.” He said softly into my hair. “Are you awake?”
“Yes.” I breathed, but I made no move to push away from him. I wasn’t ready to face the next phase of our journey.
“You can sleep on the plane, Nova.” Calix said gently and then I felt him shifting against the leather of the seat. “I’m going to let you go now.”
Feeling at a loss, I nodded. “Kay.”
Calix unwound his arms from around my back and I lifted my head from where I’d buried it in his chest. Then I felt the air in my chest deflate as a sharp gasp pushed into the silence. “Where?” My eyes grew wide as I searched outside the tinted windows of the limo. “What?”
Calix’s gaze followed mine before understanding registered in his crystal blue eyes. “It’s a private plane, love.”
Oh great! There goes my hope of being surrounded by people for the duration of our flight. I’d been prepared to fly in a plane with a hundred other people. I’d been prepared to have twenty-four hours to prep myself for the month of alone time I would have with Calix McKnight - as his wife. Now he was telling me we would be flying in a private freaking plane? Was he nuts?
I blurted. “How much money do you have?”
His eyes darkened. “Enough.”
I sputtered. “You have a private plane.” I pointed to the bulk of an aircraft that sat outside the limo. “I mean - you’ve got a freaking plane!”
“Nova,”
“Calix!” I snapped back, suddenly feeling fiery. “Why wouldn’t you tell me? I could have - I could have,”
“What?” Calix asked with humor in his eyes. “What could you have done had I told you we would be flying privately?”
“I could have prepared myself!” I dropped my face into my hands, shaking my head. “I thought I had time.”
“Time for what?” Calix asked gruffly.
I didn’t answer and his hand slid around my waist to pull me against him once again. When he spoke, I felt his deep voice rumble through me. “Nova?”
“I could have prepared myself - to spend time alone,” I paused and my voice lowered. “With you.”
Tension crossed over his face and I closed my eyes against the assault of his emotions. I didn’t want to see them - I didn’t want to acknowledge them. “I’m not going to jump you as soon as I get you alone, Nova. If I had so little control, I would have taken you a long time ago.”