Well, not so anyone else could tell.
The plane hadn't done any of those sickening lurches she despised. No bumps at all actually.
So why were her hands still clenched into fists?
She took a deep breath and relaxed her hands. She glanced up and caught Nick staring at her.
Again.
He had a thoughtful expression on his face. But pleased. As if he were contemplating something. Something enjoyable.
She frowned. She had a sudden feeling that whatever he was thinking about included her as a participant. And very little clothes. No clothes at all in fact. A funny warm feeling pooled in her stomach at the thought.
She stared at her glass of mineral water on the side table. It was rattling, shaking around on the table. And then it spilled.
The intercom came on with a soft tone.
"Please be seated. We've got some turbulence up ahead. Could be severe, so please use your safety harnesses."
The plane gave a sickening lurch to the right and she stifled a scream. Nick was beside her in an instant, sitting close on the sofa.
"There there, it's alright. Let me help you."
She nodded shakily as he slid the harness into place. It wasn't a normal seat belt, because of the unusual seating. It held you entire torso against the couch but you could still move around a bit.
She was thinking the most inane thoughts. The captain said severe turbulence! And now she was wearing a harness!
Nick's hands were businesslike as he fitted the nylon straps over her. Until he accidentally brushed her chest. His hand froze, the back of it against her suddenly hardening nipple.
Oh God.
It should have been incredibly awkward. Instead, it felt good.
Really good.
Their eyes met and she saw his were dark with desire. She swallowed nervously and moved away from his hand slightly. Just then the plane seemed to lift up and slam downward, dropping sharply. She gasped and Nick went flying, right onto her lap.
His torso was pressed into hers sending waves of electricity through her. His head had somehow landed over her shoulder, his face pressed into her neck. One leg was between hers.
"Mr. Falcon!"
"I'm alright. Christ- hold on-"
His hands were all over her as he tried to right himself. She was locked into place so she couldn't do much about it. But if she was honest with herself, it was taking her mind off the shaking plane.
Plus it felt… nice. Nice to be close to him. Nice to not feel so alone.
He grinned at her sheepishly as he settled back into the seat beside her. He slid into his harness and held out his hand. She stared at it for a moment and then grabbed it tightly.
"That's it. I’ve got you. Just lean back and close your eyes. It will be over soon, love."
"Don't call me that."
He squeezed her hand and laughed.
"I'm sure it won't be turbulent for the entire ten hours to London."
"Ten hours?" she squeaked and sat up sharply. Well, as far as the harness would allow her. The plane was rattling side to side, slamming them into each other repeatedly.
"Well, it could be only eight or nine, depending on tail winds."
She moaned and leaned back again, closing her eyes.
"Are you nauseous?"
"No. I just don't like being jostled so much.”
He squeezed her hand again.
"Or heights."
He laughed.
"Or confined spaces."
He laughed harder.
"I know just what you need. Hold on."
She heard him unsnapping his harness and grabbed his hand. She felt ridiculous, like a terrified child begging for her father. But she couldn’t hide her fear.
"Don't leave me!"
"I'll be right back love. Trust me."
She lay back and closed her eyes again. She was not being professional. Why would just holding his hand make her feel any better?
The crazy thing was though, it did.
Chapter 23
Nick
Nick winked at the flight attendants who were riding out the turbulence in the bar section. He grabbed a bottle of tequila and two glasses. One of the girls scooped ice and a lime into each.
"Do me a favor love and tell the captain to take the bumps down a few notches."
She nodded and walked gracefully toward the cockpit despite the turbulence. He shook his head. They really were remarkable women. They hadn't revealed a thing about the past to Sabrina. He decided to give them all a raise.
Funny thing that, giving gorgeous women money for not sleeping with him.
He turned and walked back to the lounge area. Marley must be in the back taking a nap. He didn't mind. He knew he wouldn't be getting Sabrina into bed just yet.
Soon, though.
Very soon.
He smiled at her, even though she couldn't see him with her eyes so tightly closed. Time to start laying the groundwork.
"Here we are. Liquid courage."
Her eyes opened a crack. She stared at him sitting beside her then snapped her eyes shut again.
"I don't drink."
"There's a first time for everything."
He poured himself some tequila and sipped it, smacking his lips together.
"God, that's good. I can already feel myself relaxing."
She opened her eyes again. The poor thing looked terrified. He really was a heel. A shot of guilt went through him. He squashed down the voice of his conscience and smiled reassuringly.
"You know, I'm a bit afraid of flying myself. Not to mention this is a new pilot."
"It is?"
"Yeah, it’s my first time flying with him. I've never experienced this sort of turbulence before. It's a bit frightening. Even poor Marley had to take something and lie down."
"He did? Oh God. This is not good."
He smiled grimly and handed her the second glass, splashing a liberal dose of tequila into it. This time she took it, staring at it uncertainly.
Good girl.
"There you go. Bottoms up."
She lifted the glass to her lips and drank. He watched her as her face crinkled.
"It's strong."
"It's good medicine, love. Here, have another splash."
He tipped the bottle into her glass, squeezing his lime into it. It cut the taste a bit. She stared at the glass in her hands and then lifted her eyes to his. He inhaled sharply at the trusting look on her lovely face.
This was wrong. What he was doing was wrong.
He was going to hell, that much was certain.
But like the devil himself, he knew he'd enjoy the ride.
She sipped her drink until it was gone per his intructions. Then he opened a drawer in a side console and fished around until he found a deck of cards. He brought them back over to her and started shuffling.
"Poker? Just to take your mind off the fact that we are hurtling over the continent thousands of miles in the air."
She blanched.
"Christ love, I'm only joking. Look, the turbulence is much better already, isn't it?"
She nodded.
"And you feel more relaxed, don't you?"
"Yes. Thank you."
He poured her another drink.
"You should always listen to Dr. Falcon. Now take your medicine like a good girl."
She tried to give him a stern look but quickly dissolved into giggles. He watched as she picked up her glass. She was already getting used to the taste he could tell. That boded well for his plans to wine and dine her all over Europe.
And bed her. Frequently. Mustn't forget that part.
She finished her drink and then another after he refilled her glass, shamelessly pressing her to drink. She leaned back and closed her eyes, the empty drink still in her hand.
He stared at her, the cards forgotten in his hands.
She'd bloody well fallen asleep!
No woman had ever fallen asleep on Nick Falcon. He was a bloody rock star! Women fainted sometimes in his presence, but slept? Never! Only if he'd worn them out by shagging them all night long.
Nick's sense of outrage was quickly replaced by something else entirely while he watched her sleep. He felt protective of her in a way that was foreign to him. He'd trounce anyone who wanted to do the things that he was contemplating. Or anyone who tried to get her drunk as he just had.
The girl pretty much made him want to trounce himself, when you got down to it.
She looked so innocent in her sleep. Softer somehow. He knew it would be magical to wake up and see her laying so sweetly beside him. And he'd do anything to keep her safe.
Gingerly, he reached to pull her drink from her hand. He tugged the edges of her wrap over her front, and she snuggled a bit into the warm cashmere.
Then he leaned back and did the only thing he could do. He dealt himself a game of solitaire.
He had a feeling he'd be doing a lot of that in the next few weeks.
Chapter 24
Sabrina
The sun was peeking through the blinds when Sabrina cracked her eyes open. She felt heavy, like she’d slept for a long time.
Sabrina sat up in the enormous four poster bed. It took her a moment to remember where she was.
Oh right. She was in London. With him.
She was here with Nick Falcon and Company. They were booked at the Four Seasons for the next few days in London. They'd arrived in the early afternoon and she'd gone immediately to bed after sleeping for most of the flight.
She glanced at her phone and groaned. It was nearly eight o'clock in the evening.
She must have missed Nick’s rehearsal at the arena that afternoon. Great. She was off to an impressive start. Not. She wondered why they hadn't woken her. Then again, maybe they'd tried.
She cringed as she realized that she might not have woken even if they'd been pounding on the door with a battering ram. She rolled over, grabbing her head. It wasn’t pouding anymore, but yesterday had been brutal. She'd never felt so sick in her life.