One Regret(13)

“That’s not what I meant.” Except that it was. “I was just trying to point out that what happened back there was a consensual act. I could have told you to stop if I really wanted to, and I know you would have. But I didn’t want you to stop.”

William refused to look at me. He was still thinking about the many different ways he would exact his revenge on Paul if they ever met.

I unbuckled my seat belt and scooted closer to him. I had to straddle the gear shift, but I didn’t mind. I placed one hand on William’s thigh and kissed him on the cheek. “I know you would never intentionally hurt me, William. And I love you for that.”

I rested my head on his shoulder and waited for him to respond. After just a brief hesitation, he let out a breath and wrapped an arm around me, kissing the top of my head. “I love you for so many reasons, Livy.”

We made it to the airport in good time and by the time we boarded the plane, our tense conversation was long forgotten. I also discovered why William always flew business class.

“I’m not a snob,” he insisted as I teased him about our upgrade. He waited for me to take the window seat. “I just don’t like flying.”

“But you fly all the time.” I shook my head in awe. His newly exposed vulnerability only made him even more attractive.

“That doesn’t mean I like it.” He glanced around nervously. “There are less people in business class and therefore less people to see me have a panic attack.”

“You’re joking, right?” But one look at his face said that he was dead serious. “I can’t believe you’re a nervous flier. This is so fascinating.”

“Well, I’m glad I could entertain you.” William’s face grew very somber and he actually looked slightly sick.

As much as I wanted to continue to tease him, his obvious discomfort tugged at my heart. I took his hand and kissed his cheek. “I guess I have to add this to the list.”

“What list?”

“The list of surprising and adorable facts about William Connor. I think it goes above your phobia of the color orange and below your inability to dress a Barbie doll.” This time I kissed his lips and then rested my head on his shoulder.

“I don’t have a phobia of the color orange. I just don’t like it.” William leaned his head against mine and sighed contentedly. “I think I wouldn’t mind flying if it could always be like this.”

He changed his mind pretty quickly once the plane started its takeoff. I felt his breath catch in this throat as the wheels left the tarmac. It wasn’t until we were in the clouds that he began to breathe more regularly. He finally settled in a little once we reached our cruising altitude and started working furiously on his laptop. I was completely exhausted and dozed next to him for most of the flight. Occasionally, I would open my eyes and catch him gazing at me. He would smile and rub my leg and I would drift back to sleep.

“We made it,” I said, stretching sleepily as the plane touched down. “Did you have a good flight?”

“Funny.” William smoothed down my sleep-hair. “I would ask you the same thing, but based on how loud you were snoring I’d say it was a successful flight for you.”

“I don’t snore.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Mr. Connor,” the flight attendant interrupted us. “I hope you had a nice flight.”

“It was fine, Courtney.” William took the coats that she handed him. “Thanks.”

She smiled at him and then shot me an annoyed look before walking away. I disliked her immediately, with her perfect hair and fake smile. “Courtney? First-name basis with the stewardess?”

“Just because she’s a stewardess, I shouldn’t know her name?” William shook his head. He stood and waited for me to step into the aisle. “That’s pretty snobby of you, Olivia.”

I laughed. “Please. You aren’t that oblivious.”

He started at me blankly.

“She totally wanted to fuck you. Probably against the wall in the tiny airplane bathroom.” I headed down the aisle, stopping when the man in front of me bent to tie his shoe. For the record, I did realize that I was being a little crazy. But William said he liked a little crazy.

William scoffed. “Don’t be crude, Olivia. Jealousy isn’t an attractive trait.”

“So you’re saying I’m not attractive?” I had to fight to keep back a smile. The traffic jam had been cleared and I continued to move away from William. He caught up with me at the gate.

“What just happened?” William pulled me to the side and ran a frazzled hand through his hair. “Are you seriously mad at me right now?”