Rm w/a Vu(121)
Learning this about him shocks me. “Really?”
He runs his fingers through his hair, his expression adorably nervous. “Yeah. It’s ridiculous considering how much I fly every year. I only booked the window seat because I figured you might enjoy the view of the mountains as we fly over them.”
“That’s so sweet,” I assure him, popping up on my toes and kissing him lightly. “Thank you.”
We take our seats and fasten our seatbelts as we wait for everyone else to get situated. Out of respect for Greyston, I close the window for now, and he smiles in response before kissing my temple and placing his hand on my thigh, just below the hemline of my skirt. His thumb moves back and forth over the skin above my knee, and I loop my arm through his and rest my head on his shoulder. His scent surrounds me, and I sigh in contentment.
Soon enough, after everyone has found their seats and the flight attendants have delivered their safety spiel, the plane pulls away from the gate and taxis down the runway. As we ascend, I think quietly to myself, and I realize that, while I thought I loved Ben, I was never truly content with him the way I am with Greyston. Ben and I had good times, don’t get me wrong—this observation isn’t based on our final weeks, mind you—but even with all the good in our relationship, nothing ever felt like it was right. I never once envisioned a future with him. I didn’t imagine what it would be like to live together, to get engaged and married—to have kids—and while I haven’t really thought about Greyston and I getting married—until now, anyway—I have thought about a future with him.
“You’re awfully quiet, sweetheart,” Greyston murmurs against the top of my head. “Penny for your thoughts?”
“Keep your money,” I quip, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “I was just taking a trip down memory lane, realizing for the first time that I’ve never been this happy before.” I pause as he presses his lips to my forehead. “I used to complain for the longest time that my parents were more than a little inappropriate, but, now that I’m happy, I see now just how in love they still are—and that’s rare to find nowadays. I want us to have what they have.”
Greyston’s eyebrows rise. “A baby?”
I laugh, unable to control the volume. “No,” I assure him, and then I shrug a little. “At least…not any time soon.” This doesn’t seem to cause him further panic, so I relax.
“I want to be as happy as I am right now, but twenty years from now…and longer.”
He still seems a little stunned…but not afraid. No, definitely not afraid. “Y-you think about that kind of thing? With me?”
Now it’s my turn to be both a little freaked out and stunned, and when I speak, it comes out a strangled whisper. “You don’t?”
Immediately, his features soften, and he turns in his seat as much as possible. “Oh, no, I do, I just didn’t think you did because…well, you’re so young. While I’d hoped you would—” He stops himself, shaking his head. “It’s just, I wasn’t sure you wanted…shit. No, that’s not right, either.” I smirk, trying really hard to keep it from becoming a huge smile. It’s nice to see him flustered for a change, but I don’t let him suffer too long before I rescue him.
“Well, I think about it…actually, I’ve been thinking about it a lot more since Christmas, if I’m being entirely honest. I may be young, but I know what I want, and I want you. Always.”
His eyes reflect his happiness as well as his desire, and he leans in, pressing our foreheads together. “You just had to say all of this on the airplane, didn’t you? I can’t even begin to tell you what hearing all of that is doing to me.”
Smiling, I decide that now is as good a time as any to officially start our vacation. “I know this is only slightly off topic,” I begin quietly, “but I was wondering if you could help me out with something.” Greyston regards me with quiet curiosity, and I continue. “I’ve been looking to acquire a membership into a very exclusive club.”
“You’re pledging a sorority?” he asks, clearly not picking up on my suggestive undertones. “I don’t understand how I’m going to be able to help you with that.”
Slowly, and without breaking eye contact, I unbuckle my seatbelt—now that it’s safe, of course—and lean closer, letting my lips brush his. “Not that kind of club.” His eyes widen with realization, and I smile triumphantly. “You interested?”
He looks around the cabin of the plane; it’s not overly crowded, but it is over half-full. “I don’t know…”