Chapter 3: Seraphina

I widen my eyes to make my point clearer.

“To be nice.”

“Oh, right.” He frowns as if preparing himself to tell a lie. “Seraphina... all men are completely turned off by Backseat Barbies.”

I smile and lift my glass toward him.

“Thank you, Bash.”

“Although...” He pauses for a moment. “If they give a good head...”

What the hell?

I accidentally snort champagne through my nose and begin coughing. That was the last thing I expected him to say.

“Bash,” I splutter as champagne sprays everywhere.

He laughs while grabbing some napkins and handing them to me. I wipe the drink dripping from my chin.

“Men who look like you aren’t supposed to talk about head.” I cough.

“Why not?” he asks in surprise. “And what exactly do you mean by men who look like me?”

“All serious and everything.”

He stares at me blankly.

“Define everything.”

“You know, older, rich, and bossy.”

His eyes sparkle with amusement.

“And what makes you think I’m rich and bossy?”

I let out an exaggerated sigh.

“You look rich.”

“How?”

“Your expensive watch. The way your shirt is tailored.” I glance down at his shoes.

“I’ve never seen shoes like those before. Where did you even get them?”

“From a store, Seraphina.” He glances at his watch. “And just so you know, this watch was a gift from a girlfriend.”

I roll my eyes.

“I bet she’s a vegan yoga nut.”

He smirks.

“I know exactly what type of woman you like.”

“Really?” He leans closer. “Please continue. This personality assessment is fascinating.”

I smile while a little voice in my head screams, Stop drinking, idiot!

“I’m guessing you live in New York.”

“Correct.”

“In an apartment.”

“Correct again.”

“You probably work for some fancy company.”

He smiles. He’s enjoying this.

“Maybe.”

“You probably have a girlfriend or...” I glance down at his hand. “You’re not wearing a wedding ring... so maybe you cheat on your wife when you travel for work?”

He chuckles.

“You should seriously do this for a living. I’m impressed by your accuracy.”

I grin widely.

I’m enjoying this game too.

“What do you think about me?” I ask. “What was your first impression when I got on the plane?”

“Well...” He thinks for a moment. “Do you want the polite version?”

“No. I want the truth.”

“Okay... then the first thing I noticed was your long legs and the curve of your neck. The dimple in your chin. You’re the most attractive woman I’ve seen in a very long time, and when you smiled, it brought me to my feet.”

I smile softly as the atmosphere between us shifts.

“And then you started talking... and ruined everything.”

What?

I burst into laughter.

“I ruined everything? How?”

“You’re bossy and incredibly sarcastic.”

“What’s wrong with that?” I ask in disbelief.

“Well, I’m bossy and sarcastic.” He shrugs.

“And?”

“And I don’t want to date someone exactly like me. I prefer sweet, quiet women who do what I tell them.”

“Ugh.” I roll my eyes. “The type who cleans the house and has sex on Saturdays.”

“Exactly.”

I laugh and raise my glass to clink it against his.

“You’re not bad for a boring old guy with strange shoes.”

He laughs.

“And you’re not bad for a young, hot smart-ass.”

“Do you want to watch Magic Mike XXL with me?” I ask.

“I suppose so. Although I should warn you... I used to be a stripper myself, so none of this will be new to me.”

“Really?” I try not to smile. “You’re good on a pole?”

His eyes stay on mine.

“My pole skills are the best in the country.”

The air between us crackles again, and I focus on stopping my slightly drunk mouth from saying something inappropriate.

He taps through the screen until he finds Magic Mike XXL, and I grin.

This man is full of surprises.

First class is definitely the best way to travel.

Six hours later...

“Okay, next question. What’s the strangest place you’ve ever had sex?” he whispers.

I smirk.

“You can’t ask me that.”

“Yes, I can. I just did.”

“It’s rude.”

“According to who?” He looks around. “It’s only a question, and nobody is listening.”

Bash and I have spent the entire flight talking, whispering, laughing, and joking.

“Hmm.” I think for a moment. “That’s a difficult one.”

“Why?”

“I’m going through a bit of a dry spell right now. I can barely remember having sex.”

“How long?” He frowns.

“Oh.” I look up as I think. “I haven’t had sex in about... eighteen months.”

His expression turns horrified.

“What?”

“It’s pathetic, isn’t it?” I wince.

“Very. You need to improve those numbers. Those statistics are terrible.”

“I know.” I giggle.

Wow...

We’re really tipsy.

“Why am I telling you all of this?” I whisper. “You’re just some random man I met on a plane.”

“A random man who finds this topic very interesting.”

“Why?”

He leans closer and whispers so the flight attendants can’t hear.

“I don’t understand how someone as attractive as you isn’t getting fucked three times a day.”

I stare at him as a shiver runs all the way to my toes.

Stop it.

This man is too old for me and definitely not my type.

His eyes drop to my lips, and the air between us sparks.

“How long are you staying in New York?” he asks.

I watch his tongue slowly run across his bottom lip.

“Just for the afternoon. My interview is at six tonight, and then I’m catching the last flight out,” I whisper.

“Can you change your flight?”

Why?

“No.”

He smirks while watching me, and it’s obvious he’s imagining something.

“What?” I smile.

“I wish we were on a private jet.”

“Why?”

His eyes move back to my lips.

“Because I’d end that dry spell of yours and introduce you to the Cross-High Club.”

A vivid image flashes through my mind.

“It’s the Cros-High Club... not Cross,” I whisper.

“No...” He smirks, his eyes darkening. “It’s Cross. Trust me.”

Something inside me breaks loose, and suddenly I want to say something reckless.

I lean closer and whisper into his ear.

“You know, I’ve never fucked a stranger before.”

He inhales sharply as our eyes meet.

“Do you want to fuck a stranger?” he murmurs as the tension between us grows stronger.

I stare at him.

This is completely unlike me.

This man makes me...

“Don’t be shy,” he whispers. “Tell me, if we were alone right now...”

He pauses carefully.

“What would you give me, Seraphina?”

I search his eyes.

Maybe it’s the alcohol.

Maybe it’s the lack of sex.

Maybe it’s because I know I’ll never see him again.

Or maybe I’m just a complete ho.

“Me,” I whisper. “I’d give you me.”

Our eyes lock.

As if forgetting where we are, he reaches up and gently cups my face.

His eyes are unbelievably blue, and desire rushes through me at his touch.

I want this man.

I want every part of this man.

Every single part.

“Hot towel?” Stella the flight attendant asks.

We immediately pull away from each other, embarrassed.

What must they think of us?

They’ve watched us flirt shamelessly the entire flight.

“Thank you,” I stammer as I take the towel.

“There’s a snowstorm in New York, and we’ll be circling for a while to see whether we can land,” she explains.

“What happens if we can’t?” Bash asks.

“We’ll continue on to Boston and stay there overnight. The airline will provide hotel accommodations. We should know within ten minutes. I’ll keep you informed.”

“Thank you.”

She walks away and disappears out of hearing distance.

Bash leans over and whispers,

“I hope New York freezes the fuck over.”

Nervous butterflies flutter in my stomach.

“Why?”

“I have plans for us,” he whispers darkly.

I stare at him while my brain struggles to work.

I’ve been teasing and flirting, but I’m really not that kind of woman.

It’s easy to act bold and reckless when nothing can actually happen.

I start to sweat.

Why did I drink so much?

Why did I tell him about my dry spell?

That’s supposed to stay private, idiot.

“Another drink?” Bash whispers.

“I can’t. I have a job interview this afternoon.”

“That won’t be happening.”

“Don’t say that,” I stammer. “I really want this job.”

“Good evening, passengers. This is your captain speaking.”

A voice comes through the speakers, and I close my eyes.

Damn.

“Due to a snowstorm in New York, we’ll be continuing to Boston tonight and staying there. We’ll return to New York early tomorrow morning. We apologize for any inconvenience, but passenger safety remains our top priority.”

My eyes meet Bash’s.

He gives me a slow, attractive smile and raises an eyebrow.