No sooner had she started walking down the wide hall than he slid an arm around her waist and pulled her into an empty gate area, not stopping until they reached a corner hidden from view.
“What are you doing?” she asked, breathless.
“Getting you alone so I can have my morning kiss.” He braced one hand over her head and leaned in, pressing his lips against hers.
“Mmm,” she practically purred, not denying how much she wanted the same thing.
He swept his tongue into her mouth, and her entire body came alive, the lingering hint of mint and Dylan packing a powerful punch. She slid her tongue against his, and the needy feelings she’d been suppressing all weekend burst forth, making her feel awake and alive. One big hand gripped her waist, the other tugged on her long braid, sending pulsing sensations directly to her sex as his mouth devoured hers.
“Now that’s a good morning,” he said as he broke the kiss.
“Yeah. It is.” She slid her tongue over her lips, and his heated gaze followed the motion.
“Tease.”
She grinned.
“Before I’m tempted to start something I can’t finish here and now, how about that coffee?” he asked.
She nodded. “Sounds good.” She could use a spike of caffeine before getting on the plane for the long trip.
He walked with his hand against the small of her back, a possessive gesture she found she liked. A lot. They got in a short line at Starbucks, and when it came time to order, he asked for a grande dark coffee for himself before turning her way. “Soy latte?” he asked.
She blinked in surprise.
“You worked with me long enough,” he reminded her. “And when it comes to you, I pay attention.”
She was ridiculously flattered by that one comment. The man knew all the right things to do and say. Could he really be as genuine as he looked? Was any man?
Drinks in hand, they headed back for their gate and resettled into their seats. An announcement reminded them they’d be boarding as soon as the plane had been cleaned from the previous flight, and she was eager to get under way.
She pulled out her phone and texted her sister, telling her she’d talk to her from Arizona, sent another text to Ian because he liked to worry, and one to her mom.
“Check in with everyone?” Dylan asked, an amused smile on his handsome face.
“Some of them.”
He leaned close on one arm. “What’s it like? Growing up in such a large family?”
She thought about it before answering. “Well, the good thing is, you’re never alone. The bad thing? You’re never alone,” she said, laughing.
“Must be cool though.”
“It had its moments.”
“And your mom was great, right?”
She nodded. “She’s a strong lady.”
“Lucky,” he said, his tone darkening. He was obviously thinking about his own mother and her shortcomings.
What did she say to a man who’d never really had either parent? At least Olivia and her siblings had had their mother, Emma.
“You had your sister,” she said, searching for something positive to say.
He inclined his head. “And she’s great. But the holidays were small. And hard without
a lot of money to buy her gifts.”