Uninterrupted alone time with him. Except when I face-timed with Haiden and Haven, which I had no idea how I was going to pull that off yet. It was like I was living a double life, and at any moment I might blurt out the truth. We told the twins I was going on a work retreat, and Haiden wasn’t happy about it in the least.
He threw the biggest fit, and I almost backed out of going, but my mother wouldn’t allow it. She knew I needed this trip and how to handle him, reassuring me over and over again he’d be just fine. I had nothing to worry about, which was much easier said than done.
“Sage, I can feel your conflicting emotions. We’re getting you a stiff cocktail at the bar.”
I chuckled. “I could go for a cock right now.”
“You’re going to get a cock up the ass if you don’t stop your pouting.”
I laughed, following her into the airport. Aspyn traveled a lot, so she knew her way around.
I felt him before I ever saw him. There was a change in the air around us, like it almost seemed lighter when Ashton wrapped his arms around me from behind.
“Hey, stranger,” he murmured in my ear, triggering my belly to summersault out of my skin.
“Interesting choice of words considering you’re whisking me away with you to an island.”
“It wouldn’t have felt right coming without you.”
“What does that even mean?”
He nibbled at my neck. “It means you feel right.”
I giggled. “Such a charmer.”
“Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
Suddenly, I was riding this high that Ashton always brought with him, and the anxiety I felt subsided, standing there with his arms around me. Each time I saw him, felt him, or spoke to him, our connection grew in ways I hadn’t expected or believed was even possible at this point. He was making me feel like the girl I once was, and all I could do was hope that when I did tell him the truth about the twins, he’d understand. I didn’t want to lose him, not when I’d only just met him again.
He grabbed my hand and carry-on, and we walked like that through the airport terminal until we got to the line of body and luggage scan. Everyone went through perfectly fine, and I was the last one to walk through.
“Ma’am,” the male attendant behind the computer announced after I walked under the scanner with no issues. “We’re going to need to check your bag.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Okay. Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just precaution. Did you bring any weapons with you?”
I shook my head, caught off guard by his question. “Of course not.”
“I see.” He pushed a button on the screen of his computer, and my bag went back and forth a few times under the security detector.
“Is there a problem?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, I have nothing to hide.”
“There appears to be a rather large object that’s vibrating in your bag, ma’am.”
“Large object that’s vibrating in my bag?” I repeated, confused. “Oh! I bet it’s my toothbrush. It must have turned on.”
“It appears to be shaped like a gun, ma’am, so I’m going to ask you again. Do you have any weapons with you?”
I fervently shook my head, and Ashton stepped up beside me. “Sir, I think you’re mista—”
“I need you to step away. This isn’t your bag—it’s hers.”
“Right, but I can assure you she’s not carrying any sort of weapon in her luggage.”
With a serious, intimidating expression that made my palms sweaty, the attendant raised his eyes to me.
“I’m going to need you to follow me.”
I nodded.
Maybe one of Haiden’s toys made it into my carry-on? Shit.
Quickly, the attendant grabbed my luggage, and I followed him to the end of the table like I was some criminal about to get asked to bend over and cough. Aspyn stayed at my side, as did Ashton with Sawyer standing behind us. We were all ready to start our vacation, and this was definitely putting a damper on things.
The attendant put on gloves before opening my bag, and the buzzing sound went from a low roar to a high rumble.
My heart dropped to the floor.
My face paled.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t speak.
Immediately recognizing that sound.
Oh please, God, no.
The man moved around my things.
Bikinis.
Thongs.
Lingerie.
Could this get any more embarrassing? Absolutely, and it would in about two point five seconds.
My eyes instantly shut when I saw my bright pink vibrator appear front and center in front of everyone who was standing there, including a bunch of strangers who all began laughing their asses off at my expense, realizing what was buzzing in my bag.
I was mortified. “Oh my God. I’m going to kill you.” I opened my eyes, glaring right at Aspyn. I didn’t pack my bag—she did.
She was grinning like a fool, trying to hold back the laughter from taking over her body. Aspyn put her hands out in front of her in a surrendering gesture. “Relax, it’s just Ashton.”