Sidelined

“Just wait.” He winked. “What kind of wine are we ordering?”

“What, no beer?”

“Not tonight. Whatever you’re ordering is fine with me.”

She skimmed the list. She was feeling light like summer. Like her body had been infused with some kind of magic. Yep, she was falling.

She looked at him. His forehead creased as he read the names of the wines. She giggled. “Want a pinot grigio?”

“Sure.” He motioned for the waitress and ordered the bottle Skye pointed out.

“Ok. Check that out.” He waited for Skye’s gaze to move to the horizon.

Her eyes met a sea of orange, purple, and pink. “Wow. It’s breathtaking.” She sat stunned. He was right. How had she not seen this view before?

“One of my favorite things in the jet is to chase the sun. I can make a sunset last for an hour.”

“That’s incredible.” She watched as the sun continued to sink past the ocean’s edge.

“Maybe I can take you flying sometime.”

“Really?”

He chuckled. “I can’t take you in the jet, but I can rent a private plane for an afternoon. You’d love it.”

The waitress presented the bottle of wine and poured two glasses.

Skye had only flown commercially. “Is it safe?” She sipped on the wine, savoring the crispness.

“Of course it’s safe. And you’ll be in excellent hands.” The wink he flashed sent a shiver across her skin. “What do you say? Want to fly with me?”

If flying with Ben meant letting go and losing herself in his eyes and under his touch, then yes. If he was asking her to soar with him until the only thing they could see and feel was each other, then the answer was definitely yes. She would fly with him anywhere.

“Yes.” She nodded.

Ben inserted the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Skye stepped over the threshold knowing she had stepped into the next step of their relationship.

His mouth was on her neck, his hands sweeping her long tresses to the other side.

“This is all I’ve wanted to do since we got here.” He spun her to face him, his back closing the door behind them.

Her arms flew around his neck. All she had wanted to do was kiss him, but the entire day they had set a slow and easy pace, giving each other time to adjust to this idea. This idea that they were about to completely consume each other. Skye hoped they didn’t instantly burst into flames.

Her lips moved against his, taking in deep kisses. The taste of wine on his tongue was sweet, and she craved more as he tempted her with a kiss that seared her mouth with blazing heat.

She felt his hand slide along her back and land on the little black dress’s zipper. He tugged lightly and cool air breezed across her back.

“Wait. Wait.” She pulled away from the kiss.

“What’s wrong? Too much?” He stepped back, breaking all contact.

She shook her head. “No, it’s not too much. It’s just that…I brought a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?”

“Yes. Give me five minutes, ok? And don’t go to sleep.” She wagged her finger at him.

“Baby, there’s no way I could fall asleep right now.”