Girl on a Plane

by Cassandra O'Leary

  No way did Gabriel ever want to have his own heart crushed and his life destroyed the way Ryan’s had been.

  A drumming knock made him jump. He glanced at the door. The breakfast order. He searched through cupboards in the hallway and found a white cotton bathrobe. Slipping it on, he cracked the door open wide enough to accept the tray of food.

  The bill caught his eye, flapping in the breeze from the air-conditioner, held under a plate, the total circled in red pen. The food was pricey. The whole place was. He didn’t want Sinead forking out for this. He’d treat her. She’d probably get an allowance from the airline, but not enough to cover all the extras. Well, he could afford it.

  He called down the corridor to the retreating hotel staffer. “Excuse me, I have a question about the account. Do you know, can I pay in advance? For the suite and the room service. I don’t want to leave it for Ms Kennealy.”

  The young man hurried back and stood in the doorway. “I’m sorry sir, I don’t know. But I could ask the front office staff.”

  “Yes, thanks. Wait a minute. I’ll give you my corporate account details.”

  He stepped inside and deposited the breakfast tray near the TV, and found his wallet and a business card. Back at the door, he jotted down his account details and handed over the card.

  “I’d like the suite and any additional costs charged to my account – Gabriel Anderson. I’m a friend of Ms Kennealy’s. I don’t want to bother her while she’s sleeping, but I’ll take care of it. The front office staff know me. I stay here all the time for business.” He signed the receipt.

  “Very good, sir.”

  “Thank you. I’ll drop in downstairs later.”

  The staffer nodded and disappeared down the corridor.

  Gabriel wandered back into the suite feeling lighter. No work for two whole days, his head had stopped aching and there was a stunning woman sharing his suite. Now he didn’t have to worry about her paying for it.

  He always paid his debts. One thing about growing up poor, he always made sure he wasn’t under obligation to anyone. He already owed Sinead big time for looking after him overnight, but he couldn’t let her, or anyone, take care of him long term.

  Inhaling a long slow breath, he took a metaphorical breather and poured himself a coffee. The grey haze through the window wasn’t clearing. They were definitely stuck for a bit longer.

  Storm or no storm, right then, he couldn’t think of another place he’d rather be. Grabbing his breakfast and dumping the tray on the bedside table, he joined Sinead back in bed. He cast his eyes over one long, slender leg, now exposed by the tangled sheets.

  He trailed his finger from the tip of her pretty silver-polished toes up the outside of her smooth leg to her hip bone, over the edge of her white underwear. Her gentle, sleepy sigh made him relax back into the headboard. Her response to his touch was perfect.

  They’d be perfect together, at least for now. They had a couple of days before he’d be on his way. With heat prickling his skin, he imagined the possibilities. If he kissed her again, if she let him closer. If he touched her so she lost her mind, the way she’d done to him. If only.

  He’d make sure their layover was memorable. He didn’t have time for anything more.

  Sinead sat bolt upright. The huge expanse of white-sheeted bed, empty except for herself. She glanced around the suite, but he was gone. It was quiet, save the groaning wind outside. Pins and needles ran up her arms and legs, and she shivered.

  Had he upped and left as soon as possible? She’d kill him. Well, if she knew where he’d gone and she could’ve gotten her hands on him, she would’ve happily killed him.

  Who left a cosy luxury hotel during a typhoon? More to the point, who disappeared after some heart-stopping, although hardly enough, action between the sheets? Apparently, Mr Hot-Shot CEO, love ’em and leave ’em, arsehat, Gabriel Anderson.

  Did he have any idea what might happen if the storm grew worse? If the windows actually blew in? If he got caught outside when a building fell?

  So, he knew some travel tricks and he’d been to Singapore before. It didn’t mean he knew the first thing about surviving in an emergency. She did, having experienced the full force of two typhoons. The nightmare time trapped in a shuttle bus in the Philippines was not something she wanted to relive in a hurry.

  She wanted him to be okay. And it might have been stupid, but she didn’t want to be alone.

  Then she spotted the scrawled note he’d left on the pillow beside her, and growled when she read the message.

  Good afternoon Irish. You look edible in our bed. Breakfast near the TV. Gone out to find you a treat. Back in a bit. Don’t miss me too much. G.

  So annoyingly smug. Our bed. The cheeky thing. At least he intended to come back.

  How long had he been gone for? Her head ached. But she was also loose-limbed and sleepy, in a good way. Of course, she’d kind of fallen on the man and used his amazing body. It had been wonderful, as far as it went.

  Oh yes, perfect.

  Gabriel, stripped of his remaining clothes, shuddering beneath her as she closed her eyes and bent over him … She’d definitely like to go there again. He was so attractive, and almost nice. There was no harm in a little fun, since they were stuck here together.

  Anyway, she was exhausted. She must have fallen asleep for a while after expending so much energy.

  She tumbled out of bed with a clunk that rattled her bones. Thank God she wasn’t suffering ‘the fear’. A monster hangover was the last thing she needed, even if she deserved it after all the Singapore Slings.

  Grabbing her phone from the bedside table, she checked her messages. She crossed her fingers and hoped for no news from the airline. Good. Only one message from Yuki, last night. She and Daniel were tucked up in bed in the apartment-hotel, and she’d wanted to make sure Sinead was safe. A quick message back, and she was done.

  I’m snug as a bug. This suite is luxury heaven! Amazing bed. Speak soon. xxx

  She left out any mention of Gabriel’s presence.

  Why did she feel the need to keep him a secret from her friend? Was she embarrassed about jumping into bed with a man who was practically a stranger? Yuki had encouraged her, after all. She suspected she wanted him to belong to herself alone for a little longer. But Gabriel had gone and ruined it by dashing out of the hotel like a lunatic in the middle of a typhoon.

  She shouldn’t worry about him, but she did.

  She did, she did, she did.

  All that weather out there. And the note might be a tricky-man ruse. What if he never intended to come back?

  Her gaze skittered around the room. She needed a distraction. Pulling on her rumpled jeans, she switched on the TV news reports about the typhoon. Not many casualties, but people were missing. The busy work of heating up coffee and croissants in the microwave kept her mind off him. Two of her favourite foods. He’d paid attention to her last night. The man was a genius, as well as dead-sexy.

  Scoffing her breakfast sitting in bed, flashbacks of sexy times danced in her head. Long, lean and lovely, he was. He’d been so hot and hard under her hands and between her thighs, as far as it went. And she was all riled up again.

  Really, he was inconsiderate rushing off. She needed him back ASAP to pick up where they’d left off. If she had his phone number she would have sent him a memo or scheduled an appointment. She giggled. How best to phrase her calendar appointment for the important businessman?

  2pm-3pm, Ultimate shagathon – Make Ms Kennealy scream with pleasure.

  On second thoughts, one hour wouldn’t be long enough.

  The click of the suite’s door lock shook the silliness out of her.

  Thank God.

  He stood framed in the open doorway and her heart didn’t skip a beat, it jumped rope. Skip, thwack, skip, thwack.

  Her heartbeat settled as relief washed through her system, then a whole lot of rolling heat. She was stupidly aroused at the sight of him.

  “Irish.
Did you miss me?”

  Irish. She sighed at the cuteness.

  His expression shone like a starburst, then he shook his head like a dog after a swim in the ocean. Water droplets formed a halo around his face and shimmered in the harsh fluorescent lighting from the corridor. His wet, white shirt stuck to the contours of his chest and shoulders, outlining every perfect detail. Gabriel’s hair was slicked back so it defined his face, the sculpted cheekbones and startling stormy blue eyes. He’d been out in a typhoon and he came back looking gorgeous. How was that fair?

  She was gobsmacked. But only for a moment.

  Crossing her arms under her breasts, she told him off. “I thought you were dead. How dare you scare me so badly?”

  He raised his arms in surrender and presented his surprise. Champagne in one hand and a box of fancy chocolates in the other. Belgian, by the look of the box.

  “For you. Food and drink beginning with the letter ‘c’. Only the best, of course.” He shrugged.

  Wow. He was earning some massive points with her.

  “Thank you. Get back to bed this instant!” She assessed his wet and bedraggled state. From top to toe. “But first, let’s get you out of those wet clothes.”

  One of his eyebrows shot up. “Anything you say.”

  “Actually, I changed my mind. I’m feeling a little bit dirty. I think I need a shower.”

  His other eyebrow joined the first one up around his hairline and he stepped towards her.

  She rose from the bed, her eyes locked with his. She pulled her T-shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor. Her breasts were bare, exposed to his gaze. A thrill rushed through her, hot and tingly, at his low moan. Then she unzipped her jeans and pushed them down her legs, stepping out of them with only a little stumble. Standing straight as a supermodel, she winked.

  Now his groan blended with his trademark chuckle. It did all sorts of good things to her insides.

  Continuing her slow striptease, she hooked a finger into the edge of her knickers, pulled them down and stepped out of them. She bent down and then flipped her hair back over her shoulders.

  Gabriel stared, his lips parted, a crease between his eyebrows. Another part of his anatomy strained towards her, obvious through his wet trousers. Sinead huffed out a breath. Hello again. She was very glad to see him, especially in such a state.

  Completely naked, Sinead stalked up to him, took the champagne and chocolates from his white-knuckled grasp and placed them on the coffee table. She returned to stand in front of him, placing her hands on his firm chest. Spreading her fingers wide, clutching at muscles under wet cotton, she set to work and unbuttoned his shirt. Ever so slowly.

  He watched her fingers. “Bloody hell, you’re killing me here.” His gaze flicked up to meet hers. But he didn’t move another muscle.

  “So, help me then.”

  Seconds later, he’d stripped off his sopping clothes and tossed them aside.

  Her long, shaky breaths stuttered as her gaze travelled the length of his glorious naked body. She’d not get sick of looking at him in a hurry. In fact, she toyed with the idea of licking him all over, to memorise his contours with her tongue.

  Interrupting her naughty catalogue of ideas, he reached out and pulled her hard against him, crushing her breasts against his chest, wrapping strong arms around her back. They stood there heart to heart, staring at each other. Electricity zinged between them like lightning, wild and out of control, signalling the latent power before the storm.

  She could have sworn her heart actually stopped and, instead, Gabriel’s heart beat beneath her skin.

  “Shower, now,” Sinead ordered.

  He licked his lower lip. “Yes, Ma’am.”

  She took him by the hand. The chocolates and champagne could wait until afterwards.

  She was so sexy. So confident and beautiful. Powerful.

  Gabriel usually took charge with women, but letting Sinead call the shots had been mind-blowing so far. What they’d got up to in the early hours of the morning had been a gourmet appetizer, but it was time for the main course. Hopefully one of many dishes. A ten-course degustation menu to be tasted and savoured. Hours and hours of feasting.

  She pulled him into the bathroom and flicked on the jets in the enormous shower.

  “Wait a sec.” She slipped her hand out of his hold and rushed off towards the basin.

  The way her butt and hips swayed from side to side was a thing of beauty. If she didn’t act soon, he wouldn’t be able to control himself. She rustled around in her cosmetic bag and retrieved a foil packet, then waved it in the air in victory.

  “Come here, you big dirty man.”

  His lips stretched upwards. “You think I’m big and dirty?”

  Her eyes were wide and innocent as she nodded. “Oh yes, very big. Very filthy.”

  Gabriel swallowed when she bit her lip, her gaze roaming down his body. Shit. At this rate, the show would be over soon. He was so hard already it verged on painful. His groin tightened further and he clenched his hands into fists by his sides. He tried to control the tension inside him.

  She swayed over to him. He had to touch her, if only her shoulder. Stroking her silky skin made his breath catch in his throat. Her little gasp was music.

  She ripped open the little packet, reached out and slowly sheathed him. Now he groaned so loud, she laughed, light and tinkling.

  His hand hovered over hers, then he grasped her fingers and stopped the stroking movement she’d begun. So close. He’d lose it if she kept it up. Without another word, he took hold of her hips and lifted her so those long, slim legs wrapped around his back.

  “I want you inside me, Gabriel,” she whispered.

  The blood pounded through his veins and his heartbeat resonated in his ears. He wanted her so much. But he teased her, kissing her mouth, stroking against her until she shivered. Then he pressed inside her. No more waiting. His breath leaked out, it felt so good. He almost gave in to the impulse to drive her hard and fast.

  No, she’d have her pleasure. He wanted her to come apart in his arms.

  Good Lord, he’s a sex god.

  She clenched her inner muscles and held on for dear life. His hardness throbbed deep inside her. Everything cried out for release. Every inch of skin, every cell in Sinead’s body.

  He somehow walked them into the shower, warm water pounding over her as he pinned her against cool marble tiles. A wall of muscle pressed into her breasts and belly. He stroked into her, slow and steady. Playing her like an instrument. She arched her back, wanting more. Trembles broke out everywhere.

  With one arm pressed against the wall, his other hand glided over her slick skin. Ocean waves of pleasure followed in the wake of his touch. He skimmed rough fingertips over her right breast, then lifted it, weighing it in his hand. She kept her eyes on him as he lowered his head. He kissed her flesh and licked rivulets of water from her skin. Then he took her breast into his mouth, licking and teasing the tight peak of her nipple.

  She gasped at the intense slivers of sensation slicing through her. “God, yes.”

  “You taste so good.” His eyes met hers, looking up at her as he licked around her areola. “I want to make you come again.”

  His jaw clenched. Oh, God. That look.

  Her bones liquefied and he grabbed her tight.

  She clasped his shoulder with one hand, and the tight curve of his butt. Her world tilted as Gabriel thrust inside her, his mouth on her breast. Licking and tasting her, rasping his tongue over both nipples in turn. Back and forth. She pulled him closer. Their bodies aligned perfectly.

  She’d never had such a man. Never like this, never this good. She’d stay with him forever like this, joined together. Wanting him, then having him.

  He rose and kissed her mouth, tugging at her bottom lip with his teeth. It’d be fair to say she devoured him. His taste filled her senses, like spring rain and the finest chocolate. He broke the kiss and moved even deeper inside, filling her.


  So good, so good, so good.

  She trusted him, gave herself completely over to him. Tension built until she could barely stand it. Her thighs shook, her lower belly tightened.

  She stared deep into the ocean of his eyes. “Yes, Gabriel,” she gasped.

  She rocked forward and heat flowed over her skin. She arched again. The tension broke and sweet power rushed through her, vision darkening, sparks igniting like silver stars. He surged inside her with a final thrust. They tipped over the edge together, crying out as one. She clung to him then, resting her head on his shoulder, inhaling his clean, spicy scent.

  After a minute or two, the pummel of water brought her back to earth. The touch of his lips on her forehead made her want to weep. He’d slipped out of her body, but she throbbed inside still, where he’d been. She loved it. She’d never been taken there before, so close to another person, yet floating away.

  He’d marked her as his own, from the inside out.

  She’d been aching for him since she first noticed him. Now she knew. He was addictive. As hot and delicious as coffee. He could be the best thing ever, essential as breathing.

  If she had to go without, he could be her doom.

  Amazing. Incredible.

  Gabriel wracked his mind for superlatives super enough, but none came close to describing what just happened with Sinead.

  He helped her slide down his body until she stood on her own shaky legs. Holding her close and supporting her with one arm, he reached for a towel. He wrapped her carefully, like something precious. Head and body hadn’t quite rejoined, but he couldn’t remember ever feeling such a strong connection with anyone.

  Tenderly kissing the top of her head, her cheeks, her lips. He didn’t want to stop touching her. He disposed of the condom and dried himself, then stood close behind Sinead, fitting his body to hers. With another towel, he dried her hair. Long, pale strands, with a scent like flowers from his Mum’s old garden. Roses, and jasmine.