Girl on a Plane

by Cassandra O'Leary

  She breathed out on a sigh. This new side of Gabriel was sucking her in. Making her want him so much it hurt. But she still had to be careful. “I want to believe you.”

  The small performance space was intimate in the darkness. Sinead could barely contain her excitement. Her knee bounced up and down until she smoothed her hand over it. She’d never been this close to a band during a performance, even when she used to hang out in the standing room only area at music festivals. This was different.

  It was an exclusive showcase performance for selected journalists and society movers and shakers, people like Gabriel and Kitty. Sinead, not so much. Resentment still burned through her belly when she let herself think of Kitty, making her feel out of place, like an imposter at Gabriel’s side. But she was the only one with him now. He was making her feel wanted.

  She and Gabriel lounged on a low sofa, only a couple of metres away from the lead singer, glowing under the single spotlight over the small stage. Brody Nightingale. Long black wavy hair, green eyes, pale skin with a few freckles across his nose. He was going all out with the rock star look, wearing leather pants and a loose, unbuttoned white shirt. He was undeniably hot. She’d had a crush on Brody a few years back. He’d fronted another band and she’d seen them live in Dublin.

  Brody’s voice was hypnotic and the lyrics he wrote were like poetry.

  Betrayed, by a rose

  My love unbound

  Her name on my lips

  No more

  His voice hovered above the crowd on an extended high note, like something belonging to another realm. Ethereal. When the piano accompaniment twinkled on, she sighed.

  Five years ago, she would have been fan-girling all over Brody in an embarrassing way. Now, she could admire him and his talent, but her mind was fixed entirely on the man sitting so close beside her. An urge to curl up and snuggle into Gabriel, to let him wrap his arms around her, wound through her body.

  Why didn’t she reach for him? The rules, right. There was a reason she’d invented them, but it was hard to remember. Especially when he invaded her space, brushing his thigh against hers and then squeezing her hand. His scent taunted her too, a spicy warmth reminding her of twisted sheets and soft sighs.

  Sinead slid a glance across at him, and his lips quirked upwards as he watched the stage. He knew exactly how to get to her.

  She sank back in her seat and focused on enjoying the music. And ignoring Gabriel. If humanly possible.

  The show was excruciating but not because of any tension with Sinead. Not the music, the band was impressive. The singer was great and Gabriel was blown away by the feeling of the floor reverberating beneath their seats when the drummer performed his solo. As the music washed over him, an unexpected and uncomfortable rush of emotion rose in his throat, tears prickling behind his closed eyelids.

  What the hell? He didn’t want to analyse it. The amount of stress he’d been under was probably getting to him. There was no probably about it. The only times he’d relaxed in the past few months had been the days spent with Sinead. Those days had pushed back the tide of sadness threatening to engulf him.

  To distract himself, he accidently-on-purpose brushed his leg against hers, making her tremble. He loved her reaction, even when she was trying to play it cool.

  When the last note of the last song faded and the house lights rose, Gabriel was calm. Composed. He still grasped Sinead’s hand on the seat between them. Her palm was warm and soft. Sinead brushed her hair back from her face and grinned, her happiness pure and contagious.

  “It was incredible. I’ve never seen a show like it.”

  “I know. I’m so glad we came.”

  Sinead sighed, then pure joy rolled across her face. “Do you think I could get an autograph from Brody?”

  “The singer? I guess so.” The muscles tensed in his gut at her excitement to meet the guy. He glanced at the musicians still hanging around on stage. “Some other people are talking to him already.”

  Sinead made a noise, a combination of a squeal and a yelp, then jumped to her feet, dragging him along too.

  He staggered after her, gripping her hand, this time to keep his balance. They walked a few steps to the front of the stage and waited behind another couple, the man chatting to Brody and slapping him on the back as if they were old friends. Sinead vibrated with excitement, bouncing on her heels again.

  The other couple left, then Brody nodded to them, beaming. “Enjoy the show?”

  Brody had vaguely aimed the question at both of them, but his eyes were all over Sinead like a rash. Bloody arrogant rock stars.

  Sinead beamed, oblivious. “Oh, we loved it. I’m a big fan, all the way back to the Glitter Stomp days. I saw you in Dublin once, but this was my favourite gig ever. I’m Sinead, this is Gabriel.”

  Sinead’s babbling was cute and Gabriel wasn’t the only one who thought so. Brody’s eyes lit up. The singer’s gaze wandered down Sinead’s body, landing on her cleavage. The guy needed to step back or he was going to have a problem in a minute.

  Brody spoke low, almost a whisper. “Sinead, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes these showcase gigs can be a bit quiet, with the media stiffs and all. But I could hear some shouting over there. Was it you?” Brody grinned like a loon.

  “Yes! It was so great. Would you sign an autograph for me, if it’s not too much trouble?”

  Brody bared his teeth, grinning with extra smarminess. Gabriel breathed, and silently counted to three. “Anything for you, Sinead.”

  The same bloody words Kitty had said to Gabriel earlier. The irony was not lost on him. Now he was the one seething with jealousy. He could admit it, he was jealous. This guy obviously wanted Sinead, and Gabriel was starting to feel like a third wheel.

  Gabriel squeezed her hand. “Sinead, we’ll have to leave if we’re going to make our dinner reservation.” His comment grabbed Brody’s attention. Gabriel stared him down unapologetically.

  She stepped into Gabriel’s side, patting the back of his hand. “Just a second.”

  Sinead pulled her ticket out of her purse and passed it to Brody for his autograph. The guy’s hands brushed her fingertips and lingered a bit too long. Gabriel couldn’t help his frustrated grunt. Seriously.

  As soon as Sinead had her damned ticket signed, Gabriel pulled her by the hand in the other direction.

  “Jealous, are we?” Sinead’s voice rang with glee.

  His grumble was hardly an answer, so he forced the words out. “Guess there’ll be others. I’ll have to get used to it.”

  The tinkling sound of Sinead’s laugh lifted him up, out of himself. At least she helped keep the full-blown grumpiness at bay.

  The restaurant wasn’t what she expected Gabriel would choose, but then he kept surprising her. It was casual, with dark wood tables decorated with little tea-light candles and exposed red bricks along the wall behind the bar. It seemed popular with people who seriously liked their food and wine.

  On second glance, the place reminded her of Italian bistros she’d dined at in Lygon Street, Melbourne’s Little Italy. She’d love to go there with Gabriel sometime.

  Sinead folded her linen napkin in her lap and looked up to enjoy the view. Gabriel, front and centre, leaning over the table towards her. Wanting to tell her something. She could practically see the words forming in a cartoon speech balloon and then retreating back into his mouth. The scowl of consternation on his face was charming. Cute as a button.

  “Spit it out, would you?” Sinead took a bite of her delicious chicken cacciatore, an old-school dish which also, serendipitously, happened to start with her favourite letter ‘c’.

  “Spit what out, exactly?”

  Swallowing a mouthful of deliciousness, she put down her cutlery with a clink. “Whatever you want to tell me. Out with it.”

  He looked down at his plate of seafood linguini. “It’s a long story. I want to tell you about my mum.”

  She sat straighter in her chair, interested now. It was
n’t what she’d been expecting. No, she was expecting an argument about the rules, or a grumpy comment about Brody’s flirting at the club. This sounded like details. Depth. Exactly what she wanted from Gabriel.

  “You can tell me. Whatever it is, I’m a good listener.”

  His forehead creased. “My mum’s sick. Has been for years. Ever since I was at university.”

  “Oh, Gabriel, I’m so sorry. Your poor Ma. Is she on the mend now?”

  His face went weird, his jaw clenched then released. Again Sinead had the sense words would come tripping off the tip of his tongue. But they didn’t. His head dropped down and he took a long sip of his red wine.

  She tried not to stare at the way his fingers shook. What she really wanted was to wrap him up in her arms.

  Finally he looked up and nodded. “She’s okay. She had a chest infection but the doctors caught it before it turned to pneumonia. It’s been rough for a while though.”

  “That must have been hard. Is it some kind of chronic illness?”

  Gabriel nodded. “Yes. It’s … a progressive disease. I have to face the fact she won’t get any better.”

  Her heart pinched in her chest. “Is this what’s been worrying you? Not your work?”

  He paused again, gripping his glass too hard. “Both. I wanted to explain why I said we shouldn’t see each other again. Back in Singapore.”

  She nodded slowly. This could explain some of his behaviour in Singapore. Gabriel leaned back in his chair. His shirt pulled taut across his chest. He really was delectable. She bit her lip, then forced her eyes up to meet his. She had to stop ogling the man. This was important.

  “So, have you had to look after her?”

  “There’s nurses, but a lot of it has fallen to me. It hasn’t been easy. But I don’t want to go into it now.” Gabriel sighed, then leaned in as he spoke. “I just wanted to explain. There’s demands on my time from every direction. I can’t promise I’ll be available for you. Not like you deserve.” He drank from his water glass this time.

  “But you still want to sex me up?”

  He spluttered, water dripping down his chin. “Irish, what the hell?”

  “It’s a simple enough question. Do you still want me?”

  “Shit. I mean, yes. Absolutely.”

  Crossing her arms, she considered the man before her. The long, lean length of him. The frown was nearly a constant feature. Yes, there was more going on than he’d admit. She’d bet her life on it. But should she gamble on him? It was a risk. A risk she’d have to take again sometime, if she ever wanted to win.

  “Well, I’d say we have something to work with. You’ll talk more when you’re ready.”

  He looked stunned. His mouth hung open and he ruffled his hand through his hair.

  She finished the last morsel of her dinner, chewing and swallowing, savouring the flavours. Lifting the menu from the table, she scanned the tempting Dolce list. She’d order dessert. Sometimes you had to live a little, give in to temptation. Even if it wasn’t strictly good for you.

  She looked up, catching his wide-eyed stare. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Temptation was the order of the evening.

  Walking Sinead towards her front door, awkwardness overpowered him. Gabriel wasn’t sure where to look, what to do with his hands, his feet, anything.

  He’d wanted to open up to her. He’d tried to. He hadn’t been able to talk to anyone except Ryan for nearly ten years. Since his Mum became too distant to really listen to him. But at dinner, he’d backpedalled as fast as he could. Gunning his own engine into reverse.

  The puffy white mist of his breath on the cool night air disappeared into the dark. He nearly crashed into Sinead, who’d stopped abruptly on her front doorstep. The lightbulb overhead glowed with dim yellow light and flickered.

  “So, we’re here.” Sinead’s words were strung out slowly.

  She stood in front of him, her pale skin glowing softly like the moon. So beautiful.

  “I had a great night. Thanks for giving me another chance. For listening.”

  “I had a great night too. Thanks for letting me in. Even if it was only a teensy bit.”

  Her lips parted, as if she was considering what to say. He understood. Something had changed between them and he needed to tread carefully.

  She pushed her hair back from her shoulders and tilted her chin. “I have to get back to work tomorrow. I’m flying the Melbourne route again via Dubai and Sydney. But I’ll be back in London in a couple of days.”

  Gabriel stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets to stop himself from wrapping her up in his arms. He wanted to hold onto her so she wouldn’t disappear again. He hadn’t realised she would be leaving so soon. But this is what it would be like all the time. He’d be constantly missing her.

  “Okay, I have to work anyway. It’s ironic, you’re leaving me here in London to go to my hometown without me. I wish I could go with you.”

  He held her silvery gaze, lit by mischief and laughter. What was she thinking?

  She licked her lower lip. “What would you do if I kissed you right now?”

  Speechless. He had nothing. He ran over the past few minutes in his mind, trying to catch up on where her head was at. A small smile played across her gorgeous lips.

  “But the rules, you said … I’d shut the hell up and let you kiss me.”

  He froze, intent on her every move.

  Sinead stepped forward, one, two tiny footsteps, almost on the edge of her doorstep. She reached up and wrapped her freezing cold fingertips around the back of his neck, then tousled his hair at the nape. Shivering from the cold and her touch, he closed his eyes. He needed a moment. God, he wanted her. More than ever. The anticipation was killing him.

  The gentle press of her lips on his mouth sent his eyelids flying open. He sneaked a look at her up close, lashes fluttering closed, strands of sugar-silk hair drifting around her shoulders.

  Then her scent hit him. Her taste, like wine and sweet summer flowers. It took him straight back to their private little world in the hotel in Singapore, when they’d been so wrapped up in each other, nothing else had mattered. For a while. He wanted it again.

  Reaching out, he let his hands skim over the curve of each of her hips, then pressed his fingertips into the warm flesh through the flimsy material of her dress. So much for the rules.

  The groan which rose up into his throat was embarrassing. Except she captured it with her kiss. Her mouth. Deeper, pulling him into her heat. He answered her request, stroking into her mouth with his tongue, tasting her, remembering her.

  Too soon, she pulled back, resting her forehead against his. His breathing was too fast, his skin stretched to breaking point. At least, she seemed to be affected by him the same way. They were in this thing together, one hundred per cent.

  “Jaysus, you know how to kiss. I wanted us to slow down, but when you kiss me, it’s perfect.” Sinead stroked her fingers across his cheek, down to his sharp-edged jaw.

  “You’re perfect.” He knew she wanted him too. That was enough. For tonight. “You’d better get some sleep before your flight tomorrow. I’ll say goodnight, Irish.”

  “Goodnight, Gabriel.” Her voice quavered. A touch of regret? He couldn’t say.

  He could feel her eyes on him, a tangible touch, as he walked down the narrow path to his car. Only a couple of days, then she’d be back.

  He could wait, no worries.

  CHAPTER TEN

  He was already heading out of the office at 6 p.m. the next day when it struck.

  Throb, throb, throb.

  The pain was near blinding, the head-spin so sudden, his knees collapsed under him.

  Gabriel sank to the office floor and rolled over to lie flat on his back on the carpet. Horizontal was an improvement.

  The voice he heard hovering over him a few minutes later wasn’t one he recognised. But he was already out of it. Liquid shapes swam in his peripheral vision.

  “Gabriel! Should I call an ambulan
ce? Oh God, is it your heart?” A dark-haired woman. She sounded panicked. Whoever she was. He couldn’t focus on her face, his vision was too blurred.

  He rasped out some words. “No, migraine. Get Ryan.” His voice sounded choked to his own ears.

  The next thing he knew, his head was lifted off the floor and a pillow was placed under his neck. Much better. Then there was something cool on his forehead, easing the pain behind his eyes.

  “Gabe, are you all right? What else can we do?” It was Ryan, crouched beside him. His best friend’s face blurred as if he was in a car looking through a rain-smeared windshield.

  “Take me home? I mean, back to the hotel.”

  “Of course, mate. Let’s get you down to the car.”

  So hot. Sweating buckets, and his mouth was dry. Tongue like sandpaper. A darkened room, smooth cotton sheets wrapped around him. The hotel. London.

  How long had he been down for the count this time? He shifted and glanced down his body. He still wore his business shirt and trousers under the covers. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember how he got into bed.

  Somewhere down the road or somewhere closer, his phone buzzed with a brain-shaking echo. A woman answered it, thankfully. No need to move.

  “Hello, Gabriel’s phone … Sorry, he’s sleeping at the moment. Can I take a message?” She yawned. “No? Okay then. Goodbye.”

  Someone walked over and touched his forehead, put something cold there. Better. Someone was looking after him for a change. He wished it was his Mum. He missed her.

  If Sinead was here, she’d look after him. He missed her too.

  He remembered something. He had to call Sinead, as soon as he could function again. He needed to hear her voice.

  Melbourne, Australia

  Sinead finally kicked back on the bed in the swanky Southbank hotel. It was good to stop moving. She swivelled her ankles, one by one, then stretched her calf muscles. The long-haul flight to Melbourne with two stopovers was a killer. She couldn’t even remember what time zone she was in.

  Luckily, she’d pre-programmed the Melbourne and London times into her phone. Her hand shot out sideways and banged around on the bedside table, searching aimlessly for the phone. She really should open her eyes. She clunked the lamp on and checked the time.