Flight

by Colmer, Siena

  But she did.

  For the next couple of weeks, Charlie tried to avoid Ryle as much as she could. It was not easy since he was supporting her team, and she was far too conscious of his presence. She didn’t need this complication. Not now. Not when she already had a lot to think about regarding her relationship with Jeff and the impact it might have on her life at PAL if it became public knowledge. After so many years of firm resolve, it was hard to just let it go.

  Jeff was all she should be thinking about. But ignoring Ryle wasn’t so easy. And her mind kept replaying every interaction she had had with him. How his fingers brushed against hers when he handed her the tools, how he stood just a little too close so that she could barely breathe. He seemed to be every where she was. Every time she turned around, she almost ran into him. How could she get any work done when his knowing eyes were always on her?

  “Here, let me.”

  Charlie stiffened slightly, instantly recognizing Ryle’s deep voice from directly behind her. She wanted to tell him she didn’t need his help, but the truth was that what she was holding was surprisingly heavy. He took hold of it just when she thought her arms were about to give. And with a deft efficiency that surprised her, he connected the loose piece to the main frame.

  Her pride notwithstanding, she knew what was important was that nothing was damaged.

  “Thank you.” She said without turning around. She was afraid to see his face; afraid to look into his eyes. After a long day, she was more vulnerable to his magnetism.

  It was Friday afternoon, after a long week, made that much longer because it was difficult to think of ways to avoid talking directly with Ryle when she was working in the same bay. She was changing a part on the AIR230 when her overalls were splashed with some grease. It was late when she and her team finished.

  “Let’s call it a day.” Charlie decided. It was six o’clock on a Friday night and everyone was eager to get home. “Have a good weekend everyone.”

  “Thanks Charlie; you too.”

  Charlie stayed a little longer to try a couple of things before giving up on it. She went to the locker rooms to change. Dressed in a white shirt and black jeans, she was just coming out of the women’s lockers when she saw Ryle walking down the hall towards the men’s changing room.

  She hadn’t seen him in the hangar for the last couple of hours. She thought he had left already, and so was unprepared to see him walking straight towards her. For a crazy moment, she was almost tempted to run back into the women’s lockers to wait until he had gone into the men’s room first. Clenching her teeth at her own silly cowardliness, she straightened her back and walked as normally as she could to go pass him.

  It was a wide hallway, but he chose to walk on her side. She looked straight ahead, with her head held high. To avoid passing too close to him, she turned a little toward the wall, only to miss a step and stumbled. It was Ryle’s quick reflexes that saved her from falling against the wall and possibly getting a bruised face.

  “Hey, are you all right?” His strong hands were surprisingly gentle on her arms.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” She muttered, trying to escape his devastating presence before her legs gave out on her.

  When Ryle saw her desperation in trying to get away from him, the look of concern on his face was quickly replaced by mocking amusement. He let her struggle free of his hold, but didn’t move back to let her pass. Instead, he trapped her against the wall, his arms extended on either side of her shoulders to keep her from escaping.

  Charlie could barely breathe; he stood so close that she could feel his breath on her hair. His clean musky male scent filled her nostrils. His azure eyes were so mesmerizing that she couldn’t look away.

  “What are you afraid of?” Ryle asked softly.

  “Nothing,” She gasped, very conscious of his sensuous mouth only inches from her own.

  “Nothing? Then why are you trying so hard to run away from me?” His voice had turned husky.

  Reaching out slowly, he trailed a finger lightly down the side of her face. He moved unhurriedly and deliberately, and she watched with wide eyes as it happened. But even in slow motion, she was unable to find the will to stop it, and she still flinched a little when the warm finger first touched her skin. Her eyes closed as she felt it moving down her neck, pausing at the pulse at the base of her neck. Was he going to kiss her? Just the thought turned her insides to jelly…

  The sound of footsteps from the end of the hallway abruptly broke them apart. One second his finger was still resting on her neck, the next second he had moved away from her and was standing at a respectable distance. Charlie opened her eyes bemusedly, only to see one of the workers just coming around the corner, going towards the men’s lockers.

  Taking a deep breath, and without looking at Ryle, Charlie quickly made her escape.

  On Sunday, Charlie and Mandy drove into Chicago to meet up with Becky for a day of shopping. It was a ritual the three friends tried to do at least every few months, although, lately, Mandy had been too busy to come out with them. Taking a break from their shopping, they stopped for a leisure lunch.

  “I’ve never met a guy like Sean; he’s just so amazing.” Becky said. “I know it’s only been two weeks, but it felt like we’ve known each other a life time.”

  Charlie exchanged a grin with Mandy. Becky was a romantic in that she fell in love often and rather quickly, but they had never seen that dreamy look on her face before. For the first time, she looked so blissfully happy that Charlie wondered if it might be the real deal this time. For Becky's sake, she hoped so.

  “How’s the sex?” Mandy asked.

  “Amazing, of course.” Becky grinned. “Like I said, he’s so considerate. He could go on forever just giving me pleasure. He makes sure I’m satisfied before he lets go.”

  “Huh, I remember those days.” Mandy sighed wistfully. “That was before Rob and I are at the mercy and whim of a little impish girl.”

  “And speaking of lovers, when are you going to sleep with Jeff?” Becky asked Charlie pointedly. “You two have been dating how long now? Almost three months? When's it going to happen?”

  “Well, next Saturday, actually.” Charlie grinned. “I'm going to his place. He's making dinner, and I'll be spending the night.”

  “It's about time. I can't believe how long you've been holding out on the guy when he's so completely crazy about you.” Becky said.

  Mandy agreed. “Mmm. He's smart, good looking, stable and he adores you. He even finds your intelligence sexy. What more can you ask for?”

  “Yeah, he's no Brian, that's for sure.” Becky nodded.

  “So what are you going to wear?” Mandy demanded.

  “I thought I’ll wear the emerald green dress with the mock-turtleneck collar and cinched waist. The one we bought last time.”

  “Which one is that?” Becky asked, trying to remember it.

  “Remember that one you made her try on? The one with the sexy cleavage that she can’t wear a bra.” Mandy grinned.

  “Ohh, nice.”

  “Are you nervous?” Mandy asked her.

  Charlie thought for a moment. “A little; it’s been a long time.”

  “Yeah, it’s been more than four years. I’m surprised you still remember what sex is.” Becky said.

  “I’ve been too busy working to have the energy for sex even if I had the opportunity.” Charlie murmured.

  “Well, hopefully Jeff will change that.” Mandy grinned.

  After lunch, Charlie and her friends did more shopping. Becky got a dress for a date, and Mandy bought several items for Megan.

  “This one is adorable.” Charlie said, holding up a pretty little dress. “Do you think Megan would like this?”

  “Megan would like anything with butterflies.” Mandy grinned.

  “I’ll buy this one for her.” Charlie said, looking through the pile for Megan’s size.

  “Oh, hon, you don’t have to.” Mandy said.

  “I want
to.” Charlie murmured. Every time they went shopping in the city, Charlie liked to pick up something for Megan. Just seeing the delight on the toddler’s face was worth it.

  Before wrapping up their shopping, they made a final stop at the liquor store.

  “Do you know what Jeff is making for dinner?” Mandy asked.

  “He said roast lamb.”

  “Mmm, ambitious. I guess he must know how to cook.” Becky said.

  “I think so.” Charlie nodded.

  “Oh God, Charlie, he's so perfect for you. He cooks, you don't. That's like a perfect match.”

  “He is pretty great.” Charlie smiled in agreement.

  “We have a very good selection of Barolo wine here, starting around fifty dollars.” The saleswoman said. “This one, Ginestra Vigna Casa will go excellent with roast lamb.”

  “Sounds good, I’ll take this one.” Charlie agreed.

  “It’s a hundred and twenty dollars a bottle.” The saleswoman said.

  “Fine.” Charlie nodded, smiling.

  “Okay, so we have everything?” Mandy asked as they walked out of the liquor store.

  “All set to go.” Charlie agreed.

  They hugged and kissed Becky goodbye before walking towards the parking lot. Charlie drove today. She borrowed her father’s car. She and Mandy loaded their shopping into the trunk and got into the car.

  “This is good timing,” Mandy murmured, “I’ll get home in time to cook dinner.”

  “Good.”

  “Is Jeff coming over to your parents for dinner tonight?”

  “No. He couldn’t make it tonight; he had a report due tomorrow.” Charlie said. “Tonight is going to be a quiet dinner with just the three of us.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “Mmm. Some days, I prefer the quiet little dinners.” Charlie said.

  “Oh yeah, you’ll really appreciate that when you have a kid.” Mandy grinned.

  “Hey,”

  Charlie looked up to see Ryle standing beside her at the end of the line in the cafeteria.

  “Hi,” She murmured, her whole body suddenly feeling flushed.

  For most of the week, Ryle had been busy supporting another team. She had caught glimpses of him. She seemed to have no problem recognizing his tall lithe frame, even from afar. He wore the same standard navy blue overalls that many of the workers wore on the floor, yet she seemed to pick him out from everyone else just from the way he moved. He didn’t need to draw attention to himself to be noticed. And yet, all the single females seemed to have noticed him. It was that easy-going but self-assured demeanor that was so distracting when she was working in the same bay with him. And it was still distracting now as he stood beside her.

  “How are you?” Ryle asked.

  “Busy.” She answered as she picked up a tray and moved along the line. It was late and the cafeteria was not busy.

  “Still too busy to go out with me?”

  She gave him a cool look. “You don’t seem to be lacking in dates.”

  He shrugged, merely watching as she struggled to reach a particular drink in the cooler. After watching her trying to reach the veggie drink for several moments, he reached up effortlessly and took it down for her. “A guy’s got to have some form of amusement.”

  She laughed, but there was no humor in the laugh. “You really have some nerve.” She asked, taking the can from him without saying thank you.

  “How’s that?” He asked, and she thought she saw curiosity as well as humor in his eyes.

  She couldn’t say why it bothered her so much. Since he started at the plant, there was no shortage of available women interest in him, including Aria. He had stayed away from Charlie. In fact, he seemed almost unaware of her presence and she thought he must have taken what she said seriously. With anyone else, she would be relieved that they were no longer interested. Yet in this case, instead of feeling relieved, she was bothered. And irritated. How he could one minute ask her to go out with him and the next flirting carelessly with other women? Either he was insincere or he just didn’t care. And she had a feeling it was the latter. He had women chasing him and he didn’t care if Charlie said yes or no.

  “I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry.” She muttered in excuse, grabbed a sandwich and fled to the cash register.

  The rest of the afternoon was spent in meetings. It was well past eight o’clock by the time she packed up to leave. She wasn't tired yet. In fact, she had so much pent up energy that she decided to go to the gym to work some of it off. At this time of the evening, the company gym was always deserted. Maybe a cooling swim would do just the trick.

  What she didn't count on was to run into the very person she was trying to work out of her system.

  She had changed into a solid red bathing suit and had taken a quick cool shower before heading out to the swimming pool. It wasn’t until she was out on the deck that she heard the quiet splashes of someone swimming. For a moment, she was surprised and then curious as to who it could be. It was rare to see anyone at the pool at this time of the evening.

  For several minutes, she was fascinated by the powerful strokes that cleaved through the water cleanly and with ease. She was still deciding if she should interrupt or let the guy finish doing his laps first. But even as she was trying to decide, he had suddenly stopped mid-lap, as if sensing her presence.

  “Are you going to just stand there and watch or are you coming in to join me?”

  Too late, Charlie realized she was still staring when she should’ve turned and left as soon as she recognized Ryle. Even half naked as he stood in the shallow waters, he still seemed intimidating.

  His upper body was lean and toned. She watched the water droplets sliding off the smooth skin on his chest, dripping slowly down his wide chest, his taut torso and along the faint ridges of a six pack. And she could almost imagine how he would taste as her tongue followed those water droplets, licking them up, licking his skin. Oh God!

  “Should I get out of the water to give you a better view?” Ryle drawled, amusement dancing in his eyes and it was all Charlie could do to keep from blushing.

  How mortifying, to be caught staring at him like a sex starved adolescent!

  “Thanks but I'm not all that interested in the view.” Charlie managed to say coolly despite her racing heart.

  He laughed, the sound deep and throaty. “You might not be, but I am.” He said, his eyes deliberately raked down her body, taking in every inch of her. Leaving her no doubt as to the view he liked.

  And the blush she was trying hard to hold in check, broke out, heating her cheeks and neck. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious and naked in her bathing suit. It was hard to ignore his eyes moving slowly and deliberately down her body, pausing on the thrusting fullness of her breasts, curving hips and shapely legs.

  “Was that suppose to impress me?” She managed to scoff.

  “Doesn’t it?”

  “No.”

  “So what does impress you? Someone like Hathaway?”

  “I think that’s very apparent.”

  “Oh yeah?” Instead of getting angry that she’d thawed his attempt at more personal questions, he was still amused and confident. “Shall we find out?” He heaved himself out of the water effortlessly, moving with an easy litheness that belied his strength.

  Charlie stiffened, slowly backing away as he advanced. “I know what I like. I don’t need to prove anything to you.”

  She stopped abruptly when she found herself once again backed against the wall and trapped by his arms on either side of her.

  “You seem very sure of what you want.” Ryle murmured.

  With him so close, she could barely breathe, let alone think of an answer. She held her breath as his eyes held hers captive for a long moment, only letting it out when he lowered his eyes. Then her next breath was lost as he raised a hand, his eyes caressing the trail left by his fingers. It was almost as if he never stopped touching her the first time. The warm touch of his fingers on her cool skin
was like a fire brand that left a burning trail wherever he touched. From the side of her neck, across her collarbone, and down between her breasts.

  “So, what were you saying about Hathaway?”

  At the mention of Jeff, Charlie fell abruptly back down to earth. And it was all she could do to push away from Ryle and literally run back into the ladies’ change room. That she couldn’t push him away if he hadn’t let her didn’t occur to her. Her heart hammered in her chest as she ran inside, half afraid he might follow. But he didn’t, and she heaved a sigh of relief as she stepped into the shower, needing something to cool her hot skin.

  Ryle sighed inwardly. He was making a mess of this. He had never met anyone like Charlie before and he wasn’t sure how to get her attention. No woman had affected him like this before. He knew she wanted him; he could see the desire in her eyes, and yet for some reason she wanted to deny it. It seemed there was something she wanted to prove, and she was determined to do it. He was just as determined to prove her wrong. He remembered seeing that exhilarated smile on her face whenever she came back from taking a jet out, that was a smile he wanted to see on face when she looked at him. Strangely, he wanted to be the reason for a smile like that.

  He stood under the spray of the shower, needing a few extra minutes to cool off after his encounter with Charlie. Being near her was not good for his piece of mind. He was on his way to the parking lot when his cell phone rang.

  It was Logan.

  “So, how’s anonymity?”

  “It could be better.”

  “Yeah? Which part?”

  “Let’s see, how about the part where she agrees to go out with me.”

  Logan laughed disbelievingly. “Ryle Sullivan having problems getting a date? Maybe you should flash your VIP card at her.”

  “I'll rather she flash hers at me.” Ryle said mockingly.

  Logan laughed again. “What’s so special about this one that you’re stressing over it?”

  “Who said I’m stressing over it?”