The Trouble with Pilots

by Kristi Ahlers

  Sarah had just begun to relax when a loud banging sound shook her part of the plane. Unable to help herself, she jerked in her seat.

  “What the hell was that? Did something fall off the plane, like the engine?” Even she heard the panic filling her voice and there wasn’t anything she could do about it. The idea of forgetting the whole thing raced through her mind; it wasn’t too late to get off this tube of death.

  Trey’s other hand was on her free one. She looked down and watched him gently pry her hold from his arm. She hadn’t realized she’d grabbed him when the sound startled her.

  “Easy, pixie. That noise was just the cargo doors being closed.” Tenderly, he eased her grip on his arm and placed it in her lap beside the one he held before he slowly began rubbing his thumb in circles across the smooth skin on the backs of her fingers.

  She looked up at Trey again and noticed he had a dimple on his right cheek when he smiled. Something about this man made her relax once again.

  “Thank you.” With a self-depreciating laugh, Sarah leaned her head back against her seat, suddenly rather tired. “You must think I’m being silly.”

  “Don’t apologize. It’s okay to be afraid.”

  Sarah rolled her head to the side and met his gaze. “Ha! So says the guy responsible for flying tubes of death on a regular basis.” Oh God, did she just say that? Stifling a yawn with the back of her free hand, she smiled. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here letting a perfect stranger hold my hand. A pilot no less. You guys are ego maniacs with the morals of alley cats—no offense,” she added, yawning outright. “Sorry. I guess that was rude. You’re being so nice to me while I try not to completely freak out.” Another yawn caught her unawares but at this point she didn’t care about good manners.

  Trey gave her hand a little squeeze. “I understand.”

  “I guess the doctor was right. The pills he gave me are making me sleepy,” Sarah slurred as another yawn approached, this one making her eyes water. “I promise I’ll try not to be a bother during the flight.” She let her eyes drift shut.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  Sarah smiled in her sleep, feeling all warm and cuddly. She inhaled deeply and moaned with pure pleasure at the woodsy and musky scent filling her senses. She snuggled deeper into the warmth, loving the sensations swirling through her warm body.

  She dreamed of a man with thick, dark hair, intense green eyes and strong arms reaching out to encircle her.

  She went into her dream lover’s embrace with a sigh, feeling her hot breath against his skin. His scent assaulted her again and she couldn’t help snuggle closer to trail nibbling kisses along the corded muscles of his neck. The salty taste on her tongue sent a thrill though her body. She pressed herself closer to continue her sweet exploration, enjoying the swift intake of breath from her mystery man.

  For the first time in her life, she felt emboldened. She touched her lips to his; warm sensations of his breath mingled with hers. The sweet taste of peppermint tingled upon her tongue as she deepened her kiss.

  Sarah settled into her dream lovers arms, prepared to stay there an eternity, loving the way he held her head so tenderly as he took control, leaving her overcome with molten desire.

  The velvety rub of their tongues fanned the flames of desire deep inside her. She wanted to crawl into this guy’s lap and kiss him forever. Need filled her to overflowing and she gave into the desire, to lose herself just this once in these sensations.

  She released the seat belt before she wrapped her arms around his neck and slid onto his lap. When she felt a hard ridge against her bottom, satisfaction rushed through her like white water rapids. It thrilled her being able to affect her dream lover in such a way.

  Losing herself in the heat and eroticism of the kiss, Sarah put all worries and concerns aside, enjoying the feel of her dream lover cupping her aching breast. He brushed his thumb over her nipple, sending shockwaves of longing coursing through her blood stream. A gasp of need escaped her lips as her lover kissed along the line of her jaw. The tender tip of his tongue against her skin made her shiver. She didn’t want this to end.

  To her disappointment, Sarah’s dream began to fade as she woke. Slowly, she opened her eyes and blinked to clear the muzzy feeling from her head. As her vision cleared, she realized the kiss had not been a dream. The hand on her breast didn’t belong to just anyone.

  “Oh, my, God.” Sarah gasped loudly, jerking back into her seat and putting her back against the cabin wall. Her shaking hand flew up to her kiss swollen lips. “Why did you kiss me?

  “Ha, I didn’t kiss you, darlin’. You kissed me and it was good.”

  When Trey reached out to touch her, she jolted back, hitting her head against the window ledge.

  “I didn’t kiss you. And you can’t be kissing me,” she added, rubbing her head.

  Without thinking, she licked her lips, unable to ignore the pepperminty sensation still tingling there. She’d been well and truly kissed by this stranger; a pilot for heaven sakes.

  This isn’t happening.

  Trey leaned forward, and under his breath, he said, “We did kiss, princess, and you started it.”

  Oh, God! Could she be losing it due to lack of oxygen? Maybe pressurization wasn’t her thing.

  No! It was the medication her doctor had prescribed. It had to be. She’d never have— It didn’t bear thinking about. She had a few words to say to her doctor the next time she saw him.

  She gazed up at Trey once more, the look on his face telling her she had to face the facts. She’d started it. She’d kissed him—a man she knew she couldn’t have a relationship with. Heck, she didn’t even know him.

  Well, that wasn’t totally correct. She knew he was a pilot and could kiss her panties off her body if given half a chance.

  Deciding she needed to get a grip and control over the situation, she decided to play it cool and collected, like she kissed guys senseless while she slept.

  Sleep kissing. Really?

  Sarah sat back against her seat and pushed the window shade up and noted the sunny morning. “Yes, well, I’m sorry for that. You stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine. I’m sure this flight is almost over and we will never have to see each other again.”

  God, was that her sounding so bitchy? She rubbed her forehead. “Look, I’m sorry, this isn’t who I am. Please just forget this happened.”

  “Whatever makes you dance, princess.”

  “Thank you. And stop calling me, princess.”

  “Then stop acting like one.”

  Sarah narrowed her eyes at him. “Y’all are alike. Did you know that?” She pointed a finger at his chest. “You adrenaline junkies all think you’re so witty, so hot, so…so…” She was at a loss for words and strangely angry that he thought she was acting like a spoiled princess. What had she done to deserve that?

  Thank goodness she wasn’t going to see this arrogant jerk ever again.

  CHAPTER 4

  Sarah climbed into the backseat of the limo Hannah sent to collect her from the airport and rested her head against the plush seat, letting out a deep sigh. She was emotionally and physically exhausted. She’d survived her first ever flight. Just. But she’d also kissed a perfect stranger. If she were completely honest with herself, the kiss had rattled her more than the transatlantic flight.

  Even now, her lips felt swollen and sensitive. She fancied she still tasted him on her tongue. Memories sent waves of longing through her. Too bad he’d been rude and arrogant. And a pilot.

  Well, if she was still being honest, she had acted every bit of the princess he’d called her.

  The driver finished stowing Sarah’s bags in the trunk then returned to the limo. Lowering the partition, he smiled through the opening and asked, “How was your flight, mademoiselle?”

  “Long. I’m glad to be able to stretch my legs.”

  “Oui, I can imagine. I will take you to your hotel so you may rest and refresh yourself. I will return this evening and take you to join
Mademoiselle Walsh and her fiancée for dinner.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” Sarah stifled a yawn and watched as the driver turned around in his seat, fastened his seatbelt then pulled out into traffic.

  The drive into Paris went quickly as Sarah took in the scenery. In short order, she was ensconced in the presidential suite of the Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeline. She rushed to the big windows to admire the beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Leave it to her best friend to arrange this special room as reward for hauling her backside onto a plane.

  It amazed her to be in The City of Light and was getting ready to design a dress that would be seen by millions. Relief should have washed over her by now at surviving her first time on a plane, but all she could think about was kissing her sexy seatmate. What had gotten into her?

  Turning away from the windows, she went into the bedroom where the porter had deposited her belongings and unzipped her suitcase. She pulled out her toiletries bag and headed to the bathroom. Her breath caught when her gaze was drawn to the decadent whirlpool bath.

  Sarah nearly jumped for joy as she spun the taps and adjusted the water temperature. “If this is what’s on the other end of a plane trip, I might have to make a few more of them,” she said, pouring a splash of fragrant bath bubbles into the water stream.

  She hummed to herself while the tub filled. She grabbed her romance book then a bottle of spring water from the wet bar before undressing and slipping into the velvety warmth of the water. The whirlpool was nearly silent as she leaned her back against the cool porcelain, propped her head on a bath pillow and closed her eyes. Travel fatigue tugged at her, leaving her feeling lethargic and bone-weary. But the warm, swirling of water worked the stress from her tired body and pulled her into a semi-conscious state.

  Her mind drifted, and despite her best effort, she kept thinking about the stranger on the plane.

  Trey Chasen.

  Even his name sounded sexy to her. The way he’d talked to her, trying to ease her fears; his voice was as smooth as honey bourbon and caressed her nerve endings, leaving her aching and wanting.

  Try as she might, she couldn’t forget his masculine scent as it filled her nostrils, the heat of his skin against hers, the taste of him on her tongue . . .

  Her mind continued drifting, replaying the kiss and how good it was, and how every fiber of her body responded to the caress of his mouth against hers. She licked her lips, wishing she could still taste his flavor, wishing he was there with her, his mouth against hers, teasing and tormenting her with the sensual dance of his tongue against hers.

  Part of her wished she could shed her need to be good just once and take a walk on the wild side. She’d practically crawled into his lap while she had her tongue in his mouth and her arms around his neck. But instead of giving in, she pulled back.

  Sarah’s eyes snapped open, realizing the water had cooled. The light in the bathroom had dimmed and she knew it was getting late. When did the driver say he’d return?

  Shoot, she still hadn’t put together any designs for her friend because she’d been too keyed up before the trip to concentrate. Friend or not, she needed to be professional and make sure she had some design choices for Hannah to look at. Trey Chasen made her forget the real reason she tormented herself by getting on a plane to come here.

  “God, what’s wrong with me?”

  Sarah slid beneath the water and held her breath until her lungs started burning before resurfacing. She wiped the water from her eyes with a dry towel and decided then and there that if she ever got the chance to live a little wild, she’d take it.

  Reluctantly easing out of the tub, she said, “You only live once, Sarah.”

  Once dressed and her hair done, Sarah padded out to the sitting room and over to the desk where she’d left her sketch book. She leafed through the portfolio containing the images of her friend, Hannah, and her handsome fiancé, Damien Jacques. It had been months since she and her friend had seen each other in person. Skype was great but nothing like the real thing. She couldn’t wait to see her friend again.

  Sarah noticed Hannah’s dress sense had changed since living in Paris. Gazing at her friend, she saw the happiness on her face and love in her eyes for the man she was about to marry. She looked both classic but fresh and an idea flashed in Sarah’s mind.

  Grabbing her pencils and bottle of water, she headed out to the balcony and sat at the table, enjoying the beautiful Parisian evening. Her pencil flew across the white paper as design after design came to her. It was important to her to always give her clients several choices to decide from. Sometimes she picked what Sarah had already designed; other times, elements from all the choices were combined into one unique design. She was often as amazed by the final design as her clients were.

  Once Sarah finished her drawings, she sat back and relaxed, grateful Hannah had chosen her to design her wedding dress, and very appreciative of Ashley’s dogged determination that Sarah conquer her fears of flying and come to Paris.

  She knew, without doubt, tonight was going to be the beginning to her future.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

  She was speechless when the driver pulled up the château owned by renowned vintner Damien Jacques. The sprawling manor left Sarah in awe as she took in the deep burgundy and red ivy covered facade with its glinting windows and sculpted stonework, amazed someone would call this a home. She knew Damien’s family were vintners to royalty, going as far back as the Sun King himself, Louis XIV. Hannah had told her all about the centuries old manor. Sarah adored everything antique and couldn’t wait to see the place Hannah was going to call home.

  The driver got out of the limo and opened her door, extending his hand to her. Sarah stood on the cobbled drive with shaky legs, her gaze continuing to take in the historic house.

  Then Hannah was rushing through the front door and down the stairs. She looked exactly as she did in the photos—radiate, happy and in love. Sarah couldn’t have been happier for her friend.

  “Welcome to France.” Hannah practically leapt into Sarah’s arms and hugged her tightly. “I’m so thankful you decided to fly over. I didn’t want anyone but you designing my wedding dress. How was your flight?”

  “It was an experience,” she admitted truthfully. She knew she’d tell Hannah about Trey, but this wasn’t the time or place. “I’ve got some great design ideas to show you.”

  Hannah pulled back and waved her hand. “I already know you’ll come up with something that’s totally me. No one knows me better than you. Your designs are exactly what I want . . . romantic and dreamy.”

  Sarah couldn’t help but smile at her friend. Even though she hadn’t seen Hannah in over a year, and even though she was to marry one of France’s most notorious rakes, Sarah saw how happy her friend was and that none of this had changed her friend.

  “So, when do I get to meet this dream man?” she asked.

  “He’s waiting inside. I told him I wanted you all to myself for a minute first.”

  Sarah grasped Hannah’s outstretched hand and let herself be led into the château. She was surprised to see, instead of coats of arms and cool stone, the entry hall that was as warm and welcoming just as its new mistress.

  “I hope you’re not too jetlagged. I promise this won’t be a late night for you. I just couldn’t wait to see you again. It’s been so long.”

  Hannah led the way down a long hall as she continued talking. “We still don’t know why you won’t stay here with us though.”

  “I didn’t want to impose. And besides, it’s too far from the city to work on your dress. All the finest milliners are there. It makes more sense.”

  “I suppose your right. I don’t have to like it though.”

  “There will be other visits, and you can’t always get your way,” Sarah teased. “I’m here though so that’s a huge deal. And I would love to come back and visit one day.”

  Hannah stopped before a wide door and turned to Sarah. “Really? It means more air travel.”
/>
  “I know. Don’t remind me. But, yeah, I think I can do it again. Especially if it means coming back to see little yous running around!” Sarah laughed at the look on her friend’s face.

  “I suppose you think me silly, but I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little girl.”

  “Which part? You’ve had a vivid imagination for as long as I’ve known you.”

  “The whole thing, Sarah. The dress, the church, the dashing price charming . . .”

  “I can tell you’re smitten. All brides should be as excited as you. I’m thrilled you asked me to create the dress of your dreams. After all, you’re marrying the man of your dreams.”

  Hannah smiled. “You’ll never admit it but you’re as romantic as me.”

  Before Sarah had a chance to rebut the comment, Hannah swung open the door and ushered her into the most amazing room she’s ever seen. In the center of the large room was a regulation-size pool table. At one end of the room was a big screen television surrounded by several comfortable overstuffed sofas and chairs. On the opposite end of the room, was a row of . . . pinball machines?

  Walls were lined with a mix of floor to ceiling glass-fronted book cases and obviously very old painted portraits and landscapes. The ceiling hung with what looked like original crystal chandeliers. And two ornate fireplaces flanked each side of the door where Sarah stood with her mouth agape, appreciating that she’d just stepped into the ultimate man cave.

  Hannah’s voice broke Sarah’s thought. “Sweetheart, I want to introduce you to Sarah Harper, my best friend in the world. And the woman who’s going to make me beautiful on our wedding day.” Hannah turned to Sarah, “This handsome man is my soon to be husband, Damien Jacques.”

  Damien cast a quick glance at Hannah when he said, “You are already beautiful, ma cheri.” Then he focused his green gaze on Sarah. “Enchanté, mademoiselle Harper. I’ve heard much about you.”