Out of Bounds (The Summer Games #2)(112)

I knew I wanted to be with her. I couldn’t stand the idea of flying home to Seattle without her, so what did that mean?

“I’ve grown…accustomed to you.”

Jesus. Did those words actually just leave my mouth?

She groaned and squeezed her eyes closed. “Oh god, Erik. Did you just give me the My Fair Lady treatment?”

I laughed and leaned forward. She was right. If I was willingly throwing caution to the wind for her, I couldn’t hold back the truth. I wasn’t just attached; I was…

I brushed my hand along the base of her chin and held it in place so she couldn’t shy away from the next few words.

“I love you, Brie.” The words spilled from my mouth so easily it shocked me.

“I love you,” I repeated. “You have to know that.”

The sun shined through the small airplane window, illuminating her bright, glossy eyes. She reached out and pressed her palms lightly to my cheeks.

“I love you too.” She paused as if waiting for me to run at the mention of those words. When I smiled, she continued. “I really do.”

“I wasn’t sure after you rushed out earlier.”

She had to know how much that had hurt.

“No, Erik. Earlier…” She shook her head and gave herself another moment to collect her thoughts. “When I left, it was out of fear. Rosie brought up the fact that I might be sabotaging my own happiness because I’m scared of being left. And I think she’s right. Honestly, I’ve never been in a position like this and I am scared of what will happen to me if…when you move back to Seattle.” She dropped her hands and turned away, summoning more courage before turning back to me. “I’ve never loved like this before…and at times it almost feels like too much too soon.”

I shook my head, so sorry for the things life had taught her. No one should fear love. “You don’t have to be scared.”

She frowned and replied, “I know,” though she didn’t sound convinced.

I turned to face her and leaned closer, squeezing her hand in reassurance. “I don’t know what the future will hold for us, but I’m asking you to trust me, to trust that I won’t take your love lightly.”

She leaned forward and brushed a chaste kiss across my lips. “You know we’re going to fight, right? Probably all the time.”

“I look forward to it. It’s what we do.”

I spoke the words against her mouth and reached up to wrap a hand around her neck, keeping her pinned against me.

“Promise me you won’t push me away. Not this time.”

“You’re a hard man to turn down, Erik.”

I smirked. “And you’re a tough woman to convince.”

Her pulse raced against my palm as I leaned closer and brushed my lips against hers again, long enough that she relaxed into me. Her hands fisted my shirt as she pulled me closer, moaning into my mouth. She was burning me from the inside out, so sweet and seductive.

A throat cleared behind Brie.

“Warm towel, miss?”

Brie pulled away from me and laughed, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth.

“Oh umm…” Brie giggled. “Actually, do you have a bucket of ice water instead?”

I laughed, but the flight attendant didn’t understand her joke. She stood there confused until Brie waved her off with a shake of her head and a quick “no thanks”. When she was gone, I leaned close, too excited and turned on to give her space. I whispered against the shell of Brie’s ear, describing how large the bathrooms were in first class, how easy it would be to unzip her jeans and push her lace aside, how fast I could have her coming once the plane was in the air. I kept whispering dark promises in her ear until her cheeks were rosy red and her chest rose and fell with quick breaths.

“Everyone please buckle your seatbelts and ensure your seat backs and tray tables are in the upright position. Once we’re in the air, you’ll be free to move around the cabin,” the flight attendant instructed from the front of first class before continuing on with her safety demonstration.

Brie turned to me with desperation in her eyes. “How long does it usually take for planes to take off?”

“We’ve probably got another thirty minutes at least.”

She groaned. “Then you need to stop talking until then.”

“You don’t—”

She held up her hand. “Erik, so help me God, if you keep talking, I will unbuckle this seatbelt and climb onto your lap right here in front of everyone.”

I grinned, thinking over the sexy image she’s just painted for me. “I don’t think that would be so bad—”

“Erik.”

“You’re small, Brie. I could take you right here—just grab one of those blankets.”

She was practically squirming in her seat by then and as a flight attendant passed by our row, Brie waved her down. “Excuse me, Miss, is it too late to switch seats? My neighbor is being, er…disruptive.”

She frowned and assured Brie that every seat in first class was full.

“But please let me know if I can do anything to make your flight more comfortable. Would you like that warm towel now?”

Brie groaned and sat back against her seat. “No thanks, I’m good.”