Kimber Chin

Read Part 1 Here

“Can I please get a blanket for him? The plane’s a little cool.” His tiny neighbor stopped the flight attendant. Tora, she’d said her name was when she introduced herself to the entire first class cabin.

“Of course, hon.” She got a big assed smile from the overworked woman.

Tora had gone from miss to hon in less than a half hour. That must be some sort of record.

Behind dark glasses, Michael watched the blonde beauty fuss about, straightening the papers she’d tucked into the seatback in front of him. He never thought of himself as someone needing to be cared for but with her, it was kind of nice. After a brutal week with the sharks in Chicago, he relished in the pampering.

“Here you are, sweetheart.” The flight attendant was back. “Do you need anything else?”

Tora seemed to take ‘you’ to mean ‘him.’ She looked him over from head to foot. He kept his face completely expressionless. “No, I think we’re fine. Thank you.”

She shook out the blue blanket. It fluttered down on top of him. When she leaned over to tuck the edges in, swaddling him like a baby, Michael breathed deeply. She smelled of lemons and honey.

“You shouldn’t work so hard,” she berated him. She pushed back hair that had fallen across his forehead, her soft fingertips grazing his skin. He felt the impact straight down to his toes. “There is no need to.” She loosened his tie. Her touching a complete stranger like that would have been alarming if he hadn’t been that complete stranger. “If you sleep, it won’t be the end of the world.” Her hands traveled down his body. “The work’s not going anywhere.” She paused just above his belt. “What’s the rush?” She bit her bottom lip, her blonde head bowed.

Lord almighty, if she touched his belt, he wouldn’t be able to control his reaction. Her hands moved. He caught them in time. “The financing had a drop dead date.” She started, trying to pull away. He didn’t let her. “I needed it extended before it expired.”

“You’re awake,” she accused him as though it were a crime. “You should be sleeping.”

“And you shouldn’t be touching me, Tora.” He easily held her with one hand, his fingers wrapped around both of her wrists. He slid down his sunglasses to look at her properly. Her blue eyes flinted sparks. “You don’t know who I am.”