It was my turn to blink at her now, but as I did, a gigantic grin broke out across my face and excitement slammed into me. “Yes? You’ll come?”
Like a flash, I was out of my seat, pulling her out of hers and into my arms, not giving a damn if someone who knew my sister saw us right now. “Thank you, Em. You won’t regret this. I swear. We’re going to have the best time and we’re going to work out. I can feel it in my bones.”
Because I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure we do.She was the girl I wanted in my life for good, and I wouldn’t let her go again without a fight.
28
EMMA
Ican’t believe I’m going to Paris today!Standing in the bustling terminal at the international airport in Boston where we were getting on our direct flight to France, I did my best to drink it all in.
There were people racing by with their wheelie bags rolling along behind them and others enjoying a cup of coffee or a quick bite at one of the many eateries available. Screens mounted everywhere showed the departure times of the next flights and the gates travelers needed to report to in order to board.
It was strangely silent for a place with so many people in it, but there was also the low hum of chatter and, every so often, the roaring sound of airplanes taking off outside. I hadn’t even left American soil yet, and I was already in awe of the experience.
“Are you ready?” Colt asked, his fingers sliding between mine as he took my hand again and squeezed it. “I got you some books from the duty-free store while I was in there.”
“Thanks,” I said, mentally shaking myself out of my trance as I turned to smile at him. “Did you manage to find the gifts you wanted for your colleagues overseas?”
“Sure did. They’re nothing fancy. Just some basic chocolates, cigars, and stuff.” Leaning over, he kissed my temple and pulled back to look down into my eyes, the dark brown of his gaze sparkling like precious gemstones when he did. “You never answered my question. Are you ready?”
Glancing around to take in my surroundings once more, I nodded and gave his hand a squeeze in return. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Is it time?”
He dipped his head in a nod. “Yep. First-class boarding starts in about five minutes. What did you think of the lounge?”
“I think people who fly first class clearly expect way too much luxury,” I teased. “The fancy champagne and all those tiny cheeses and spreads were great, but I would’ve been just as happy with a coke and a burger from the food court.”
Laughing, he slung an arm around my shoulders and tugged me into his side. He started guiding me toward our gate. “I know you would’ve been, and so would I, but there’s nothing wrong with some luxury from time to time.”
We walked at a leisurely pace. He pulled our carry-on bags behind him while I only had to worry about my purse. It occurred to me that I hadn’t been stressed about the flight or any of the practical arrangements once. Teddy had made a point of telling me how much it had worried them, but Colt was such a seasoned traveler that I hadn’t even broken a sweat and neither had he.
He was too calm for me to get stressed, and since he was keeping our passports and had made all the travel arrangements, all I had to do was go along. I could definitely see how all this could quickly become overwhelming, though.
When we’d left Rockdale early this morning, I’d been nervous, but Colt was being so sweet and attentive, such a rock to lean on, that all I’d felt since was awe and excitement. Both of those feelings ramped up several notches when we were among the first people to board the plane and I saw the lap of luxury we’d be traveling across the ocean in.
“Wow. Those armchairs are bigger than the one my dad had all through high school.”
He laughed. “They’re probably more comfortable to make out in, too. There wouldn’t be any springs poking into my ass. Plus, they recline fully and they have those neat privacy shields.”
My cheeks caught fire, but I shook my head at him. “Neat privacy shields or not, there won’t be any joining the mile-high club for us. I’m not going to jail because we got caught with our pants down by an air marshal.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, then winked at me. “There won’t be any marshals at our hotel, but I can’t wait to make love to you in the city of love.”
“Colt,” I protested when he said it loudly enough for the hostess to overhear him. She pretended she hadn’t, though. Politely showing us to our seats, she hurried to welcome some less horny travelers while we got settled in. “I can’t believe you did that.”
Waggling his brows at me after he buckled his safety belt, he reached over and put his hand on my thigh. “You can’t believe I did what? Tell you the truth?”
I glanced down at his hand before I looked back into those eyes that had been sparkling since the very moment I’d said yes to coming to Paris with him. “You’re very touchy-feely when you’re not trying to hide a relationship, aren’t you? As touchy-feely as you are vocal, it seems.”
“You don’t like it?” His brow puckered even as he shrugged. “I’ve never been shy, Em. You know that. It’s not about showing the world that you’re mine or anything like that, although I will admit to liking that anyone and everyone will finally know it. I just like touching you, and since we’ve always had to be careful to keep the secret, it’s nice to be able to kiss you whenever I want.”
“I can’t argue with that logic,” I said and tensed when the floor started vibrating slightly beneath my feet. “What is that?”
“Same as it was on our flight over here,” he murmured soothingly. “It’s just the engines warming up. Nothing to worry about.”
I sighed, putting my hand on his still resting on my leg. “All of this is going to be quite an adventure, isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” he replied, holding my hand all through takeoff and pointing out some of the landmarks in Boston that were visible from the sky.