Page 43 of The Duke's Virgin
Immediately, my head filled with Stacia’s scent.
I breathed her in, and my cock stiffened. Most commercial airline seats weren’t made with the maximum of comfort in mind anyway, and although this was a nice craft, the seat still didn’t allow for me to stretch out or do a damn thing to relieve my condition.
I shifted.
My arm brushed hers.
That didn’t help.
I shifted again, this time pulling away from the armrest separating us, although I couldn’t help but notice as she adjusted in her seat too. Was she as aware of me as I was of her?Couldshe be? I could hear her breathing, even above the noise in the cabin, and I wouldn’t have thoughtthatto be possible.
My peripheral vision had always been stellar, and I could see the rise and fall of her breasts under the teal material of her skinny-strapped tunic. Her skin glowed with a delicate tan, and I wanted to stroke my fingers along her arm, feel the silkiness there.
She shivered.
I almost asked if she was cold, then reminded myself she didn’t want to talk to me.
Courtesy, though, demanded it.
Setting my jaw, I swung my gaze over to her. She was staring determinedly out the window.
Lost for words, I stared at her profile and watched as she brought her arms up, crossing them over her chest. My control was shot completely, eroded by the stress of worrying about Emmett half the day, and I found myself looking down, watched as she hugged herself. I had a flash of a second where I caught of view of her nipples, shielded by her bra and her shirt, but hard and erect, pressing against the teal fabric.
My mouth went dry. She hugged herself more determinedly, hiding her breasts more completely with her arms, and I jerked my gaze away, my cock now pulsing so hard and twisted into a position so painfully uncomfortable, I wasn’t sure if it would ever straighten again.
I slumped low in desperation, and that brought some ease. Some. Not a lot, but I’d take what I could get. Easing back upright, I grunted uncomfortably and looked toward the front of the cabin, wondering if I had time to get up and hit the bathroom, just so I could adjust my fucking dick.
But the airline attendant took his position at just that moment, and I swore under my breath.
“If you’re this impatient to get to New York, why didn’t you just get a private jet?”
The sound of Stacia’s voice was a welcome distraction, even if it did make my heart bump and jerk against my ribs. Swinging my head around to look at her, I said, “What?”
“You’re clearly in a hurry. Why take a menial commercial airline? Don’t you have a private jet at your command, Your Highness?”
There was a look of disdain in her eyes I hadn’t seen before, and it got under my skin, grating like sandpaper against my spine, but I pushed it aside, just glad she was talking to me.
“I couldn’t wait. My parents took the jet on a trip to Papua New Guinea, and I have to get to Montreal as soon as I can.”
“Why?” She cocked her head, a frown line appearing between her eyes.
I told her.
The story came pouring out unchecked.
Bit by bit, the cool set of her features faded until it was gone completely. Bit by bit, her eyes warmed, then softened with compassion.
And when she reached out and closed her hand over mine, I found myself clinging to her the way a child might cling to his mother.
“He’s one of my best friends,” I said, slumping in the seat. We’d finally reached cruising altitude, and the attendant had started serving us. I had a double serving of Glenlivet 12 in front of me. I had every intention of ordering more too. I’d offered to buy Stacia a drink, but she’d only wanted ginger ale. After one sip, she put it down, and it looked like she’d forgotten about it. “I can’t stop imagining the worst.”
“There hasn’t been any more news?”
I grimaced and pulled my dead phone from the pocket of the seat in front of me. “No way to check. I left my fucking charging cord in my luggage.”
“Well, I can help with that, at least.” She reached down and picked up her purse, pulling a cord out within seconds. “Here.”
Relief crashed into me. I took it, looking into her eyes. “Thank you.”
