I chuckle because I’ve been expecting a picture like this from my younger brother. My grandma Cece keeps my dog when I travel and playing fetch with a crystal is on brand for her.
“Is that a dildo in the dog’s mouth?”
Holy. Shit.
My head snaps up at the raspy voice, and my gaze immediately locks with a pair of gorgeous brown eyes, flecked with green and gold just like I imagined. I don’t think I knowwhat spring sunshine smells like, but somehow I know that’s exactly the scent that wafts over me as the mystery woman from security shifts, plopping her tote bag on the seat next to me and reaching down to lift her carry-on bag.
“Let me.” I’m on my feet in seconds, stepping out into the aisle in front of her and lifting the bag easily into the overhead compartment. Turning to slide back into the row, I’m suddenly standing face to face with her. My heart knocks and electricity crackles in the space between us. I feel dizzy and a little lightheaded, as if my attraction to this beautiful stranger has sucked all the air out of the plane.
I have no idea what the fuck is happening right now.
I slide back into the row, sitting down heavily in the window seat.
Be cool, Elliot.
Be so, so cool.
“So, in addition to being a maybe weirdo who stares at women in airport security, you’re also a seat thief?”
I glance up, and she’s looking at me with a smirk. My cock stirs at her tone because apparently this morning I can’t control any part of myself. I also have a serious thing for smart, sassy women, and I get the sense this woman has both in spades. “Seat thief?”
She puts her hand on her popped hip, studying me. I’m not ashamed to say that my gaze immediately falls to her left hand, ridiculously relieved to find it ringless.
“I’m in the window seat. 3A, see?” She takes a step into the row to let the people behind her pass down the aisle and then waves her phone in front of my face with her boarding pass up on the screen.
Fuck yes. We’re seat buddies. What an excellent morning. Now it’s my turn to smirk at her. “What will you give me for it?”
She narrows her eyes. “You want me to give you something in exchange for the seat that’s already mine?”
I shrug. “I mean, I guess it could be yours, but I’m sitting here, so I’d argue that right at this moment, this window seat is mine.”
“That’s flawed logic. One call to the flight attendant over there and she’ll bounce your ass right out of that seat and back into your own.”
I smile because bantering with her is the most fun I’ve had in months. Maybe ever. “You could call the flight attendant, but you won’t.”
“And why is that?”
“Because that’s the easy way out, and something tells me you’re not an easy way out kind of girl.” There’s a flash in her eyes that makes me sure I pegged her exactly right, and I feel a glow of victory. “So, it looks to me like you’ve got two options, mystery girl. You can either give me what I want, or you can cool your heels right here in this aisle seat all the way to Boston.”
She blows out a breath that I think is supposed to sound frustrated, but the amusement shining in her eyes gives her away. “So, what is it you want me to give you to buy the seat that is legally mine?”
“Legally, huh? You a lawyer?”
She scrunches up her nose, which makes her look fucking adorable. “God, no. How boring.”
“Got that right. My youngest brother is a lawyer. When he talks about work, I want to lay down and take a nap.” It doesn’t escape me that she doesn’t tell me what she does do, but there’s a long flight ahead of us.
Beautiful mystery girl and I have some learning about each other to do.
“Seat thief, it’s not like I’m not interested in your family history, but my legs are getting tired standing here, and I wouldreally like to know what you want me to give you to take back my rightful seat on this airplane.”
“Your name.”
She cocks her head to the side and looks at me. “My name?”
“I mean, I live for a nickname so maybe I’ll call you mystery girl anyway, but I’d also really like to know your name.”
She smiles, and it lights up her whole face. “Amelia.”
