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She was looking out the window, seemingly distracted by some thought like she was a short while ago. I wondered what else was on her mind.
I recalled her saying earlier that she’d learned to live her life in a way that made her happy, but had she truly mastered the art of doing so? What about when she thought no one was looking, like the day I saw her walking on the opposite side of the busy London street? Her shoulders had drooped, as if she carried pain too heavy to bear. That depth of sorrow didn’t come from feeling purposeless.
Maybe someday soon, she’d trust me enough to allow me to soothe whatever it was that made her sad.
When I pulled up to the hangar, the plane was already outside.
Angel approached when I opened the passenger door and El got out.
“Eliza?” said Angel with wide eyes.
El gasped. “Teagon? My goodness. How are you?” The two women cheek-kissed and embraced.
Angel glanced over at me and smiled, then looked back at Eliza. “I had no idea the two of you were acquainted.”
“I don’t know how you would have,” I said, raising a brow.
“Apologies, boss,” Angel said, winking at El.
“Teagon and I have been friends since primary school, but it’s been far too long since we last saw one another.”
“I do wish we had time to catch up, but we should board before we miss our departure window,” Angel said, motioning to the plane.
“Who’s flying with you today?” I asked.
“Crash, err, Smith.”
“Smith Lavery?” El gasped. “You’re both pilots. Well done.”
When my eyes met Angel’s, she nodded once.
I kept my hand on the small of Eliza’s back as we made our way to the airstairs. After leading her to seats closer to the plane’s aft, I raised the armrest between us. “I hope you don’t mind that I cannot seem to stop touching you.”
El’s expression sobered, and she leaned closer to me. “I don’t want you to stop,” she whispered, stroking my hand with her fingertip when I rested it on her leg. “Levi, I…”
“Go on.”
“Being with you feels so natural, as if I’ve known you far longer than I have.”
I waited, knowing if I spoke, she’d likely not tell me what was really on her mind.
“Earlier, when we were on the beach, I said if you didn’t stop what you were doing, I’d have my way with you.”
My already stiffening cock strained against my trousers. “Yes.”
Her breath quickened, and her eyes met mine. “I’m unsure what to expect once we arrive in Algarve.”
I reached up and brushed her hardened nipple with the back of my hand, then leaned closer and kissed her before resting my head against the seat. “I’ve never brought anyone to Casa Melro, El. Not even my family. Rather than second-guess doing so or talking myself out of it, I went with what felt natural. From this moment on, I want that to be what leads us. No expectations, just what feels right.”
Eliza closed her eyes and brought my hand back to her breast. “Do you know how much I want you, Levi?”
17
ELIZA
Isaid it, and I’d not regret doing so. I throbbed for him. Chills spread over my body that had nothing to do with the temperature inside the plane. It was all him and the longing I felt.
His fingers toyed with my already hardened nipple, and I hissed.