Page 9

Chapter Nine

Sera

When I walk onto the roof, a laugh of delight and surprise escapes me. Luke is leaning against a helicopter, looking dashing in his dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up. The sunlight glistening through his salt and pepper hair.

"What's this for?" I say.

"For you," he replies, pulling me into his arms and spinning me around into a steamy kiss. I throw my arms around him, holding tightly as we sink deeper into the embrace.

"Where are we going?" I ask, a little breathless after the kiss.

"Do you have a few hours?"

"Yes, but do you ?"

He smirks. "For you, I'll make them. I want to get away, forget, for a short time. I worked all morning, and I'll work all night. Plus, my team is handling things. Being with you is an opportunity I won't pass up."

I kiss him again, his words touching me, his passion blazing through him as we cling desperately to each other as though we never want to let go. Maybe there's some truth there, but eventually we will have to part.

He helps me into the helicopter, strapping me in. The pilots are already seated in the front section. As the blades move, a fresh sense of adventure washes over me. I catch his attention, then pull down my shirt slightly to reveal the pale green strap of my lingerie.

He stares at me with a heated expression, pure hunger that makes me feel utterly desired.

"I've got a surprise for you too," he says, his voice coming through the headset so I can hear him over the engine and blades.

I turn from the shrinking Las Vegas skyline to look at him. "Hmm?"

"Remember when I left you last night so you could get changed in peace? I may or may not have made a purchase..."

"Are you saying what I think you are?"

He smirks. "You'll have to wait and see..."

I gasp upon discovering his surprise. The helicopter lands on the edge of the Grand Canyon, on a secluded strip, without any tourists or onlookers. He's arranged a table and chairs, roses as centerpieces, and champagne chilling in a bucket of ice.

After helping me down from the helicopter, he addresses the pilots, "Take a walk, gentlemen. I'll let you know when I need you again. Thank you."

"Yeah, thanks for the ride," I call as I gaze at my man.

My man . I need to be cautious with such thoughts, not letting my mind wander too far when this can only end one way.

He takes my hand and leads me to the edge of the Canyon. "Before I met you, I was as hollow as this place."

I stare at the breathtaking vastness of the Canyon, awed by its sheer magnitude.

"You shouldn't say things like that," I murmur, turning to him.

He grasps my hips and pulls me close. "We're enjoying what time we have, remember?"

Our kiss erupts with passion, the majestic scenery enhancing the romance.

"I can't believe you did this," I whisper excitedly. "All this effort for..."

"You're worth ten times this effort. You're worth everything." He breathes intensely. "Shall we have some champagne?"

"How could I say no?"

We sit together, the clear blue sky stretching endlessly above us, the canyon vast and magnificent below.

"My mind is constantly occupied by the image of you in that lingerie," he groans, sipping his champagne.

Bubbles dance through me, and not all from the drink. "I'm surprised you went back to buy something else."

He smirks. "The purchase is in the helicopter."

"Are you kidding me?"

He glances around at the surrounding emptiness. I can make out some people, tiny silhouettes against the sun, on the far side of the canyon. We're not completely isolated.

"We should try it out, make sure it works so I don't have to get my money back."

I bite my lip—partly from habit, but honestly? Mostly because I know how it drives him wild. I'm becoming addicted to that look in his eyes, like he can't believe his luck, like he's ready to make me his sole obsession.

"Here?" I murmur.

"In the helicopter," he groans. "No one can see us. The pilots won't return until I text them. Trust me, beautiful, if there was any chance someone else could see you, I'd lose it."

"Some women don't like the whole possessive thing."

"It's lucky you're not one of them," he says fiercely. "And I know you wore that lingerie for a reason, Sparkplug."

I finish my small glass of champagne and stand, walking toward the helicopter. Over my shoulder, I call, "Well, what are you waiting for?"

He jumps to his feet and races after me. I laugh when he lifts me up, cradling me against his chest; the sensation of flying intensifies as I gaze up at the sky. Once we reach the helicopter, he helps me in. After climbing in himself, he shuts the door and turns to me, his body tense with anticipation. He pulls me in for a kiss. I open my mouth, finding his tongue, pressing against it to savor his taste. He groans and grabs my shirt, pulling it up and over my head.

I raise my arms, then gasp when he immediately reaches for my pants.

"I need to see you in that lingerie," he growls. "I need to see every damn inch of you."

"Good things come to those who wait," I tease, stepping back before wriggling out of my pants.

He bites down, his jaw clenching, his temple pulsing. The tension radiating through him is palpable. I feel more beautiful than ever before, sexier, more desired.

Arching my back, I trail my hand between my breasts, toward my sex. "Your turn, Luke..."

He grins. "Disappointment awaits you. I'm not wearing any lingerie."

His rapt attention bolsters my confidence. If this has an expiration date, I can't afford to wait or doubt. So, what if my past sexual experiences were unpleasant? This will be memorable.

I step forward, grab his shirt, and pull so roughly that several buttons pop. "It's like that, hmm?"

He tears his shirt off, revealing his chiseled physique. A groan escapes his lips as he leans down to kiss my breasts. A delicious tingling spreads through me as his left hand glides up my leg while his right simultaneously pulls down my bra to expose my nipples. He presses his palm against my clit, rubbing firmly, increasing his pace gradually.

I grind my hips against him.

"Wait," he says, gasping. "I hope you don't think I've forgotten about your gift."

He reaches under the seat, retrieving a bag. He removes a vibrator from it.

"I googled the quote you saved," he says. "I found the book it was from. I also researched the most famous scene."

My body flushes with heat. Each word pushes me closer to the edge.

"You did, huh?"

"The most famous scene is the hero teasing the heroine with a vibrator, bringing her closer and closer to an orgasm... but not letting her finish. Because Sparkplug – and I agree here – when you come, it's going to be on my dick ."

He reaches for my lingerie and pulls down my underwear, leaving me in only my stockings and bra.

"Turn around and bend over for me," he snarls. "Just like in the book."

This is a literal dream come true, something I never imagined would happen in reality. But I've fantasized about it, wondered what it would be like...

With him behind me, sexual tension vibrates in the air. My skin feels hypersensitive. He turns on the vibrator, its whirring filling the small confines of the helicopter.

"Remember what I said," he rasps in my ear. "We're in the book now; you let your pussy get juicy and soaked for me, you let the pleasure build just enough, but you don't come anywhere but on my cock. Understand?"

I can barely speak, my bookish fantasies springing to life with breathtaking intensity.

He smooths his hand up my inner thigh, palming my sex, rubbing it so that more tingles cascade through me.

"Do you understand, Sparkplug?"

"Yuh-yes," I whimper.

"Good."

Slowly, he brings the vibrator to my core, taking his time, making me wait.

All I can do is prepare... and hope I don't wake up with my book on my face, realizing I've fallen asleep and none of this is actually happening.

Fantasy and reality are merging, transforming into something better than either alone.