Friendly Skies Read online

  She felt sad, too. She felt like she was being broken up with. Again. Twice in the same vacation. This had to be a record.

  “Judy,” he said slowly, looking directly into her eyes, still holding her hand.

  There was such tenderness in his expression she could feel tears forming behind her eyes in response. Oh, great. She was either throwing up or crying with this man.

  “I’m not a guy who has flings or one-night-stands. I don't want to be the rebound guy you date after getting a divorce. I want to be the guy after the rebound. The guy you end up with.”

  Her voice was choked with emotion when she whispered, “Why can't you be both?”

  His eyes flashed, and his expression turned to one of determination. “Let’s get out of here.”

  He paid the check and before she could protest, he picked up her shopping bags and started walking back to the resort.

  She didn’t know what he was thinking, but she decided to let this play out. He seemed like he had something to say. Maybe he didn’t want to say it at the restaurant. Or maybe she’d overstepped again and gotten too serious. God. It was exasperating trying to keep up with him.

  He walked her to her room and brought her bags inside, not saying a word the entire time. He set her things down, and slowly raised his eyes to hers. He was across the room from her, and she could still see the brilliant blue of his eyes. She could look at him forever.

  “Thank you for carrying my things,” she began, but in 3 long strides he was on top of her.

  He quickly wrapped her in his arms and covered her lips with his. He kissed her powerfully, insistent. He would not let her think or take no for an answer. He broke the kiss and began a light trail of kisses down her jawline and onto her neck. He nibbled at her earlobe slightly and she gave a sharp intake of breath. Despite the air conditioning, she was becoming uncomfortably warm. His hands moved around her waistline and under her light top, caressing her stomach and leaving a heat trail. He was branding her. A sound escaped from her throat; it sounded like a cross between a purr and a groan.

  She brought her hands to his waist and under his shirt. She let her hands travel his chest, exploring the solid feeling of his body, and the soft downy hair on his chest. She started to raise his shirt. He let her raise it and helped her pull it over his head, his eyes piercing hers. She couldn’t stop. She couldn’t get enough of this man. She covered his chest with kisses, stopping intermittently to kiss his mouth. He looked both stunned and hungry.

  Jason pulled her to him and unbuttoned her shirt. It was gone before she could think, and he began kissing her breasts along the outline of her bra. In one swift movement, her bra joined her shirt on the floor. Jason pulled Judy with him and they collapsed on the bed. She had that delicious, decadent feeling of heavy male on top of her, kissing her and touching her, leaving little sunbursts of heat in his wake. His hands traveled to the button on her shorts and as swiftly as he removed her bra, he removed her shorts. He left her panties on though. Today’s color was baby blue.

  He raised himself on his elbow and looked at her. He looked at all of her, his eyes traveling slowly down the length of her body and back up again to her face. “You are so beautiful,” he said. He kissed her long on the lips. She broke the kiss but kept her face close to his so that their breath mingled together. Her hands followed the length of his body and stopped at the button of his jeans. They looked right into each other's eyes as she unzipped the fly of his jeans and started to shimmy them down his legs. She gently pushed him onto his back so she could fully remove his jeans and admire his body beneath. His legs were beautiful. They were muscular, hard and perfect, covered in the same downy hair on his chest that trailed over his stomach into his boxers. She began to kiss the area of his stomach where it met his boxers, pushing them down as she worked. She had never been so drawn to a man as she was Jason. She felt wanton.

  He flipped her onto her back and worked at her panties. “I need to taste you,” he said while pulling them off with his hands, and while his mouth was covering each newly exposed area with kisses. She felt herself flood between her legs, and her body throb and ache, and thought she might burst with desire. He slid his tongue along the seam between her legs and she cried out. He began to work her over with his mouth, gently nudging and circling with his tongue, and her body responded. She pushed herself into into him, her need to climax taking over body and mind. When he whispered, “Come for me, Judy,” she tumbled over the cliff and was lost in the pleasure he gave her.

  Instead of pulling away from her, he continued to lick and touch her, patiently letting the pressure in her build again. She moaned. “Jason,” she began, and she pulled him to her. “Inside me, please,” she whispered. Jason kissed her deeply, and positioned himself. She guided him in, loving the feel of his length and girth, having forgotten what it was like to be overcome with desire. They started a slow rhythm, feeling every movement and gazing at each other intensely, gradually increasing speed. Judy’s body once again took over. “Jason, I’m close,” she said and they both exploded in and around each other. Judy felt both lost and found in him.

  As their breathing returned to normal, they looked into each other’s eyes. His expression was back to unreadable, but there was a tenderness to it.

  “Judy.”

  “Jason,” she answered solemnly.

  “That was amazing. And wonderful. And please let it happen again.”

  He smiled, wrapping himself around her. Judy delighted in how perfect this man and this moment were. Yes, please let it happen again. They fell asleep with their bodies fit together like puzzle pieces.

  Later, they woke to the joyous discovery of being next to each other, and yes, it all happened again.

  “I'm hungry,” he whispered in her ear. “Are you? We should eat.” They had been in her room, her bed, for hours, sleeping and loving.

  “I'm starving. Room service or go out?” As if on cue, her stomach let out a loud growl.

  “I’m afraid my purpose is to make sure you are fed,” he said smiling and giving her stomach a caress. “This is our last night here. Let's go out and have dinner and watch the sunset.”

  *

  “A penny for your thoughts,” Jason said.

  They'd both been quiet during dinner. It was fantastic, but they were both seeing the end; when Jason took Judy to LAX and they went separately to Seattle. After all, he had his own life there and she had a divorce to plan. It made her sad, thinking she might not see him again for a while, if at all.

  “I was thinking how lovely this has been,” she said. “I'm sorry we leave tomorrow.”

  Her gaze looked out to the Pacific, and she marveled in the myriad of colors dancing on the waves as the sun went down.

  “I would like to talk to you about that,” he said, his words bringing her gaze back to his. He put his hand over hers on the table. “I realize you have a lot on your plate when we go back, but I was hoping there might be a little bit of room for me.”

  He glanced at Judy with such affection and hopefulness in his eyes, she was struck by his vulnerability. She felt something settle in her chest, some feeling of contentedness and something else deep and serious, and it scared her. Among other things, she was still married, and like it or not she had to deal with her jerk of a husband.

  “Wow. That was an impressive display of emotion that just marched across your face.” He said, while trying not to smile. “I'm not sure if I should be afraid or encouraged.”

  “Be encouraged,” she smiled. She wanted him in her life. “But I do have some unpleasantness to sort out when I get back,” she sighed.

  After dinner, they went for a moonlit walk on the beach. Jason held her hand and drew her to him, bringing her back against his chest as they watched the waves. She felt complete in his arms. He gently kissed the side of her neck, delivering little pockets of warmth where his lips touched her skin. She turned and shifted in his arms. They kissed tenderly and slowly for a long time.


  Wordlessly they pulled back and walked back to the resort. Once in Judy’s room, he slowly covered her with kisses as he unbuttoned her top. He was taking his time, as if memorizing each moment. Judy ran her hands all over his body, leaving no part of him untouched. She felt his desire, insistent against her body. They made love slowly, tenderly, not taking their eyes off each other.

  Later, she watched him sleep with the moonlight shining on him through the windows. He was perfect and peaceful. The soft hair on his chest glistened, and his skin appeared bronzed. His few days of beard growth was sexy; even in her sated state it seemed to beckon her. She ran her finger along his jawline, touching that work of art. He stirred when she touched him, reaching for her and taking her in one swift movement, shocking her, and causing little ripples of pleasure throughout her body.

  As they lay afterward looking at each other, he touched her face with his fingertips, tracing her cheekbone.

  “I am crazy about you,” he said.

  Her feelings mirrored his. She knew part of her feelings were based on physical attraction and sex appeal. But she also knew that underneath those feelings ran a current of more gentle, tender feelings. The kind of feelings that made her want to take care of him, tell him her secrets, and know his.

  “Me, too,” she said, and she smiled at him.

  She was happy. For this moment, in this bubble of comfort and intimacy, she was happier than she’d ever been.

  Chapter Fourteen

  JUDY WOKE UP, ENTWINED in Jason’s arms, immediately aware of their moments together slowly ticking away. They were both quiet at breakfast and again in the taxi they shared on the way to the island’s air strip.

  “Did you enjoy your stay on our beautiful island?” The taxi driver asked on the way.

  They glanced at each other and smiled. “It was wonderful,” Judy said.

  “It was more of a working vacation for me, but I managed to have a little fun,” Jason responded, giving her hand a squeeze.

  “Good, good, we love to see the couples in love.” the driver said. “Please come back and visit us soon!”

  Judy flushed at the driver’s observation, and Jason smiled at her. He grabbed her bags out of the trunk and his own, and headed toward the plane.

  She liked watching him work and getting the plane ready to fly. He was in control and had an air of authority and knowledge around the airplane that was more striking and noticeable than when he was not acting the pilot. This was his terrain, and he was sexy as hell in it.

  “Ready?” He asked as he glanced at her. “I have no flight attendant to bring you champagne, but I promise the plane is clean with plenty of airsick bags.” He grinned mischievously.

  “You are a terrible man,” she punched him playfully in the shoulder. “Please tell me you checked the weather,” she grinned back at him.

  “Well, that stings,” he responded. “And yes, I did. It should be clear flying to LA.”

  She really hoped that she didn't throw up again. They climbed aboard and after he secured their doors, he started the engine.

  “Oh wow—this day is gorgeous!” She could see for miles out in the Pacific Ocean. The sun was glittering on the waves and from the air she could make out everything on the island, and see the interplay of vibrant color everywhere. She felt a sudden pang of longing. She didn’t want to go, and she didn’t want to be away from Jason.

  “I guess you were a little busy on the trip out to notice the view,” Jason smiled.

  “You could say that,” she laughed.

  It really had been a romantic idea to take the plane over to Catalina Island, it was just with the wrong person the first time around. She was glad she was sharing this with Jason.

  All too soon she saw LAX looming below. While the plane descended, Judy reminded herself to love these last few moments together. She was with this incredible man, watching him do something that he truly loved.

  “Oh, I have to hurry,” she said, looking at her watch as the plane taxied to its gate. As he parked it, she suddenly felt tears threatening.

  He climbed out of the plane, helped her with her bags, and then he paused, looking at her with affection and longing. He wrapped his arms around her.

  “I wish I could go with you to your terminal and get on the plane with you. I wish I could hold your hand and kiss you during turbulence so you forget about it. And then I wish I could go home with you.”

  “Me too,” she responded through a veil of tears. She hugged him back. After a moment, she pulled away.

  “Here, let me give you my phone number,” she said, suddenly needing something to do before she collapsed in tears. She gave him her phone number, email and home address. If she had homing pigeons she would have given him those, too. She did everything except give him her mother’s maiden name. He shared his information, and then pulled her back in for a long embrace. He kissed her gently, and it was time for her to go.

  On her way to the terminal she turned around, and there he was, leaning against the plane with his hands in his pockets, wearing those fantastic faded Levis that hug his body in all the right places, watching her go. The breeze was blowing his in-need-of-a-cut hair, and the sun caught the blond streaks. He raised his hand and waved, and she swore she saw tears in his eyes, too. She felt like she would never see him again.

  She wished she felt like they were at the beginning of their journey together, not the end.

  Chapter Fifteen

  JASON WATCHED JUDY WALK away with a piece of his heart. He couldn’t have predicted how amazing the last 24 hours had been. The more time he spent with her, the more time he wanted to spend with her. She was sexy as hell and his body responded every time he looked at her. But this felt like more than just physical attraction. When she turned around and waved at him on the tarmac, he felt tears well up in his eyes. What the hell.

  He needed to pull himself together. She had a shitstorm to deal with when she got back to Seattle, and it might be best to give her a little time. He would call her in a few days. Or maybe he should ease into her life more casually, text her, email her.

  Christ. He was acting like a lovesick kid.

  He climbed back into the plane and taxied it to the hangar where it was housed. He went about shutting it down and filling out his logs before he headed into the terminal to catch a flight to Seattle. The whole time he wondered about Judy and how she was doing, who sat next to her on her flight, and what awaited her when she walked into her home that she’d made with Greg the douche. He wished he could be there with her, to hold her hand and comfort her.

  The whole situation was crazy. He kept his life simple. He had never been attracted to women who had a flair for drama because he hated the impassioned speeches they would make over him not noticing a new hairstyle or dress. He was not good with high-maintenance women. His career demanded someone by his side who was independent and truthfully, probably didn’t need him.

  No matter what she was like normally, right now, Judy was a high-maintenance woman with a flair for drama. It wasn’t her fault—she was in the middle of an emotionally-charged situation, and it would probably get worse before it got better. It was not a good idea for him to involve himself in it. Not only was it the kind of thing he stayed away from, but she needed to work it out on her own. His presence would just complicate things.

  As he boarded his flight to Seattle, he decided to give it a week, and then he would call her. He would keep his distance, but he didn’t want to just drop out of her life. That seemed unnecessarily hurtful, and she deserved better.

  He blew out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. He tried not to feel disappointed in his decision. A week. He’d call her in a week.

  Chapter Sixteen

  JUDY DIDN'T HEAR THE woman rambling next to her on the flight to Seattle. She wasn’t sure the woman was even talking to her. All Judy thought about was the feel of Jason's beard on her face as he was kissing her, the way his shoulders pulled at the t-shirts he wore, the way his j
eans molded themselves to his body, especially when he wanted her. And the way those blue, blue eyes captured hers and made her feel like she was the only woman on earth. She might have dozed off for a few minutes, but all the while her mind replayed Jason in her thoughts and dreams.

  “Good afternoon, folks, this is your captain speaking. We are about to begin the final descent into Seattle. Big surprise, it’s raining and the temperature is a chilly 50 degrees. We should be on the ground in about 15 minutes.”

  Welcome home.

  She walked out of the airport terminal at SeaTac and looked around for a cab. Immediately the damp, chilly air hit her and she pulled on her jacket that she hadn’t used since leaving Seattle a week ago. The bleak weather matched her mood. She waved down a cab and climbed into the warmth.

  “Where to, miss?” the cabbie asked.

  “Belltown,” she said, and gave him the address.

  She watched as the cab made its way into Seattle and through downtown. She had always loved how lush and green Seattle was, and that there were trees everywhere. Today, though, the colors were muted in the gloomy weather. After the vibrant tropical colors of Catalina Island, Seattle seemed too gray, almost lifeless.

  She loved Seattle, but the winters were rough. The sun all but disappeared, and when it did make a rare appearance, it hung low in the southern sky, so even at high noon it felt like it was getting on toward late afternoon/evening. Everything was covered in a layer of damp, as if it couldn’t get all the way dry. Even the sturdiest folks had a hard time getting into a good mood. As winter gave way to spring, things lightened up some, but the rain never seemed to abate fast enough. In mid-April, Seattleites were still struggling against the damp.

  Judy was originally from a small town in central Illinois. She moved to Seattle right after graduating from the University of Chicago with a double major in History and Marketing. She knew what winter was supposed to look like, and Seattle’s winter wasn’t it. Winters should involve biting cold, wind and lots of snow. There should be intermittent days of sunshine where it glared off the snow so brightly you were blinded for a few seconds. There should be sledding, skiing and ice skating, and snow sculptures in every yard. The wind off the lake should burn your face so that the only thing you can do is rush inside for hot chocolate or Irish coffee. When winter finally began to give over to spring, the snow should melt dirty so that the spring rains wash it away and freshen everything up. The temperatures go up, and the layers of clothing start to come off.