The cabin lights of the plane were already dimmed when the stewardess rushed her in and guided her through the half-empty plane to the back row. She decided to ignore the reproachful looks of the passengers whose plane she had just delayed by 10 minutes. The plane had almost left without her and this was not an experience to be repeated, she reminded herself as she stored away her luggage. It was a miracle that she had been allowed to check in at all, which might have been partly to do with her dotted red and white dress, big smile and pleading look at the teenaged steward at the check in desk. The air inside the plane was nice and fresh and the blue leather seats felt smooth and cool on her skin when she let herself fall back into them. Leaning back, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and relaxed.
'Is this place taken?' she heard a warm voice behind her.
She looked up and caught an inquisitive pair of brown eyes smiling at her. She felt a sting in her stomach that irritated her.
'I think it is.... Have you checked your ticket?' she said coolly whilst trying to meet the gaze of his eyes.
'Oh that is a shame.I was looking forward to talking to you.'
He came closer to her accidentally brushing her shoulder with his arm and she could see his radiant golden brown eyes closer up and smell his warmth. His shirt was immaculate and she could see the outlines of his strong arms and big hands. She could not help imagining the touch of these hands -- strong and manly.... She blushed.
'Hhmmm.... I don't think anyone is going to sit there, so if you insist.'
'I insist!' he replied with a smile and sat in the middle seat moving past her. She stretched her legs out into the corridor and snuggled up under her blanket whilst the plane took off. She was trying to switch off and relax, but could not help eying him from the side. He must have rushed onto the plane after a long day of meetings, because he was still wearing his suit and tie -- both of alluring blue fabric that she wanted to feel with her fingers. He looked relaxed with a five o'clock shadow showing on his cheeks. His hands rested on his legs -- tanned and covered with dark hair. Her gaze followed the line from his strong chin along his soft neck trying to guess whether his chest was as manly as his hands were. He caught her eyes and she blushed.
'Do you come to New York often?' she asked trying to compose herself.
'I am actually from Chicago -- the windy city. But I spend a lot of time in NYC through my jaaab.' She wanted to ask him about his job, but felt that whenever she was alluding to the topic, he became shy, like a schoolboy, and skilfully avoided answering the unasked question. It made him a vulnerable, yet mysterious appearance.
They started talking about New York and the time they had spent there, when he suddenly cried out:
'Oh look.... What a beautiful view... the sun and the sea. You don't get that in London too often, do you?', he exclaimed and leant over his seat to get a better view and turned toward her smiling - 'you must take the window seat to enjoy this view -- you can even see some boats!'.
Bemused by his enthusiasm and insistence, she moved to the window seat. Squeezing past him, she could feel his knees brushing her legs and his hands that supported her frame remained on her hips a moment longer than necessary. The warm pressure sent trickles down her spine. His eyes smiling at her and she could not help but feeling trapped by these eyes that pinned her down to her seat and gently taking every layer off her. She abruptly turned away to look outside the window.
'It is true -- you can see some boats' She was leaning against the window, when she felt his body gently pressing into her from behind, as he was trying to catch a view out of the window of the plane. His head was close to hers, their cheeks almost brushed. Whilst leaning forwards his arm brushed her chest and a ripple of excitement went through her whole body.
'Yes' he said quietly 'the boats, the radiant blue sky and the ocean beneath us. Gorgeous -- just like you!'
She was lost for breath for a moment when she could feel his fingers gently stroking her neck following the frame of her shoulders up - touching her hair... she gave out a quiet moan leaning back into him. His hand lifted her chin and gently turned her head around. She got lost in his warm brown eyes and could feel his whole body humming and buzzing with excitement and joy before relaxing into the kiss. His lips were soft and warm and she felt as if she was going to fall into him -- his arms securely holding her. He came for more tasting her, kissing her, pulling her closer.
'Would you care for something to drink?' the stewardess looked slightly embarrassed.
They both looked at each other and laughed out loud.
'Orange juice, please. No ice' she managed to say breathless. 'And a water' she added glancing at him.
'You are gorgeous' he said gently touching her cheek 'I saw you talking to this steward trying to convince him to check you in. You looked so flustered and desperate to get on this plane -- I could not have refused to check you in myself.'
