Author's Note: This story is a work of fiction and is based primarily on the fictional country of Nordland, a small island nation in the North Sea between the UK, Norway, and Denmark. All characters, events, and places described in this narrative are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Please note that I am not a commercial airline pilot -- I have attempted to replicate as far as possible realistic actions, systems and terminology for the aircraft in this story, but this is not a real depiction of airline operations.
All comments and feedback are welcomed.
HF
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Elin Martinsen sat in the small coffee shop in downtown Nordhaven, her fingers wrapped around a warm mug of cappuccino. The dulled glow of the shop's lights created a cozy and warm atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the snow-covered streets outside. The young Nordlandic pilot wore a snug, forest green turtleneck that highlighted her red hair, which cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, a change to her usual bun that she wore when she was flying. Her outfit was completed by a pair of fitted jeans and knee-high black boots, with a warm coat and scarf that were draped over the back of the chair adding a touch of style and elegance to her casual look.
The young woman absently watched the snowflakes drift down outside the window, her mind wandering back to Dubai and her intense encounters with Robert Davis, a Captain with AirNordland. 'What am I doing? What are we doing?' she thought. Robert was just about the opposite of her -- an older man with a tall, muscular body. Most significantly, he was an African-American, his dark brown skin contrasting starkly against her pale, almost alabaster, complexion. Elin tried to look past this, to focus on his personality, who he was -- but the taboo thoughts of sleeping with a black man always tugged at the back of her mind.
'Sleeping? Is that what it was?' Elin thought as she took a sip of her drink her mind drifting back to the events in Dubai. 'Wasn't it more like fucking like rabbits?' She sighed, placing the mug down. The layover, the conversations, the sex; oh God, the sex! The attraction, the chemistry, between them had been undeniable and it had culminated in several hours of what had been the most incredible sex that Elin had ever experienced. But she felt it was more than just sex; she and Robert had connected in a way that she hadn't expected and this both scared and excited her. 'Where was this going to go?'
After arriving back in Nordhaven from their momentous Dubai trip two weeks earlier, the pair had exchanged messages daily and spoke with each other several times on the phone, but this was the first time they had managed to get their schedules to align with them being in the same place at the same time. Elin shifted in her seat, nervous about seeing Robert again. 'Was Dubai just a fling?' she thought. 'A one-night stand?' She didn't seem to think so, at least not based on their conversations over the intervening fortnight. Robert had seemed committed to seeing her again and, despite the age gap and racial differences, Elin was equally keen to explore where this new relationship might lead them both.
As she took another sip of her cappuccino, she thought back to their night in Dubai -- it had been the most memorable layover she'd ever had. She idly wondered if any of the other guests in the rooms next door had realized what had happened in her room. She couldn't help but smile, thinking about their passionate moments in bed and the undeniable chemistry they shared. 'I don't think I've ever screamed that much or come so hard,' she thought naughtily to herself.
It had been clear to her from the outset of their encounter that Robert was both an ardent and experienced lover. His techniques seemed to combine both a passion and a tenderness that she had never experienced previously. He had cared about her pleasure just as much, if not more, than his own and both the number and intensity of the orgasms he'd given her had blown her mind. Her previous boyfriend, Karl, had been content with climaxing; her orgasm, if any, sometimes appearing as an afterthought to him.
Elin mused that it wasn't just Robert's confidence and technique that set him apart from her other lovers. It was also his size that contributed to the incredible pleasure she experienced -- he wasn't just longer than her previous partners, he was thicker. The thickness stretching her in a way that had been both wonderfully pleasurable and painful at the same time. Combining all of these aspects with the fact that he was a very dark-skinned black man, made it an exhilarating experience for the young Nordic woman and one that she very much hoped to repeat.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the jingling of the doorbell as it opened, letting in a draft of cold wind. She looked up and saw Robert stepping in, shaking off the snow from his dark wool coat. He was dressed in a casual yet sophisticated manner, with a charcoal sweater peeking out from under the coat, dark jeans, and black boots.
As he spotted her, a warm smile spread across his face. He walked over, leaned down, and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Hey, Elin," he said in English, his rich voice both comforting and familiar to her.
"Hey, Robert," she replied in the same language, her cheeks flushing slightly from the kiss and the warmth of his presence. 'Oh wow, he looks so handsome,' she thought. Even better than she recalled from Dubai. "Sit down, please. How have you been?"
Robert took off his coat, draping it over the back of his chair before sitting down across from her. "Busy, as always," he said with a grin. "But I've been looking forward to seeing you."
Elin's heart skipped a beat at his words. "Me too," she admitted. "Dubai seems like ages ago, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it does," he agreed. "But I've got some news that might make our schedules align a bit better."
Her curiosity was piqued. "Oh? What's that?" she asked as she cocked her head to the side.
He leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I managed to pull some strings. As a Training Captain, I have a bit of influence. I've requested to have you assigned to me so that I can mentor you in preparation for your entry into the Captain's Program."
Elin's blue eyes widened in shocked surprise. 'What did he say?' she thought in stunned disbelief. "You did what?" she exclaimed, her hands gripping the table in excitement. "M...mentor me? But...but I'm too junior for the program..."
Robert smiled reassuringly. "I know. But I see a lot of potential in you, Elin. I'll make sure you're ready for the program when it comes time. It's going to be challenging, though. You'll have to convince me every step of the way that I made the right decision."
She felt a rush of excitement and gratitude bubbling up inside her. "Oh, my God! Thank you, Robert. This is such an amazing opportunity. I won't let you down. I promise."
He nodded, his eyes twinkling with encouragement. "I know you won't. And besides, it'll be nice to spend more time with you."
After Robert ordered a coffee, they continued to chat for a while longer, discussing the intricacies of the Captain's Program and the challenges that lay ahead for her. She knew that it was a highly intensive and elite training course designed to groom experienced First Officers for the role of Captain in the airline. It required several thousand hours of experience before applicants could even apply for selection and was renowned for its rigorous standards and comprehensive curriculum, aimed at ensuring successful graduates possessed not only exceptional piloting skills but also leadership and decision-making abilities.
In order to ensure applicants would be prepared for the demands of the program, the airline had instituted a mentoring system where senior Training Captains would mentor promising junior pilots with a view to entering the program and successfully completing it.
Elin felt a growing sense of excitement deep inside her as they chatted about his new role -- not only would she be on a pathway to the Captain's Program, a goal she had set herself since joining the airline, but she would also be able to spend more time with Robert.
After a while, Elin leaned back in her chair, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, would you like to come back to my apartment? We can discuss the program in more detail...and maybe catch up on other things."
Robert's smile broadened. "I was hoping you'd say that."
They finished their coffees and bundled up against the cold before heading out into the snowy streets. The walk to Elin's apartment was filled with easy conversation and laughter, their steps crunching in the fresh snow. As they reached her apartment building, Elin's heart raced with anticipation. 'I can't believe we're going back to my place!'
Leading him up to her cozy downtown Nordhaven apartment, Elin unlocked the door and ushered him inside, shaking off the chill of the winter air as they entered the warmth of the building. After removing their coats and boots, Elin began showing Robert around her small but inviting space. The living room was warm thanks to the central heating system, with a mix of modern and vintage decor, a bookshelf filled with both novels and flying books. Around the room a few scattered pieces of clothing added a touch of lived-in comfort.
"Excuse the mess," Elin laughed as the blushed in embarrassment, picking up a stray scarf and blouse from the sofa and throwing them through the doorway of her bedroom. "I wasn't expecting company," she said. 'Oh, God, I hope there isn't any of my underwear lying around!' she thought to herself.
"This place suits you, Elin. It's got that perfect mix of order and chaos," Robert told her as he looked around the living room as she hurried tidied the living room.
Elin looked over her shoulder as she tidied the coffee table and grinned at him. "Chaos, huh? I prefer to think of it as organized messiness."
"Is that what they call it these days?" he teased with a little grin.
Elin playfully swatted his arm, loving the fun and relaxed way he treated her. "Hey, I'm an aspiring Captain now, remember? I have to keep some semblance of order!"
