I’d noticed his dislike of flying on our first flight, and the subsequent bad mood, but I couldn’t think of a way to help him then. I still can’t, but we’re not strangers anymore.
So I put a tentative hand over his on the armrest between us. “Is there anything I can do?”
He looks over at me, eyes blank and expression harsh. But then something like embarrassment flickers over his expression and his clenched jaw softens. “No,” he says.
“I wish there was.” I keep my hand on his, my thumb moving in small circles. “My sister doesn’t like flying either.”
“Hmm.” His hand is still clenched beneath mine, but he’s looking at me.
“She’s two years younger than me.”
“Mine is four.”
“Your sister is four years younger?”
“Just about.” Beneath my hand, his relaxes on the death grip. “Tell me about yours.”
“Her name is Penny,” I murmur. “She’s completely fearless, not at all like me. She’ll rush into any situation, convinced she’ll be able to manage. She most often does, too, but I can’t tell if it’s a consequence of her attitude or skill.”
Rhys snorts softly. “Sounds like my sister too.”
“Really?” I settle back into my seat and run careful fingers up his arm, back down to his hand again. “We’re really close. Always have been, but I think our mother leaving helped with that. With us turning to one another, I mean.”
He nods, eyes on mine. “Mhm.”
I turn in my chair, tucking my legs up beneath me, and thread our fingers together. “What do your siblings think of your father?” I ask. “Considering you don’t speak to him, they must have thoughts on him too.”
Rhys gives a single shake of his head. “We’re not making this flight any worse than it already is by adding a discussion of my dad on top of it.”
“You’re right. My bad.” My thumb rubs a circle on the back of his large hand. “But should I keep distracting you?”
“Yes.”
I nod, thinking, and let my gaze travel down his form. His legs are stretched out fully in front of him. “You’re very tall,” I comment. “How do you manage when flying coach?”
The familiar smirk ghosts across his face. “I don’t.”
I snort. “Right. I forgot you were richer than the federal government.”
“Oh, we’re not that rich.” He waves a dismissive hand before returning it to the armrest. “People always like to inflate fortunes.”
“After a certain amount of money, rich just becomes rich to the rest of us,” I tease. “The nuances are only important for the wealthy themselves.”
“That’s most definitely true.” Rhys tugs at the top button of his shirt, but doesn’t move his hand locked in mine.
“Thank you for the extra day you got us in Bali.”
His gaze lands on mine. “I was perhaps a tad selfish in requesting it.”
“I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the jungle…” I bend to press a kiss to his hand. “I enjoyed the beach…” I press a kiss to his cheek. “And I enjoyed your lessons.”
He turns his head for my third. It’s a slow, soft kiss, one that makes my insides melt. “This,” he murmurs, “is an excellent way to distract me.”
I grin. “I figured it might be.”
His hand clenches around mine. “Tell me what other lessons you want us to explore in Sydney.”
And so, thirty-five thousand feet in the air and above the roar of the engines, I murmur my fantasy of the two of us and a large shower into his ear, until Rhys curses against my lips and requests a distraction from the distraction.
“I can’t believe we’re in Australia and we only have two and a half days here. It feels criminal.”
“You’ll be back one day.” Rhys keeps a hand on my back as we walk down the hotel corridor.
“You think?”
“Absolutely. Come on,” he says, leaning down to brush his lips against my ear, “can you honestly tell me you’re ready to return to New York and settle down for good? To never travel again?”
A shiver runs down my spine that has little to do with his words and lots to do with his warm breath on my earlobe. “No,” I whisper. “I’m not.”
He presses the button to the elevator. After a full day of traveling, the two of us are ready to explore Sydney by evening and find a place to eat. The Rieler hotels might have terrific dining, but we’ve both agreed we’re done with that. The streets of the city beckon instead.
“I’ve been thinking about our discussion on social media,” I tell him, leaning into his side