Jesse nodded.
“Let’s go, then.” Walker waved us toward the aircraft.
He didn’t have to tell me twice.
In a few quick strides, I was at Toren’s side to help Walker get him to the plane. I tucked my shoulder under his before either of them could argue with me. I needed the contact as much as Toren needed the support.
At the plane, Walker tossed our bags inside, then hopped in to help Toren climb the steps. I kept a hand on his back to steady him as he hopped up the short flight of stairs to the cabin. Dustin followed and went to the back of the aircraft settling into a seat on the right and immediately closing his eyes. I could only imagine the sense of relief he felt now. Yesterday, he probably thought he was a dead man.
Toren took my hand and tugged, pulling me toward the seat next to the one he’d settled into just behind the cockpit.
I sank into it, letting him hold onto my hand, our arms hanging over the aisle. His hand was warm and solid in mine, grounding me to reality. I didn’t want to too closely analyze the feelings of comfort and peace that simple touch provided. Not because I didn’t like the idea of where the analysis would take me, but because I simply didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with it right now.
He stared at me for long moments, emotions crisscrossing his face at a speed I couldn’t read.
“What?” I finally asked.
He shook his head. “Nothing. Thank you.”
I frowned. “For what?”
“Coming to my defense. Keeping me from falling over.” A smile tipped one side of his lovely mouth.
My eyes went to his full lips. They were a bit chapped from the cold today and yesterday, but that didn’t stop me from wondering how they’d feel against my own.
I tamped down that thought. Now that we were safe, it seemed my hormones had decided to come out and play again.
I raised my gaze.
The low burn of need simmered in the dark depths of his eyes. Something sparked between us and lit an ember in my belly. Heat curled upward from it to lick at my cheeks, fanned by the feel of his hand in mine.
“All right, folks. Let’s get you warm.”
Walker’s voice from the cockpit broke the moment.
I blinked, and the heat died. Toren’s gaze returned to its normal, everyday brown, and he let go of my hand.
Sitting back in my seat, I folded my hands in my lap and faced the front of the plane, mentally wiping sweat from my brow. That had been some look.
I needed to be careful. That little bit of fire promised a lot more. Being consumed by it could be dangerous.
Or it could be the best thing to ever happen to you.
I kept my expression neutral, but internally, I frowned at my inner voice.
Was she right? Could this go somewhere?
The memory of his dead wife popped into my mind.
I wasn’t sure he was over her. Did I want to compete with a ghost?
Chapter 21
Toren
Ishifted in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position. Everything ached, so it was of little use. But still, I tried.
“You guys ready?” Walker called from the cockpit.
