Page 75 of Lost & Found

“It’s hard not to notice.” Heat blasted my cheeks as he laughed good-naturedly.

“You can come with. But I get to see the finished piece.”

“Sounds fair. Now tell me more about these friends.”

I settled in as he told me several stories about them and the adventures they’d gone on. Late-night dance rehearsals, impromptu dance competitions. Each story painted a vivid picture of him in a way I wasn’t familiar with. The hours slipped by. The cabin grew quiet at one point, and I yawned. Sleep eluded me the night before, so I was feeling drowsy.

Pasha waved down the flight attendant and asked for a blanket. He tapped his shoulder and said, “We have to get used to touching one another at some point. You’re sleepy.”

“I suppose you’re right. Are we negotiating the amount of PDA?”

“If we opt to go with your earlier suggestion of being the opposite of Hannah and I, then prepare to have my hands all over you.”

I shivered, and a small gasp escaped my lips. An angry retort or threat of personal bodily damage should have been my response, but instead I nodded. Surprise filled his eyes.

“It’s all about the experience, right?” I said, as I looped my arm through his and nestled my head onto his shoulder.

The gentle rhythm of his breathing anchored me. For the first time since we’d left the house, the nerves quieted. I slipped into sleep.

I hated to wake her. Again. She’d asked me to, though. I glanced over and my breath caught in my throat. She was fucking beautiful. Her dark hair against the tan skin was striking, even in the low light.

Her features were relaxed, and I realized I’d never seen her like this. In all the times we traveled, we weren’t ever in close enough quarters. Leaning closer, I caressed her face, whispering so I didn’t startle her.

“Princess.”

She gave a soft groan of protest. Slowly she stirred, blinking as she gazed up at me with innocent blue eyes. “I’m sleepy, Lev.”

“We’re about to land,” I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips at hearing my nickname. “I thought you said you wanted to see the view from above.”

Her eyes widened in excitement as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from them. “Ooh.” She reached for the window covering and lifted it.

She peered out, her breath caught in her throat at the sight. The twinkling lights of the town spread out below us like a blanket of stars.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered in awe.

I nodded, feeling a swell of pride at being able to share this moment with her. “It sure is,” I agreed, staring at her instead.

Her wonder took my breath away. Typically guarded and sharp-edged, she moved through the world like she was bracing for impact. This softness was something else entirely. The wheels hit the runway with a firm jolt, pulling us back to earth.

The landing was smooth, but deplaning wasn’t. The narrow aisle filled fast, overhead bins slamming shut, strangers crowding too close. I stayed at her back without thinking, my palm resting at her waist as we shuffled forward.

Despite the size of the terminal, we didn’t get lost looking for our baggage. We’d scheduled an Uber and made our way to the waiting area.

I sent a text to Chase, and he responded with excitement at hearing we’d landed and were on the way. Isabella drew close, almost instinctively, when a group of young men who were on the same plane as us made their way out.

From the sounds of the excitement, they may have had a few drinks. I pocketed my phone, pulled her to me, and wrapped my arms around her. Despite the late hour and the weariness from the lengthy travel, the minute she was in my arms, a surge of adrenalin raced through me.

Our driver arrived, and I reluctantly let her go before helping her into the car. I gave him the address and settled back and studied my fake date. For the first time, I felt nervous. The reality of her being my responsibility hit.

Maybe it was because we were somewhere outside our comfort zones. As we pulled out and left the airport, there was wonder and awe in her eyes. She looked like Declan did at the Manchester United game for the first time.

“I know your brother wanted us to get our own rooms, and I have no problem with that. I was thinking when we get to the hotel we can book the other one. I probably should have done that before, crap—”

“Oh,” she said, looking confused. Her gaze drifted down to her lap.

“What is it?” I took her hand.

She gulped, looking so damned vulnerable. Knowing she didn’t show that face to just anyone made me instantly hard. Damn my attraction to a woman willing to be raw and real. This was not the way to start the trip.