“Yes?”
“I want to stay naked and in bed with you.”
“That’s going to be my favorite day on this whole vacation.” He runs his hand gently up and down my back and I grin.
“Me too. Are we staying in one of those huts that sits over the water?”
“Yes.”
“Cool. We can skinny dip.”
He laughs delightedly. “Aren’t you just the exhibitionist?”
“No, we’ll do it at night.” I lay my head on his shoulder and sigh deeply, suddenly tired, but completely relaxed.
“Can I bring my camera?”
“I assumed you would.”
“I
won’t
if
it
makes
you
uncomfortable.” I made sure to be careful not to capture his photo tonight after dinner while I was taking photos of little Sophie and the rest of our families.
“I trust you completely. You can take my picture.”
I sit upright in his lap, my jaw dropped and eyes wide. “I can?”
“Well, we’re going to want pictures from our vacation, aren’t we? Natalie, after everything that we’ve done, how can I not trust you to take my picture?
We should have memories together.”
I feel my smile grow and I’m just so…
happy. “I’m dying to take your picture, and before you freak out on me…”
“I’m not going to freak out of you,” he says with a laugh.
“I want to take your photo because it’s what I do, and you are so beautiful, Luke. There have been so many moments that I wish I could capture. I would never share any of our images with
anyone
unless
I
had
your
permission, but I want photos of you. I want photos of us together.”
“I want photos of us too.”
I hug him tightly and then lay my head on his shoulder again.
“Are you sleepy?” he murmurs as he rhythmically runs his fingers through my hair.
“A little.” I gaze up into his beautiful blue eyes. “Thank you.”
“Baby, I told you, I enjoy spoiling you.”
“No, not that.” I shake my head and look down. “Although yes, thank you for that too. I just…”
“What?” He tilts my chin back up so he can see me.
“I love you.”
His eyes flare and he inhales deeply.
“I love you, baby.”
“Let’s go to bed.”
“My pleasure.” He lifts me effortlessly in his arms and carries me upstairs.
***
“It’s going to be a long flight.” My voice is strong, but my stomach is in knots. Luke has hired a driver to take us to the airport, and we are in the backseat. I’m clutching onto his strong hand and worrying my lip with my teeth.
“We’ll be fine.” He pulls me over into his lap and nuzzles my neck. I recognize the distraction tactic, but it doesn’t help.
“Do we have a layover in L.A.?” I ask.
“No.”
“Oh.” I frown and catch my breath when his lips graze over the sensitive spot below my ear. “I didn’t know there were direct flights from Seattle to Tahiti.”
“I don’t know if there are. A friend of mine is loaning us his jet.”
“Oh.” Holy shit.
“Nat, have you flown since your parents passed?” He tilts my chin and looks into my eyes and he looks nervous and worried about me. I cup his cheek in my hand.
“No.”
“Baby, are you okay with this?” He kisses my palm.
“I’ll be fine. It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid; I just have to do it.”
“If it makes you feel better, I plan to keep you fully occupied for most of the flight. You won’t have time to be scared.” He grins mischievously at me and I giggle.
“Promises, promises…”
Before long we arrive at SeaTac. The driver pulls onto the tarmac next to a large private jet. This is much bigger than anything my dad ever flew.
The driver opens our door and then begins transferring our luggage on board the beautiful aircraft. Luke speaks with the pilot and co-pilot and the pretty flight attendant, but my ears are buzzing with too much nervousness to hear, or care, what they’re saying.
The inside of the cabin is beautiful. It must seat twelve. The seats are large and plush black leather. Luke leads me to two that are side-by-side and we sit.
“How are you?”
“How do I look?” I whisper.
“Pale and glassy eyed.”
“So, terrified then.”
“Yes.”
“That’s accurate.”
Luke buckles my seatbelt for me –Jeez! – and wraps an arm around me.
“I’ve got you, baby.”
“I know. I’ll be fine in a little while.”
His beautiful blue eyes are heavy with worry and I pull his head down so I can kiss him. He sweeps his lips across mine in that way he has that makes me quiver inside and runs his fingers through my hair.
“You look beautiful today.” I’m just in blue jeans and a green tank top. I take in his black t-shirt and khaki shorts and grin.
“Back at you, handsome.”
The pilot’s voice comes over the speakers announcing that we’re ready for take-off, what our altitude will be, and how long the flight will be.
Thankfully, it should be a fairly smooth flight.
I hear the engines roar to life and I pull out of Luke’s arm so I can clutch his hand. Within seconds we are racing down the runway and lifting off the ground.
I think I’m going to pass out.
“Breathe, baby.”
I pull in a deep breath and let it out.
“Again. Stay with me, baby, just breathe.”
God, I love him at this moment. His voice is calming me and as we gain altitude and even out, I begin to calm.
“I’m okay,” I whisper.
“Can I get you something?” The tall, leggy blonde flight attendant is at our side. I didn’t notice how attractive she was before. “I can fix you some breakfast if you like.”
I shake my head adamantly. “Just water, please.”
“Water for both of us, please.”
We sip on the cool water, Luke’s eyes still trained on my face and I flush just a bit.
“So, whose plane is this?” I ask.
“Spielberg’s.” He grins at me.
Holy fuck.
“As in Steven?” I ask.
“The same. He directed the film that just wrapped that I helped produce.