A Marriage of Convenience by Aliyah Burke Read Free Book Online Page B

the adults. Michael laughed and swung him up on his shoulders and hurried towards the object of his son’s affection.
     
    Ayanna followed at a slower pace and allowed her eyes to roam over the way Michael’s jeans fit him and how his blue shirt pulled taut across his shoulders. Her mouth watered at the way his rippling muscles easily flexed to support Devon and keep him safe from any harm. Jesus, this man has me acting like a damn sex addict. I am in a constant state of arousal around him. She swallowed the groan that threatened to slip out as her mind stripped away his clothes.
    A few other people milled around the planes, talking and pointing at them while they read the information beside each one. She moved up beside a grey jet in time to overhear Michael say to Devon, “This is almost like what Daddy flies.”
    Patiently, he pointed out things to their son, his tone gentle. His eyes met hers and his nose crinkled as he grinned. Her physical response had her forcing down another shudder.
    As she walked up to them, Michael leaned over and kissed her cheek, apparently not concerned with keeping their relationship a secret.
    “You fly this?” Ayanna asked.
    “Well, no. I fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet.” Michael caressed the side of the grey plane, his passion for flying lighting his eyes.
    “Boo,” Devon announced as he pointed at the Blue Angel jet.
    “That’s right, it is blue,” Michael said as he walked his son to the blue and yellow jet. “This is an F/A-18 Hornet.”
    “This isn’t what they were flying in New Mexico, was it? For the Thunderbirds?” Ayanna asked as she hesitatingly touched the jet. Her body flushed as she remembered what had happened after the show.
    “No,” Michael answered. “The Air Force flies F-16’s for the Thunderbirds.” The gleam in his eyes told her he was remembering, as well.
    “And what, if any, are they also called?” Ayanna wanted to keep that glow about him as he talked about planes. He looks so hot with that fire in his eyes. Her mind painted another erotic picture for her. She moaned softly.
    “Fighting Falcon,” he replied, smiling.
    “Oh, I see.” Ayanna pulled back her hand and wiped it on her thigh. She swallowed a few times, trying to find a way to understand the emotions moving through her. It scared her to know that he was up in the sky, flying one of these aircraft.
    It was dangerous flying.
    Okay, time for you to face it. You have feelings for him, and they’re more than just sexual ones, her brain announced . Ayanna realised it was true, all of it. No matter how hard she tried to ignore it, there was a true connection between her and Michael. She could imagine them together when they were both old and grey. And it scared the hell out of her.
    Before actually hearing him say he flew a fighter plane, it had been easy, to an extent, to ignore the flight suit and pretend his job was safe. The possibility of losing him to a woman was a way to keep him at arm’s length. The thought that he might go to work and never come home…scared her shitless.
    Her heart rate tripled when he sent her a private smile. The kind that made her believe he viewed her as the most beautiful woman in the world. There goes my idea of maintaining a business-like relationship. He licked his lips as his eyes roved over her. It’s like he reads my mind.
    Michael winked.
    Ayanna trembled.
    “Michael!”
    She looked in the direction of the voice. A man on the other side of the street waved at Michael. Slanting a look at her husband, she saw him smile and wave back.
    A few moments later, the blond-haired man reached them. He was a bit shorter than Michael but in the same excellent shape. “What’s up, Taz?” he said. “Didn’t think you would be here on your day off.”
    “What’s up, Racer?” Michael shook the blond’s hand.
    “Just coming to see if I can get—” Racer snapped his mouth shut, suddenly noticing the child in Michael’s arms. “Who’s this cute little