Among The Cloud Dwellers (Entrainment Series) by Giuliana Sica Read Free Book Online Page A

with my hair, and nestled in. Purrs tickled my throat.
    His left hand brushed my hair away from my neck, exposing the earphone. He traced my ear with his hot fingertips, drawing a line from my earlobe down the base of my neck, and I shivered. In a caress, his fingers trailed down my shoulder, along my arm, and finally entwined with mine. His right hand slid under my right elbow and found my waist.
    I closed my eyes against the intensity. I was on fire.
    The music washed over me, and I relaxed my back against his strong chest. I exhaled, and his chocolate-scented breath mingled with mine. When I squeezed his hand, his grip tightened in response.
    I listened to the lyrics, realizing Gabe had chosen that specific song on purpose.
    Seized by fear, I couldn’t turn to look into his eyes.
    What kind of world did he want me to see?
    I shoved doubts out of my head with a firm push, and since my heart had already settled, I surrendered, relaxing against his chest completely. Several songs unraveled—all from different musicians, some just instrumental versions of classics.
    Gabe never said a word. He just held me against his chest, comfortable in the darkness around us at over thirty-eight thousand feet altitude. I covered his right hand with mine and he began to caress my fingers. Quick electric shocks climbed up my arm, like flames flickering over my skin. It was as if he could hear the music spilling from the earphones, and he moved his fingers along my hand to the rhythm. My own heartbeat echoed that same pulse, matching the rhythm. I felt his head move backwards to rest against the seat and his hand slowed down and finally stilled as he drifted to sleep.
    I absolutely refused to think. I used the music as a shield to keep me from stirring my rational brain from its ice cream-induced hibernation.
    Yeah! Let’s blame the ice cream. Fight one weakness with another.
    But was this weakness? Is it weak to allow yourself to be real and do as you feel instead of hiding behind pretense when your entire being screams otherwise? How many times do we make scalding-hot eye contact with a stranger and fail to act upon it? We hide behind worn-out panels of decorum. The excuse of fear, the terror of being hurt restrains us from life.
    Joséphine used to say that to feel pain is better than not to feel at all. I find myself agreeing with her more often than not.
    I lifted my feet to the side, kicked my sneakers off, and readjusted my legs to rest on Gabe’s. He must have felt extremely comfortable to fall asleep with me in his arms. Or maybe he was just exhausted.
    I felt sleep crawl over me like a familiar blanket, but I didn’t give in.
    Like thunder chasing lightning, expectation follows the high tide of emotions that a brand-new attraction raises. It’s a mistake, an enormous mistake. Would I start making plans for us to see each other in Adelaide? I might not ever see him again after the flight.
    I had so many questions. Benedetta calls this “jerking off mentally.” Why was I even bothering?
    Because I’m human, a tiny voice whispered inside me.
    Why can’t I just be grateful I had the chance to feel this, if only fleetingly? Why can’t I stop doubting and just ride the high tide?
    Because I know the low one will follow. I wondered if magic was at work already, steering me in the right direction. I shook my head. Too much had happened in my life for me to believe in fairy tales with happy endings. After Steve, I started thinking that Gretel and the witch should hook up after killing, peeling, boiling, and eating Hansel. It would make a great sequel.
    The music stopped with a soft click. I rubbed my eyes, lifted the earphones off my head, and slid my feet into the complimentary slippers. Gabe didn’t wake as I moved out of his arms. I stood and walked to the lavatory.
    Funny how we use the word ‘lavatory’ only on airplanes because any other time it would be considered an odd word, perplexing. Maybe they use it in Australia, I