In Flight by R. K. Lilley Read Free Book Online

huh?” he whispered in my ear.   I knew my whole body was bright red with embarrassment.   “I’m going to take that as a compliment, though I have to say, it’s a new one.”
    “Hello, Mr. Cavendish,” I said stiffly, without turning.
    “I told you, call me James.   Or Mr. Beautiful, if you prefer.   You can save the Mr. Cavendish for when we’re in private.”   It was the second time he’d said that, and I just couldn’t tell if he was teasing.   Did I even want to know?   I wondered.   No , I told myself firmly.
    I tried to just ignore everyone for awhile after that.   Except for Melvin.   Him, I tried to flag down to get another drink, but he was ignoring me.   Vaguely, I could hear Stephan and James chatting amiably at my back.  
    James hadn’t moved, and he was standing close enough to my back to indicate that he and I were together.   He was so close that it made the skin of my back tingle.   If I shifted even an inch backward, we’d be touching.  
    I turned my head slightly and saw that the co-pilot had been forced to move away from me.   He was looking between Stephan and James, an odd look on his face.   He didn’t know what to make of the situation.   I didn’t really care what he made of it.   I was just relieved that he seemed to get the picture that I was clearly not available.
    I lurched suddenly to my feet.   I had expected to be a little unsteady on my feet, but it was much worse than I’d thought.   I had to clutch the bar for several moments to gain my balance.  
    “Whoa, careful there, Buttercup,” Stephan was saying to me.  
    I felt a hard arm going around my waist for support, and I knew it wasn’t Stephan.   “Buttercup?” James asked him, his voice amused.  
    I looked at Stephan, who was looking a little sheepish.   “It’s an old nickname, from when we were kids.   Bee will have to tell you the story sometime.”
    “I look forward to it.   Does she drink like this often?” James asked casually, but I thought there was a slight edge to his voice.   He was still just talking to Stephan.   About me, and in front of me.   It was infuriating.
    “All the time,” I said loudly.
    “This is the first time she’s had a drink since the month she turned twenty-one,” Stephen said quietly.   “At least two years ago.”
    James’s mouth was at my ear again.   “You remember what I told you about lying to me,” he warned softly.   “That’s two.”
    He’d said he’d put me over his knee.   “He’s a kinky bastard,” I thought drunkenly.  
      Oops , I’d said that out loud.   Luckily, only James had heard.   He laughed, showing even white teeth.   He hadn’t taken it as an insult.   He nodded at me, making very solid eye contact.   He agreed.
    “I need to go to the bathroom,” I declared loudly.  
    “I’ll help you get there, Buttercup,” James told me.   Stephan rose as we moved, as though to help.   James waved him down.   “I’ve got her.”
    And he did.   He wrapped my arm around him and took the brunt of my weight as he led me effortlessly through the crowd toward the restrooms.  
    “Why are you here?” I asked him bluntly.
    “Well, I came here because I very much want to fuck you until neither of us can walk.   I want you so bad I can’t see straight.   But since that won’t be happening now, I’m staying to make sure you make it back to your room in one piece.”
    “Why won’t that be happening now?” I asked him.   I knew it was a bad question, one that implied that I was disappointed that it wouldn’t be happening, but I was just too drunk and curious to care.  
    He looked at me, brow raised.   “I won’t touch you while you’re impaired.   Never.   I just don’t do that.”  
    “So you give up?” I challenged, but it came out as more of a whine.
    He surprised me by kissing the top of my head.   “Far from it.   I still intend to fuck you senseless.   Just not tonight, Buttercup.