I clear my throat and I swear I feel Jackson kiss the top of my head, but it’s so light I can’t be sure. We break apart and I smile. He reaches for my face but drops his hand before touching me, frowning as his eyes empty of all the emotion present just seconds before. Without a word, he turns and ascends the stairs to the plane. I take a deep breath and follow, praying I can keep it together and remain professional. The lines are blurring, so I need to redraw them and stay on the appropriate side.

Chapter Ten

The plane is breathtaking. It has plush leather seats and a couch against the right wall. There’s a wet bar at the back wall and another room in the rear of the plane. I’m assuming it’s an office or a bedroom, but I have no intention of finding out. The décor is beautiful. Done in cream and a rich blue, it’s striking and regal. Very fitting for the man I’m traveling with.

Jackson walks forward from the bar area looking calm and collected. He’s back to being professional. “Make yourself comfortable. It’s only about a two-hour flight.”

“Is this your plane?” I ask, still looking around the cabin as I sit in one of the captain chairs.

“Yes, I fly back and forth from New York to Virginia a lot. Purchasing a company jet made sense.” He looks at the seat across the aisle and then turns and sits in the seat next to me. Why does he insist on sitting so damn close?

“Oh, I didn’t know you visited the facility that much.”

He looks up, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “I don’t. Well, I didn’t. I have a second company, which is why I spent a lot of time in Virginia. Plus, I was stationed there when I was on active duty, so I get to visit the team when I’m there.”

“You served?” I never would have thought he was prior military. He looks so young. Finding out he owns a second company throws me as well.

Jackson straightens in his seat and lifts his head, his eyes locking on mine. One side of his mouth lifts revealing that adorable dimple. When he speaks, his voice is laced with pride. “Yes, I served eight years in the Navy.”

I smile at this remarkable man, who’s accomplished so much, and realize I know nothing about him. I guess this explains the hero complex. A small giggle escapes me, and I slap my hand over my mouth. Crap!

He looks at me with amusement. “Why is that funny?”

I smile. “It’s not. I’m just laughing at how you seem to like to save people.” Great, now I sound stupid.

He lets out a short laugh. “Yeah, well there’s a lot about me you don’t know.” He nudges my arm.

I smirk and shake my head at him. Out of nowhere the plane jerks and I freeze. A sudden burst of anxiety hits me and I grab the arms of the chair, white-knuckling it. He notices, of course, and places a hand on my arm. “Are you afraid of flying?” he asks. His sultry voice does nothing for my nerves.

“N-No,” I barely get the word out. My hands are sweating and my heart is pounding as he removes his hand. I’ve flown hundreds of times. I don’t mind it at all, but I’ve never flown on a private plane. Or flown next to a man who seems to affect me so much.

He leans closer. His clean soap and cologne smell is so hypnotic, I can’t stop myself from taking a deep breath. The heat from his body is everywhere, and he’s not even touching me. “Don’t worry, Catherine, you’re safe with me. Just close your eyes.”

I glance at him as the plane begins to move again. “I’ll be fine. I’m being silly.” How many more ways am I going to embarrass myself with this man?

“Relax and close your eyes,” he says softly but with an air of authority.

“When did you get so bossy?” I close my eyes and smile, hearing a rustling before I sense him shifting closer.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he replies, humor dancing in his voice. “Now, stop talking and just breathe.”

I take a deep breath and start to sing to myself. My father used to sing this song to me at night whenever I had bad dreams. The lyrics soothed me. Throughout my life, I’ve always sung that song when I needed strength, even though it was associated with him. Now is no different. My father’s voice, singing about me being his one and only sunshine, echoes through my ears and floods my mind. If only it’d been true.

I repeat the song over and over as Jackson’s fingers graze my arm. Abruptly, the contact I’d been enjoying vanishes. I shiver from the loss, terrified to open my eyes. What if I’m alone again?

“You’re safe now.” His warm voice blankets over me.

I’m far from safe, but somehow during that brief moment we managed to become airborne and I didn’t even notice. My lids are heavy, so I relax into my seat and think about my morning with Jackson. Within a matter of minutes he put me at ease. He cared for me when he saw my distress. How easy it would be to fall for him. To give myself to someone who looks out for others before himself. But at what cost to my heart? Somewhere before unconsciousness I realize—it’s not the plane I should be afraid of, it’s the man next to me.

“Catherine…”

No! I don’t want to wake up. Damn Ashton and her nudging.

“Catherine.” I hear a throaty chuckle. “You’re adorable when you sleep.”

What?

“Come on. Time to get up. We’re in Virginia.”

Virginia?

I groan and open my eyes to see Jackson smiling and leaning over me with both hands on the arm rests. Damn, I’d love waking up to that face every day. I rub my eyes, realizing I slept the entire flight. Between the lack of sleep last night and the events of this morning, it’s no wonder I passed out. I try to move but he has me caged between his muscular arms, a huge grin on his face. I clear my throat and look at his hand, hoping my silent cue will register. However, he only seems more amused.

“Could you let me up please?”

He leans back but not enough to give me the space I need. I glare at him until he takes a step back, crosses his arms over his chest, and smiles widely at me.

Now standing, I become extremely self-conscious as he stares at me. “What? Do I have something on my face?” I wipe my face, smooth my hair, and inspect my clothes.

He inches forward, dropping his arms to his sides. His eyes tease me as they travel the length of my body. “Did you know you talk in your sleep?” His voice is full of mischief.

No. Oh no! I’m aware of this, but I’ve never really thought too much about it. Though, Ashton does make fun of me all the time for the things that come out of my mouth at night. Pink paints my cheeks as I cover my face with my hands. I open my fingers a tiny bit so I can see through them. “Please tell me I didn’t say anything embarrassing,” I say hesitantly.

Jackson tugs at my hands, pulling them away from my face. His calloused thumbs are rubbing back and forth against my wrists. Taking a deep breath, he gives a small smile. “You said ‘Daddy’ a few times.”

“Oh.” I give a deflated huff. “I guess that makes sense … with everything today.” I look down to where he’s still holding my arms. I shift my weight and stare at the floor.

Sensing my discomfort, he drops my wrists. “I’m sorry again,” he says. And again, I know he is. I can hear the honesty in his voice. It’s touching but disconcerting at the same time. I can’t afford to form an emotional connection with this man. The physical one is bad enough.