Amber stands, smiles at me, and, without another word, follows Liv out. She gives me one grateful smile, and suddenly I feel flutters in my chest. I pull off my aviator cap and run my hand through my hair.
What the fuck is this? What did Liv just interrupt?
As I watch her go, I feel a little disappointed. There’s something about her that intrigues me, and I wonder what it would be like to get to know her better, to sit down and simply listen. Just a few minutes in her presence and suddenly I am interested in finding out more about her. This is all so pathetic.
Not unless…
But I know that’s not an option, not when we have such a contentious past. Not when her father is my business partner. It is so much easier when she thinks of me as a grumpy old man. It is a lot easier for both of us that way.
With a sigh, I turn my attention back to the controls and try to focus on the task at hand. I first make sure that all the switches are in the correct position. This includes the fuel valve switch, which needs to be set to “on” for each engine.
Next, I turn the engine start selector knob to “start” for the left engine. This sends a signal to the engine’s computer to begin the ignition sequence. As the engine spools up, I watch the RPM gauge to make sure it’s running smoothly. Once it’s stable, I’ll move on to starting the right engine. After both engines are running, I’ll verify that all the systems are working properly, such as the oil pressure, fuel flow, and temperature gauges.
Then, it’s time to taxi to the runway. I release the brakes and use the power lever to move forward, while also steering with the rudder pedals.
But no matter how hard I try, my thoughts keep drifting back to Amber. The way she looked lounging by the pool, the moon glinting off her curves. The way she looked all breathless, perched at the edge of my bed back in the hotel room. How she looked just now, breathing heavily, her eyes locked with mine. Her gorgeous green eyes. Those lips. That body. That dazzling smile.
And how I have to spend weeks with her, around her. There is no way this is going to end up well.
For either of us.
Well, fuck!
I am totally screwed.
As we take off, I can feel the plane accelerate beneath me, and I feel a rush of excitement. I’m always amazed at the power of these machines, and I feel privileged to be able to fly them. We climb steadily into the sky, and I can see the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean spread out below us. It’s a breathtaking sight, and I’m glad that Amber is getting to see it, too.
But as we continue our ascent, I can feel the plane start to shake a bit. My hands instinctively grip the controls tighter as we hit a patch of turbulence. I cringe a little, knowing that Amber must be feeling it, too, back in her seat.
Fuck! I wanted to make this flight as smooth as possible for her.
I try to keep my voice steady as I speak into the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re experiencing a bit of turbulence, so I’m going to ask you to fasten your seatbelts and remain in your seats until we reach smoother air.” I know I am only doing this out of routine, and a little bit as a way of humoring Amber and Liv, since they are the only other people on the plane.
I can only imagine how Amber is reacting to the turbulence, and I hope she’s not too scared. I know that it can be a bit unsettling, especially for someone who’s not used to flying.
As we level off, I can see that we’re heading toward a lush, tropical destination. It’s a popular tourist spot, known for its stunning beaches and luxury resorts. I know that Amber will be excited to explore everything it has to offer.
The flight takes about two hours and we arrive at the predicted time.
As we approach the airport, I begin to run through the landing checklist in my head. I want to make sure that everything is in order before we touch down. I can feel the tension in my shoulders as I focus on the task at hand.
Finally, we touch down smoothly on the runway, and I let out a sigh of relief. I can hear the sound of the landing gear engaging and feel the brakes engaging as we slow to a stop.
“Welcome to Cancun, Mexico,” I say over the intercom. “I hope you all enjoyed the flight, and I hope you have a great trip.”
Is that a giggle? Did I just hear a giggle back there or was I just hoping I did?
I have to fight the urge to leave the cockpit and check up on her. I am just glad Liv was back there with her.
As I turn off the intercom, I wonder what adventures lie ahead for me and Amber in this tropical paradise.
Maybe this trip won’t be so bad after all, if I can constantly remind myself that she is completely off-limits.
I sure hope this trip goes by without a single hitch or situation.
In fact, I will make sure of it.
Now, I just need to let the plane be serviced as I enjoy what Cancun has to offer. I take a cab and make my way to the resort lobby, the cool air conditioning blasting away the heat from outside. The lobby is bustling with people, and the front desk has a long line of guests checking in. I look for the designated check-in area for staff and walk over to the receptionist. I give her my name and show my ID to confirm my reservation. She hands me my keycard and explains the resort amenities, including the spa, gym, and different dining options.