We Never Kissed

Chapter 7

Ava

Despite sitting in a comfy recliner—more luxurious than any furniture in my apartment in Vegas—I squirmed as the plane hit a bit of turbulence. I stared across at Alex, who didn’t appear to have an ounce of worry in his gaze, in this ridiculous private plane. Alex said it was called a Gulfstream and that I would be much more comfortable than in a commercial aircraft. I found it to be the opposite.

I didn’t know what the hell I was thinking, but somehow Alex had talked me into flying with him to Vegas. I had planned to fly back after my parents’ party, finish packing what little things I had, and then drive back with Gunnar, who didn’t have a vehicle. That was still the plan for the way back.

“Are you sure this is okay?” I said, nervously clasping my hands in my lap.

“Well it’s too late now,” he said with a chuckle.

Alex apparently had this big deal in the works, and one of the companies involved owned this jet and sent for him. He worked for an investment banking firm, and according to Sammy is one of their top dogs. Sammy could have been there right with him but chose a different life. Sometimes I wondered if Alex didn’t want any of the traditional things Sammy chose for himself. Our conversations never got that deep. No, I didn’t just wonder it; I feared it.

“Like I said, they told me to pick when and where—somewhere midway between us—so I said Vegas. I guess you’re lucky the timing worked out, huh?”

“Yeah, lucky,” I said with a bite to my tone because what I really felt was awkward. Without Dax as a distraction, we were forced to either address the elephant in the room or dance around it, like always.

“I know you’re not afraid to fly, so…”

“In this plane? I mean, didn’t you see any of the movies about famous people dying in planes like this?” He made a face and I continued, “Buddy Holly? Jim Croce? Ritchie Valens? ”

“Since most of those were decades ago, I’m guessing this plane is a lot safer…”

I stuck my tongue out at him.

“I could come over there and hold your hand if you want?”

He might have been teasing me, but the thought sent a wave of heat through me. If he were paying attention, he’d see it on my cheeks. “Let’s just change the subject, okay?”

“Fine with me…” He stared at me a moment, as if he were debating asking me something.

“What?” If ever there was a time to do this, now was probably best. I braced myself for his next words.

“Talk to me about this Gunter fellow, and why I haven’t met him.”

Now that I hadn’t expected, and I let out a laugh. “What are you, my daddy?”

“Do you want me to be?”

His deep tone sent a thrill through me, and my pulse quickened. Alex had a way of drawing me in and then scaring the shit out of me. I wasn’t sure how I was ever going to navigate this thing with him. It was like standing at the edge of a canyon, wondering how the hell you could make the leap across. With my mouth hanging open, I searched for what to say. When he lifted a brow in challenge, I steeled myself. “First of all,” I said matter-of-factly, “it’s Gunnar, and secondly you did meet him. ”

“Guess he made quite an impression on me.”

“Well, most people who meet Gunnar never forget him…”

One side of his mouth quirked up in a sexy smile that made my heart pound. “Maybe I was distracted…”

“Anyway… We’ve actually known each other for a long time. Well, we danced together for a long time, but we only grew close in the last couple of years.”

“And you guys never…” Rubbing his jaw, he watched me intently.

“No! I mean, we might have had a drunken make-out session once, but we realized we were so much better friends. We have a lot in common, but we both really bonded over doing charity work. Instead of regular coffee dates, we volunteer together.” A nervous energy in my stomach told me I was in dangerous territory talking about my volunteer work. I’d been hesitant to bring up Alex’s mom, and yet as long as I don’t, it feels like lying.

“Can I ask you something?”

I nodded.

“Since I’ve known you, you’ve always wanted to help people. You always loved volunteering at the hospital with your mom, and now you’re doing this charity work with Gunnar. So, why are you working at a publishing company? ”

“Because I have a degree in English…and Mark helped me get the job.”

He looked thoughtful then, and I hoped he wasn’t judging me. The days of Alex trying to tell me what to do were over. But then he surprised me with, “You’re an amazing woman, Ava, and I think your heart is telling you which direction to go in. You left Mark. Maybe it’s time to leave that job too.”

“God, I hate it when you’re right.” My eyes popped wide. “Shit, did I say that out loud?”

“I’m afraid so.”

That sexy grin was shining bright, and all I could think about was him leaning over and pressing his mouth to mine. My breath grew heavy as we gazed across the small space.

“Alex,” I said at the same time he said, “Listen…”

We laughed but before either of us could continue, the captain announced our descent.

“That was fast,” I said, even though I knew LA to Harry Reid was a quick trip. My heart sank as realization set in. We would go our separate ways, and I wasn’t sure when I’d see Alex. I’d be home in a few days, but then what? If he wasn’t ready to talk about a relationship, then clearly he wasn’t ready to have one.

Once we landed and were given the all clear to remove our seatbelts and get our bags, disappointment poured over me. What did I think was going to happen? That Alex would profess his love to me, take me into his arms, make love to me right there on the plane like in some romance movie? Any or all of the above would have been nice…

Silently, I reached for my small carryon and slung it over my shoulder, avoiding Alex’s gaze. He was in front of me, so I couldn’t move until he did. When his fingers touched just under my chin and nudged it up, I startled, eyes wide as they connected with his.

“What’s wrong, Ava?” He said it softly, and his sincere concern cut like a dagger to my heart.

I shook my head, afraid to say the wrong thing but more scared of not saying anything.

“You’re upset…at me?” And then he grinned.

“Is this funny to you?”

Alex released my chin and ran his hand down my hair, stepping closer so our bodies brushed against each other. “No,” he whispered, his lips near mine. “I was just thinking about the irony.”

“Of what?” I said, breathless.

“The last time you were mad at me at an airport.”