Chapter 2

His eyes run over me, and the heat in them would’ve knocked me on my ass if I wasn’t already seated.

“I’m Dane,” he says, holding out a large hand to me.

I take it, watching my hand disappear in his and nearly sighing at how damn good he feels. I tell myself to stop being so ridiculous, that it’s only a handshake. It’s not like he’s caressing my pussy or anything, but there’s no controlling my body when he’s around. I feel my panties grow wet, and I’m suddenly very warm and my heart is racing.

“Are you okay?” he asks, eyeing my flushed skin and the way my breaths are coming faster.

“Um, yeah,” I mumble feeling like an idiot. “Just a bit nervous about flying, I guess.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

He gives me a reassuring smile that instantly makes me feel better. He’s so fucking gorgeous, and I want to crawl in his lap so badly I can barely stand it, but the rational part of my brain is still in enough control to convince me that’s not such a great plan.

“What’s your name?”

“Mandy,” I tell him and then realize I’m still gripping his hand. “Sorry,” I say, trying to pull away, but he squeezes my hand harder, holding me in place.

“Don’t apologize for touching me, Mandy. How old are you?”

“Eighteen.” It comes out in a breathy rush, and when he rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, I let out a soft moan that has him fighting a grin.

“I’m very glad to hear that,” he says before setting my hand back in my lap. He lets his fingers trail over my inner wrist and palm, leaving the memory of his touch lingering on my skin and making me miss the feel of him immediately.

I want to reach for his hand or just beg him to keep touching me, but the flight attendant starts the mandatory announcement of what we should all do in case the plane explodes and starts to fall from the sky. I ignore her and look out the window, noticing how dark it already is. I’d picked a night flight on purpose, thinking maybe I’d just get lucky and sleep the entire eight hours, but now all I can think about is staying awake so I don’t miss one damn second with this man.

When we all buckle our seatbelts and prepare for the start of the flight, I grip my plush armrests and try to remember my deep breathing exercises.

“Are you okay?” Dane asks, leaning closer and looking down at me.

“I’m terrified of flying,” I admit.

“Well, let’s see if we can take your mind off things. I fly all the time, and I’ve never had any issues.”

“Maybe your good luck just ran out,” I suggest, making him laugh.

He runs his eyes over me and says, “No, I don’t think so. If anything, my luck just got better.”

I try not to smile and fail, so I bite my lip and turn to look out the window again. When I feel the plane start to turn as we approach the main runway, I close my eyes and try not to cry like a big baby.

“Just relax,” Dane says, and I let out a soft sigh when I realize how close he is. I keep my eyes closed, feeling the heat of his breath on my ear and trying like hell to not spontaneously orgasm right on the spot.

He grabs onto my wrists, pressing his finger against my pulse. “Your heart is beating very fast, Mandy,” he murmurs against my skin.

When I feel the plane start to speed up, I let out a squeal and clutch at his arm like a lifeline. He laughs and wraps his other arm around me, holding me close.

“It’s okay, little one, I’ve got you.”

And as terrified as I am, I believe him. I feel the wheels leave the ground as we begin our ascent into the night sky, but Dane’s strong arms make me feel completely safe. My body starts to relax into him, and when he feels it, he kisses my temple and says, “Good girl, just relax.”

I let out a soft moan at his words and felt the vibration of his laugh against my body. I had no idea how much I would enjoy being called a good girl, but fucking hell, hearing those words come out of Dane’s sexy mouth has me practically parting my legs and begging him to pop my cherry and make me his.

“What made you decide to go to Denmark,” he asks, knocking me out of my deflowering fantasy.

“I wanted to see where my parents were from.”

“Were?” he asks, running his thumb over my inner wrists in a way that’s so damn soothing it makes me want to arch my back and purr like a damn cat.

“They died two years ago.”

“I’m very sorry to hear that.” He tightens his arms around me even more as if he’s trying to protect me from everything bad in the world.

“It’s okay,” I say, even though we both know it’s not.

“Who took care of you?”

“My cousin,” I say, and he must hear something in my voice because his body tenses.

“They haven’t taken good care of you?”

I’m surprised by how angry he sounds, and there’s no denying how much I love it. I’ve been all on my own since my parents died with no one to stick up for me or be kind to me. I’ve missed having someone in my corner.

“She let me sleep on her couch when I needed a place to live, so I guess she’s been nice enough.”

Dane doesn’t say anything, but I can tell he’s pissed and has a lot to say about it.

“Anyway,” I say, changing the subject. “I’ve been working and saving up my money for years so I could make this trip. I have dual citizenship since my parents were Danish, and between you and me, I don’t plan on ever going back.”

“You’re very brave, little Mandy,” he says, and I smile at the compliment.

“Where are you from?” I ask, wanting to know more about the sexy, older man whose arms are still very much wrapped around me.

“I was born in Denmark, but I grew up all over.”

“Wait, your parents are Danish, and they named you Dane?” I ask, laughing and looking up at him.

He smiles and says, “My mother has a wicked sense of humor. She said she never wanted me to forget where I came from.”

I smile up at him, meeting his intense, blue eyes and realizing how damn close we are. All it would take is for him to lean down just a tiny bit and our lips would be touching. He seems to be thinking the same thing. His gaze darkens as he cups my face. When he runs his thumb over my lips, I let out a soft moan that has him smiling.