Chapter 40

40

DEAN

S arah drained the last of her wine, a contented look on her face. It was endearing. She was tough as nails in the cockpit, but right then, I just saw a beautiful woman that I was insanely attracted to.

The waiter returned with my card. I signed the bill as Sarah sighed and pretended to struggle to stand up. I found myself laughing along with her. It would take a lot more than a few big lasagna meals to make her as big as she pretended to be.

"Alright, let's go," I said, offering my hand to her. She took it without hesitation.

As we walked out of the restaurant, she leaned into me, her arm snaking through mine, making me feel warm and connected. The London streets were lit up with soft white lights. It was beautiful, the perfect setting to stroll through with a gorgeous woman at my side.

We walked past Westminster Abbey.

"Wow," Sarah breathed, her eyes wide with admiration as she gazed at the historic masterpiece. "I've only ever seen it in pictures. This is something else."

I smiled at her reaction, glad to see her so enthralled. I had visited enough that some of the novelty had worn off, and her excitement rekindled my passion for the place. I was glad to be the one showing her the historical place.

"I wish we could go in." She sighed.

"We can try and go tomorrow," I offered. "I'd offer to break in but we don't want to cause an international incident."

"The general would court martial us both," she said, grinning and shaking her head.

We continued our walk. The night air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the warmth of Mississippi. It was nice not to be sticky for a change.

As we rounded a corner, the Thames came into view with its surface reflecting the glow of the city's lights. Sarah stopped and released my hand to lean over the edge, looking down at the river as it flowed beneath us.

"Can you feel the history?" she asked. "Imagine all the historical figures that have walked this path and stood right here. Winston Churchill, William Shakespeare, the Spice Girls."

I laughed. "Indeed, there is history on every street corner."

"I can't believe I'm here," she said softly. "It feels surreal. I was so focused on the flying aspect, I never really thought much about actually being in London."

The first time I had been to London, I had felt the same way. But now, it was like seeing it for the first time again. That was because I was sharing it with her. She made it better. Her excitement was contagious and made me see the city through fresh eyes.

We continued our walk along the riverbank, holding hands like we were teenagers. Sarah sighed and rested her head on my shoulder.

"It's nice to be out in the world with you," she said. "It feels good to be normal together."

"I agree," I said.

Back home we would never be able to walk around freely like this. Not without arising suspicion, which would lead to reports, which would lead to the wrong people finding out about us, like Mo, which would lead to annihilation by a space laser, probably. We would both lose her father's respect at the very least, and he would never forgive me for the betrayal. I didn't think either of us were interested in having that happen.

"It sucks we have to keep this a secret," she said. "We can't go to dinner or even look at each other. It would cause a lot of trouble."

"You're right." I nodded. "We could get around the rules, but I don't think your dad would ever be okay with it."

"I agree," she said, her voice sounding muffled as she buried her face into my shoulder. "My father can be a bit overprotective."

I chuckled lightly, thinking back to the steely gaze her father had given me the first time we met. He was a stern man. And strict. He didn't break the rules. Ever.

We walked by a bar with a crowded nightlife. The noise of people having a good time spilled out onto the sidewalk. I glanced at Sarah, knowing how much she loved to dance and have a good time.

"Want to go in?" I asked, gesturing toward the bar.

She looked at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, not tonight. We don't have much time with just the two of us being able to be together. I don't want to waste it on a crowded dance floor. I don't want to share you. I want us to go back to the hotel."

Her words sent a thrill through me. I wasn't going to say no to that. Without hesitating, we made our way back to the hotel and went up to our room.

"Want some champagne?" I asked. "When in Rome…"

She grinned. "I think that sounds like a good idea."

I picked up the phone and called for room service. I watched as she stood by the window and looked out over the city.

"Five minutes," I told her.

I crossed the room in a few strides and pulled her into my arms. Our lips met in a slow, deep kiss, the kind that made my heart race and my mind go red with desire.

My hands moved to her waist, pulling her close. It was nothing short of a miracle I managed to keep my hands to myself this long.

"This dress is making me hot," I said. "I'm debating if I want to keep looking at you in it or if I want to strip it off of you."

She laughed softly. "What a conundrum. We'll just have to see where the night takes us, won't we?"

She reached up and pulled my head down to hers for another kiss. It was deep and slow and only served to make me hotter. Our bodies moved in a rhythm that was familiar yet new, as though we were kissing each other for the first time. Her hands found their way to the nape of my neck, playing with the strands of hair there and sending jolts of pleasure through me.

The knock came too soon. The champagne had arrived. We reluctantly pulled away from each other. I walked to the door and slipped the bellboy some money. I wasn't entirely sure how much money I had given him, but I didn't care.

I carried the ice bucket in and put it down. It only took a few seconds for me to open the bottle and pour us each a bubbling glass.

She eagerly took her glass and sipped it. "Do you know, I've only had champagne one other time?"

"Really?"

Then I remembered she was barely of legal drinking age. "How old are you?" I asked. "I know I'm not supposed to ask a woman what her age is, but I think in this case, I should know."

She laughed softly. "I'm legal."

"I know you're legal, but just what are we dealing with?"

"I'm twenty-two," she answered.

I grimaced, remembering myself at that age. "I thought it was something like that."

"You think I'm too young?"

"No. Yes. I think your age is too young, but I don't think you are too young."

She gave me a funny look. "You do realize it's one and the same."

"Not quite. You're wiser than your years."

"And you're thirty," she said.

I nodded. "I am."

I watched as she took a drink and waited to see how she was going to handle that information.

"You think I'm too old, don't you?" I asked. "Because I think I'm too old for you."

She grinned. "No. I mean, if I was a typical woman of my age, I would probably date men younger than you, but I don't date a lot."

"I'm going to sound like a caveman, but good. I like that. I don't like the idea of you dating a lot of men. I've certainly seen the way your fellow officers look at you."

She laughed, a soft, melodic sound that fluttered through the air. "You're more possessive than a caveman. Is that because you're older?"

I smiled at her. "Age has nothing to do with it. And I don't think I'm possessive. Not really."

"But you don't like the idea of me dating a lot of men."

"That's because they don't deserve you." I said it before I could stop myself, before I could temper the intensity of my words.

Her smile softened and she looked at me. "And you think you do?"

My heart pounded with anticipation. "Honestly? I'm not sure. But I do know that I want to try and be what you deserve."

She stared at me. Her fingers traced the rim of the champagne flute, a small smile playing on her lips. The silence was heavy but not uncomfortable.

"I think you are definitely worthy." She nodded. "But maybe you should audition for the part."

I chuckled lightly, reaching for my own drink and taking a sip. The bubbles tickled my tongue before sliding down my throat, a pleasant contrast to the heat building within me. She knew she was driving me wild.

"I'm happy to try out for the part." I grinned. "I've been saving my best moves for the audition."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." I looked directly into her eyes.

"We should make the most of tonight," she whispered, her voice low and husky. "Who knows when we'll have a chance like this again?"

I nodded, my eyes never leaving hers. "I couldn't agree more."

I reached for her, fingers trailing down her spine, feeling her shiver under my touch. She turned and walked toward the bathroom, her hips swaying before she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "I'm going to take a bath. I saw all that free bubble-bath stuff and I plan on soaking away all my worries."

I followed, unable to tear my eyes away. The luxurious bathroom had a giant soaker tub taking up most of the space. Sarah leaned over the edge and turned on the water. I watched as she sniffed each of the bottles of bubble bath before choosing one and dumping it in the tub.

I leaned against the door and watched as she unzipped her dress, letting it fall to the tile floor. I swallowed the lump in my throat when I saw her standing in nothing but a black lace bra and thong. She was easily the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

Her gaze held mine as she slowly removed her bra and underwear. She let me look my fill before she stepped into the warm water. She turned to me, a wicked smile on her lips.

"Join me?" she asked, her voice teasing.

I didn't need to be asked twice. I quickly undressed and stepped into the tub, sinking into the water behind her. The heat and steam enveloped me. I pulled her against me, her back resting against my chest.

We sat there for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of being close. The tension of the last few weeks melted away, leaving only us, together. I ran my hands down her arms, feeling the smoothness of her skin under my fingers. She sighed, leaning back against me.

"This is perfect," she whispered.

"Yeah, it is," I agreed, kissing her shoulder.

"When's the last time you took a bath?" she asked with a soft giggle.

"Probably when I was three," I replied.

She chuckled, tilting her head back to look at me. "You were missing out. This is heaven."

"I think you're right," I said, my gaze drawn to the soft outline of her face in the steam-filled room.

She reached for a sponge and dipped it into the water, lathering it with soap before she ran it over her arms. I took it from her and pushed her forward. I gently scrubbed her back, pushing her hair to the side, and reveled in the sight of her.

We stayed like that for a while, the water lapping gently around us. Eventually, Sarah shifted, turning in my arms to face me. Her eyes were dark, filled with desire. She leaned in, capturing my lips in a searing kiss. I pulled her closer, her legs straddling me. Her hands slid up my arms and around my back. Our tongues dueled, while our hands roamed each other's soap-slicked bodies.