Flight (17 page)

He pulled her to the sofa and proceeded to show her everything he couldn’t do to her in
a VIP box.

The pizza was very cold by the time they got around to it. But she didn’t care. She was still lethargic and sated in the afterglow of
Ryle’s lovemaking. She barely tasted what she ate.

After dinner, they sat down in the living room to watch the hockey game. It must
have been a great game because Ryle really got into it and barely paid her any attention. She sat on the sofa while he sat on the floor near her. Once in a while, he would reach back to caress her legs, but other than that, his attention was completely on the game. She sat patiently, watching his profile more than the game. After awhile, she got up and went to take a shower. When she came back, dressed in her pajamas of cotton T-shirt and matching pants, Ryle was exactly where she left him, still deep into the game.

Being near him like this, watching him, it was hard for her to resist touching him. She started caressing his hair, lightly, and watch
ing her fingers run through the black strands of his hair, so soft and thick. When he didn’t have any reaction to that, she ran her fingertips over his scalp, rubbing gently. But once she started, she couldn’t stop. She ran her fingers down his neck and over his chest. His chest felt hard while the long sleeved T-shirt he wore was cashmere soft.

Ryle lifted a hand
to cover hers against his chest, caressing the back of her hand absently as he continued to watch the game. She let him hold her hand for a while before reaching over with her other hand to caress him. She slipped her free hand inside the neckline of his T-shirt to caress his bare skin. It was intoxicating touching him, and her fingertips tingled as they skimmed over his skin. She was getting aroused just from touching him and her breathing was starting to catch.

Ryle released her hand and turned around abruptly to face her. He knelt on the floor near her feet, looming over her as he pressed her back against the sofa and kissed her deeply. She moaned, her fingers caressing his hair and his neck and his shoulders. He removed her pajamas swiftly and efficiently, pinning her against the sofa as he lean
ed over her, kissing her deeply, his tongue plundering the inner recess of her mouth.

Charlie
moaned, her hands reached for his belt and zipper, but he grabbed her hands and pinned them down on the seat of the sofa with his, holding them immobile. She squirmed, trying to use her body to convey her need. He ignored her silent plead for several minutes as he ran rough kisses down her throat toward her breasts. She cried out as he bit her nipple a little too hard. Then he was using his tongue to gently lick it until the pain subsided.

“
Ryle, please,” She gasped.

He ignored her plead
s and gave her other nipple the same treatment. He bit down on it until she cried out and then he was licking it softly. She was aroused to a fever pitch and she could barely think straight.

In one swift and rough movement, he spread her thighs and pulled her out to the edge of the soft seat. He had released her hands and his hands were holding her inner thighs. She squirmed, feeling embarrassed by his view of her. But he didn’t let her move, pinning her on the seat, his long fingers fanned out around her thighs and his thumbs were rubbing her wet pussy, watching it respond.

“Ryle, no,” She choked.

He didn’t stop. He bent and started pressing light kisses on her wet pussy, and then he was licking it and sucking it. He sucked the soft flesh into his mouth, his tongue rubbing her clit insistently. She moaned, throwing her head back as pleasure washed over her
, starting from the very center of her desire. His mouth and tongue was doing the most amazing things to her and she moaned loudly, her whole body was taut with pleasure. She could feel it building higher and higher, and then as he flicked his tongue hard against her clit a few more times, she burst open, screaming as she did. She grasped his hair, unconsciously holding him there as intense pleasure racked her body.

When she slowly slid back down to earth, she noticed he was gently caressing her, his hands strangely tender. She was too weak to move. He knelt up gave her a soft kiss and she could taste herself on his lips.

On Sunday her parents were planning another big dinner. This time, even Mandy and Rob were coming. Normally, on Sunday evenings, Mandy and Rob had dinner with either set of their in-laws. But this weekend, Megan was staying over at Mandy’s parents, and Rob’s parents were away on holiday, so Mandy and Rob had the evening free. It was natural that they would join Charlie and her parents for dinner. Becky and Sean were also coming. And two more couples, friends of her parents, would also be there.

Charlie
had slept over at Ryle’s on Saturday night. But on Sunday afternoon, she went home to help her mom prepare dinner. As usual, she helped with all the washing and peeling, while her mom did the real cooking. Her mom even talked her into making her chocolate cheesecake.

By six o’clock, guests were starting to arrive. Her parents’ friends arrived early, Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin, and Mrs. and Mr. Holton, and their daughter Julia. Julia was a year older than
Charlie. Mandy and Rob also arrived early; Mandy went into the kitchen to help while Rob chatted with the others.

At ten to seven, the door bell rang again.
Charlie was standing closest to the door, and she went to answer it.

“
Hey Charlie,”

“
Hey guys,” Charlie exchanged a hug and kiss with Becky and Sean.

“
Guess who we bumped into.” Becky asked brightly.

Charlie
was about to guess Ryle, when Jeff stepped into the porch light. “Jeff!” She smiled despite her confusion.

“
Hi Charlie,” Jeff murmured, walking closer.

“
It’s nice to see you.” She said.

“
Er…yeah. I hope it’s not too presumptuous of me.” Jeff said a little awkwardly. “When I called your mom to thank her for the pie, she insisted I come to dinner tonight. She seemed offended that I haven’t been to her Sunday dinners for awhile.”

Oh, God.
Charlie knew she was to blame for that. She didn’t get a chance again to tell her mom about Jeff and now it was a mess. She didn’t mind Jeff coming to dinner; far from it. She meant it when she extended her parents invitation that he was always welcome. But she didn’t want to put him in this awkward position without at least talking with him first.

Charlie
smiled as warmly as she could. “Like I said, Jeff, you’re always welcome. And my mom can be a very persistent lady.”

“
That she is.” Becky murmured.

“
Please, come in.” Charlie let them walked past her into the front hallway. She was about to close the door when she saw Ryle walking up to the porch.

“
Hey,”

“
Hey,” She said. “Glad you could make it.”

“
Er, yeah.” Ryle murmured, puzzled by her formality. His bafflement cleared as he stepped inside to find Becky, Sean and Jeff taking off their coats in the small confines of the front hallway. “Hey everyone,”

“
Hey Ryle.”

“
Hey,”

Charlie
closed the front door firmly and turned to face them. “Jeff, you know Ryle from PAL.”

“
Yes. We’ve worked at the same bay a couple of times.” Jeff said politely. “How’s it going?”

“
I’m good, how are you?” Ryle replied easily.

“
Good, thanks.”

They were both tall men, and they looked almost eye to eye with a slight advantage in Ryle’s favor.  Of similar frame, both men were lean and powerful from their various fitness routines. Although Jeff being an avid cyclist had thicker legs, whereas Ryle was well toned all over, and he moved with a loose-limbed fluidness
of a sleek panther, compared to Jeff’s liken of a lion.

Ryle took in the situation quietly, and she could see in his eyes that he had already guessed what might have happened.
Jeff was obviously left in the dark as to what was happening. Although being a shrewd man, Jeff would probably figure it out soon enough.

“
Can I take your jackets?” Charlie offered politely, stopping in front of the closet.

“
Thanks, Charlie.” Becky said, handing her jacket.

Charlie
hung up Becky and Sean’s jackets, and turned to the other two men.

“
Thanks, I got it.” Ryle said lightly. He was standing closer to the closet. She stepped to the side to let him hang up his own jacket.

Jeff followed suit and hung up his own jacket as well.

“Let’s not stand around here.” Charlie said brightly as she led the way down the hall into the living room.

“
I see everyone’s arrived.” Eva said, smiling as she walked up to greet the new arrivals, smiling at each of them

“
Hello Mrs. Brison.” Everyone greeted her.

“
Becky, my dear, so nice to see you again. And this young man is...?” Eva asked.

“
Mrs. Brison, this is my date Sean Edwards.” Becky introduced.

“
How do you do, Mrs. Brison.”

“
Fine thank you.” She smiled warmly at Sean before turning to direct the same smile at Ryle. “And it’s nice to see you again, Ryle.”

“
Thank you, Mrs. Brison. It’s nice to see you.” Ryle said politely.

“
And Jeff, I’m so glad you could come this evening.” Eva said, her smile brightened even more. “We have really missed you these last several weeks.”

“
Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. Brison.” Jeff said politely, returning her smile.

“
Nonsense, you know you’re always welcome.” Eva said, going up to him and taking his arm. “Let me introduce everyone.”

When Eva introduced Jeff as
Charlie’s boyfriend to the Holtons, Jeff was surprised, but he managed to cover it and continued to smile politely.

Charlie
bit her lower lip, horrified at the mess she had caused by not telling her parents the truth about herself and Jeff. She met Jeff’s eyes with an apologetic look. And glanced toward Ryle to do the same, only Julia seemed to have attached herself to Ryle’s side and was monopolizing his attention.

Unable to correct the situation right now,
Charlie went to help her dad get drinks for everyone.

“
Jeff,” She finally found a moment alone with him as she handed him his drink. “I’m so sorry; I’ll explain later.”

“
It’s all right,” Jeff said, “I…”

“
It’s so nice to see you two together again.” Eva said warmly, coming up to stand with them.

“
Mom, can I talk to you for a moment?” Charlie asked. If this continued, it would be too embarrassing for Jeff.

“
We’re starting dinner now, darling, can we talk later?” Eva asked.

Charlie
smiled, giving Jeff another apologetic smile. “Sure, Mom.”

Fourteen people for a sit-down dinner was
not an undoable feat when her mom arranged it. Her parents used the largest room as the dining room, setting up a long oblong table. It was cozy and everyone was so relaxed and looking forward to Eva's delicious food that they didn't mind a little overcrowding.

“
Eva, everything looks so delightful.” Mrs. Hamlin said.

Mrs. Holton was smiling as she looked around the table at all the food.
“I’ve been looking forward to your pork roast all week.”

Eva laughed.
“Then let’s all sit down. It’s a little tight; we’ll all just be a little cozier.”

“
The cozier the better the food tastes.” Mr. Holton chuckled.

“
So true.” Mrs. Hamlin smiled.

Her parents and their friends sat together at one end of the table;
Charlie and her friends sat together at the other end. It was a tight fit, but no one minded. Except Charlie found herself seated beside Jeff, and Ryle seated next to Julia across the table.

Julia was telling Ryle and those around her about her time spent living in Paris.
She had just come back from a trip to the French capital where she worked for a year, and she was very excited about her experience there.

“
Paris sounds beautiful,” Mandy sighed a little wistfully. “I’ve always wanted to go there. You’re so lucky to get to live there for your job.”

“
Yes, I am.” Julia agreed. “We were wined and dined almost every evening at some of the best restaurants in Paris.”

“
That sounds like such a glamorous job, Julia.” Eva smiled. “You’re a very lucky girl.”

“
Julia does get to travel to many glamorous places because of her job.” Mrs. Holton said proudly. “She often mingles with the rich and famous.”

“
My, that is very impressive.” Mrs. Hamlin said.

“
Paris was one of her longer assignments.” Mr. Holton added.

“
I imagine your French must be very good, having lived there.” Mrs. Hamlin said.

“
I am becoming rather fluent.” Julia admitted smugly.

“
Oh, do say something in French; it’s such a beautiful language.” Mrs. Hamlin urged.

“
Mais, bien sur.
” Julia said, looking around the table. “Does anyone else speak French here?”

“
Charlie speaks French.” Becky piped up quickly.

“
Becky,” Charlie muttered under her breath at her friend. She glanced toward Ryle, meeting his eyes for a moment. Those azure eyes glinted with amusement.

“
That’s right, our Charlotte speaks French.” Eva smiled. “She’s traveled to Toulouse many times.”

“
You speak French?” Jeff asked Charlie from beside her and she gave a rueful nod.

“
It’s very elementary.” She told him softly.

“
Toulouse? Where’s that?” Julia frowned.

“
It’s a city in southern France where one of the major aviation trade shows are held.” John spoke up.

“
Oh.” Julia shrugged, losing interest.

“
Well, maybe you two could have a little conversation in French.” Mrs. Hamlin said, looking between Charlie and Julia. “The French language is so romantic.”

“
I’m afraid my French is very rusty.” Charlie said.

“
I’m sure Julia can help you with whatever you forget, dear,” Mrs. Holton said magnanimously.

“
Mm. Why not? We can just say a few sentences.” Julia said confidently.

“
Okay.” Charlie agreed, seeing no graceful way out.

“
Bonjour, Charlie, comment ça va?
” Julia asked.

“
Ça va très bien, merci. Et vous?
” Charlie replied.

“
Bien. J’ai acheté la plus belle robe d’une petite magasine à Paris quand j’étais là.
” Julia said.

“
Bonne. Est-ce que tu as eu la chance de voir beaucoup de galléries et autres immeuble historique à Paris?
” Charlie asked.

“
Non, mais le shopping est excellent.
”

“
Ah oui, je comprends. J’imagine qu’il y a beaucoup de belles choses à Paris.
”

“
My goodness, that sounded so lovely.” Mrs. Hamlin sighed blissfully.

Charlie
looked at Ryle again, and he gave her a barely perceptible nod of admiration. Somehow that made it all worthwhile. She was filled with warmth at his approval.

“
Your French is very good.” Jeff whispered at her side.

Charlie
turned to look at him. “If you knew French, why didn’t you speak up?”

“
Hey, don’t look at me; I don’t speak French. I just know how it’s supposed to sound and yours sound good to me. To me, you sound like a native; even though I had no idea what you just said.” Jeff said and she laughed.