Chapter Twenty-two

His soft breathing was so comforting. He was sleeping with his head resting over her heart. She rubbed her fingers across his temples and into his dark curls.  Maybe the plane would never stop. Maybe they could just fly away like this forever.  Being with him was like a dream that she never wanted to wake from. Most of the time she still couldn’t believe that she could be so lucky.  No, it wasn’t always a picnic. His hockey schedule left her lonely quite a bit. His media schedule was worse, but then he’d show up and do something like this.  She loved that he like to surprise her, but she always wondered if he knew that she didn’t need it. She just needed him - just needed this, to lie with him in her arms and feel his love around her like a blanket.  This was all she wanted.

A voice made her jump slightly until she realized it was the PA system on the plane.

“Mr. Crosby,” it said. “We are approaching our destination. We will begin our descent shortly. We should touch down in approximately thirty minutes.”

He stirred and lifted his head, looking at her with his sleepy, hazel eyes. 

“Guess we should get dressed,” he mumbled.  He kissed her neck before rolling over to the nightstand and checking the time on his watch. He smiled and rolled back over to her.  

“You know,” he said with a sly smile. “We have a little time.”

He pulled the covers down to her waist, baring her naked breasts.  He cupped the left one and covered the nipple with his mouth. Payton moaned and then gasped as the plane lurched in an air pocket beginning descent. She grabbed at his shoulders in a flash of panic. Payton was not a very good flyer. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said gently putting his arms around her. Her breath was coming fast and her heart was beating rapidly. She looked up into his eyes with a nervous smile and he smothered her mouth with his.  He kissed her deeply and thoroughly, so that every thought other than him was driven from her mind.  He playfully bit her bottom lip and looked down into her eyes.

“Better?”

“Hmmmm?” she mumbled dreamily, then realized what he meant. “Oh, yes. Much better.”

“I guess we should probably get dressed though. If we’re going to hit turbulence, I want you in a seat belt and not digging your nails into me.”

“I thought you liked that,” she grinned guiltily.

“I do, but not when you’re panicking. I think you drew blood.”

“I did not!” she exclaimed, shoving him in the chest. He laughed at her and got out of bed, flashing his perfectly round ass at her before hiding it behind his boxer briefs.  She stayed safely under the covers and watched him dress. She loved watching how his muscles flexed as he moved. She loved looking at his perfectly maintained hockey body.  He had a broad back and chest with shoulders that looked like they could carry a bear.  His abs were lean and ripped. His hips were slim, but led down to that wonderfully plump rear and massive thighs that was common among hockey players.  Payton decided that playing hockey had to be the best possible way to stay in shape.  Sid was a sniper, so his arms were incredibly well defined.  He reminded her of paintings that she’d seen of Atlas, the Titan from Greek mythology who held the world on his shoulders.  Though she didn’t believe Atlas ever smiled like that.

“You know, turnabout is fair play.”  He grinned and sat on the edge of the bed, motioning for her to get dressed.  She slipped out of the bed fully aware of his eyes on her.  He watched her every move.  He groaned softly when she tossed her hair out of the way putting on her bra.  She watched him lick his lips as she moved closer to him.  She stood in front of him in her bra and panties and slid her hands to the back of his neck and into his hair and kissed him. He leaned back pulling her on top of him on the bed. She kissed his neck and raised herself onto her hands and knees straddling him. She looked deep in his stunning eyes.

“Sidney,” she whispered. “I love you so much.”

He reached up for her and kissed her deeply, pulling her down again. She kissed his neck and whispered in his ear.

“You know I don’t need all this.”

He looked up at her quizzically.

“I only need you,” she answered his look. “I don’t need you to wisk me away to parts unknown. I don’t need fancy boats and planes and dinners in far away places. All I need is you. All I want is you.”

“I know that,” he said quietly. “But I thought it was time to take you home.”

She raised herself up on her hands again in shock.

“Home? Sidney, where are we going?”

He smiled at her reaction and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “You better get dressed. We’ll be in Halifax in a few minutes.”