Runaway

Silver Wings

Im doing my last-minute checks to make sure I have everything I need when I hear a car pull up outside. So I start dragging my bags out the door to meet the driver. I've over-packed as usual and have my back turned towards the door using my butt the hold the door open while I tug my suitcase out behind me. 

"You need any help with that?" I hear behind me. Embarrassed I snap up and spin around and see Kaylex snickering at me. "Well... As a matter of fact yes. A little help would be appreciated" I say while I continue to struggle with my bag that's hung up on something in the door. He walks up onto the porch laughing at my feeble attempts to drag the bag across the threshold. "Here, put that down before you break something or get hurt," he says as he grabs the bag from my hand. "Oh!" I'm sorry, I say as I feel the static discharge from our contact. "There must have been static build-up from me trying to drag the bag across the floor. Bless your heart, I seem to zap you every time you get near me." I say embarrassed. He just laughs "Don't apologize, Liz, it doesn't bother me in the least" he says as he makes his way to the back of the SUV with my bags. Somehow this man has managed to pick them all up and carry them at once. Not saying he is weak or anything, but I packed a lot of s**t. So it's pretty impressive. 

As he loaded everything in the back I got into the passenger seat and got bucked in while waiting on him. 

"You do know we are coming back in a week, right?" he asks.

"Yeah... Why do you ask?"

"Well, I thought maybe you misunderstood the timetable given the amount of bags you have packed."

"Haha... No. I just don't like not being prepared for a possible change in the itinerary. I want to know I have the right shoes for any occasion."

"How many pairs of shoes did you pack?" He asks with raised eyebrows. 

"A few"

"Liz, how many is a few exactly"

"Well, I can't rightly say. I didn't count"

"Estimate."

"Maybe 8??" I say with a shrug.

"Eight?!"

"Well, a girl needs options. Plus I packed about one pair of shoes for every two outfits. So think that's a good balance." I say defensively.

"You packed SIXTEEN outfits?!" he says in disbelief. 

"Well, I told you I like options. What if I wake up feeling fat and bloated and decide I want to wear something a little more forgiving, but all I had packed was stuffy uncomfortable clothes. This way I don't have to worry about that. I have options."

"I may need to talk to the pilot about re-evaluating the fuel needed for this flight. I had no idea we were traveling with an entire wardrobe."

I snort with laughter "Entire wardrobe? Ha! This is just a few of my late winter / early spring pieces."

"What would you have done if you had to check the bags at the airport?"

"I would've shipped most of my things to your estate last week," I answer as if it's the most obvious solution.

"You're serious aren't you?" he asks me sounding surprised. 

"Hahaha... No. I'm not serious. Truth is I get anxiety when I travel and I tend to over pack. I've been stranded before and I hate not feeling prepared."

"So we can ditch at least half these shoes?"

"No. My neurosis is satisfied with the 8 I have packed." I say with a grin. 

"If you say so." he says with raised eye brows.

"What about you? I don't see any of your bags in the back." I say as I am turned around in my seat looking in the back of the SUV.

"I keep a wardrobe at the estate so I don't have to travel with much luggage. It makes it easier for me to go when I need to without much notice."

"How often do you have to make last minute trips that you need to keep a full wardrobe there?"

"Not too often, but we have close family friends who we work with occasionally, so I like to be available to them if need be."

"Oh... ok." 

"You want to hit the drive through and get a coffee?" Kaylex ask.

"Yes! I thought you would never offer!" I reply dramatically with a smile. 

"Ok, We'll swing in here at Starbucks and grab a coffee. What do you want?"

"Um.. Just a Venti White Chocolate Mocha with a double shot of espresso. I know, very basic." I say with an eye roll.

"Hahaha... You sure you need all that caffeine before getting on a long flight?"

"ADHD buddy, caffeine has little to no affect on me. It takes a lot just to give me a small boost. I mostly just enjoy the taste of the espresso."

"Really, I never thought you had ADHD."

"Well, I've spent a lifetime learning to manage it. I have days were I can't focus and work can be really hard. Especially time management. But I've figured out my own little tricks for dealing with it."

"That's really awesome."

"Well, I am awesome... As well as humble." I say with a laugh. 

We finally get our coffee after sitting in a ridiculous long line because everyone in Atlanta apparently decided to stop at the same Starbucks today. Shortly we were pulling up to the air port and pulling around to a private hanger for us to board the plane. When we pulled up several men dressed in sharp suits approached the vehicle and greet Kaylex. He instructs them to unload the back and take all of our items onto the plane. Kaylex then walks over to the passenger side of the vehicle where I am setting and opens the door for me. We walk towards the plane with him keeping close to me although never actually touching me. I can feel him near and I have to resist the urge to brush up against him. For some reason I'm disappointed by our lack of contact. Very soon we are greeted by a lovely middle aged woman with a bright smile. 

"Hello Mr. Alston. So Lovely to see you again. Who is the charming young lady who will be traveling with you today?"

"Good morning Betty. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Kaylex. My father is Mr. Alston, also you're like an aunt to me. As for the lady, this is Ms. Brooks."

"Please just call me Liz" I say reaching out my hand to shake hers in greeting.

"Of course Liz. It's so nice to have such a lovely lady traveling with Mr. Alston for a change." she says with a large grin as she takes my hand. 

When we board the plane it is very luxurious. The furniture is a creamy coffee tan leather and everything is accented with mahogany wood. The seats are large recliner like seats set in groups to create various work and lounge spaces. Then to the back is a bar running almost the width of the plane with a door to each side. There is beautiful white roses in a vase on the bar and various spirits and mixing utensils on the bar as well. Overall the cabin is masculine with slight feminine touches and the subtle scent of coconut and mahogany. Honestly it smells of Kaylex, as if the entire cabin is sprayed with his cologne. I can't help but take a deep breath and feel completely calm in this space. Then I hear a throat clear and I'm broken from me temporary trance of taking everything in. 

"The door the the left is to a small bathroom and to the right is the bedroom if you should get tired and need a nap." Kaylex says as he points to the doors on either side of the door. 

"If you need a food, a drink or anything else. Let me know and I'll be happy to get it for you." Betty tells me. 

"Now, everyone take your seats and I'll let the pilot know we are ready." Betty says before heading through a small door at the front of the plane. Kaylex directs me to a seat near the window and then takes the seat next to me. We buckle our seat belts and soon we hear the engines start. No matter how much I have flown, this part always makes me nervous. Its like slowly inching up the hill on a roller coaster right before the big drop. Before I know it, I have a white knuckle grip on the seat as we start our ascent. Kaylex notices and places his large hand over mine and pries my fingers from the arm rest and I take a tight hold on his hand. My nerves immediately calm and I feel much safer knowing he has me. As absurd as that sounds, him holding my small hand in his large one feels like a hug. Just lets you know everything is ok. Before I know it the plane is leveling off and we are cruising comfortably. I instantly let go of his hand in embarrassment "Thank you. I don't know why that part upsets me so much." I say looking down at my lap.

"Liz, it's fine. A lot of people hate that part. But now we are up and everything is ok. I promise, I didn't mind a bit." he says and I can hear the smile in his voice. 

I still can't bring myself to make eye contact. I know I am blushing. He sends me from confident and cocky to a pool of mush with just his touch. I hate letting a man have that much influence over me. But with him, I can't help it. This is going to be a long flight...