Read Crazy, Undercover, Love for Free Online Page B

murmur, tucking it under me. I watch as she takes a seat by the emergency exit, trying to ignore the flutter of panic in my stomach. I absolutely hate landing, always worrying the plane won’t brake in time and will overshoot the runway or that despite being strapped in I’ll get tossed around the cabin somehow. I may have watched too many disaster movies but it’s the first episode of
Lost
I blame, when the plane crashes on the mysterious tropical island and the beach is awash with broken fuselage and torn bodies.
    Compared to the stress of being near destitute, landing should be easy, but rationalising doesn’t stop me moulding my body into the damp seat, or my short bitten nails from digging into the slick leather armrests.
    ‘Once we’ve disembarked it’s a twenty minute drive to the hotel,’ Alex says curtly, powering down his laptop.
    I nod, staring at the headrest of the opposite chair and smarting from his tone. I don’t know what his problem is but he’s going to have to get over it. And I’m going to act like the strong independent woman I was before Tony bowled into my life. I will deal with Alex head-on  …  if I get off the flight alive.
    The plane begins its descent. Screwing up my eyes, I start counting inside my head. The engines slow and my breathing comes in short sharp bursts through my nose, jaw clamped tight. We hit an air pocket, dipping down then up, and I let out a quiet squeak, ears popping.
Please don’t crash, please don’t crash, please do not crash.
    There’s a muffled protesting squawk from the stewardess and I sense movement but dare not open my eyes. What if the crew are preparing for an emergency landing? I’ll freak out completely. Better to stay in blissful ignorance.
    I get a shock as long warm fingers curve round mine in silent comfort. I tilt my head and squint out of one eye and find Alex beside me, a serious expression on his face.
    ‘We’ll be fine,’ he whispers close to my ear and I shiver. ‘Just keep breathing.’
    I didn’t have him down as the compassionate sort, but the thoughtfulness and his comment make me smile. Does he think I’m so scared I’ll stop breathing? That’d be a great front page headline.
Woman hyperventilates to death on plane, too wimpy to cope!
    ‘Okay,’ I murmur, ‘I’ll try.’
    ‘Good.’
    His deep blue long-lashed eyes stare into mine. My chest squeezes my heart into my throat, or at least that’s what it feels like. The connection of our hands brings us close enough that our arms are aligned, his shoulder against mine.
    ‘You’ve already dropped your end of the deal,’ he remarks.
    ‘Pardon?’
    ‘Oh good, you are still breathing. For a second there I wasn’t sure.’
    Smart-arse, I think and can’t stop another smile from erupting. I shift away a bit. Maybe if we’re not so close  …  ‘Landing might present a challenge but I’m pretty sure I can cope with drawing breath.’ Is the shadow of stubble on his jaw getting darker? God, he’s sexy.
    He cocks an eyebrow, a bit Sean Connery as James Bond. ‘From the shade of white you’re currently sporting I wondered how much oxygen was making it to your brain.’
    ‘Gee, thanks!’ Mouth dropping open, I go to wrench my hand away.
    His fingers tighten, stopping me. ‘Relax! I’m kidding. You really are anxious about flying aren’t you?’ He nods to the towel peeking out from under my legs. ‘Is that why you spilt your water?’
    ‘Yes.’ No, it’s because I’m clumsy as hell when I forget to pay due care and attention. ‘It’s not the flying though, it’s the landing bit. I really don’t like the transition from air to ground.’
    ‘Why didn’t you say something earlier?’
    ‘I need this assignment.’ I pause. ‘And we couldn’t exactly boat across.’
    He’s not quick enough to hide his smile. ‘No, but I would have tried to make it easier for you if I’d known.’
    An automatic response
would you really have cared?
almost breaks free but