Chapter 4 4

"Oh my God, this is how I'm going to die," I said. My entire body was trembling. The plane shook again at the same moment that a crashing roar of thunder came from outside. I let out a terrified shriek as tears started pouring from my eyes.

"Belle, baby, come here," Grayson said in an agitated tone. I looked at him and saw that he was holding out his arm, encouraging me to lean on him.

"What?" I asked shakily. "N-n-no!"

Something gripped my hand tighter. I looked down to see that I was holding his hand with both of mine. I quickly let go and pushed it away from me.

Why am I so touchy with this dude?

He ran a hand through his hair as he watched me panic. He looked pained. "Please, Belle, just let me help you."

I grasped at the wall behind me, hoping it would stabilize my shaking body. "How?" Before I could get my answer, the plane was rocked by crashing loud thunder and a bright bolt of lightning that I swore must have hit us. People screamed as bags fell from the overhead compartments.

I screamed bloody murder and covered my face with my hands.

"Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God," I sobbed. This was my worst nightmare.

"Belle," Grayson said. His voice was clearer than before, and suddenly all other noises faded away. "Look at me."

As if I was under his control, I removed my hands from my face and looked at Grayson. His eyes were black again. But this time, it wasn't scary. This time, it was almost comforting.

"Come here," he said slowly.

I nodded my head and practically dove into his chest, going as far as my seat belt. would let me. I wrapped my arms around his torso and gripped his shirt in my fists.

He wrapped his arms around me, too, lifting my shirt so that his bare skin was touching my back and stomach.

"What are you doing?" I asked, shivering from the feeling of his skin against mine, and the delicious sparks traveling down my spine once more.

I felt him nuzzle my hair. "I'm sorry, I know this must be weird for you. It's just that the more skin-to-skin contact we have, the calmer you will feel."

He removed my arms from around him, and, for a moment, I felt disappointed. But then he lifted his shirt and put my arms back where they'd been.

I could feel his abs...

"See? Better, right? Touching me is helping." I felt him kiss the top of my head.

He was right. I could feel my heart rate slowing down and my nerves starting to calm. "How is this happening?" I asked. I was so overwhelmingly confused.

What is happening?

Before he could answer, there was another burst of thunder. I whimpered and pushed my face into his chest as far as it would go. His arms tightened around me, and his hands massaged my back.

"Shh, baby girl. Relax for me," he whispered, his mouth touching my ear. I felt my shoulders slowly release their tension. His voice was so smooth, so comforting-it was like he had magical powers.

I would have done anything he told me to do as long as I got to keep hearing his voice.

"There we go. That's what I like to see."

More thunder shook the plane. I pressed my face deeper into his chest and gasped.

"Nuh-uh," he said. "None of that." His lips pressed to my ear, leaving a kiss.

"Pay attention to my voice. All you can hear is my voice, baby." He trailed kisses down my neck.

He was right. Once again, the other noises faded away. The crying babies, the yelling passengers, the roaring thunder, the pounding rain-everything else went silent.

All that was left was him and me.

"The only thing you can hear is my voice. Isn't that right?" I nodded my head.

"Good. Now, slow your breathing."

My breathing went from quick, gasping breaths to slow, deep sighs.

"Good girl." His lips continued to move along my neck. "Don't be scared. I've got you. I'll take care of you."

His kisses felt like magic. His voice was like magic. Everything about him was magic. I wasn't on a plane anymore. I wasn't anywhere anymore.

It was just me and Grayson, his arms around me, his lips on my skin. I was calm. And then his lips found a spot on my neck that made fire travel throughout my body. I gasped.

Grayson smiled against my skin. "Hmm..." He began sucking on the spot, his tongue running over my skin, leaving tingles that went to my toes.

His fingers were digging into my waist, and I felt something building up inside me a feeling that I hadn't had in a long time. My entire body shuddered, and I tilted my head to the side to give him better access. His deep chuckle vibrated through my body.

"Hmm... Like that, do we?" he whispered against my skin.

I couldn't even respond. It felt like I was on drugs. Everything was moving so slowly. I let out a deep breath that sounded more like a whine because he had stopped kissing me. I didn't know exactly what I wanted, but I needed something more-something I knew Grayson could provide.

I tilted my head some more, hoping he would keep kissing me.

He sighed. "I know, beautiful, I know. But not here. Not now." He placed one more peck on the spot. "But I promise, I will make you mine. Soon."

I didn't understand what he meant. So I just moved closer to him, breathing in his heavenly scent. What kind of cologne does he use?

"That's right," he said. "I'm here and you're safe. Nothing bad will ever happen to you again. We're going to create the most amazing life together. I'm never letting you go." What did he just say?

"But for now," he said, "you need to rest."

I looked up at him. His eyes were still black.

"Sleep."

And my world went dark.