Chapter 70

“Miss, may I offer you a beverage? Breakfast will be served shortly,” the redhead flight attendant asked me with a polite smile. Out of all the crew, she was the only one I found likable. Unlike the others, she wasn’t dismissive or rude.

Her hair was neatly pulled back into a sleek bun, tucked under her airline cap. Her lips were outlined with red lipstick, and her face was flawless. Her voice was so soothing, I could easily drift off to sleep listening to her.

She wore a spotless, creaseless uniform in red and black.

“Um, do you happen to have lemonade? It’s okay if you don’t,” I replied, offering her a tired smile.

I had slept wonderfully last night, but this morning had been a whirlwind. We had overslept and had to scramble around the apartment to pack. We were both tossing items into our suitcases haphazardly.

Ellie and Derek had walked in on us in bed this morning because he wasn’t answering his phone. They found us cuddled up together, naked. Needless to say, we scarred them for life. But they couldn’t resist making a few jokes.

I couldn’t help but admire him as he slept. His face was a mix of boyish features and rugged masculinity. Even in sleep, he was undeniably attractive.

I woke up feeling euphoric after the release I experienced last night. I woke up with my cheek resting on his chest and his arms wrapped protectively around me. It had been a while since I had been held so intimately.

“We have both pink and original lemonade. I would recommend the pink—it’s delicious and refreshing for the morning,” she suggested. I nodded and thanked her as she turned to ask Knox if he wanted a drink.

He ordered the same as me, and we waited for her to bring our drinks. As she walked back to the cabin to check on the food, I reached for my camera.

I leaned over Knox to take some pictures out of the plane window, captivated by the varying shades of blue in the sky.

He tapped his lap and said, “Come sit here so you can see out better. I’ll help you. I want to see your photos.” I climbed onto his lap, earning a chuckle from Ellie in the row ahead of us.

I leaned into the window and began to click the shutter on my camera.

“Twist the lens until you see it focus better. Is it focused now?” he asked, his voice resonating in my ear. I carefully adjusted the lens until the composition was clear.

His deep voice sent chills down my spine. I couldn’t help but smile when I felt his hand rest on my butt.

He gave it a light pat, and I turned to look at him, only to see a cheeky smirk on his lips. I raised an eyebrow, daring him to do it again. If he did, I was prepared to slap him.

He took the challenge and gave my butt another slap, adding a squeeze for good measure. I put my camera down on my lap and whispered in his ear.

“You’re feeling brave, aren’t you? Do that again, and I’ll tease you until you can’t take it. Don’t challenge me, Carter. I always win. You’re not strong enough when it comes to me. And I will slap the shit out of you, sexiest man alive or not.”

I gave him a seductive smirk, and he leaned in to kiss me passionately before pulling away.

“Feisty. Try me, baby doll. By the way, you’re so sexy when you talk to me like that,” he said, kissing me again and gripping the back of my head. We heard the clatter of plates and I slid off his lap back into my seat.

Two flight attendants approached with breakfast for everyone on the plane.

A blonde woman with shoulder-length hair walked up to Knox and me, followed by a young woman with long, silky black hair tied back in a bun, pushing a cart with the food.

The blonde flight attendant leaned over me, beaming at Knox and bending low to show off her cleavage. Did every single girl he encountered have to behave this way?

I rolled my eyes and turned to face him. He was looking at me, not her, and he was smiling. He leaned across the armrests to kiss my cheek.

“Ladies first, baby doll,” he said, pushing the tray toward me. The blonde flight attendant leaned over me again. Was he doing this on purpose?

He leaned into my ear and whispered seductively as she placed his food in front of him.

“All the exercise last night made me hungry this morning, baby doll. Although, I’m a little hungry for something else....”

I pressed my lips together to suppress a laugh as his hand slipped onto my thigh.

Both flight attendants narrowed their eyes. They had been trying to get his attention the whole time, and I had no doubt they would continue to do so until we landed.

As we ate, he kept whispering things in my ear about last night, making us both laugh. Some of his comments were adorable, others were not to be repeated.

He was trying to turn me on and tease me first. I knew this game all too well. I had seen him play it many times, but it was different being on the receiving end.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I turned in my seat to retrieve it and saw that Andy wanted to FaceTime with me.

I answered the call and propped my phone up against the list of questions Ellie had given Knox. The camera focused on the two of us as we waited for the call to connect.

We leaned into each other, and he kissed my temple. A figure appeared on the screen, but it wasn’t Andy—it was my mom and Kyle.

“Oh, thank God! We’ve been trying to reach both of you for the last hour!” my mom exclaimed, clasping her hands as if in prayer.

“Why? What’s wrong?” I asked, alarmed by their expressions. Andy came into view and sat on Kyle’s lap, and they started making out.

“Oh, finally! Your brother has found himself a girl who’s tamed him beyond belief. I never thought I’d see the day!” Our laughter fills the room, causing them to break their kiss. Kyle looks up at Andy with pure admiration.

Their affection is endearing, but it still makes me want to gag. “Mom, focus. What’s going on? Why were you freaking out?”

I reach for my lemonade. We’ve been in the air for five hours and we’re due to land in half an hour.

“Oh, right! Alex, sweetheart, you and Knox will need to head straight to the hospital when you land. Sasha’s water just broke. She’s not having strong contractions yet, but she’s heading there now. We’re all going there now, so meet us there—”

“What?! Are you serious! Oh my god! I’m going to be an aunt again! Yes! How is she? Third kid, she’s a champ! I bet Cole is on the verge of having a period right now.” I laugh along with my mom and brother.

“Alex! Cole is and will always be a worrier, especially when it comes to his own family. But he’s taking her there now and... oh crap! She’s five centimeters dilated! Alright everyone, time to go! Alex, Knox, we’ll meet you two there. Hopefully, the baby won’t have arrived yet! She wants you, me, and Sam in the delivery room with her mom and Cole.”

“Hopefully Cole won’t faint this time! He could never stomach it. But we’ll be there as soon as possible, Mom! Go and we’ll meet everyone there!” My eyes widen with each passing second. I’m so excited.

“Annie, tell Sasha good luck! And tell Cole I expect this kid to be named after me if it’s a boy!” Knox jokes, sending my mom a wink.

He’s such a flirt. Both Kyle and I roll our eyes and wave goodbye, promising to see them soon.

“I hope she can hold on. I want to see it in action. I wasn’t there for Noah, Eden, or Lena’s births. I hope we make it on time. I can’t wait to meet the little nugget. I can’t wait to hold him or her.” I bounce my legs up and down, releasing some of my excitement. I’m going to have a new nephew or niece and I can’t wait.

Landing thirty minutes later, we race off the plane and into his car. He drives towards the hospital, breaking nearly all the lights and speed limits. I keep smiling over at him as he rubs my thigh up and down.

“I’m going to be an aunt again!” I squeal with excitement, bouncing in my seat, earning a laugh from him.