Into Thin Air Page 7

  “Sam, you’ve rendered me speechless so many times since I’ve met you. I don’t know what I did to find you, but I don’t care because I have you now. But why aren’t you still in bed with me? I’m going to have to teach you how to sleep in.”

  “I warned you, I’m a morning person. But I don’t expect you to be. I just came back from a long run on the beach.” He kisses my shoulder. “It was really hard to leave you alone in this bed. You’re so adorable when you sleep. Especially when you’re naked.” He lifts the sheet to get a peek, and I shove his hand away playfully.

  “Why did you go for a run? Didn’t we sweat enough last night?” I lean my head to the side. “Do I need to order some pomegranates?”

  “You’ll always be my natural aphrodisiac, so don’t go there. I made you a cup of coffee, just the way you like it. Steaming hot, a splash of milk, and a sprinkle of sugar.” He points to it on the nightstand. Steam rises from the cup to prove it. “I pay attention to everything.”

  “Wow. I’m impressed.” I love him even more now.

  Okay, if he brings me coffee in the morning, I don’t mind if he’s an early bird. I sit up in bed and stretch my arms over my head. The sheet falls down, revealing my chest. His pupils dilate, and his jaw clenches.

  I trace his jawline with my finger. “I told you, you should be in here with me. Even if you’re sweaty from your run.” I pat the empty side of the bed. “You could’ve had me again, or maybe you still can if we have time.”

  He cups my neck and pulls my face close to his. “After the surprise, we can replay last night and try some new things. Maybe the hotel library has a book on Kama Sutra.”

  I bop him playfully with a pillow. “You’re sick, but hell yes.” I giggle with excitement. “What happens on vacation stays on vacation.”

  “Exactly. Now, get your sexy ass in gear. Drink your coffee and eat something. We have an hour before we need to go to the lobby. Maybe we can squeeze in a shower together.”

  I spring from the bed. “Oh, we have time. I always shower before I eat. When it’s with you, it’ll be better than food.” I guide him to the bathroom, stupid grins on both our faces. I could get used to this.

  I don’t need surprises from him. He’s the biggest one of them all.

  ∞

  “Why are we at another hotel?” I ask, then step out of the car.

  “Like I told you a million times, it’s a surprise.” He chuckles.

  We walk through the entrance and I’m instantly mesmerized by the giant ceiling-to-floor aquarium in the middle of the lobby. I stroll over to it and admire the exotic fish. They remind me of the ones we saw when we went scuba diving.

  Sam squeezes my hand. “I need to talk to someone at the front desk. I’ll be right back.”

  “Sure. I’ll wait here.” He kisses my cheek, then disappears from my side.

  There’s something so soothing about watching fish glide through the water effortlessly. Maybe I should buy an aquarium when I get back home.

  He returns a few minutes later with a giant smile on his face. “Everything’s ready.”

  We head for the elevator and step inside. “I still don’t understand why I had to wear sneakers, pants, and have a sweater with me. It’s so hot out. What on earth do you have up your sleeve today?”

  “What’s with the interrogation? Are you a lawyer?” Little does he know. “Be patient, sweetness.” He kisses my nose. “You might get cold.”

  “Why did Petie show up before we left saying, ‘Don’t go. Don’t go’? Should I be worried? And how would he know what we’re doing?”

  “Petie’s just a crazy bird. I doubt he has any idea what he’s saying most of the time. He’s probably a figment of our imagination. Do you trust me?” he whispers in my ear. Pleasant chills skitter down my spine.

  “Yes, but Petie knew when you were sick.”

  He kisses me to prevent me from worrying and interrogating him further until the elevator stops. It was a good distraction, but I stiffen when I see we stopped at the twenty-seventh floor. I don’t have a good feeling about this.

  The door opens, and a blast of warm ocean wind flies by. I need a few seconds to adjust to the bright sunlight. Is this the roof? My mouth drops open, and I take a step back. I can handle being up high inside a building, but on a roof? I don’t know. What if we’re bungee jumping? Panic sets in, and I don’t even know what we’re doing.

  And then I see the helicopter. I start shaking my head. “This is your surprise? You can’t be serious. There’s no way I’m getting on that thing.” My voice squeaks. Sweat beads on my forehead.

  He cups my cheek. “Don’t be mad. I’ll be the pilot. I know you’re scared, but I thought it might help you get past your fear of flying. Once we’re up and you see the view, I promise you’ll love it. And after a few minutes, if you want to go back, I’ll land immediately.”

  I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

  “Yes. This is one of the safest helicopters you can fly.”

  I’m pissed that he did this without asking me, but I’ve also always wanted to get over my fears of heights and flying. This is my chance, and sharing the experience with him might be exactly what I need.

  But I shake my head again. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  Don’t go, Ellie.

  He rests his hands on my hips. “Please, Ellie. I’d love to take you for a ride and show you how amazing it is. To show you why I love it. I promise we won’t be out too long. Then you can say you’ve ridden in a helicopter.”

  My legs feel like rubber, and my belly’s already swirling from nerves. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths.

  “Okay. I’m freaking out here, so you’d better be right. Let’s go so we can get this over with.”

  Don’t go, Ellie!

  He kisses me hard on the cheek. “I love you so much. You won’t regret it. Let’s go.”

  How can I say no when he’s so excited?

  Within minutes, I’m sitting in the seat next to Sam. We’re both wearing headsets, and I can hear everything that Sam and air traffic control say to each other. I feel a little more secure—just a little. I can’t even enjoy the view of him being a handsome pilot with my nerves like they are.

  Sam pushes buttons and does all the things I guess pilots do. The rotors begin to spin. My heart rate shoots sky high like a firework, even more than when I’m on a plane. I check a million times that I’ve fastened my seatbelt tightly. Why am I doing this? I should stop him and get off this damn thing.

  “Ready?” Sam asks.

  His smile relaxes me for a couple of seconds. I’m so jealous that I don’t have that sense of excitement and security when it comes to flying. It boggles my mind.

  The helicopter vibrates and starts to lift off the platform. Don’t look down. Don’t look down! I reach for my handbag, and then my heart drops. Sam told me I didn’t need to bring my bag. I don’t have my cross with me.

  The panic increases. I glance at Sam, and his forehead crinkles. “What’s the matter?”

  I grip the armrests so hard they might snap in half. “I forgot my cross. I told you I always have it with me when I fly.”

  “Ellie, we’ll be fine. Please take deep breaths and look out the window. We’re now over the water. See how beautiful it is.”

  I twist my body reluctantly toward the window. My breath hitches.

  “Oh, Sam. Wow.” I’ve got my hands on the window now as I peer out at the endless turquoise ocean below.

  He chuckles. “I told you. Now sit back and enjoy the view.”

  “I can see to the bottom. Oh, my gosh! Look at the dolphins—or are they sharks?” I glance back at him and then focus out the window again.

  “I’m sure they’re dolphins. There are a lot here. I’m surprised we didn’t see any when we went scuba diving.”

  After several minutes of me acting like a dog sticking its head out a car window, I realize I’m not afraid anymore.


  “I love you so much, Sam. I’ll never forget this.”

  He grins at me, and then I hear it.

  “Sam, what was that?”

  His face drops like melting wax, and he takes a firmer grip on the controls. Red lights flash everywhere, and a high-pitched siren goes off. I turn my head and see dark smoke billowing out behind us.

  Sam screams into his headset, “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” and continues babbling something about the engine. “We need to make an emergency landing,” he says.

  Where will we do that? We’re over the water!

  The engine cuts out now, and the helicopter drops suddenly. I scream harder than I ever have before—to the point I think my throat is bleeding. The water is getting closer, and I’m rising off my seat. My stomach is in my throat. This isn’t happening! I search around for something, anything that could save us. But I already know. We’re going to die.

  I don’t hear anything anymore. I look toward Sam, and he’s not there. I search for him everywhere. Did he fall out of the helicopter? How could he have left me here?

  “Sam, help me,” I scream. I curl up and cover my face with my arms as the rotors slice through the water. The helicopter flips, and I hang upside down as water pours in.

  I shake uncontrollably and scream again, “SAM!”

  “SAM!”

  “SAM!”

  Suddenly something holds me firmly, and I open my eyes.

  “Ellie, calm down. You’re okay. Look at me. It’s Gale. You’re safe in the hospital.”

  My eyes dart around the room to figure out where I am. Everything is blurry. I need my glasses. “Where’s Sam? Is he safe? The helicopter crashed. I couldn’t find him. He disappeared into thin air. Please tell me he survived. I need to see him,” I yell frantically and gasp for air.

  I try to climb out of the bed I’m in, but Gale stops me.

  “Ellie, you’re hyperventilating. Please take some deep breaths and stay where you are. You’re delirious right now. You need the doctor.”

  I rip my arms from his hands. “No! Where’s Sam? Can the doctor tell me if he’s okay?” I run my hands through my hair. Why isn’t it wet? I was in the ocean. I look down at my clothes. I’m in a hospital gown. I don’t understand.

  “You’re not making any sense. There was an explosion at the airport, and you were injured. You’d just returned from a meeting in Los Angeles. That’s why you’re in the hospital. You’ve been unconscious for almost two days.”

  I shake my head. “No. No. You’re lying. I was in a helicopter crash with Sam. Water was shooting in all the windows, and I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was going to die.” I cover my face and sob. “How did I survive? Is he dead?”

  He tugs my hands away from my face. “Ellie, look at me. Who is Sam, and when were you in a helicopter?”

  “Exactly! Who the fuck is Sam?”

  My chin drops. There, next to my bed, is the one person I can’t stand. Cooper.

  Chapter 14

  Ellie

  Two days before

  I hate airports, even though I always want to kiss the disgusting floor when my flight arrives safely. I’ve just finished a two-day seminar and then had to hand-deliver some documents to a client in Los Angeles. She had breast implants, double Ds, less than a week ago, and didn’t want to damage her babies by traveling to Seattle. That’s exactly what she said to me. I couldn’t believe it when I heard it on the phone.

  I complained to my manager, Stephanie Stanten, but she said the documents must be delivered due to time sensitivity and it’d be good to meet the client. So I had to extend my trip an extra day, for a thirty-minute meeting. It’s the most prominent divorce case this firm has ever handled, involving a big public figure in the entertainment field. Of course, the firm will get a lot of money and publicity.

  The client, Carlotta Weis, agreed to meet me at my hotel since I didn’t have a car. She arrived with her twenty-eight-year-old daughter, Jenny Parton. During the quick meeting, Jenny forced her modeling portfolio on me. Our firm represents the prestigious modeling agency, Image Inc., and she wanted me to pass her portfolio on to them. I’ve had a few other wannabe models do the same thing. I have never personally worked on any cases with Image Inc., but Stephanie has. So I took Jenny’s portfolio because I know Stephanie would’ve told me to.

  Then on top of that, Jenny asked if I’ve ever done any modeling since I’m so tall and thin. She wanted to know my dieting secrets. Do I take diet pills, eat one meal a day, am I on a keto diet, do I take laxatives? She wasn’t happy when I told her I was naturally thin. I didn’t have to say that, but I was so pissed off. Her mother hardly said a word and played with her phone most of the time.

  Then I had to listen to Jenny ramble on about her famous boyfriend, some well-known athlete. I pretended to pay attention, but really, I tuned her out. No matter what the sport, I have no interest whatsoever.

  Since this law firm has a high reputation, I’ve attended a few lavish parties in the past. When people hear where I work, they want to be friends immediately, hoping I have connections to get them discovered.

  I’m an associate attorney for the Brigstone Law Group, a large full-service law firm. I work for a small branch in Seattle that handles mostly entertainment, intellectual property, and family law. This branch opened because of the Seattle Film Institute. But we don’t provide legal counseling only to actors and actresses; we also counsel authors, musicians, fashion designers, and models.

  Lately, I feel like I’m working on cases for The National Enquirer. I think it’s partly because of Stephanie and the lawsuits she agrees to. She’s a senior attorney, but she’s only been with the firm four months.

  Finally, luggage begins to spill onto the belt in baggage claim. The flight was too full, so I had to check my carry-on. An older woman wearing a cowboy hat almost falls on the carousel as she tries to retrieve her massive mustard-yellow suitcase. Mine is near hers.

  “Let me help you with that,” I say as I place it in front of her, then reach for mine.

  She pats my hand. “Thank you, dear. That was very nice of you.” She walks off with a big smile on her face. I hope I’m that happy when I’m her age.

  I push my black glasses back up my nose while I weave my way through the crowd rushing through the airport. Men and women dressed in slick suits like me walk with their noses attached to their phones. Several elderly couples wearing big white sneakers and shiny sun visors cluster around a wall of maps. A darkly tanned family all sporting leis wanders through. I imagine they spent the last week at some luxury resort in Hawaii where they sat in the sun, drinking tropical drinks and enjoying free massages. My fair skin would burn right off if I didn’t use 100 SPF sunblock.

  A window display at a travel and tour agency catches my eye before I turn the corner toward the airport exit. As I approach, the doors slide open, and I suddenly find myself inside, looking at brochures and catalogs filled with trips I’ll never take. Young lawyers like me work ridiculous hours. I like to dream of taking a luxurious vacation one day, so I stuff the front pocket of my suitcase with a bunch of fliers and leave quietly.

  I continue toward the exit but pause. There was one brochure that was really intriguing. I pull it back out of my bag and sigh loudly as I admire the all-inclusive resort. A big parrot and a sea turtle are on the front page. The suites look extravagant with their private swimming pools. I’d love to go alone and enjoy the silence. No long days at the courthouse, no phone calls to return, no reports to file, no all-nighters, and no manager from hell to report to. It’d be a dream come true.

  Suddenly I lose my balance and fall back onto something. It feels like I’ve landed on a low-sitting toilet. I screech and look to see what it is. Someone’s black suitcase? I jump up. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”

  I turn toward the velvety voice and readjust my jacket. My gosh, he’s gorgeous. If I were a cat, I’d be purring. His overgrown, wavy blac
k hair is disheveled like he was running. I’m mesmerized by his beautiful blue eyes. His full pink lips look as soft as a newborn’s skin. They’re like Channing Tatum’s—full and kissable. He’s probably a Chapstick model.

  I was with Cooper for four months, and never once did my body pulsate just by looking at him. But I’m numb at this point when it comes to models or perfect men. I’m immune to their charm. Yes, they’re nice to look at, but that’s it. After a while, they all look the same.

  He touches my arm. “Seriously, are you sure you’re okay?”

  I observe his hand on my arm and then look at him over my glasses. “Yes. Just distracted by you—I mean this.” I wave the brochure in front of me. The nearness of him is like a drug. Maybe I’m woozy from the flight. Okay, perhaps I’m not so immune to gorgeous men. Or maybe it’s just him.

  “It must be something pretty good to fall onto someone’s suitcase.” He smirks. “Can I see it?”

  “Umm, sure,” I respond flatly, then hand it to him.

  He glances at the pictures. “Are you going here? It looks like a perfect escape. Can I go too?”

  He hands it back to me with a smile that could light up the entire Seattle airport. But then again, it could be the same fake, sleazy, perfect-teeth kind of smile I’m surrounded by every day at work. You never know when someone’s actually being genuine. He seems different, but how would I know after talking to him for thirty seconds?

  “Nope.” I fold the brochure and shove it back into my suitcase. “Wishful thinking. Maybe one day. I just got back from a meeting from hell. I needed a distraction.” He sure is better than a measly brochure.

  “I think you were on my flight. Did you fly in from LA?”

  I crinkle my eyebrows. “Are you a pilot?”

  We both jolt as a loud bang like an M-80 firework explodes behind us. My ears pop. A breath-stealing wall of energy hurls him against me and slams us to the floor. My head cracks against the floor as his body lands on top of mine like a two-hundred-pound sack of potatoes. My glasses fly off my face, and chunks of debris pound down upon us. All the air has rushed out of my lungs, and I can’t get any back in. Pain pulsates through my head, blurring my vision even more.