Free Prime Target by Marquita Valentine

living, for God’s sake.
    But in the end, I know the truth…
    “She did what was best for me.”
    As if sensing my need to change the subject, she smiles brightly and says, “Is this your plane? I forgot to ask.”
    Before I can answer, the jet drops and the pilot’s voice fills the interior of the cabin. “Mr. Smith, you and your guest need to buckle up. We’ve hit a patch of thunderstorms. It’s going to be a bit rough for the next hour.” The jet drops again and again, as if to prove his words true. I grab on to the back of the sofa, barely maintaining my balance.
    My stomach rises and falls right along with the turbulence.
    I turn, intent on sitting close to Everly in case she becomes frightened or needs me in some way. I can’t help myself, even when I’m trying to do the right thing by distancing myself from her.
    Everly shoots to her feet, bumping into me. Her face is a pale shade of green. The jet drops again, and she slams her hand over her mouth.
    Without saying a word, I immediately take her by the arm and lead her to the nearest bathroom. She lurches inside, slamming the door behind her.
    I lean against the opposite wall, fighting to stay upright while wondering if there is anything on board to calm her stomach. I ring for the cabin attendant.
    He appears in no time, and after I explain Everly’s problem, he quickly obtains a glass of water and some pills. “It will settle her stomach and make her drowsy. I’m sure the pilot won’t mind if you take her into one of the bedrooms.”
    It doesn’t matter if the pilot minds or not. The damned jet belongs to me, and Everly’s needs are my highest priority.
    As if on cue, the door opens and she stumbles out. Her face has gone from green to white, her eyes huge. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I’ve never been in turbulence like this.”
    “Don’t apologize.” I hold out the pills. “Take these, and then we’ll get you settled in bed.”
    She takes a deep breath and then swallows the pills, chasing them down with the water. I take the glass and hand it to the attendant before leading her to the bedroom across the hall. Gently, I ease her onto the bed.
    Her eyes close as I remove her shoes and socks. “Any better?” I ask.
    “Not sure.” She shrugs helplessly. “Will you stay with me?”
    “Of course.” I toe off my shoes and join her on the bed, careful not to bounce her around.
    Another deep breath leaves her as I touch her face. “Lights on or off?”
    “Leave them off.”
    The attendant gently shuts the door, and the room goes dark, the small windows offering no light. Everly rolls into me, her face pressing against my chest.
    “I bet this isn’t how you thought our night would end,” she says softly.
    I run my hand down her back, and then back up again. “I don’t know about that. We are in bed together.”
    I can feel her smile. “I like it when you tease me.”
    “Because I do it so often,” I point out.
    “That’s what makes it special. It’s what makes you special to me,” she says and my heart beats funny. I’ve never been special to anyone in my entire life.
    The jet shakes, but mercifully, it does not drop. Everly tenses, and I keep stroking her back, working my way under her sweater and undoing the back clasp of her bra. God, the way she feels under my palm—so soft.
    Mine.
    She feels like mine.
    I banish the thought away and concentrate on what I can do for her. “Do you need assistance to the—?”
    “I’m fine,” she says. However, the tightness in her body has transferred to her voice. “If I breathe through my nose, I won’t puke again.”
    She begins to shake, and I press a kiss into her hair. “Relax, solnyshko . Relax.”
    “ Solnyshko ?”
    Damn. I hadn’t meant to let that slip. My nickname for her was to remain private. “It’s Russian for sunshine. My little sunshine.”
    “Kind of like the song?”
    “There’s a song?” I ask. My knowledge of American pop culture is sorely