Free Fight 2 by M Dauphin Page A

every day, but I’m not searching for a release anymore. Now I feel as if I’m searching for a future, something solid, with someone I love.
    “Come on, let’s get back to the hotel.” His voice breaks into my thoughts and I realize I’ve been staring at the water for a while, zoning out in my thoughts. His hand takes mine and we walk back to the hotel, enjoying our last night in Vegas together.
    By the time we make it to the airport in the morning, we are running like mad men. Oversleeping by an hour, the two of us had to rush to throw everything together to catch the flight. This time we don’t get a private jet, and I feel a little spoiled when I sit down in the tiny, cramped, airplane.
    “Jesus, people travel like this every day?” I bitch as I realize I’m stuck in the middle seat, leaving Eddie with the aisle. At least his broad shoulders will have a place to go.
    “Yep, every day.” He smiles and laughs at me as I fumble with the seatbelt again.
    Helping me buckle in, he reaches over and kisses me hard, like there isn’t an old man sitting right next to me. Eddie’s kiss deepens, and I moan into him. His hand comes to my face, then I hear the old man sitting next to me clear his throat. Shit. As much as I would love to continue this, I don’t feel like giving everyone on the plane a free show.
    “Vegas, all sorts of magic happens here. Newlyweds on every damn flight,” the old man says, shaking his head and chuckling.
    “Oh, we aren’t newlyweds,” I let out a small, nervous laugh, and when I glance over, Eddie is frozen in place. Why did this crazy old man have to go and ruin everything?
    “Huh, woulda fooled me,” the old man says, finally opening his magazine and minding his own business.
    I don’t bring up the subject of marriage again to Eddie the entire flight, but I can tell it’s going to be a point of contention between us. I grew up in a happy household, and marriage is something that I’ve always wanted. Not a big wedding, hell we could go to the courthouse for all I care. I just want someone, a companion, for life. By the way he responded to the mention of being married, though, I don’t think he feels the same way. Not that I blame him, considering his childhood.
    Eddie is quiet the entire flight, and about halfway into the flight I fall asleep on his shoulder. Waking up when the wheels hit the ground, I jump and I hear his laugh.
    “Chill, Red. We’re just landing.” His hand comes to rest on my knee as my heartbeat slows.
    The airport is packed for a Sunday night, so it takes us a while to get our bags and find a taxi. Eddie seems as if he’s done this hundreds of times, though, so none of it is as stressful as it would have been if it would have just been me by myself. The entire way back to our apartments he plays with my hand. Fitting his fingers between mine, tracing the lines on my palm, caressing my knuckles. I can tell he’s still shaken up about the comment from the plane ride, so I try my hardest to bring him out of his funk.
    “So, what’re you up to tonight?” I ask him, hoping that things don’t go downhill for us now that we are back home.
    “Not much. Probably pizza and a movie. More than likely this hot chick is coming over, but I have to ask her.” He grins and I slap at him.
    “Oh yea? Girlfriend?” I play along, liking his playful mood all of a sudden.
    “Something like that...” He trails off and leans in to kiss me.
    This kiss isn’t one I haven’t experienced yet. It’s raw, it’s emotional. Even last night in bed his kisses weren’t like this. This is so much more than any regular kiss. This is an ‘I love you’ kiss.
    “Go on, get your shit put away. You’re coming over soon.” He slaps my ass and goes into his apartment, leaving me bewildered and standing in the hallway.
    Heading down the hall, I open my door to my apartment and head inside, throwing my bag on my bed and grabbing a soda. My phone has been dead since we left the