Her Pleasure His Pain

AND THERE SHE WAS

JL

I watched a gorgeous woman board before me. I wasn't the only person to recognize it either. The couple behind me played a game of what she did for a living with the guy guessing she was a model and the female swearing she had seen her before and that she was the wife of a celebrity. They were both wrong. Taking the final seat in first class, the mystery woman barely batted an eye when I sat next to her.

Once we took off, she leaned back, covering her eyes with a black mask, then placed buds in her ears. I too closed my eyes, exhausted from new parent life. Fatigue and her presence made it easy to rest though. With her scent, intoxicating as she looked, her lengthy legs barely fitting within the extended space between us and the next row of passengers, a five hour flight no longer seemed so bad. I dreamed of Bry, the Bry I fell in love with, young, innocent and full of life. She began to resurface not long after she learned she was pregnant with little man. Even in the womb, he made our lives better.

Missing Jazmine's birth was out of my control,  so I made certain that no matter how my wife and I ended up, being part of my son's existence would be my priority. No longer privy to private jets, I accumulated a massive amount of points traveling to Aidan on red eyes and standbys, and after witnessing his first breath, feeling that first cry, I would do it all again.

The stomach flop and stereo quality screams ended my much needed rest. And despite the pilot reassuring frantic passengers the turbulence wouldn't last, panic kept them in a choke hold, even her. Her eyes remained covered, jawline relaxed, but the tension in the vice grip she had on my forearm was powerful. The pulse racing through her fingertips counteracted mine as my ego battled my adrenaline not to succumb to the events unfolding around us. Then, as promised, the dryer setting on our plane ended. She didn't let go. I reached over, patted her hand while whispering, "I believe we're good."

As the circulation returned to my arm, I adjusted in my seat, pleased I could calm my own nerves. Once the flight attendants began making their rounds, I ordered double shots of whisky, then scrolled through pics of JL, III and Jazmine. Bry's fears of leaving them without a parent resonated with me. The moment I landed, I swore to video chat with her, then Mena so I could see both of my children and remind them that I loved them more than life itself.

"Cute kids."

The dimples in her cheeks were so fucking sexy. Buying time to form my thoughts, I cleared my throat as I lay my phone on the tray table before responding. "Thanks, they got it honest."

Chuckling, she replied. "You mean from their moms."

"What?"

"You thought that a baseball cap and glasses were enough to disguise your identity?"

Until that moment, I had.

"Well, it's not." She continued. "Your face is all over TV, and I watch a lot of TV."

"Sports fan, huh."

She smiled again, slid the mask back over her eyes, then remained quiet as a church mouse the remainder of the flight. I kept pace with her as we exited the plane, keeping her within an arm's reach while making our way to baggage claim. We stood side by side while watching the parade of luggage round the belt. She grinned while mumbling on her phone, apparently entertained that each time she took a side step, I mimicked her action. When she bumped into another person, she apologized, ended her call, then turned to face me.

"What are you doing?"

"This." I waved my hand between us. "Getting your attention."

"Why?"

"Because I saved your life and don't even know your name."

"You hardly saved my life, and my name isn't important."

"The hero before you believes it is."

She scoffed before turning her back. And for a moment, we returned to silently watching the procession of luggage. The one she finally grabbed had been around the belt a few times.

"You could've gotten that ten minutes ago."

Those damn dimples appeared.

"True, but then I wouldn't have been entertained by JL, Jr."

"So, you do like my company?"

She shrugged while rocking her palm side to side.

"All of that, and you still won't allow me the privilege of knowing your name. Is it because you're married, committed?"

"My name nor relationship status is relevant to this conversation. But thank you for keeping calm when I freaked out."

"So what are you going to do if that happens on your return flight?"

She chuckled before replying, "You're not sneaky."

Busted, I lifted my luggage from the belt, then asked. "That being the case, are you going to tell me what I want to know?"

"Even though it's none of your business, I live here."

"And you want to have dinner with me."

"No...I don't. I do however have a lot of work to get to, so." She ended her sentence, then began walking away.

Again, I kept up with her stride while asking, "What type of work would that be?"

"The type that has me well educated about people like you."

I faked a knife to the chest, then declared. "You're speaking of the old JL. The new JL stands before you."

"Third person references don't help your case."

"Tell me what will."

She didn't. A blacked out beamer stopped along the curb. "My ride's here. Thanks again, and have a great evening."

The chauffeur opened her door, then placed her bag in the trunk. She disappeared inside, and I lowered my head, finally giving up my quest. The driver chuckled. He closed the door, then leaned toward me and mumbled, "Because I'm a huge fan," while slipping a business card in my hand.

"My man." I rejoiced while dapping him up. I flagged down a cab, finally relaxing in the backseat during the ride home. Bry looked exhausted when she answered my call. Mena did too while passing Jazmine the phone. Pleased I laid eyes on my kids, I immediately turned my attention to the card I had slipped into my pocket.

She was indeed a sports fan, and for good reason. I recognized the logo for a new firm focusing on local sports teams. So yeah, a founder would have to know her stuff. Armed with her name and a plan to see her again, I contacted a network connection.

"What's up, Jay. Look, I got an idea I want to run by you for some local flavor."

Fifteen minutes later, my pitch worked with me grinning wider than the Joker when he asked who I would like to interview first.

"Ava." I announced victoriously. "Ava Dorsey."