34,000 Feet Above The Ground (Ereri)

Chapter One

Levi hated flying. He would much rather drive to get to places. Driving was safer, he thought. He didn't like the idea of careening through the air on a jet. There were too many miles separating him from the ground. If something went wrong, he would most certainly die. At least in a car crash he'd be a lot closer to the ground, and have a chance at living. But not on a plane.

Regardless, he was the spokesperson for a major company, one that crossed multiple countries. He wasn't able to drive across the ocean. So he flew. The only good part about it was the company paid for his flights. They'd better, since he did so much positive business for them.

"Thank you for your time, Levi." The assistant told him with a smile.

He gave her a steely glance. It wasn't anything personal to her; he just wasn't one for showing emotion. He glanced at his watch, judging how long he had until his flight home. Not long, he realized. That meeting had gone longer than he'd hoped it would. Grumbling, he hailed a taxi to take him to the hotel to get his belongings. Since he always kept everything tidy, it only took him a few minutes to grab his suitcase and carry on. In record time, not even enough time for the taxi to leave, he was back in it and on the way to the airport.
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Levi sat back in his first class chair, resolutely not looking out the window. It wouldn't help if he started hyperventilating now; the plane was still on the ground. He closed his eyes, concentrating on breathing evenly.

"Sir? Did you want something to drink?"

Levi opened his eyes. The plane was moving under him. With a start, he realized he'd slept through take-off. He gulped, breathing growing erratic.

"Sir?" The voice called again. His mind latched onto that voice like a lifeline. Young, hesitant, male, and calming. He turned his head a little, meeting large blue green eyes. Eyes that were more exotic than any he'd even seen. "Are you okay?" The eyes looked down, noticing Levi's white knuckles. "Would a drink help you?"

"Maybe. I don't know. I hate flying."

There was a light chuckle, and something was poured into a cup. "Try this; it's good for soothing upset stomachs."

He pressed the cup to his lips, taking an experimental sip. Surprise bloomed on his face as he felt his stomach instantly calm. "What's in this?"

"Um... Sprite, and some other things. It's my own creation. I have other passengers to help now. But let me know if you need another cup of it." With a slight smile, the youth continued down the aisle.

Levi turned in his seat to watch him. Definitely young, he decided, looking the back over, and recalling the boyish face. But old enough to be a flight attendant. Dark chestnut brown hair. Those gorgeous exotic eyes. And... Levi's eyes opened wide and his mouth fell open... the most amazing ass he'd ever seen on anyone, male OR female.

He hastily turned back in his seat, appalled when he felt heat on his face. No; it was impossible. He was Levi. He'd flown countless flights (even though he hated them), had been all over the world. He refused to believe that he could fall for someone he'd just met, someone that was probably considered jail bait. He was an important person in his company. He couldn't be feeling things for some flight attendant.

He took another sip of the drink the youth had given him, rolling it on his tongue. Sprite, he had been told. Sprite and other things. There was some sort of herb mixture in it, Levi mused, trying to separate the flavors. And maybe just a hint of brandy. Hmm... the kid was good. It made Levi wonder what else he was good at.

Catching himself again, he forced himself to turn away from that train of thought. He leaned back again with closed eyes, feeling calmer than he ever had on a flight.