The helicopter is loud, the sound of the mechanics makes our bodies vibrate as it takes off. Three other black hawks had taken off before us and we were the last to get in the air. I feel like my heart is pounding into my throat and I’m hyperventilating next to Danny the entire time. Danny’s incredibly relaxed as I imagine he’s been in these types of aircrafts many times. There’s a hatch in the middle of the Black Hawk and it’s open. We’re seated in the back of the helicopter and it gives us cover and privacy from the pilots. I’m holding on to the straps of my seatbelt so tight, my knuckles turn white.
I hate flying. I know I told him I wanted to fly but I meant in a magical way like Peter Pan. Or like I had wings. A fantasy.
I hate heights. The most irrational thoughts would enter my head every time I was on an airplane and now I’m on a helicopter. Yet… with Danny, I think this is the most romantic gesture anyone has done for me. I was scared yes, but with him he makes me feel safe in any situation.
He was very limited in what he could do in the middle of a deployment. So this was something, to say the least.
Danny and I were the only ones in the cabin. While the two pilots were in front, flying.
“Relax. I just want to take you to the moon, Ari.” He says sarcastically. His killer smile burns into me. “These black hawks usually hold around eleven troops. But it’s just us.”
“You know, you still haven’t answered my questions about my brother. I deserve an answer.” I try my best to shout over the heavy winds and roaring blades of the helicopter.
Danny goes stony faced and I immediately feel bad bringing it up. But every time I want to talk about it, he shuts down. He builds up a high wall that I can’t climb over. No matter how hard I tried to knock it down, he wouldn’t budge.
‘I know,’ he tells me. I feel his hands intertwine with mine.
Still, I would keep pushing him until I got my answers. No matter what Kane had said about him, I believe the full story wouldn’t exacerbate Danny. There’s a full story with multiple sides and I needed to know Danny’s. I needed to know the full truth about what happened.
“You do.” Danny squeezes my hand tighter and looks out the hatch.
The helicopter makes a sharp turn and I’m falling into Danny’s lap. My head collides with his lower chest and he manages to keep his balance since he braced himself, holding onto the straps off the wall. His bicep flexes hard and it immediately sends my blood thrashing at the sight.
We sit without saying another word and I’m watching the bright stars twinkle against the dark blue sky and I feel complete bliss in this moment. My fear of flying starts to fade. Every time I’m next to Danny, he manages to make any dangerous situation, feel okay. I could be in a full-blown panic attack and all it would take was one glance from him to make it all better. He manages to make me feel safe… always.
He puts his arm around my shoulder, protectively and I snuggle in close. His scent drives me wild. I lay like that on his shoulder and I’m the most calm I’ve felt since I got to Iraq. I never knew Danny had a side like this attached to him.
It’s cold being a thousand feet up in the air. Chills groom the crisp air and the only thing keeping me warm is Danny’s body heat. I’m watching dark clouds move in and his sweet gesture turns into dark lust when suddenly he grips my hair gently, then pulls me down and I’m met with an intense gaze.
I bite my lip and lust begins to swirl in my stomach.
‘What is it about the way you look under the moonlight that drives me mad?’
Then he crashes his lips to mine. His other hands travel to the other side of my face and he holds me in place, his tongue tasting every single part of my mouth. Our lips move in sync. Fast, heavy, and full of scandalous need.
‘Does flying scare you the most?’
‘Yes,’ I tell him, my lips still moving against his.
Danny unhooks his seat belt, leaving me in a frantic panic. I stop breathing and my eyes widen.
“What are you doing?”
