On the run

Nineteen

"Pops, the second we're in the car you can sleep baby but I need you to stay awake until they've checked our passports."

"But I'm so tired Lex." I pouted, burying my head into him. "Can't you carry me so I can sleep on you again? I was so comfy." He stepped forward, arm around me pulling me with him. It had been the longest day of my life. We'd woken up at 6 and gone to the gym before getting ready and heading to work this morning, done the whole day, gone home, finished packing and then caught the flight at 7. It then got delayed 2 hours as we sat on the plane waiting to be called out. Add the 3-and-a-half-hour flight, it was now coming up to 1am and I'd had to wake up to get pulled through the airport.

"The very second we get through security baby, I promise." He kissed the top of my head. "Are you hungry?"

"A little." He nodded. "I've never flown privately before."

"Oh no?"

"Not really. Private plane, yes but it normally had about 10 other people too."

"Not very romantic then?"

"No." I shook my head, standing up straight and looking up at him.

"Did you enjoy it?" I nodded again. I had. So much so. Cuddled up with him watching a movie was honestly the best flight I'd ever taken. I wasn't great at flying and it had been a long time since I last did it too. I'd explained this to Alex when he'd insisted on us getting away. That and my fear that someone would see me in passport security and Jaxson would know where I was. To counteract that, he insisted we flew private. We got different security access coming out and going home next week this way, making it much less likely that I'd be seen by someone who knew Jaxson. Now he was keeping me close, arm wrapped protectively around me from the second we stepped off the plane. "Good. We'll do it again then."

"Again?"

"Mhm. I've got a million other places I want to see with you." So, fucking lucky. He kissed me again, dropping his hand down to my hand as we stepped forward to the security officer, handing him our passports. I kept looking at our hands together. How small I looked under his grasp. From the very moment I'd met Alex, he'd captivated me. And now this man was wanting to travel the world with me? Knowing most of my quirks and problems. It didn't matter to him. "Okay come here." He pushed the passports into his bag as we got through the door, spinning me around until I looked at him. "Up." I smiled, opening my arms, and wrapping them tightly around his neck. "You're adorable."

"How do you still smell this good after a full day at work?" He chuckled as I kissed his neck lightly. "Did I tell you the girls at work are placing bets on who I'm dating?"

"Oh, they are?"

"Yeah. Anna thinks I'm dating a fireman." He laughed loudly, following the security guards through the airport as the escorted us to the waiting car. "I also found out something very interesting about the who they're all gossiping about at the moment."

"It's not you?"

"They're always gossiping about me since you left that mark on my neck. No. Someone else is the gossip now."

"Who?"

"I'm not telling." I smirked. "That would be gossiping and you don't like gossip."

"Yeah but now, I'm intrigued."

"Hm. Shame that isn't it?"

"Getting in the car so keep your head down. Don't want to give you a concussion on the first night."

"No that's definitely a second night activity." I could feel him shaking his head before ducking down, sliding into the back seat of a car. He moved my legs but didn't let me get off his lap. It wasn't going to be a long drive to the villa but he handed me a bottle of water, nonetheless, sitting me up so I could drink.

"Fine. Tell me the gossip." I shook my head. "Poppy. I'm not afraid to tickle it out of you right here. The driver doesn't care." I drunk from the bottle slowly and he sighed. "Is it me?" I smirked. "Oh god what are they saying?"

"That whoever your sleeping with is a very lucky girl." I screwed the lid back on the bottle, straddling him and running my hands through his hair. "She is."

"Are you?"

"Exceptionally." I nodded. "I also learned how you found the restaurant you take me too. And the florist. Oh, and where you buy my clothes from." His smile dropped and I giggled. "I love how much you went out of your way to do all that for me. You really didn't need to."

"I know I didn't. But you deserve it Poppy. I know you don't think you do, but you deserve all of it. This is the treatment you should have been getting in the first place. I'm just glad I get to be the one to do it." I kissed him. Holding his head in my hands and making sure he knew just how much I appreciated him. This afternoon's revelation was still sinking in. I wasn't sure if I was ready to tell him or not yet and I'd probably sit on it for a little while. I'd never loved someone before so I wasn't exactly sure how that was supposed to go. How soon was too soon? He pulled back, laying his head on the headrest. "Hold that thought Pops. Hey Adrian, can we drop by the McDonald's on our way please?" He looked at me with a smile and I shook my head.

"You have literally never been more attractive in your entire life than you are right now." He laughed, putting his hand on the side of my neck, stroking the pad of his thumb over my cheek.

"Shut up and kiss me Poppy."

"Yes boss." He rolled his eyes, that same stunning smile sitting on his face as I brought my lips back to his. Yeah. Definitely in love.