Lust in Aviation

Chapter 2

The temptation to look up Jillian's phone number in the flying club's database was difficult to overcome. I wanted to know more about this handsome mystery man. By what the other flight instructors were telling, Christian didn't have a set schedule to fly. He had his Private Pilot's license and he flew when he felt like it or had time. I knew very little about him. I knew that he was a CEO of an investment firm and that he was always busy. Even those that had were acquaintances with him didn't know much about him. All the flight instructors said that he was private and liked to keep it that way. I figured that i had asked enough questions about Christian Grey and that i should leave it alone. Most of the other staff were confused with my extreme fascination with him. He was more of a fantasy to me than anything else. His presence seemed so surreal when he walked into the flying club, like seeing a celebrity in the street. I had his phone number in my purse. I could call today, but I didn't want to come off as a desperate, young love-struck girl looking for a rich boyfriend. As luck would have it Christian made an appearance at the flying club on the following Thursday for another joy ride with his plane. As soon as he walked in the front door and saw me a warm smile crept across his face.

"Good morning, Mrs. Steele" He said with an extra pep in his step.

"You can call me Ana" I said trying to make our interaction less formal.

"Why don't you call me Christian then" He offered.

"OK, Christian it is" I answered

"Can i have the key to the hangar" He asked

"Sure, no problem" I answered "Can i have your car keys?"

"Here you go" Christian said obviously knowing the routine and handing over his car keys.

"Is there anything else that i can do for you?" I asked him

"No" He said with a slight hesitation in his voice "Thank you, Ana"

I waited till he was out the front door to resume my paperwork. I found his presence so distracting. He seemed to change the energy of the room as soon as he entered it. My mind needed him to leave so that i could concentrate on my paperwork. I heard the door chime ring again. I looked up from the envelopes to see Christian walking back into the flying club office. He seemed nervous as he approached me for a second time. I smiled at him in a civil customer service sort of way.

"Did you forget something?" I asked confused

"Hmm" He said hesitating "Have you had the chance to see my Cessna?"

"That's the one hangar, I've never been in" I admitted "It has mostly private planes in there, so there has never been a reason for me to go in there. I am usually driving the flying club's planes for lessons"

"Would you like to see my plane?" Christian asked "If you can leave the desk for a minute that is"

"Ummmm sure" I said surprised by his invitation "Give me a minute to get coverage for the desk"

I looked down at the work that i was doing. I could leave the desk for a short period if one of the flight instructors was able to cover the phone line. I went into the break room to see if anyone was available. Justin and Nathan were having a coffee waiting for their next student.

"Would you guys mind covering the desk for 10 mins?" I asked

"Sure no problem" Nathan said getting up from the table.

Nathan and I walked to the front desk where Christian was standing waiting. A look of shock spread across his face as Christian and I walked out of the office together. I knew that the rumor mill would be running like crazy. Even though aviation was an industry with few women, there still seemed to be a lot of gossiping. I followed Christian across the pavement to Hangar #5, which was located at the very corner of the property. Christian made small talk about flying on the way to the hangar as though he was trying to start a conversation but didn't know where to start. Could he be as nervous as me? He seemed so confident and in control. I found him quite intense and intimidating but i was pretty good at hiding it. I was strangely confident for someone of my age, many people have described me as "wise beyond my years". I could not help but wonder what he saw in me? For the most part i was plain looking. I always wore business casual and i was rarely in a dress. I could surely not be the most beautiful woman that he's ever seen. I was pretty but I wanted to be seen as a respected member of the aviation community not a piece of eye candy at the desk. A glorified secretary. I tried to keep my relationships at work strictly platonic. Christian wasn't someone that i worked with he was a customer. A customer that i ran into very rarely, i felt that it was worth the risk. I walk in through the side door behind Christian waiting for him to point out which plane was his. I decided that i would let Christian be the guide of our interaction, i was curious to see how he handled things. He guided me to a white 4-seater Cessna in the back corner. He glanced over at me as though looking for an over-the-top reaction to his expensive piece of machinery.

"Can i touch it?" I asked looking at Christian

"Sure" he responded "Do you want to see inside?"

"Sure" I answered back "Do you fly often?

"I'd like to come here more but i have a job that forces me to work at all hours" He explained vaguely.

"Being a CEO will do that to you" I said sweetly "I flying anytime i have money, it helps that i get a good deal working in dispatch"

"That amongst other things" Christian said "I plan to make more time for flying in the future though"

"Really? What changed?" I asked surprised.

"I feel that like being here and doing more flying. It also acts as a really good stress reliever"

"I totally agree" I said happily "That we have in common"

At first, the conversation seemed so mechanical and awkward, but we hit it off quickly. He may be a private person but he was very sweet and down-to-earth. Maybe the staff at the flying club were just being judgmental. It's easy to be intimidated and scared of someone that is so mysterious, attractive and private. I was curious but i believe in giving everyone a chance, especially someone like Christian. Christian turned to me, staring into my eyes. His expression was that of hope and fear at the same time.

"Would you like to go out for dinner sometime" Christian asked nervously

"Sure!" I answered with the same nervous tone.

"Are you free Friday night?" Christian asked "7 pm"

"Absolutely!" I said with excitement.

"Ana, can you do me a favor?" Christian asked "Can you just keep this between you and me?"

"Sure, no problem" i promised.

"Thank you" Christian said allowing his body to relax "I'm sure that they need you back at the desk, i don't want to keep you any longer"

Christian seemed to be oddly shy for someone that is infamous for being a billionaire playboy. If anyone was intimidating i was sure that it was not me. I was sure that he could have any woman that he wanted. I was surely not going to say "no" to such a sweet, handsome man. I was skeptical that anything more than dinner would happen.