Ocean’s Apart

Arriving and finding my feet

*Rylee’s POV*

When I realised I was grabbing onto Rick’s arm, I pulled my hand away and then kept looking out the window. Rick pulls me, so I am looking at him. “Rylee, it's ok; I'm not mad. You grabbed my arm. There is no need to pull away as I burnt you!!” I look at him, and his brown eyes look at me with amusement and then something I can't quite read. I place my hand on his and grin “Rick, I want to thank you for all of this”, as I wave my hand around the first-class cabin. Still, I can't repay you right now for your generous gesture, but I promise I will. Before going home ill find a way, so if you give me your number ill get in contact with you.” I lean over and kiss his cheek and then watch for the seatbelt sign to turn off so I can get off this plane. Rick grabs my hand and looks at me like he sees something I don't see in myself. Then he frowns “ Rylee, you don't need to repay me! You owe me nothing who has hurt you so bad that you think any gesture requires a repayment?” Before I can answer him, the seatbelt sign goes out, and I get up out of my seat and get my luggage and get off the plane, but I feel a hand wrap around my wrist as I hit the airport's terminal. I've tugged backwards into a pair of solid arms. The warmth I feel is almost intoxicating; I look back at who has me. I get butterflies when I realise it's Rick. He leans down and kisses me and not just any kiss. It's a toe-curling kiss that makes you want more when he pulls away; he rests his forehead on mine. “Rylee, you are one in a million, and thank you for making my flight bearable” I Look Rick in the eyes. I see sadness. I lean in and give him one last kiss and then pull away from Rick. He slides a piece of paper into my hand and kisses my cheek. “Rylee, I hope we meet again before you go home” I smile and nod. I grab my suitcase and walk away. I fight not wo look back at him, but I do and see he is still watching me. I look ahead and to customs. Once I'm past that, I see Ally, Adam and Amy. They all wrap me up in a group hug and begin to walk towards the exit. Adams phone Rings and he answers it and holds up a finger, then walk away. I hear part of his conversation, “Yeah, man, but how do you know her?” I shrug and keep walking with Amy and Ally to the SUV waiting for us. They load my bags into the back, and we all climb into the car and wait for Adam to come back. When Adam gets back, he looks like something is on his mind; I stay quiet and gather my thoughts. I think back to the kiss and touch my lips; I grin like a schoolgirl Ally notices me and nudges me “omg, spill, Ry, who is he? What's his name, ” I chuckle and look at Ally and shrug “, just some guy who can kiss like the devil and who is tall, dark and arrogant yet breathtakingly delicious, who I will probably never see again” I look at my hands then remember the note and look to see if Ally is still watching me I pull the message out of my pocket and read it

“Rylee, thank you for letting me treat you on the flight. Just being near you is enough to consider the debt paid. I hope we cross paths again

Rick

I smile and stuff the note back into my pocket. It has his number on it, so maybe, just maybe ill call it. We pull up to a beautiful hotel and look at Adam. I thought we were staying at your place? Adam chuckles and opens the door

“Ry, we are sleeping here for the night, then we will go to my house tomorrow. I thought you might want to freshen up and get some sleep.”

I smile. “Thanks, Adam” I get out of the car and kiss his cheek, and he chuckles and gets my luggage. When we get to the room, my Jaw hits the floor “uh Adam; you didn't need to get us a bloody penthouse!!” Adam laughs “oh, Ry, we got a free upgrade. I didn't do it, but since we are here, we should enjoy it.” Ally pops open, and a bottle of champagne, and Amy gets the glasses. We all enjoy a drink, and then I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I power up my phone, so I can listen to some music while I have a shower, and I'm bombarded by a wave of text messages and missed calls. I sigh and put the phone down. I look into the mirror and look at my reflection in the mirror and shake my head. I only hope Alecia isn't too mad at me; I find her number and hit call; not even thinking of the time difference, she answers, “ Hey Ry, I'm not mad. Well, I am a little you could have told me! I would have come! Oh, and Jamie is going mental because you are ghosting him. I get why you left but please, when you have found what you are looking for, coming home. I miss you!” I chuckle, Alicia. I miss you too, and I want to find myself, and with Jamie being a d**k, I couldn't do it at home.” she sighs, “ok, Ry, talk soon and have fun, okay?” I chuckle and hang up the phone. I toss it on the counter and turn the shower on and wash the events over the past twenty-four hours off me. But my mind keeps going back to the toe-curling kiss. I hope Rick and I cross paths again, but I'm not going to assume that will happen or if we do that, he would remember me.

*Rick’s POV*

Watching Rylee almost run off the plane made my heart hurt, so I quickly scribbled a note and ripped the piece of paper off the notepad I carry. I hurried off the plane in the hopes I would catch her, and luck was on my side when I wrapped my hand around her wrist and pulled her to me; I couldn't help the primal need to kiss her and boy can the girl kiss she fits perfectly in my arms, and I feel the warmth coming off her when I pull away and look into her grey Eyes and rest my forehead on her’s “Rylee, you are one in a million. Thank you for making the flight bearable.” Rylee looks into my eyes, and I don't hide how I'm feeling. I let her see I'm sad to see her go. I slide the paper into Rylee’s hand. “I hope we see each other before you go home” she gives me a chased kiss and then turns on her heels and walks away. I stand and watch the sway of her hips, and I don't miss when she looks back at me while touching her lips. I stay close to her when we pass through customs, and then I see her friends Run up and greet her. I don't recognise the two females, but I do Recognize Adam. I pull my phone out of my pocket and turn it on; I find Adams number, and I see him hold a finger up and walk away from the girls. Rylee watches him, and that pisses me off. “Hey Adam, How do you know Rylee?” Adam chuckles and looks up at where I'm standing, then looks over his shoulder. “Yeah, man, I know her, but how do you know her?” I chuckle and go quiet, and watch Rylee and the other woman leaves the airport.

I hang up the phone and walk to Adam. When I get there, I pull him in for a hug; then I ask again, “How do you know Rylee?” Adam sighs. We met online and became friends. I only found out from Ally she was coming over here. Why Rick, what do you want with Rylee? She has been through enough, man. She walked in on her husband cheating and has only just started to find herself, so don't mess that up for her, Mr I want another notch on my bedpost.” I take in his words, and then I sigh, “Adam, I want to get to know her because even though I have only just met her, I'm in Love with her.” Adams's mouth falls open, then she reaches out and feels my forehead. “Did I hear you right, Rick? You Love something other than yourself.” I smack his hand away. “f**k off, Adam. I can love someone other than myself, but I'm serious. I Love her, and I want to know all I can about her?” Adam sighs, “Rick, I can't tell you more than I have, and I don't want to ruin the Trust Ry has in me, but I get it. She is a little beauty, and her eyes you can get lost in, but are you sure it's Love?” I chuckle and nod. “Yeah, Adam, I'm sure it is. Love, I would give up everything to make her mine... And as hard as that is to believe I, Rick Doncaster, Love Rylee.” Adams's eyes widen “you're serious.”

I nod and hand him the penthouse key to my hotel 8miles from the airport. Adam looks down at the keys and nods, “ok, we will stay here for one night but give her a chance to settle in, Rick, because if you move too fast, you will scare her!” I chuckle. “You won't see me, but I want Rylee to only stay in the best Rooms, so tell me where you are heading, and I will make sure all the rooms are booked free of charge” Adam nods and goes to leave when he turns back and looks at me “Rick we are having a night in Connecticut a month from today if you still feel the same turn-up at our usual place” I nod “I'll be there at cava ill book out the rooftop bar for a month from today.” Adam smile’s and walks away. I watch as he goes to the car and drives away. I will see you again, Rylee, and win your heart. I walk to my town car and slide into the back. The driver points the car in the direction of my hotel and pulls in the underground. I go to my office and check my emails, and then I get a text from Adam “Rick, you made some impression. Don't mess this up because Rylee doubts you will remember her if you cross paths again. We are headed to Vegas tomorrow for a week, then to Tennessee and Texas, and then we are off to Hawaii. Then you get one night to make her see you are not her ex because she will be going home three weeks after that!” I type my reply, “Thanks, Adam, I won't f**k it up. I have ordered room service and some wine for your room and booked the rooms in every place you are headed to. Now leave it to me.” I send the message and sit at my desk. How am I going to Make Rylee mine if one night? Then I smirk. Hawaii is where I will get her attention. I set my plan into motion and hope I can win her heart.

I get up from my chair and walk out of the office. I see Layne, and she pushes her t**s out at me in the hope she lands in my bed for tonight. I look her up and down with disgust “send a dozen red roses to the penthouse and Address them to Rylee and, for God sake, put some clothes on. You look like a w***e” I watch Layne’s face drop, then mutter, “Yes, Sir”, under her breath and button up her shirt and fixes her skirt up and hurries away. I walk to the elevators. I go to my spare room and then go straight for a cold shower. Rylee has me all worked up, and she only looked at me. This woman is well and truly under my skin.