“Have you ever gone up before?” He gripped my hips and pulled me forward to stand between his thighs. Sure, it was a warm day, but that had nothing to do with the spike in temperature inside my own body. That was pure Jackson.

“No, and do not think you can charm me onto that death trap.” I put my hands on his chest to hold him off, but that didn’t help, either. He was firm under my touch, and I knew exactly what he looked like beneath his flight suit. I pressed my thighs together and gave him my best glare.

“Do you trust me?” He moved his sunglasses to the top of his head and hit me with those incredible eyes.

“Not fair,” I whined, but I wasn’t sure if it was over the question or his use of his secret weapon.

“Morgan Bartley, do you trust me?” His hands flexed on my hips.

“With my life,” I grumbled.

“I’m a damned good pilot. I graduated top of my class.” His gaze bored into mine.

“Did you, now?” Just like Will. I pushed that thought right out of my head.

“Yep. And there is no chance I’m going to do anything that would ever put you at risk or put myself in a position that I can’t get home to Finley. You know that.” His hand rose and brushed my hair back just so the ocean breeze could whip it the other direction.

That was true. He’d never jeopardize Finley’s future.

“Give me an hour, Morgan, and you won’t be as scared of what I do out there.”

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and chewed lightly. Was I actually considering this insanity?

“Come on, Kitty. I’ll give you whatever you want if you’ll do this with me. I won’t ask you for a single outdoor date for a month. We’ll order in every night, and you can read while I rub your feet.” The plea in his voice and his hopeful expression were priceless.

I sighed. An hour. Maybe it was like listening to those damned tapes of me telling the story of Will’s death over and over. Maybe doing this once would suck, but it would make the future easier—the future I wanted with him.

“I know what I want.” I looked him in the eye.

“Anything.” That grin was back, and damn if it didn’t send my heart skittering. The man was too good-looking for his own good.

“I invited my friends down for the weekend.” Okay, so it had been via text, but I’d reached out.

“Okay.” His brows puckered.

“I want you to meet them.” I pressed my lips in a line and held my breath.

“That’s it? You just want me to meet your friends?” He studied me.