“You sure? Because I’d planned on taking you for a pleasure flight so you’d see just how awesome flying can be, and instead I landed you smack in the middle of a rescue operation.” He faced forward and tensed. “While I’m really proud of the rescue, I fear that I may have failed Operation Reassure Morgan.” The muscle at his jaw flexed.

My heart lurched.

Letting go of Jackson’s hand made him startle, but I flat-out shocked him when I turned and slid my knee over his thighs to straddle him. I settled into his lap like I’d always belonged there and cradled the back of his head with my hands.

“I’m okay,” I promised, looking him in the eye so he’d know I really was. “I handed out blankets and didn’t puke. You saved two people. I call that a win.”

“You amaze me.” He gripped my hips lightly. “But I’m guessing it didn’t do much to calm your fears.”

I slid my hands forward a bit so I could run my thumbs over his cheeks. “Does it terrify me that you fly? Yes. That didn’t change, and I don’t think it’s ever going to.”

“I don’t blame you.” His face fell slightly.

“Shh, I’m talking.” I placed one thumb over his lips.

His eyes flared, and he raked his teeth over the pad of my thumb, then swiped his tongue over it.

My body flooded with warmth, and it took a second to remember what I was saying. “Yes, I’m scared, but seeing what you did out there? I understand it now, too.”

His grip tightened. “You do?”

He looked so hopeful that I couldn’t help but smile. “I do. There’s a chance that family wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t been out there.” I kissed his forehead. “I was so proud of you.”

He sucked in a breath, then pulled back with a smirk. “Wait, you were proud of me?”

“I still am. Now stop fishing for compliments, Jackson Montgomery.”

His eyes dropped to my lips, and I barely parted mine before he kissed me. Mercy, I loved this man’s mouth. The first touch of our lips was soft, but it quickly deepened. I tilted my head as his tongue met mine, and a shock of electricity raced down my spine. He tasted sweet today, like orange soda and something uniquely Jackson, as he took my mouth in strokes that varied from hard and deep to swirling and lazy. He kept me leaning in for more, and the minute I’d get it, he’d change the pace.

When he pulled back, we were both breathing hard. I caught his lower lip between my teeth and tugged gently. I wasn’t ready for this to be over.