Crashed into Love: Episode One Read Online Free Page A

God, now what was she up to? Hickey on the other side of her neck? How about on her boob? At least she could ditch the scarves.
    I smiled reservedly and lugged my heavy satchel off the plane and onto the air-bridge. Whatever they were talking about, Liam looked guilty and Joslyn looked up to something. I didn’t want to get in the middle it.
    Liam dashed to my side and touched my forearm, abandoning Joslyn. She didn’t look put out though, more like gleeful. Oh please, don’t let this be a set up.
    I shot her a sniper look then glowered at Liam’s touch. Even though his fingertips were on layers of my uniform, my skin grew warm. As if sun radiated from his touch, seeping into night-chilled earth. Tingling also happened, but I pretended it didn’t. “Yes?”
    “You’re staying at the Heritage?” His face was eager, leaning toward me.
    Was he playing the ‘I’m so attractive with my pilot hat and blue eyes please sleep with me’ card? Pursing my lips, I said, “You know I am. All the crew do. Including you.”
    A sheepish response shone in his eyes. “Sorry, didn’t know if you had friends you were staying with in town.”
    I laughed. “Like you pilots do? A booty call in each port?”
    He shook his head, embarrassment rouging his cheeks “No, of course not.”
    Captain Anderson brushed past, eyeing us before disappearing down the gangway to collect his belongings. Throwing over his shoulder, he said, “Stop teasing him, Nina. We don’t all have a hound-dog reputation.”
    Liam scoffed. “You can talk, old man. How did you meet your wife again?” He leaned closer, adding, “His wife was a hosty. Badgered her until she gave in.”
    Anderson shouted from the middle galley. “I heard that and so what? She knew how to make my coffee perfect, so I married her. What else could I do?”
    Joslyn giggled; my eyes widened. I kinda liked Anderson. Liam I hadn’t decided on, but Anderson seemed jovial and happily married. I relaxed a little as contentment filled me. I’d survived my first flight and was about to stay the night in Sydney. I suddenly knew exactly what I wanted to this evening. It included a lot of sweat and music. And a sexy man or two. Or if I was lucky, even three.
    The tension was broken, and I smiled genuinely at Liam. He still hadn’t dropped his hand though, so I moved slightly. “Sorry. Yes, I’m staying at the Heritage. Why?”
    His face brightened. “Great. Do you fancy catching a cab with me and Jos?”
    I eyed Joslyn.
    She shrugged.
    Turning my attention back to Liam, I cocked my head. “And you two know each other how?” No way did I want to be a third wheel—not if Liam was the one who gave Joslyn her hickey. I’d much rather trade jobs with Crocodile Dundee and wrestle an alligator.
    My eyes flickered over the empty cabin. Not waiting for an answer, I added, “Don’t worry about me. You two go ahead. I’ll travel with Samantha and Ms. Klein.” Where the hell had they gone anyway?
    Liam shook his head. “No, it’s no problem. Come with us.”
    Joslyn sighed, understanding why I was uncomfortable. “Liam and I know each other from way back, but I haven’t banged him if that’s what you’re afraid of.” She shared a look with Liam and they both broke into noisy laughter.
    Something was going on. I bristled at being the butt of some joke.
    “You won’t be interrupting us in the back seat of the cab.” Her laugh was as multi-faceted as a wind-chime, while Liam’s was deep and made me want to indulge in some silly swoon-worthy response.
    My eyes shot wide at images of them getting heavy in a backseat. “Oh God, no. Too much information!”
    Liam’s amusement subsided and he cleared his throat. “Jos, you know spreading rumours that aren’t true really come back to bite my ass.”
    I blinked. What did he mean by that? That all the stories I’d heard were false?
    Joslyn smirked. “Whatever, Liam. You’re just afraid Nina will believe the gossipers rather than the