No Deal Breakers Read Online Free

deal, just relax." He wanted to reach over and
squeeze her shoulder, or hold her hand for reassurance, his fingers
itched to offer comfort, but he knew that would only add to her
tension. He tucked his hands under his legs instead, and said a
silent prayer for traveling mercies.
    Brian watched Aria sleeping peacefully, he
was partially relieved that she was finally getting some sleep, but
also disappointed that she found it easier to sleep on a crowded
airplane, surrounded by two crying toddlers, and three giggling
teenaged girls than in the same room with him.
    She had continued to radiate nervous energy
throughout takeoff, and until the seatbelt sign was turned off, she
gradually relaxed after that, and was now sleeping soundly. He knew
they’d be landing soon, and he hated to have to wake her, she
looked at peace for the first time since they’d met.
    He took one more lingering look at his
beautiful new bride; her chestnut locks fanned out around her face
and across her shoulders, her full lips were slightly parted with
her deep, steady breathing. He noticed one lone, attractive freckle
on the left side of her face, directly in between her bottom lip
and chin. He took in the rest of her, she was unnaturally thin, he
hadn’t noticed before just how skinny she really was, he knew she
was small, but for the first time he noticed just how tiny she
really was, she looked almost ill. His stomach turned at the
thought of her ever going hungry, or worse; making herself this
way. He said a prayer for her health, and her future, and continued
examining her. She was truly a beautiful woman, a beautiful, broken
woman. He would do everything in his power to help fix her.
     
    *~*~*
     
    She heard her name whispered gently near her
ear, her eyes fluttered open to see a man leaning close to her,
telling her it was time to wake up. She sat bolt upright, it took
her several long moments to recall where she was and why. The man
was Brian, and she was on an airplane headed to her new home, it
wasn’t Jack, she was safe. She struggled to get her breathing under
control, everything was okay.
    "You alright? I didn’t mean to scare you, but
we’re about ready to land." His eyes were full of concern, his face
showed nothing but kindness. She was afraid she had dreamt
everything, her escape, Brian, the airplane, his kindness and
generosity, but she hadn’t. He was real, she was on a plane landing
in Iowa, far from the monsters and nightmares of Las Vegas.
    "Yeah, fine, just took me a minute to get my
bearings. A lot has happened in the last day, it’s a lot to take
in, you know?"
    "I do, but we’ll get there. It’ll just take
time and commitment." He offered her a reassuring smile.
    "Here, you’d better put this on, looks like
we got more snow, I know it’s too big, we’ll get you one of your
own as soon as we get out of here." He said, handing her his coat
as they got off the plane. She slipped it on as they walked.
    "What about you?" He just shrugged. "I’ll be
fine, how hungry are you? Do you want to eat first, or hit the mall
first? It’s only a little after ten here, but we had a pretty early
breakfast, it’s up to you." He asked as they headed to collect his
bag. At the mention of food her stomach growled, she didn’t realize
how hungry she was until he had asked.
    "I’m pretty hungry, let’s eat first. How
far—whoa that’s a lot of snow!" He let out a low chuckle as they
made their way to the parking garage; he raised one shoulder and
let it fall as he continued to lead the way.
    "Not really, I’ve seen a lot more. This time
of year, it falls heavy and melts quickly. You’ll get used to it."
She wasn’t sure she wanted to get used to all the snow and the
cold, maybe when she was better equipped for it. Her thin tennis
shoes, jeans, and lightweight shirt weren’t exactly what you’d call
‘winter gear’ she tightened Brian’s coat around her shoulders; he
seemed perfectly comfortable in just his khakis and