"Oh my God, I'm so sorry sir." She turned around and came face to face with Alex in his pilot's uniform. He was tall, muscular, tanned, his thick wavy dark hair still tousled from their time in bed together. His square jaw line was set with determination. He put his hands to her shoulders.
"Melanie. For God's sake, just calm down, will you? I can't afford to screw this up."
"You're right, Alex -- I mean Captain Drummond -- I'm sorry. I'll get moving."
"Just hold on a minute. I need to make sure you're ready for this. Now take a deep breath."
Her heart was racing. She had to force herself to stop and breathe.
Alex smiled. "God, you are so sexy when you're hot and bothered." Margaret lifted her head up from her work.
"Hmm," she said, "it's getting kind of hot in here for me. Why don't you let me handle the first service?"
"No, Margaret," Melanie protested, "really, it's okay." But it was too late. Her friend was gone, leaving her alone with Alex in his smart Captain's uniform.
"I'm so sorry, Alex. I don't know what's come over me."
"I don't know what's come over me, either." He was still smiling.
"I've got to get out there and help Margaret. I'm sorry. I won't screw up again." She went to squeeze by him but he blocked her way. She felt her heart beat faster. What the hell was going on?
"Where are you going?" He said.
"I've got work to do, Mitch. Let me out." She put her soft white hand to his strong forearm but he didn't budge.
"What did you call me? Did you just call me Mitch?"
"No I didn't. I called you Alex. Now come on, stop kidding around. These people are important to you -- to us -- to everyone at Drummond Airlines."
"I'm the Captain here, Melanie and I'm telling you I need you right here. There's something I want to discuss with you."
Melanie's head began to spin. There was a weird déjà vu about the whole scene; the whole situation. Her heart was racing and she didn't know why. Alex was way too close to her for a captain on duty to be speaking to a flight attendant. Her skin tingled with excitement.
"What's it about, Alex? Can't it wait? I've got a whole planeload of people to look after."
"This is much more important than them." His lips came closer.
"Alex--" He pressed his mouth to hers and she felt all her will power collapse, her fears vanish as his arms surrounded her, and their tongues explored deeply. Alex reached behind him and drew the curtains over while he lifted her up effortlessly to sit on the counter in front of him and then kissed her again, longingly, passionately, powerfully. Her excitement began to rise to fever pitch then Alex pulled his lips away from hers and he drew the curtains back again. Melanie opened her mouth to question him but he stopped her.