Man of Steel Read online

  www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

  Copyright © 2012 by RW Shannon

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright.

  This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

  Published by

  Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC

  PO Box 61

  Colfax, NC 27235

  www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

  Cover Art: Marteeka Karland http://www.marteekakarland.com/

  Editor: Novellette Whyte

  http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/

  Proofreader: Cindy Davis, http://www.fiction-doctor.com/

  Formatter: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/

  E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/

  ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-238-8

  Thank you for your support.

  NOTE ABOUT EBOOKS

  eBooks are NOT transferable. Re-selling, sharing or giving away eBooks is a copyright infringement. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author or Beautiful Trouble Publishing.

  CAVEAT

  This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes, which are smoking hot. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

  Chapter One

  The wind and rain pounded on the floor to ceiling windows of Philadelphia International Airport. To Nici Browning, the sound meant that her flight to Dublin, Ireland would be delayed for another hour. Looking up from her book, she stared at the rolling dark clouds and shook her head. There was nothing she could do about the weather or the two hour delay.

  Dressed in a black cardigan over a white tank and black leggings, she was more than ready to go. Nici shivered when the windows rattled. She hated flying…especially in bad weather. It was too bad she was making this trip alone. With mocha hued skin, dark eyes, onyx hair styled in a chin-length bob and an athletic physique, Nici had her fair share of suitors, but none she wanted to share this adventure with.

  When someone emerged from the airport bar sporting glasses shaped like four-leaf clovers, she remembered it was Saint Patrick’s Day. Instead of spending it with her friends knocking back a few green beers, she was stuck at Gate 45D with one hundred and twenty cranky passengers. Nici looked at the throng of travelers that surrounded her. None seemed particularly interesting. At least there were no children on this overnight flight. As she stretched out the kink in her back, Nici’s eyes locked with the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.

  He sat a good distance away with a tablet in his lap and Bluetooth in his ear. His burly physique was made for cuddling in this type of weather. Dressed in a gray overcoat over a tan turtleneck sweater and dark slacks, the man had been playing eye tag with her all evening. This time, he was the first to glance away. Nici admired his light brown hair and pale skin. For him, she would give up her prime seat next to the outlet and the gate door, but he suddenly stood and walked away.

  Her long-running fantasy about joining the mile high club popped into her head. Nici tried to follow him with her eyes but lost him in the crowd. She shrugged. It was just as well. Someone that fine was probably married.

  “Flight 154 to Dublin is now boarding rows A through F.”

  Nici stood. As she gathered her things, she looked around for the handsome stranger, but he was nowhere to be found. Was he taking a different flight? Her heart sank. Turning, she lumbered down the metal tunnel to the waiting jet.

  Chapter Two

  Nici’s window seat was in the very last row. Her seatmates hadn’t arrived yet and she was grateful. She settled into her seat and as she fastened her seatbelt, she scanned the faces of the other passengers for the stranger. Instead, she saw a middle aged couple glance at the two seats beside her and then look at their tickets. Their progress was blocked by a slow moving passenger loading his luggage into the overhead bin. Cursing, she closed her eyes and faked being asleep.

  “Excuse me. Is this seat taken?”

  The man’s baritone timber held a distinct Irish accent. Nici opened her eyes. She looked up into the eyes of the man she had locked eyes with in the terminal. He smiled. It wasn’t just any smile, but one that was loaded with desire and mischief. Her breath lodged in her throat. Swallowing, she tried to get her voice to work, but became lost in his crystal green gaze.

  “Hey!” the older passenger yelled. “Those are our seats.”

  Heads turned. The stranger cursed and turned toward them. He motioned toward the front section of the cabin, and then gave his tickets to the couple. To sweeten the trade, he added a few bills from his wallet. She giggled when the man returned and settled into the aisle seat next to her.

  “That was smooth,” Nici commented, amazed that her voice worked. “How much did it cost to trade for that one?”

  He chuckled. “Five hundred. But it was worth every penny. I had to meet you.”

  Nici felt a smile spread across her face. She tilted her face toward the window so as not to give herself completely away.

  “Why did you have two seats?” Nici asked once she regained her composure.

  “I always get two seats,” he replied. “One seat isn’t big enough to hold me.”

  Swallowing, she imagined just how ‘big’ he must be before glancing away.

  A hush fell over the cabin as the tunnel was retracted and the plane prepared for takeoff. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. The nerves weren’t from the flight, but from how she was going to last the ten hours to Dublin without ripping his clothes off.

  “My name is Steel,” he whispered, leaning across the center seat to offer her his hand. “Steel Colston.”

  She turned to him and said, “Nici Browning.”

  When her palm touched his, the skin sizzled. Steel’s grip was firm yet gentle. She imagined his calloused fingertips on her breasts and yanked her hand away, but her eyes were still looked with his. In his intense gaze, she could see herself being loved like she’d never been loved before. The feeling both excited and scared her.

  “I hope I’m not bothering you,” he said.

  “No. I was resting my eyes. It was a long delay.”

  “Tell me about it. Greedy bastards. They charge an arm and a leg for a flight but give shitty service.”

  Nici laughed. Under the harsh cabin lights, she studied his chiseled profile. He had a broad nose, pale skin, and short brown hair and his full, ruby lips were made for kissing…slowly. She watched the flight attendant’s safety instructions but was aware that Steel hadn’t taken his eyes off of her. Her clit pulsed under his scrutiny.

  “Watching you in the airport made the time tick by more rapidly.”

  “I noticed you, too,” she admitted, but didn’t dare say any more.

  “I would have introduced myself then, but you seemed engrossed by your novel.”

  Nici shrugged. “It was just to pass the time. And you seemed occupied by your phone call.”

  Steel grinned. “My mum. I can�
�t take a flight without checking in with her.”

  “Oh.”

  Nici’s shoulder’s dropped four inches. The plane rocked as it maneuvered to take its place in line for takeoff. She gripped the armrest. The takeoff was always the hardest part for her. Sensing her tension, Steel reached across the seat and took her hand.

  “What’s the matter, luv?”

  “I hate flying.”

  He nodded and stroked her fingers. “Just focus on me.”

  She tilted her head to look at him. His strength was comforting. When the plane built up speed to climb into the air, Nici squeezed Steel solid hand.

  “Breathe,” he told her. “I promise not to let anything happen to you.”

  Chapter Three

  Steel brought Nici’s trembling hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. He was a man of his word. Nothing would happen to this gorgeous woman on his watch. When he saw her sitting at the gate, he was instantly captivated by her chocolate skin and haunting dark eyes. He didn’t plan to lose her, nor did he plan to simply say good-bye to her at the end of the flight. The plane shook when it leveled off in the air. Nici’s eyes widened. Steel stroked her hand.

  “Don’t think about it,” he said. “Imagine you’re in your favorite place.”

  He made his voice as calming as possible under the circumstances. His heart raced and his cock was about to burst the seam of his pants.

  “That would be Macy’s,” Nici said. “During their annual shoe sale.”

  Steel laughed. Though she began to relax, he didn’t release her hand. Even the jaws of life wouldn’t be able to make him let go of her.

  “What brings you to Ireland?” he asked.

  “A seminar on women’s rights at Trinity College. You?”

  “My grandfather will be ninety-eight in a few days. My family is having a birthday party for him.”

  Nici smiled. “That is so cute.”

  Steel chuckled. “Me mum was making sure I remembered how to get there. She couldn’t make it and sent me instead. My pop’s already there. It’s his father. I really don’t want to go, but it’s family.”

  “At least you’ll get a free piece of cake,” she joked.

  “It’s some kind of marble contraption my auntie makes.” He frowned. “She really isn’t much of a cook.”

  She giggled. “Well, I hope the rest of your visit will be better.”

  Steel looked at her. “It already is. I’d love to show you Dublin. It is St. Patty’s Day and all.”

  “I’m only staying for two days and flying right back out. I can’t afford to miss work.”

  His heart sank. It was a feeling that he hadn’t experienced before and it intrigued him. “I understand, but you know what they say about all work and no play.”

  Nici studied his face. The way her eyes sparkled, even in the dim lights, sent a shiver down his spine. They talked for the next two hours, discovering they lived in the same city of Washington, where he was a lawyer. He learned, much to his delight, that she was single with two sisters. Steel spoke with ease about his own family, who moved to the States when he was thirteen for his father’s embassy job, and his life as a thirty-two year old bachelor, though, he suspected that was about to change.

  “Can I buy you a beer?” Steel asked when the flight attendants began rolling out the beverage carts.

  “Sure.”

  The plane shook violently. Nici’s eyes widened. The look of fear that washed over her face made him angry. While the pilot demanded that everyone return to their seats and fasten their seatbelts, Steel unhooked his and slid into the empty middle seat. He gathered Nici into his arms and held her against his chest.

  “Don’t fret, luv,” he said stroking her back. “It’s just a little turbulence.”

  The front of his shirt became wet with her tears. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t be so afraid.”

  Cupping her cheek, Steel titled her face to his. “Don’t ever apologize for how you feel. I know this is scary for you and I’m right here.”

  Nici leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. Her soft, sweet mouth took his mind off the vibrating plane. Instead of him comforting her, her kiss became his refuge. That soft place to land that he’d been searching years to find. His cock strained against his zipper, begging for freedom. The plane’s war with the turbulence had ended, but the war within Steel had just begun.

  Chapter Four

  When the attendants resumed service, Steel ordered their beers. Nici settled into his arms to watch an action movie on his tablet. But, his gaze wandered to the creamy skin that peeked from beneath her top. His mouth watered, wanting the feel the supple skin against his lips.

  “Why are you single?” she asked. “I’m amazed that a guy like you exists in the world.”

  He chuckled. “My career has left me with no time, except to hunt. And I haven’t found a prize worth spearing with my rod.”

  She laughed at his analogy and caressed his thigh. He tightened his embrace around her.

  “Do you have any other questions?” He teased her.

  “I am curious about one thing.”

  “What is it, luv?”

  “With a name like Steel…you have a lot to live up to.”

  “Aye,” he said with a chuckle. “Luckily, I can.”

  When Nici fell silent, he playfully nudged her. “You don’t believe me.”

  “Yes, I do. I can only imagine…”

  He kissed her temple. “Would you like to see for yourself?”

  Nici’s eyes widened. “Here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes. I mean… no. It’s just the beer talking.”

  “I don’t think so, Nici. You only had one and you wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t on your mind.”

  “Maybe. But…”

  Steel released her to place the electronic device in the seat compartment. If he could fit his six foot three inch frame in the plane’s loo without hitting his head, he’d show her his ‘steel’ in there. But, alas, that wasn’t the case. He also wished he had thought to grab blankets from the attendant at the start of the overnight trip. As if reading his mind, Nici touched the back of his hand.

  “I brought a blanket. It’s in my tote bag in the overhead bin.”

  Nodding, Steel maneuvered his way into the aisle. He found the bag and brought it back to his seat. Nici’s cheeks flushed with color as he draped the purple blanket over his lap. She touched his chest.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t do this,” she said softly.

  “Why?”

  She motioned behind him with the tilt of her head. The line for the bathroom behind them was growing. He didn’t care. His cock throbbed with the need to be released, and more specifically, to be inside of Nici. But, he could see her point.

  “’Tis always something,” he sighed. Leaning forward, he kissed her. “Ten minutes.”

  Nici nodded. Steel retrieved his tablet and they watched another movie. The minutes ticked slowly by. Minutes later, the mad dash to the toilet had ended. He and Nici glanced at each other. Anticipation made his palms sweat as he unfastened the fly of his pants beneath the blanket and pulled out his stiff cock. She gasped when he lifted the blanket to reveal his dick. The tan muscle flexed as if beckoning her to touch it.

  “Wow,” she said. “Can I touch it?”

  “Of course.”

  Nici’s hand trembled while she reached out to curl her fingers around his girth. As she stroked him, his cock twitched and stretched to his full six inch length. She bent and flicked her tongue over the broad tip of his cock. Steel grimaced. Her touch was magical but he didn’t want to shoot his load all over the back of the plane seat. He’d rather be inside of her for that. To stop her, he covered her hand with his. Puzzled, she looked at him.

  “You don’t like it?” she asked.

  “I do like it. If you keep doing that, you’ll see just how much.”

  She smiled but didn’t release him. Instead, she traced the ridge around
his cock with her thumb.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve always wanted to do that to a handsome stranger on a plane. It would take my mind off of this flying death trap,” she confessed.

  Steel chuckled. “I’m more than happy and willing to make your fantasy come true.”

  Nici glanced up at him then licked the tip of his cock. He inhaled sharply and swallowed a groan.

  “I’d like that,” she said.

  Chapter Five

  They decided to wait until after the other passengers settled in for the remaining overnight portion of the journey. By then, they were six hours into the flight. Butterflies swirled in Nici’s stomach. She’d never done anything like this in her life, but Steel made her want to be bad, just for him. Only with him.

  The cabin lights were turned off. Steel squeezed her breast through her top. When she raised her head to look at him, he captured her lips in a long passionate kiss. They had switched places so that he was now in the window seat. One leg was stretched across the bench seat, the other on the floor. She was nestled between them on his lap.

  Her purple blanket was draped around them. It adequately covered their entwined bodies, but Nici was still nervous the others around them would know what they were doing. At the same time, she didn’t want to stop. A man like Steel didn’t come around that often and she wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. The sound of snoring came from the row in front of them. It compelled her to keep going.

  Breaking the kiss, she leaned back to look into his eyes. She could make out his desire filled expression in the strip of light from the bathroom sign. She cupped his cheek and brushed her lips against his. Steel pulled away.

  “Nici,” Steel whispered, covering her hand with his. “I must confess that I want you. But honestly, luv, I don’t think this is going to work. I’m going to bump me head on the ceiling. I’m built for rugby and this seat is way too small.”

  Her heart sunk. He was right. She couldn’t fault him for being the voice of reason. Her fear was that she’d hit the call button for the flight attendant at the wrong moment. But, she still wanted him, only not like this.