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Henri startled me when he knocked on my office door to inform me that Oliver had requested my presence on a conference call. The apprehension only intensified as the day progressed, leaving me restless and unable to focus on anything but my mounting worries.
"It's only two years old. I had it built to my specifications. Once we get off the ground, you can go to sleep in the bedroom," he said, attempting to ease my discomfort.
"Why would I want to go to sleep? I just woke up a few hours ago," I protested, though the fatigue was beginning to weigh heavily on me.
"Come on, Ryleigh. I know you didn't sleep the past two nights," Oliver insisted, his concern evident in his voice.
"One was your fault," I retorted, unable to hide the frustration that simmered beneath the surface.
"And the other was because you're worried. Don't be," Oliver reassured me, his words offering a small measure of comfort.
"You were awake?" I asked, surprised by his admission.
"A few times. You settled down, so I went back to sleep. If you keep this up, you're going to have a nightmare. You know how you get when you're stressed," his tone gentle yet firm.
I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for burdening him with my anxieties. As the plane began to taxi down the runway, Oliver rose from his seat and held out his hand.
"Come, let's get you settled in bed," his concern evident in his eyes.
"I'm fine," I insisted stubbornly, though the fatigue threatened to overwhelm me.
"You're not fine. Let's go," Oliver persisted, his hand outstretched.
Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me to the back of the plane where a small bedroom awaited. Our security detail nodded in acknowledgment as we passed, their presence offering a sense of reassurance in the midst of my unease.
Once inside the bedroom, Oliver gently guided me onto the king-sized bed, his touch comforting as exhaustion washed over me. Despite my protests, I found myself succumbing to sleep, the soft mattress cradling me as Oliver lay beside me, his presence a source of comfort in the darkness.
Hours later, I awoke to the sensation of soft kisses against my neck and face, Oliver's warm embrace chasing away the remnants of my troubled dreams.
“Are you comfortable?”
“What time is it?” I asked, glancing around the cabin.
“New York or Los Angeles time?” Oliver responded with a raised eyebrow.
“Where are we closer?” I inquired, still a bit disoriented.
“Los Angeles. We should be landing in twenty minutes. Would you like to freshen up before you buckle yourself into your seat?” he suggested kindly.
“Yes. Thank you,” I replied, feeling grateful.
“For what?” Oliver asked.
“Making me take a nap,” I said with a smile.
Oliver chuckled. “You took an almost six-hour nap. You were tired.”
“I have to admit, I was,” I conceded.
“How do you feel now?” he asked, his concern evident.
“Good, I slept well. Did you stay with me the whole time?” I questioned, feeling a surge of affection.
He nodded. “Yes. After you fell asleep, I did some work on my laptop,” he said.
“So you didn’t sleep at all?” I asked, feeling a bit guilty.
“I didn’t need to. Now freshen up and I’ll meet you up front,” Oliver replied with a reassuring smile.
