Chapter 3: Plane Flirtation & Cowgirl

At the terminal they checked their luggage and made their way to the first-class lounge. Once boarded, they settled into wide leather seats. Madison pulled the worn copy of The Joy of Sex from her carry-on and they huddled over it together, flipping pages and reading softly. Ryan’s finger traced an illustration of a couple in a different position while Madison’s cheeks flushed.

The flight attendant, a tall woman with a bright smile, paused beside their row. She glanced at the open book and chuckled. “Well, well. Planning an adventurous honeymoon? If you two ever feel like adding a third, I’m off in Honolulu and very flexible.”

Ryan and Madison both went scarlet. They laughed nervously, shaking their heads. “We’re ... we’re just learning,” Madison managed. “Thank you, though.”

The attendant winked. “Suit yourselves. Enjoy the flight.”

Hours later they landed in Honolulu. As passengers filed off, the same attendant leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Madison’s cheek. Her lips brushed close to Madison’s ear.

“Go get him, you slut,” she whispered, then straightened with a professional smile and moved on.

Madison’s face burned, but a small, secret smile curved her lips as she took Ryan’s hand and they stepped into the warm Hawaiian air together.

They arrived at the The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki mid-afternoon and entered the pink building. The lobby smelled of plumeria and salt air. Ryan handled the check-in while Madison waited near a tall window, her sundress clinging to her petite frame. Once they had their key, they rode the elevator up to their suite. The room opened onto a private lanai with a view of the beach. Madison set her bag down and turned to Ryan with a shy but determined smile.