Page 5 of The Greek Billionaire's Email Bride

"And what do you want?"

The question caught her unprepared. What did she want? Security, yes. A home of her own. But also...

Her fingers gripped the wheel tighter. "Someone to belong to," she admitted, the truth spilling out before she could stop it. "Someone who might want to belong to me, too."

Colin said nothing more as they reached the airport.

His private jet waited on the tarmac, gleaming in the late afternoon sun. A uniformed attendant took Hope's modest suitcase while Colin guided her up the steps with a light touch at the small of her back—the first deliberate contact between them since their handshake hours before. That simple touch sent awareness skittering across her skin, surprising in its intensity.

The interior of the jet was a revelation—all buttery leather and polished wood, with only four oversized seats instead of rows. Hope sank into one, trying not to look as overwhelmed as she felt.

Colin took the seat opposite her, loosening the top button of his shirt. Hope found her gaze drawn to the movement, to theexposed hollow of his throat where pulse beat strong against tanned skin.

"The flight's about two hours," he said, and Hope yanked her attention back to his eyes, embarrassed to be caught staring. "We'll be in Denver before dinner."

Hope nodded, suddenly very aware of how alone they were. The attendant brought them drinks—water for Hope, scotch neat for Colin—and then disappeared into the cockpit.

The engines hummed to life beneath them. Hope gripped the armrests as they taxied, her stomach fluttering with nerves that had nothing to do with flying.

"First time on a private jet?"

Hope loosened her death-grip on the armrests even as a rueful smile touched her lips. "I wonder what gave it away."

Colin smiled, and her heart skipped a beat like she was in the throes of her first schoolgirl crush. "I like that you don't hide it. It's...refreshing."

Refreshing.

She was forty years old, and he thought her...refreshing.

The jet accelerated down the runway, pressing Hope back into her seat. She closed her eyes as they lifted into the air, her stomach dropping with the ascent.

When she opened them again, Colin was watching her. Something smoldered in his gaze, and her breath caught in her throat.

The plane suddenly shuddered with minor turbulence. Hope started in her seat, and Colin reached for her hand. Their fingers brushed. A jolt of awareness shot up her arm. Neither moved away.

As the turbulence subsided, Colin's hand shifted, covering hers. His palm was warm, slightly rough. Hope's breath caught in her throat.

"You read the fine print in our contract?"

Hope swallowed. "You're talking about..."

Seeing that she had a hard time putting it to words, Colin stated bluntly, "Before the flight lands, couples are expected to become comfortable with physical contact. It's in the contract."

A flush covered her cheeks, and she could feel her face burning hotter when she noticed Colin staring at her mouth.

Am I ready for this?

The soft click of Colin's seatbelt releasing seemed thunderous in the cabin. He moved beside her, the leather creaking beneath his weight. This close, she caught new details—fine lines at the corners of his eyes, the subtle notes of his cologne mingling with scotch on his breath, a tiny scar near his jaw.

"May I?"

Hope could only nod, no longer trusting herself to be coherent.

Colin's hand came up to cup her cheek, turning her face toward his. "Close your eyes," he commanded softly.

She obeyed, feeling vulnerable and exposed in the intimate cabin. The anticipation was almost painful.

His lips touched hers, gently. Hope remained perfectly still, afraid to breathe. To move. Or do anything that might break the moment.

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