Page 71 of Under the Mistletoe
“Donovan,” I warn, my head falling back as my body tenses and shakes.
“Fuck,” he grits out, and we come together. I bite my bottom lip to prevent the scream, and he buries his head into my neck.
And as the plane starts to descend, so do we, grinning and now relaxed all the way into Milan.
29
Jessica
I walk into our suite and slump in the chair, my feet and body exhausted.
“Tough morning?”
I jump, not expecting Donovan to be here.
“I thought you had meetings this afternoon?” My smile is instant. We landed and hit the ground running, him in meetings, me trying to get my head around the local operations here to get a better understanding of areas that we could streamline.
“I had meetings this morning. I have something else planned for this afternoon,” he says cryptically as I stand and walk toward him. He looks amazing. He suits Milan well. Laid-back, effortless, extremely dapper in his pants and shirt, the collar undone, his sleeves rolled up. He’s flawless.
“Oh yeah? I saw our afternoon was blocked out, but there was no further information.” I wrap my arms around his neck and lift onto my tiptoes to give him a kiss.
“Hmmmm, I’ve planned something special for us,” he murmurs, before kissing me again, his lips warm, his hands wrapping around my waist keeping me close.
“Oh?”
“Well, I knew we would be busy this week, and I wanted to ensure you at least got some time to be a tourist.”
My eyes and smile widen. “Really?”
I’m excited. It’s true that this is my first overseas trip, but the itinerary that Ashley put together left hardly any room for meals, let alone opportunities for me to play tourist. I’ve been eagerly looking out the car window, taking in the sights between meetings and dinners.
“Why don’t you get changed. I have a new outfit on the bed for you, and I have a car waiting for us.”
“Eeeeeekkkkk!” I squeal, and he throws his head back on a laugh as I run from his hold to get changed.
Donovan has spoiled me all day. We’ve played tourist, eaten gelato, the car and driver taking us to the most beautiful places. We went to the festive markets, where I got some beautiful gifts for my aunt and uncle for Christmas and where I ate so much panettone that I almost look like one. All the while, Donovan has been smiling, watching me experience Italy for the first time, ignoring his phone that continued to ring almost every five minutes.
“So any favorites?” Donovan asks as we climb back in the car. So far, he’s taken me to explore Duomo di Milano, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. It’s been a whirlwind, but like every dream I’ve had come to life.
“I don’t think I could pick. They were all amazing. Thank you.” I lean over and settle myself into his side as the car we’re in drives away from the curb. He pulls me close, his hand never leaving mine, not even in the busiest tourist spots.
“I have one last surprise.”
I sit up and look at him. “There’s more?” It’s been a big afternoon.
“Of course.” He grins.
“What is it?” I ask eagerly.
“You’ll see.” He nods, and I smile, settling in for the next experience and enjoying the slow drive through the streets. We drive for what feels like almost half an hour before the car pulls up along a quiet street on the outskirts of town.
“You’re spoiling me,” I tell him softly.
“I like spoiling you. Besides, it’s your first trip to Italy; I need to make it memorable.” He runs his hand across my cheek, watching me closely.
“Everything you do with me is memorable,” I say, because he needs to know I’m not with him for his money, for this extravagance.
“That’s because you make it memorable. You know I still remember what you were wearing the day I first met you.”
