Page 7 of Midnight Rose

She can build a pillow wall if it helps her sleep, but she will be in my bed. There are many things I will give her or that I will budge on for her. But her safety isn't one of them. I will do what keeps her safe first and foremost.

Chapter 7

Ruby

I've never flown in a private plane before, but like Orlando's home, he spared no expense on his plane either.The seats are very comfortable, and it's stocked with all my favorite foods.

The flight to Greece is over sixteen hours, but I couldn’t be more at home and relaxed. His jet is luxurious, with cushy seats and even a bedroom in the back. Like the one in his room, the mattress is the most enjoyable thing I've ever slept on in my life.

When I went to get some sleep earlier, he said he had some work to do, but I just woke up to find him asleep next to me.

This is my favorite part of him; when he lets his guard down enough and falls asleep next to me. He looks so much like the boy I remember because all his masks are gone.I get the feeling I'm the only one he trusts to see him this way.

I'm tracing the lines of his face with my eyes when his eyes open and lock on mine. Neither of us moves as we watch each other until the pilot comes over the speaker, saying we are making our descent.

"Come on, Rapunzel, let's go get ready to land," he gets up and leads me out to the main room. Then he sits me down and buckles me up himself. Once he's satisfied I'm safe, he sits down next to me and buckles up.

I take his hand in mine and rest my head on his shoulder. I'm still a bit tired, but excited to be there too.I admit it's nice to know he's planned and taken care of everything, and I don't have to worry about our bags or getting to our hotel.

The next few hours are a whirlwind with landing, getting a car, and arriving at where we will be staying.I was right; he had every detail planned.

I expected a hotel when he said he had a place in mind.

"I don't even want to know what this place cost you for the weekend." I stare at the house with water views and more room than we need for just the two of us.

There is also staff for food, cleaning, and anything else we need.

"Well, considering I bought it, so we can come back any time you want, it cost quite a lot."

"You bought this place?" I turn to face him.

"Yes. I love Greece and know you will too. We need a vacation home, and this was actually a good deal." He shrugs, like dropping millions of dollars is an everyday thing for him. It might be. I have no idea because I am still trying to figure out this Orlando.

"Come on! I don't want to miss the sunset." He takes my hand and leads me out to the water.

Even though we can't actually get to the water since most of Santorini is like an island on a rock. Instead, we stand here with nothing but water in front of us, watching the sunset, and it’s one of the most romantic moments of my life.

Orlando presses his front to my back and wraps his arms around me as we watch the sunset. If you ignore the six bodyguards keeping people away from us, it's peaceful.

The orange and pink colors dance across the sky and mirror the ocean, and it looks like something from a painting and can't possibly be real.

Once the sun dips into the water, I turn in his arms to face him.

"I loved it. Can we do this each night we are here?" I ask.

"I wouldn't miss it," he says, and we both study each other for a moment before it feels like a magnet is pulling me to him.

Right now, I know there is no way I cannot kiss him. Ignoring the kidnapping thing, as he's done so much for me with this trip and making sure I'm safe, I lean in.

When my lips land on his, a sharp intake of breath is the only sound from him before he cups my face with both hands and takes control of the kiss.

The kiss stays soft and sweet, in complete contrast to the man I've seen over the last week. This side of him is the one I'm falling for.I love that he is only soft and sweet with me. But another part of me thinks it's too good to be true.

When we turn and head back toward the house, the lights on every home fill up the cliff side, and it's almost like the entire village is having a candle-lit dinner.

"Wait until you see what I have planned for tomorrow," Orlando says.

We have been walking around the village of Oya here in Santorini, and it's exactly what you see in the photos of Greece.

---