Page 8 of Midnight Rose

The buildings are all whitewashed and have blue roofs that are as blue as the clear sky that you think of when you think of Greece. The homes are all built into the cliffs, and it's the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

We have been walking all over the village on cobble sidewalks, hand in hand like any other couple. Well, any other couple with six bodyguards following them.

They make me feel safe, and Orlando makes sure I really enjoy everything. We walk the shops, try local food, and talk with locals about things to see and do.

When we planned this trip ten years ago, sitting in my father's garden, this is everything we talked about.

Every night when we get back to the house, we go to bed in the same bed. He has never pushed for more than a kiss, and we have stayed on our own sides of the bed.

Tonight, a storm is rolling in, and the thunder is loud and mixed with the waves of the ocean. When one of the bursts of thunder makes me jump, Orlando rolls over.

"Come here, Rapunzel." he pulls me to him and wraps me in his arms.

"You are safe with me. I promise you this. Get some sleep." Then he kisses the top of my head and holds me tighter.

In his arms, I finally feel safe enough to go to sleep.

Chapter 8

Orlando

As I hold her through the storm, I can't stop thinking of that kiss the other day at sunset. We have had a few kisses since then, but that first kiss was explosive. I know it was her first kiss even if she hadn't told me, and it was my first kiss too. Other than the one we shared in the garden all those years ago. But that was a simple kiss on the cheek, nothing like this one.

Many times over the years, I imagined our first kiss. What her lips would feel like and taste like, but this kiss wasn't anything I could have expected. This kiss has made it harder to keep my hands off her and move at her pace.

I want to claim her now, make her mine. Every time she leans in for another kiss, I lose a bit more control. My dreams are filled with me pinning her down and loving every inch of her body until she is in an orgasm coma and can't think of anything but me.

I don't go back to sleep but hold her through the storm and long into the morning as I watch the morning light fill our room.

"Rapunzel, time to get up. We don't want to sleep the day away." I whisper in her ear when one of my men lets me know breakfast is ready.

She groans and turns over to stretch, which is my favorite part of the morning. When she stretches, the thin shirt she sleeps in gets plastered to her chest, and I can see an outline of every dip and curve of her breasts.

Then she looks over at me, giving me a small smile.

"Thank you for last night. I'm sorry I'm so jumpy."

"You don't need to apologize. I loved holding you in my arms. Please be jumpier so I can do it more often. Now get up and get ready, as we have a full day ahead of us."

Since it’s our last day here, I want to spoil her properly. So we spend the day walking the streets, shopping and taking in the fresh air. Being able to hold her hand and wrap my arm around her any time I want is so much more than I ever expected.

Then being able to come back to our home and take care of her in the most basic ways is one of the most fulfilling things that I have ever done.

Our last day in Greece flies by way too fast, and before I know it, we're sitting back on my airplane heading home to South Carolina.

Ruby is cuddled up on my lap as we watch an inflight movie.

"So, three days in Greece equals three dates, right?"

"Not a chance, Rapunzel," I chuckle and run my hands through her hair. "Plan another trip."

"When?"

"As soon as you want. The sooner, the better."

We watch the rest of the movie in silence, but I can tell she's thinking and planning.

When she's ready for bed that night, I join her and hold her in my arms even though I'm not anywhere near tired. I can't wait to see where she decides to plan our next date. I'll take her anywhere in the world. I start going over the days events like I always do.

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