Page 22 of Beautiful Desire

As I walk onto the jet, I’m immediately stopped by its opulence. The interior is covered in expensive cream leather. A dark wood trim lines the edges of the cabin and the tabletops. The left side is made up of two leather chairs facing one another, with a small dark wood table in between, and behind that is a group of four seats separated by a bigger eating space.

To the right, there looks to be oversized reclining chairs in the same cream leather, facing the cockpit. They mirror the group seating on this side as well. A TV is mounted on the far back wall with a lounge area surrounding it.

I follow Gia to the first set of four seats. She takes the window seat facing the front of the jet, and I quickly grab the one across from her toward the back of the plane. Fabi inevitably takes the seat beside her, leaving the one next to me empty.

Marco, Luigi, and two more of Fabi’s men sit in the seating area on the other side of the aisle. I notice a couple more men walk in and sit in the two side-by-side chairs at the back of jet, facing the front.

It suddenly feels too hot, and I feel the flutter of butterflies erupt. I sense him before I see him. As if being on the same flight for the next eight hours isn’t bad enough, he stops at the empty seat next to me.

Ugh, great.

Taking a deep breath, I keep my focus on the airstrip outside, hoping to avoid those electric blue eyes for just a little longer. Unfortunately for me, Dom has a different idea.

“Mind if I take this seat?” he says.

When I turn to greet him, a knowing smirk is etched across his face.

“Sure.” Clearing my throat, I offer him a tight smile and turn my attention back to the endless stretch of asphalt and grass.

Fabi and Dom fall into conversation as I continue staring out the window. I’m deep in thought when Gia’s voice pulls my attention.

“You okay? You’ve been very quiet today.”

“Yeah, I’m good. Just tired. I don’t know how you’re still functioning,” I say, struggling to hold back a yawn.

“Adrenaline, I guess.” Gia smiles as a blush creeps up her neck.

“I’m so happy for you, G,” I tell her.

She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Elle. I never thought I’d be here after everything that happened.”

Tears fill her eyes as emotion overtakes her.

“You deserve it, G.” I sit back in my seat, close my eyes, and hope sleep will come soon, allowing me to avoid the beautiful man beside me for another couple of hours.

* * *

I wake to the feeling of someone giving me a gentle nudge. Slowly, I open my eyes and notice the seats opposite me are empty. Gia and Fabi must have gone to the bedroom at the back of the jet at some point. Turning to my right, I come face-to-face with those familiar blue eyes.

“Sorry, was I sleeping on you?” I ask, sitting upright in my seat and feeling my cheeks heat up a little.

Checking my watch, I see we’re almost halfway through the flight.

“No. They’re preparing lunch, and I thought you might be hungry.”

His eyes roam my face; the hairs on my arms stand on edge as I look everywhere, trying to avoid his gaze. I’ve tried as much as possible to avoid being around him for any period of time on my own. So far, I’ve been successful. This time, I don’t think that will be the case.

“Thanks,” I say before letting out a yawn and a little stretch while turning my gaze to look out the window. It’s bright outside, and I have no idea what time zone we’re in.

Turning, I find myself face-to-face once again with this beautiful man. I end up getting lost in thought at the way my body feels with his eyes on me, the fire burning deep in my belly. The electric energy courses through my veins, heat flaring on my cheeks and my lips tingling at the memory of how they felt against his.

I need to stop.

I take a deep breath, trying to control the sensations taking over me, but instead, I inhale his scent, and it only makes me worse. A pulse starts in my panties, accompanied by a building wetness from the memory of how he felt hovering above me.

Ugh, I am so screwed. Catch a hold of yourself, Elle.

“I’m sorry I—”

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