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I giggled. “What do you think?”
He kissed and nipped my neck, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “Mmm. I think you feel good under me.”
“Then stay,” I teased, but he had to go.
He pecked my lips, then let out a deep sigh as he rose off me. My hands slid down his chest, feeling the contours of his muscles as he climbed off the bed.
“You change here, and I’ll meet you outside the plane.”
“Yes, Mr. Marini,” I mused.
He put on a robe, came back over, kissed me again, and then left the room.
Excitement and adrenaline course through my veins as the plane lowered for the first leg of our flight to the Caribbean. I quickly changed into a bikini, a white linen sundress, and sandals, then moved to a leather chair and put on a seatbelt.
The screen image of our flight said we were in St. Lucia, and it was close to eighty Fahrenheit. We had another flight scheduled to Mustique Island, an exclusive, private island in the tropics. From what I searched online, it had modern villas, boatson private piers, and immaculate, white-sand beaches. Most of all, there was no press allowed on the island. It was a place for celebrities and their families to vacation in peace.
The plane landed, and I headed outside. I instantly felt like an ant under a magnifying glass in the direct sun.I absently fanned with my hand and stood under a wing for shade to wait as Rocco chatted with the pilot next to a smaller plane we would take to reach the island.
Rocco turned his head and pushed his dark waves off his forehead as a gust of wind and sand blew it and his shirt. Today he wore turquoise linen, with most buttons undone at the top. He must have felt me staring as his attention went to me, and I could already see the smile spreading across his face. My pulse sped as he jogged over, stopping short when he reached me.
“Your skin’s flushed. Are you too hot? Did you put on sunscreen?” He fussed, placing his palm on my forehead and shoulders. His attention sent a flutter through my stomach. Was this what men did with the women they were intimate with? I had no gage for normality. I grew up thinking I shouldn’t trust a man’s concern. My father often pretended to care after he hurt Mama, and I mocked anyone who tried it with me, thinking they were also faking. But Luca showed me different. He gave me Rocco, who was so genuine. I couldn’t push him away.
My hands covered his, and I tilted my head up, grinning. “I’m fine, baby. Don’t worry.”
He winced. “Baby?”
“Don’t like it?” I bit my lip.
He playfully cringed. “Paul calls Nadia baby.”
I laughed loudly, delighting in learning something intimate about my new friends.
“Okay, I’ll find something else you like better.”
“I like you a lot,” he murmured, then kissed me.
My heart skipped a beat.
Zane’s voice called over. “We’re ready.”
We walked hand in hand behind him, and that old fear of falling returned seeing the small propeller and seats visible behind the pilot. I knew online this was the only way to go, and I thought I prepared myself, but jittering started, and my legs went wobbly up the stairs.
“I’m right here, Bella.” Rocco took my hand and squeezed it. Then, he placed his arm around my shoulders to keep me close. I snuggled against him, taking his shelter.
“I forgot how to fly this thing,” the pilot joked.
We all let out a laugh drowned out by the noise that sounded like a mosquito as the plane lifted into the air. It turned, and my anxiety rose as it swayed and vibrated to level.
“Ahh,” I cried and squeezed Rocco’s hand.
Rocco leaned over my ear. “It’s just changing direction. You’ll feel more air pockets, but trust me, it’s safe.” He kissed my cheek. “Look out at the view.”
My head turned to peer out, but all I could see was blue waters stretching for miles. I closed my eyes.No thanks.
Within minutes, the plane leveled to smoother than before. I sighed in relief and rolled my neck to let go of some of the tension.
“It’s not so bad,” I screamed above the noise.