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colorful blooms reflect in her glassy eyes.
    God damn it, I’m falling hard for this woman.
     
     

Chapter 7
    Watching Bella sleep on the jet, she looks peaceful. I unbuckle my seatbelt and walk over and place a blanket on her. Her eyes flutter open and she stirs, her mouth turning upwards in a sleepy half-smile.
    “Thank you, Mr. Pettifor,” she yawns as she turns on her side.
    Seating myself several aisles away from her, I get back to work. Italy is on the agenda and I look forward to spending time with her and seeing the look on her face when she sees the land where my mother was born. The flight is long but I keep myself busy and Bella never interrupts me except to ask if I need anything. When the flight attendant approaches me, Bella quickly cuts in as if envious and jealous of anyone else showing me attention, or maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part. She’s adorable in personal assistant mode. Hell, she’s endearing in all forms.
    Once on Italian soil, we’re swept away to a meeting without further ado. It’s quite evident that she’s tired from the trip, as am I and jet lag is taking its toll on the both of us.
    After several conferences, we leave for our hotel only to find out that our reservations got fucked up and Bella is without a room for the night. As exhausted as we are, it’s the last thing we need and I have no other choice but to allow Ms. Darcy to stay in my room until things get fixed. Her luggage is brought up to my room and when I return from the lavatory, she’s spread out on the bed, fully clothed and deep in sleep. She’s lying flat on her stomach, her hair is in her face and she looks like a crumpled mess. I stand watching her for a short time, my nurturing side itching to come out. Fuck it. For the first time in ages, I give in to my gentle side.
    I slip her shoes and stockings off, followed by her skirt and blouse, and not once she does stir or even awaken. I then proceed to clean what little make up she has on and tuck her in. Pushing her raven hair out of her face, I kiss the corner of her mouth. She’s looks so vulnerable and fragile when she’s sleeping, it’s hard to imagine this is the same composed woman who runs every aspect of my business life.
    “Pleasant dreams, Ms. Darcy,” I breathe into her ear.
    Suddenly feeling like the hammer has been dropped on me, I undress myself quickly and fall into a deep slumber next to her.
    When I awaken, the sun is set and Bella is cuddled up next to me in the crook of my arm, the covers pushed off of her. The curves of her semi-nude body are shimmering in the moonlight that’s filtering in through the window and I wonder, am I dreaming?
    Overcome with the kinds of unwanted emotions I’ve avoided for so long, I contemplate whether or not to kick her out of my bed. Instead, I gently slide my arm out from under her and watch her sleep for several minutes before deciding I can no longer wait to be inside of her. I skim her panties down her legs and toss them to the floor, and as I fumble with her bra, she rouses.
    The lunar glow glinting in her cobalt eyes, her shiny lips, her sweet smell lingering on the sheets and me… it’s all I can do not to cream myself. In one swift motion, I flip her onto her belly and she moans her approval. Pinning her wrists behind her, I climb the curve of her back and lick up her spine, spellbound by the salty sweet taste of her skin.
    “I’m hungry,” I whisper low and harsh in her ear as I bite into her shoulder blade lightly.
    “Devour me, Mr. Pettifor,” she growls and the sound of her needy and ravenous voice sends shivers down my spine.
    I reach over to the nightstand where I’ve emptied the contents of my pockets and grab the lone condom that sits on it. I briefly let go of her wrists to put the rubber on and her hands remain where I left them. Guiding the head of my shaft to her pussy, I push myself into her in one quick thrust. I drive into her over and over, pumping into her with