The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

TWO

Gabriele Marcelli watched the woman standing next to the motorized wheelchair. He'd know Valerie Olsen anywhere even though she tried to hide herself behind a baggy shirt and an old pair of jeans. This was the very woman his friend, Dante Moretti, had dated when she started modeling five years ago.

The woman was Satan's own spawn. She gave a new meaning to the word evil. Gabriele would never forgive her for using his friend, stomping on his heart, and moving on to a wealthier man who could move her career up the ladder.

Dante had been crushed and fell into a deep depression. Six months later, Gabriele found out what was going on and saved his friend before he'd lost everything. It was hard for Gabriele to believe that a woman could make a man act this way.

What was a super-model doing wearing such unfashionable clothes? He snickered. From what he knew about the woman, she was a drama queen. Obviously, she was trying to get sympathy for something.

He wasn't sure if she was on the same flight, but then in the past two hours, all the other gates had boarded, yet she remained. She must be flying to Italy.

Interesting.

She was still as beautiful and mysterious as he remembered. He'd never met her personally, but he didn't need to meet her to know what kind of person she was. She slept with men for money or to help her career.

Strange, but he hadn't heard her name mentioned or seen any new material she'd done in the past year. Was her career going downhill now?

He grinned. Perhaps it was time to avenge his friend. This was the perfect opportunity. Gabriele had the reputation of helping many no-name models. What if he charmed Miss Olsen into believing he'd help her? Then when she was ready, he'd leave her high and dry.

Just like she'd done to his friend, Dante.

Lately, the women Gabriele dated had bored him. The excitement he wanted was missing from his life. But now... Seeking revenge would definitely spice things up the way he wanted.

The presence by his side accompanied an overabundance of perfume, making him want to gag. Trudy was back.

Gabe rolled his head to the side to look at her, not happy at all with the tantrum she'd been throwing since they arrived at the airport. Sometimes these models made him batty. They were all spoiled, and their lives centered around them and only them.

Unfortunately, he hadn't found a woman who stood out, both in beauty and in temperament. Then again, if he did find one like this, he might be tempted to keep her for himself, and right now with his busy career, he wasn't sure he wanted a permanent relationship.

She pressed her surgically enhanced breasts against his arm as she gave him the pouty look. He hated when women did that.

"Gabriele? You know how much I want to go to Venice with you. We haven't spent much time together this trip. Can't you please rearrange your business so we can be together?"

"Trudy, I cannot do that. If you knew me at all, you would know my work comes first."

She tilted her head. "I do know you, and pleasure always comes first."

Actually, it did, but he was tired of Trudy and didn't want her around. He was glad she was heading home to Atlanta and would leave him alone when he reached Venice. "Once my business is over, I will call you."

She pushed away from him in a huff and stomped her foot. "Stop lying to me."

"Trudy, may I remind you that I do not like spoiled women. You are acting like a child right now."

She rolled her eyes and turned her head. "Fine. I'll wait patiently for your call when I arrive home."

He chuckled and shook his head. "I encourage you to do other things besides wait for me."

The loudspeaker crackled before a woman's deep voice spoke. "We will be boarding Gate C-14 heading to Venice, Italy. First-class passengers will board first, along with the handicap passengers."

Gabe swung his gaze to where he'd last seen Valerie. She was gone. Maybe luck wasn't in his corner today. Apparently, she must have boarded another flight.

He cursed under his breath. He was really looking forward to playing with this woman's life as she had done to his friend.

He walked up to the front and handed the flight attendant his ticket. Smiling, she took it and helped Trudy. His companion had finally stopped whining, and thankfully, she wasn't talking, either. He moved up the passageway and into the plane. Within minutes, he found his seat. As he began stuffing his carry-on bag into the overhead, Trudy released a small pout.

"Gabriele? Can I have the window seat? You know how I hate sitting on the aisle."

He gritted his teeth, losing his patience with this woman. The next few hours were going to be pure hell. Thankfully, their layover in Atlanta was where she'd get off. "Yes, you can have the window seat."

Once he was seated, he relaxed back in his chair, finding a comfortable spot. Closing his eyes, he tried to shut out Trudy's chattering. Apparently, she recognized someone from the next aisle over. He didn't care. As long as she thought he was asleep, perhaps she wouldn't bother him.

He could only hope, anyway.

As he breathed deeply, preparing to get him into relaxed mode, his mind returned to Valerie Olsen and everything she'd done to his friend. Never had he heard of a more vindictive woman. Of course, his friend was somewhat gullible, too. That's probably why he fell for the model so quickly and so hard. Thankfully, Gabe would never get himself into that situation. Ever.

He still wished she would have been on his flight. He'd love to feign an interest in her, and say the words he always repeated while trying to seduce a woman. Now he wouldn't get to play that part with her. It would have been very intriguing, to say the least.

Within seconds a lightly perfumed breeze swept by him. The woman's flowery scent tickled his senses and made him curious. As he opened his eyes, a vision wearing a white sundress stood in the aisle, her matching purse clutched to her middle as her wide eyes scanned the airplane. Why wasn't she wearing the baggy green shirt and faded jeans when he'd first laid eyes on her?

It didn't matter. She was here now. He grinned.

This close up, Valerie Olsen was a sight to behold. He'd seen pictures of her in magazines, but she never looked as pretty as she did now. Strange, because she also looked frightened. That didn't describe the demanding cover-model he'd heard so much about.

Clearing his throat, he sat up straight and touched her arm. "Do you need help?"

When her blue-eyed gaze rested on him, she sucked in a quick breath. Her cheeks reddened and she moistened her lips with her raspberry tongue.

"Uh, yes." Her shaky hand brought forth her ticket. "I need to find my seat."

Why was she acting as though she'd never been on a plane before? Very odd.

He stood, which brought him very close beside her, and read the ticket. Her chest rose and fell quicker. Her lovely scent was hypnotizing. He liked it...liked it a lot.

He quickly shook himself out of the trance. Maybe that was her power...the perfume she wore was so entrancing. He'd have to remember that.

Gabe held back a chuckle. "Your seat is right here." He pointed to the empty chairs across the aisle from him. It was at that point when he saw a flight attendant helping the woman who'd been in the wheelchair earlier, into a second class seat on the front row.

"Oh, how silly of me," Valerie said with a laugh. "Thanks for your help."

She turned to store her carry-on bag in the cubbies above her seat, but her limbs shook so hard he was worried she'd either collapse or the bag would fall out of her hands. Was she sick or something? Or was it his presence that made her nervous? He'd bet good money that she's heard of him, or at least his sister's fashions.

Quickly, he pressed his body behind hers as he reached for the bag that had slipped. "Let me help you with that," he whispered in her ear.

She sucked in a fast breath as she looked over her shoulder and met his gaze. She smiled. "Thank you, again."

There was no place for her to move since he had trapped her between the seat and his body. Purposely, he took his time squeezing her bag in the overhead cubbies.

Her unsettled breathing deepened, and her body remained stiff against his. He grumbled under his breath. And her scent... He was sure it would stay in his mind for days now. Usually models wore too much perfume, enough to drown a small child. Like Trudy. But Valerie's fragrance made him want to bury his nose in her neck and cuddle next to her for the remainder of the trip.

Her body was just as he'd imagined, too. He couldn't stand those models who were too thin with no breasts to hold up the front of their clothes. Valerie definitely had the right curves. Perfezionare.

Finally, he pushed the bag in the slot and pulled away. When he glanced down into her eyes, her face flamed a brilliant red. Why was she so embarrassed? This particular model should be used to men pressing up against her.

"I...I..." She swallowed. "Thank you again."

He nodded. "My pleasure."

And pleasure it was to have her next to him for those few short minutes. Revenge would be worth the effort, especially with such a sexy woman.

When he returned to his seat, Trudy scowled at him with an arched brow.

"What was that all about?" she snipped.

"I was helping the lady."

"Helping her with what? See how well she fit against your body?"

He held in a chuckle. Had he been that obvious?

Shaking his head, he ignored her and pulled out his ipad. He had a schedule to check and figures to run before they reached Italy. Now was the time to do it if he didn't want Trudy to bother him.

As the plane prepared to leave, he noticed the way Valerie's white hands clutched her fastened seatbelt. The redness was gone from her face, and now she looked as if the blood had drained away.

Was she ill? She'd have to be. Being a model, flying on an airplane would be second nature to her. And if she had some type of illness, that would explain why he hadn't seen her around for about a year.

The engines of the plane roared louder and panic crossed Valerie's face. She squeezed her eyes closed and held her breath. If something didn't happen soon, the poor girl would pass out.

He glanced at Trudy who now had earphones in her ears as she listened to her cell. She also had her eyes closed. Hopefully, she wouldn't mind if he helped out the distressed woman in the next aisle.