The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

SEVEN

When Adrianna's palm met his silk shirt, she held her breath. As she rested her hand on him fully, he didn't flinch. His breathing stayed slow and deep, reassuring her he was slumbering. His body heat passed through her hand and spread over every inch. Tingles slowly built inside her, encouraging her to continue her curious exploration.

Dare she?

Listening, she tried to detect if the flight attendants were moving, but everything remained silent. This was a good sign.

He had removed his tie from earlier, and had released the first three buttons on his shirt. Gently, she slid her hand from one muscular breast to the other before dipping into the opening. Skin, so tight...so warm, had never felt this glorious. His steady heartbeat was strong beneath her palm, matching the runaway rhythm of her heart.

Because of the way he relaxed in his seat, tilted back with legs outstretched and arms to his sides, moving her hand down the length of him would be easy. His stomach was flat and tight, just like his chest. She skimmed her gaze lower. She couldn't possibly go any farther. It was indecent. In fact, she could get arrested if the pilot knew her thoughts.

Thinking about becoming intimate with this incredible man, the thudding of her heartbeat picked up a notch and her breathing grew ragged. Tingles shot throughout her body, intensifying as her creative mind put together very vivid images of what the two of them could do together.

Slowly, she moved her hand over his hard stomach, and then down to his hard thigh. This man was powerfully strong. No man would look like this otherwise. He was also very hot. Her skin practically burned where she caressed him. In fact, even now, his thigh muscles bunched under her exploring fingers...

Sucking in a quick breath, she glanced at his face again. This time she detected a small grin. Was she seeing things since the lights in the plane were still dimmed? Could she be imagining it? Or was he having pleasant dreams right now?

She froze, waiting to see if he was dreaming or really awake. She dared not even breathe. Maybe she should remove her hand. As good as it felt touching his body without him knowing, she had to stop. Why she'd even dared to do this was beyond her imagination.

Slowly, she pulled her hand away, but she accidentally bumped Gabriele's arm. He groaned and shifted. His hand snaked out and grasped hers, keeping her from withdrawing as he cuddled her limb against his chest. Still, his eyes were closed.

Adrianna continued to pull, trying to release it, but he was stronger. Maybe if she relaxed, he would, too.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned against her seat, turning toward him a little better. He held her hand as the grin stayed on his face. A sigh escaped his mouth and he adjusted in his seat.

Was he awake? If he was, she'd die of humiliation. Had he been teasing her all this time by pretending to be asleep?

Swallowing the lump of terror lodged in her throat, she tried not to panic. What excuse could she give him as to why she was examining his body so closely...and while he was asleep, no less.

Maybe she should act like she was asleep?

She rolled her eyes. Would that even work?

Leaning closer, she whispered, "Gabriele?"

"Hmm?"

Her heart jumped to her throat. "Are you awake?"

His eyes fluttered open and his grin widened. "I am now."

She licked her dry lips. "You have my hand."

He glanced down at his fingers wrapped around her wrist. "I do."

"Can you let me go?"

His gaze slowly moved up to meet her stare. "Why?"

What a ridiculous question to ask. Her mind suddenly went blank. "Because...well, because I can't sleep this way."

His lazy smile made her heart flutter, and she wished he didn't look so darn adorable. When he gave her this look, the dimple in his chin was more prominent. How she loved men with dimples...

"What makes you think I can sleep with you stroking my body?" he asked in a low voice.

She forced a laugh, even though the proof of her denial was heating up her face as if her skin was on fire. She hoped he couldn't see her embarrassment in the dim lighting. "I wasn't stroking your body, Gabriele."

He arched a brow. "It felt that way to me."

Inwardly, she died. Unfortunately, her spirit hadn't left her body yet, and so she was still here experiencing the mortification. She swallowed hard so she could speak without her voice breaking. "How did it feel to you?"

Once the words exited her mouth, she clamped her lips together, willing the last few seconds to rewind so she could say something else. Silently, she groaned. He would now think the worst, she was sure of it.

He lifted her fingers to his mouth and gently placed kisses on each fingertip, taking his time with one digit before moving to the next. Her breathing grew ragged again, and the volcanic heat rushing through her limbs made her weak. Shivers of desire ran rapid through her, making her unable to take a deep breath.

Once he kissed the last finger, he slid her hand down his neck to the opened buttons of his shirt...onto his bare chest. Closing his eyes, he slowly continued to move her touch inside his shirt, while he wore his sexy lazy grin. Gads, if she didn't know any better, she'd think he was enjoying this. And yet why would he? He was an international playboy, and she was the woman next in line to become a nun.

Watching the passion play across his face was her undoing. Her heart accelerated as though it was in a race for the Indianapolis 500 speed racing. If she didn't calm down, that particular organ in her chest would pop right out. She struggled to breathe slower, but it wasn't working. All she could do was watch his face as he moved her hand over his chest.

Wisps of soft hair rubbed against her fingertips. Strange, but she figured him to be the kind of man who completely shaved his chest like most of the models Valerie had dated. Adrianna's heart tripped over itself knowing that he wasn't quite like those others.

"How does it feel?" he replied to her earlier question, opening his eyes and locking with her gaze once more. "Stroking isn't quite the correct word. Caressing fits. So does exploring."

"I'm so sorry," she mumbled, trying to yank her hand away, but he held her palm to his chest. Although she wanted to break the contact, part of her was relieved she could still touch him. "It was wrong of me to do this...to act this bold."

His expression softened with tenderness, and yet desire was written all over it.

"No need to apologize, mia cara. You were curious. I understand."

"But you don't." She shook her head. "I'm not like this. I've never done this sort of thing before."

"Not in an airplane?"

"Not only in a plane, but...anywhere."

He arched an eyebrow. "Never?"

A breath caught in her throat. Crap! She was supposed to be acting like her sister. And yet, didn't she want him to like her and not Valerie? "Yes, never."

"Tell me," he said, turning more on his side to face her, "do you think I'm a bad influence?"

She snorted a laugh. "In more ways than one."

His smile widened. "Good." His focus dropped to her mouth. "Do I make you want to do things you have never done before?"

Oh, yes! She swallowed once more, hoping to moisten the dryness consuming her throat. "I refuse to answer that one."

He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers again. "Mia cara, I do not know what it is about you, but I want to learn more about you."

Happiness grew inside of her. "You do?"

He nodded. "I have been watching you since we met, and I noticed you have such a caring heart."

"Really?" She c****d her head, doubting his compliment. "What makes you think that?"

"You became friends with the woman in the wheelchair. I am very impressed."

At first she felt hers and Val's secret would come to an end, but if Gabriele didn't even notice who the woman in the wheelchair was, perhaps Adrianna would be able to keep their secret safe after all.

"The woman in the wheelchair is my sister."

His eyes widened. "Sister?"

"Yes. That's why we are going to Venice. There is a great doctor there who might be able to help my sister with her crippling disease."

"You will let me know if there is anything I can do, correct?"

She really didn't want him involved, but she nodded, anyway. "Yes. I'll let you know."

He caressed her fingers with his. "You are a rare jewel, mia cara. I believe we are going to get along quite well on our tour of Venice."

Her heart dropped. That's the very thing she worried about, too.