ELARA
The prospect of being in Italy filled me with excitement, but it wasn’t because this was my first visit. No, I’d been here before—but only for work. This trip, however, was different. For the first time, I was here to relax, to indulge, to experience the country purely for pleasure.
Leaning back against the plush leather seat of the black Benz that Dave had arranged for our private transfers, I let my gaze wander to the scenery outside the window.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re headed?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the passing landscape.
Dave leaned in closer, his voice a low murmur in my ear. “I’d rather keep it a surprise.”
His sudden nearness caught me off guard, and my entire body responded to his proximity with an almost involuntary alertness.
Goosebumps raced alon
