Page 28 of Forbidden Vows

So, I leave her be. At least our shoulders are touching. And I got to see her wince when her spanked ass hit the cushioned seat.

Cleopatra got the orgasm she demanded—two, actually—at my hand, and I also granted her one wish, now seated across the aisle from me, sipping an espresso martini. Her long, coffin-shaped, hot pink nail delicately glides up her phone screen, flicking at the top before sliding back down to the bottom to begin the process anew.

She’s beautiful, incredibly bright, possesses a sharp sense of humor, and has an excellent understanding of fashion. Today, she wears a well-tailored hot pink suit, a low-cut white silk tank beneath it, and black stilettos on her feet. The single brothers will be watching her like a hawk.

“Work discovers I’m going to be in Italy for the summer, and within an hour, I receive 500 emails suggesting places to shoot the next campaign.” Seraphina sighs in a way thatreveals her obsession with her job. “And as always, they’re all amazing.”

“What’s the new product?” I ask.

“A caffeinated coconut water- it’s delicious!” She makes the chef’s kiss gesture, kissing her fingertips before releasing them into the air, and then gives me a business-like glance. “I couldn’t promote a product I don’t love.”

“I’ll ensure you have a driver and access to a car. We also have a helicopter available if you need any aerial shots.”

“Thanks, Blaze.” She beams a 100-watt smile at me, then returns to her phone, continuing to work.

“Thanks, Blaze,” Cleo echoes beside me. From her view, her light brow goes adorably pensive, and she bites her bottom lip.

That’s a classic Cleopatra worry face. She pulls a notebook from her giant orange bag, which has a pen attached to the front. So teacher-like. Pulling the lap table across the arms of her chair, she flips the notebook open, focused on the blank paper before her.

“How much do you think a ticket on one of these things costs?” she murmurs before looking at me, asking, “Two hundred?” I don’t answer immediately, and she winces, asking,“Threehundred?”

Seraphina and I share a knowing glance. Rather than startling her with the correct cost, I ask, “Why do you need to know?”

“I’m keeping a tab,” she says curtly. “Of everything I owe you.”

“I forced you to come. You don’t owe me anything?—”

She holds up a hand, cutting me off. “Now I know you’re probably thinking I’ll never be able to pay you back on my meager salary, but I’ll make installments. Okay, so we’ll say $250 for the ticket. $500 for me and Seraphina combined?”

A staff member comes by with a tray of champagne, offering each of us one. We all take a glass. Cleopatra says cheerily, “Thank you!” and then scribbles down $20 for her and her friend’s drinks.

“Can I take a look?” I slide the notebook from her tray without waiting for a response. I fold it closed and slip it into my work bag. “I’ll keep it safe for you. Promise. For now, try to enjoy the experience.”

“Okay.” She sighs, wiggling her shoulders against the plush seat, trying to unwind.

I attempt to relax her. “You’ve never left the country, have you?” I already know the answer. I know practically everything about her. My team would have alerted me if she had adopted a new personality and been jet-setting around the world over the past few years.

“No.” She looks down at her lap, shaking her head.

“It’s going to be alright. I’ll take good care of you. You might even enjoy yourself.” I give her a playful swipe under her chin. “Chin up! If nothing else, you’ll be out of the States for the first time.”

She brightens at that. “I do appreciate all this. I know I was resistant”—her lovely cheeks blush, making my cock stir as she thinks of my stern correction from earlier—“to the ideaat first, but you’re right. I shouldn’t turn down an opportunity to travel over the summer. Thank you.”

I call over a staff member, ordering a manicure for Cleo so she can relax. She resists, saying she doesn’t need any more spoiling. “I insist,” I say. “My treat. They have a mini spa in the back of the jet. It’s pretty cool. Go check it out.”

Finally, she gives in, smiling as she leaves with the staff member.

She returns to her seat looking far more relaxed, her fingernails a shiny light pink. Leaning over, she plants a sweet kiss on my cheek. “Thanks. I did need that. It was wonderful.”

She goes back to gazing out the window, her eyelids heavy with fatigue. My instinct is to hold her close so she can feel safe and allow herself to doze. Should I make my move? Hell—she’s trapped on this jet with me. What do I have to lose? I extend my arm, wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling her tightly against me.

She doesn’t hesitate; she rests her head against my shoulder. “Thanks. Much better.”

And there it is.

The pang in my chest. That longing I can’t quite put words to. And of course, ‘cause it’s me, cock stirring. Just from having her head on my shoulder, her soft vanilla scent closing in on me, the heat from her skin melding with mine. That’s what she does to me: Cleopatra, queen of everything.

Every hard-on.

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