Her Venice Affair novel Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Riana walked into the small jet and stopped at the door. She leaned forward and peeped inside. It was small. Really small. Claustrophobic small!

She'd only been on a plane three times. Once when she flew to Florida to bury her mother, then to Washington to say goodbye to her brother when he was deported, and finally back to New York and to her lonely, family-less life.

Oh Mama, I miss you so much. Reno, I wish I'd gone home with you. Riana batted her lashes rapidly to hold the tears back.

Reno had her sell everything they'd owned to afford the funeral and the rest was used on air fare and living expenses for her. The little possessions that were too sentimental to sell Riana kept in her apartment-well, not her apartment anymore. Loraine promised to pack up her stuff and move them to Riana's new home before the end of the month, in case Steve and Claire decided to pawn them for rent.

"Hello, I'm Gina, and welcome aboard. Please take your seat. I'll bring you some refreshments before takeoff." The flight attendant said with a sweet, polite voice and a perfect, red smile on her face.

Riana nodded with a quivering smile. She took a cautious step in. She was tempted to ask where the emergency exists were and if there were any parachutes available. Instead she asked, "Where's Allan...I mean Mr. Sinclair?"

"Mr. Sinclair is asleep. If you like, you may take the seat next to him."

Riana nodded and quickly moved to the seat next to Allan. Being next to him might help take the edge off. She wasn't particularly fond of flying.

She stopped before him and smiled. He looked completely relaxed and gentle, unlike when he was wide awake. She'd noticed at the charity ball he was so stiff, upright and stoic, with a stern business look on his face. Well, except for when he was comforting her.

Riana's smile widened to a grin when he sighed and smiled. He was having a wonderful dream and she was glad for him.

She sat down and buckled in tightly. Then she took a look around the compact plane.

The seats were just like those in first class on commercial flights, large and comfortable. Only these were covered in tan leather and there were two others facing them. The seats were situated the same way on the other side of the plane. Behind her seat there was a table full of papers and an office chair. And right across there was a long couch that matched the seats.

Right at the back of the plane there was a door. The flight attendant, Gina, walked past her with a smile and paused at the door. She opened it, closed it behind her once she was inside, and then five minutes later, she walked out and closed the door again.

"Excuse me," Riana whispered-she didn't want to wake Allan. "What's behind that door?"

Gina's lips spread into a knowing smile. She leaned down to whisper in Riana's ear, "It's a bedroom."

"A what!" Riana quickly covered her mouth and turned to Allan. He stirred in his seat but he didn't wake up. She turned back to Gina. "Why would the owner need a bed in a plane?"

"For long flights and for the lady friends Mr. Sinclair brings along to keep him company, especially during long trips out of the States." She straightened, and then winked. "It is his personal jet after all. Enjoy your flight."

Riana watched her walk away, stunned. She wasn't sure what shocked her more, Allan owning his own plane or that she was about to be one of the many Allan had already bedded in his plane. She most definitely did not want to become one of the many. Riana groaned as the logic sank in. Not one of the many? Here she was going to Venice with him! Some moral compass!

"Fasten your seat belts we are about to take off," the captain's voice echoed.

Riana checked Allan's belt. It was fastened, thank God. She wasn't sure about digging her hands under him searching for the belt and bringing her fingers close to his crotch. She leaned back into her seat, closed her eyes and began reciting the Lord's Prayer, just like the three other times she'd been on a plane.

* * * *

One hour into the smooth flight, Riana was sipping her fruit juice when Allan began talking in his sleep. The way he was groaning, she thought he was having a nightmare, until she saw the bulge in his pants. She swallowed hard. That was worse.

Riana shook him. "Allan, wake up!"

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