Chapter 6

CLAYTON'S P. O. V

As a young boy, I loved her, sweetly, purely.

My feelings were soft, my affections had been innocent then.

I still love her. I do.

But fúck, now it's deeper, darker. Nothing innocent here, not with the way I can't take my eyes off her mesmerizing face, deep russet eyes that turn onyx in the lowlight. Midnight hair, long and silky.

I had touched it once, she let me, but that was years ago, now, I want both to observe the silky strands with awe before fisting my hands around them to pull.

Yvonne is no longer the sweet little girl with ponytails in pink ribbons, she's a woman. A full-grown, breathtaking woman

If I thought I had been enthralled as a boy, as a man, my soul is all hers.

Heat curled low in my spine. A throb, slow and deep.

“Estimated eight hours till we reach our destination. Tuscany, Italy. The weather is bright, the skies are clear and..”

The captain's voice boomed through the cabin speakers, I drowned out his words, focusing on Yvonne as her fingers flew over the keyboard, working.

She hadn't even paid me a glance since. I knew because I've been watching her, it's hard not to.

I leaned back into the leather chair, observing her. Some people handled stress by crashing out, Yvonne handled it by burying herself deep in work.

I know she must still be confused about the slimy bastard Edgar, and her new job, it's a lot to take on at once.

“You've been working since we took flight” I murmured.

Yvonne's fingers stilled, she turned to me quickly, and a faint blush of red stained her cheeks; she pushed her hair behind her ears.

“Well, sir, there are several financial reports I need to compile. As your executive personal assistant, it's my job to...”

She flattered when I took the laptop from her. “Let's see,” I drawled, shifting closer. My hands tightened on the laptop, if only to stop myself from touching.

Being close to Yvonne, after all these years, it was like finding a missing piece of me, the last piece that completes me.

Her perfume drifted into my senses, soft, fruity, something like peaches. A groan caught low in my throat.

Her lips were painted a muted rose that made it impossible not to stare. The champagne-colored pencil skirt and blouse hugged her figure, highlighting every delicate, feminine curve.

Yvonne's eyes moved back and forth, from me to the laptop “S..sir?"

A swallow worked my throat. What was it about Yvonne addressing me as ‘Sir’ that got me so turned on? I knew I shouldn't be staring helplessly like this, but fúck, I can't help it.

Not after years of aching wistfulness. The last thing I expected when coming to Seattle was that Yvonne would be working in my company, and God damm me but I was going to keep her as close as possible.

It's the reason for this trip anyway, I do have a meeting, but that meeting can be finalized in two days tops, and I intend to spend the rest of the month with Yvonne.

In Italy.

Alone.

“Have you ever been to Italy?” I asked, shutting the laptop and setting it aside.

Her brows creased slightly before she smothered her expression into professionalism. A smile tugged on my lips, She's cute when she does that

“No, Sir," She gave a straightforward answer.

“Are you thrilled about going to Italy?” I questioned again, taking strange delight in the sound of her voice, like sweet wine gliding across my tongue, I could almost taste it.

A faint smile appeared on my face, squeezing my heart tight. She's so beautiful when she smiles, I'd do anything to see her smiling again, I'll do anything to make her laugh freely again.

Fúck.

“I am excited, sir. Italy has such a rich blend of music and culture. I’ve always loved the idea of it. And right now, this trip feels...refreshing.” she said with a polite smile.

Nostalgia is a crazy feeling,

It weighed down on my chest like a heavy weight. Younger Yvonne had wanted to travel around the world, one day she wished to be a pirate, another day a doctor, and on another day something else.

“You deserve a break,” I said softly, not even recognizing my own voice.

She sighed, glancing out the window of the jet and back to me, “We're going for business, sir, and as your executive personal....”

“As my executive personal officer,” I interrupted gently, “I say you deserve a break. You need to be in good shape both physically and mentally to do your job and assist me effectively.”

Yvonne's eyes widened for a bit, as if I had just insinuated that she was ugly. She reached out a self-conscious hand to use her hair and cover her face.

My heart pricked at that movement and I wanted to gut anyone who had ever made her feel less of herself.

I reached up and stopped her hand. Yvonne's eyes met mine, her lips opened in a low gasp.

“That doesn't mean you're not the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever seen” I murmured, and in that voice, the one reserved for seduction.

Yvonne blinked, once then twice, her lashes fluttering as she tried to process what I just spilled out.

Fúck, I knew I shouldn't have said that, not now that she was on her way to healing—technically and literally.

And not when she was still ‘married' to Edgar.

I love her, but there are boundaries I respect, I have to do things right, I couldn't take advantage of the situation, no matter how much it strained in my heart.

Yvonne blinked again, and I let my fingers push her hair behind her ears, bringing her face to me.

Her breath hitched.

I stared longer than I should have. What would it be like to steal this moment, to give her one kiss, just one, to kiss her like she should be. My fingers trailed lower.

I should stop, I really should, but fuck, the feel of my hand on her skin was a high I was quick getting addicted to, I was sure If I knew the taste, I wouldn't be able to stop myself.

There were lines I wouldn't cross

Yet

“Si..sir?” She stuttered and I rolled my tongue in my cheeks to regain control over my thoughts.

“Yes, Yvonne?”

I noticed her body reaction whenever I called her by her first name, the way her chest would heave and her breathing would pick up.

Electricity raced up my spine. Knowing that Yvonne was affected by me, the same way I was to her—that wasn't helping my resolve to not cross lines, it was only blurring them.

She swallowed,. “You said I needed rest,” she stated, and I nodded.

“But we're going for a business meeting, or... aren't we?”

I leaned back into my chair, a smug smile on my lips. “The meeting is set for the last week of this month."

Yvonne's sharp brain quickly did the maths. “That gives us two weeks and three days before then,”

She gave me a quizzical look. “Two weeks for what sir?"

I didn't answer right away. I waited to watch every flicker of emotion, and then I told her the truth, the real reason for this trip.

“That gives us two weeks. For us”