Her Venice Affair (The Albury Affairs) by Christina OW Read Free Book Online Page B

humanly
possible.
    He settled more comfortably in his seat to dream of
all he was going to do to her once they reached Venice.

 
    * * * *

 
    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