Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe: Refuse to Settle (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Stephanie Haefner Page A

bucket with a chilled bottle of champagne and a bowl of strawberries. It was cheesy, but she appreciated it. So far, it was a very fairytale kind of date.
    “This is super nice,” she said as she sat down. “You can go wherever you want, when you want.”
    “I guess. I actually don’t use it much. But I thought it would be fun for tonight.”
    The pilot walked through the cabin, stopping when he got to them. “I’ll let you know when we’re cleared for take off.”
    “Thank you,” Colin said and watched George disappear into the cockpit. As soon as the door closed, he pulled Jilly toward him. “Finally.”
    His mouth crashed into hers, one hand in her hair, the other wrapped around her body. She made herself comfortable in his lap, enjoying being so close to him.
    “Mr. Rutherford.” The pilot’s voice blared through the intercom, jolting Jilly out of her make out haze. “We’re set for take off. Please buckle your seatbelts until I give the okay.”
    Colin pressed a button on a nearby call-box. “Thank you.”
    The next hour and twenty minutes flew by, literally and figuratively, alternating between talking and laughter, kisses and caresses. By the time they landed, Jilly was a little drunk, on champagne and on Colin. He looked so damn sexy sitting there, and she was pretty damn close to asking him to join the Mile High Club.
    Jilly was having such a fun time…and the night was just getting started.
     
    *   *   *
     
    Colin held Jilly’s hand as they stood on the rooftop of The Standard, looking out at glittering downtown LA. She wore a smile of pure contentment as the breeze blew through her hair.
    “Did you have fun tonight?” he asked.
    She turned to him, a quizzical expression. “Are you kidding me?”
    “I really want to know.”
    “Of course. A private jet, the most delicious meal I’ve ever had, and now this.” She held her hand out to the view before them. “This has been one of the most amazing dates I’ve ever been on.”
    “Good.”
    She rested her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her, tucking her into the crook of his arm. Damn, this felt nice. And it felt natural.
    Jilly yawned and covered her mouth with her hand.
    “Tired? We can go home now.”
    “I don’t want to go,” she said, and snuggled in tighter.
    He tilted her chin up to him, so he could see her eyes. Apprehension swirled in his gut, but he said the words anyway. “This is just the beginning. I plan on spending many more amazing nights with you.”
    They stayed like that for a moment, his gaze locked on hers, then he leaned and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
    Colin escorted Jilly out of the hotel to their waiting car. Once they were settled in the plane, he pulled a blanket out of the storage box and wrapped it around her. He held her close as she dozed in his arms, and caught a few moments of sleep himself.
    “I don’t even know how to say thank you for tonight,” she said as he walked her to her door.
    “Then just kiss me.”
    She put her hands to his chest, warmth instantly spreading throughout his body. She then traveled up to his neck, pulling him to her. Her kiss was electric, waking every cell in his body. He deepened the kiss, pushing her body up against the door behind her. A sweet sigh escaped from her throat and turned him on even more. His hands itched to feel her skin, to taste her.
    And then the door behind her opened. Colin held Jilly tight as they stumbled into the apartment.
    “Oops.”
    When they were stable, Colin looked up and saw a red-haired girl in cartoon character pajamas with a bowl of ice cream in her hand.
    Jilly stood tall, straightened her shirt, and pushed the hair out of her eyes. “Colin, this is my soon-to-be ex best friend, Charlene.”
    “Sorry, guys. I heard a thump on the door so I came to investigate.” She held out her hand, exuberance now shining through. “But I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
    Colin shook her hand. “Likewise.”
    Jilly