Chapter 29 (Author’s POV)

The hum of the jet engines filled the cabin as Amanda stepped inside. The luxury of Raphael's private jet was undeniable-sleek leather seats, polished mahogany accents, and soft golden lighting that bathed everything in a warm glow. Yet, despite all its comfort, she immediately sought distance, slipping into a seat as far from him as possible.

Raphael, of course, noticed. He always did.

His lips curled into an amused smile as he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. Without a word, he turned and strolled into his private suite at the back of the jet.

Amanda frowned. No teasing? No smug comment? She expected him to at least say something about her running from him like a scared little rabbit. Instead, he just left.

Curiosity gnawed at her. She gave it a solid five minutes before her irritation won over, and she got up, striding toward the suite. She found him inside, sitting at a sleek desk with his laptop open, fingers tapping away.

She scoffed. "Seriously?"

Raphael barely lifted his gaze, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "Something wrong, sweetheart?"

"I thought you were actually excited about this trip. Turns out you're just back to work, as usual," she said, crossing her arms.

His gray eyes flickered with amusement as he finally looked at her. "I'm not working," he said smoothly. "Just confirming our reservations."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Of course. The almighty Raphael De Luca, always in control."

He smirked, shutting his laptop. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"It is," she huffed. "You make everything about business. Even now, you'd rather stare at a screen than spend time with your wife." She threw the last word at him like a challenge, but he didn't bite.

Instead, he stood, slow and deliberate.

The air shifted.

Raphael's movements were unhurried as he walked toward her, his presence commanding, suffocating in the best and worst way. Amanda swallowed but refused to back up.

His voice was low when he spoke. "Do you really think I'd rather be working than spending time with you?"

Amanda opened her mouth to respond, but her breath caught as he reached for her.

His fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, trailing down to her jaw, his touch barely there-just a whisper against her skin. She exhaled shakily, hating the way her body responded so easily to him.

"I can't help but notice," he murmured, his lips hovering just above her ear, "that you're the one who keeps running away from me."

Her pulse hammered as he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. "You can sit far away on the jet, Amanda. You can pretend I'm just some businessman who only cares about work. But we both know..." His fingers traced down the side of her neck, barely grazing her collarbone. "You're lying to yourself."

Amanda clenched her fists. "You're so full of yourself."

Raphael chuckled, dark and knowing. "And yet, you're still standing here."

She hated that he was right. Hated the way her body leaned into him despite her brain screaming at her to move.

His hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her just close enough for her chest to graze his. Her breathing hitched.

"Tell me to stop," he said, his voice rough, almost desperate.

Amanda's lips parted, but no words came.

His thumb brushed against her lower lip. "Or don't."

Her body burned with awareness as he inched closer, his lips just a breath away from hers. Her skin tingled, her head spun, and for a moment, she wanted to close the distance.

But then-reality snapped back in.

What am I doing?

Amanda shoved at his chest, stepping back as if she had been burned.

Raphael blinked, surprised, before amusement flickered in his gaze. He licked his lips slowly, like he was savoring the moment. "Interesting."

She scowled. "You're insufferable."

His smirk deepened. "And yet, you want me."

"Keep dreaming."

"Oh, I will," he mused, slipping his hands into his pockets. "In fact... let's make a bet."

Amanda narrowed her eyes. "A bet?"

His smirk turned positively sinful. "Let's see how long you can resist me."

Her stomach twisted, but she kept her expression neutral. "And what happens when I win?"

His gray eyes darkened. "Oh, sweetheart, you won't."

Amanda swallowed hard, knowing damn well she was in trouble.