The theme song for this chapter - Finally Got The Nerve by Patti LaBelle

Bliss' POV

"Oh, my goodness! I have romantic feelings toward' Shane. Have I always felt this way, but just now seeing it?"

I sent a mass text to Aris, Adrian, Mercedes, Andrea, Reg, Jessica, and Carly. I didn't have Nina's number, but I am sure someone would tell her.

"Ladies, I just realized I have feelings for Shane, and I want to tell him, but I don't know how. I can't stop blushing about it."

That was all I sent. Adrian, Nina, and Carly yelled, "YES!"

My sisters both screamed. Reg said, "WOO HOO!" Aris looked over at me, and then Aris started dancing in her chair.

Shane and Kevin looked at her like she was crazy.

"Um, honey, is everything okay?" Kevin asked Aris.

"I just received awesome news via text." Aris showed him the message, then Kevin said, "Yes!!"

Carly came over. "Kevin and Shane, you guys don't mind if I borrow Bliss and Aris for a few minutes, do you?"

Kevin's POV

Carly didn't even bother to let either of us answer. She just grabbed Aris and Bliss' hands, pulling them towards the office on the plane.

"What was that about, Kevin?" Shane asked with a puzzled look on his face. As I was about to answer him, I received a text from Aris.

"If you tell Shane, I WILL HURT YOU!" She must have heard Shane ask me that.

"Uh, the ladies are planning their shopping trip to Milan."

"Oh, okay."

Thank goodness Shane believed it.

The flight to Rome will be nine hours and five minutes. And there is a time difference of 6 hours. Tomorrow will definitely be a rest day.

Bliss' POV

"When did you realize that you liked Shane?" Adrian asked.

"I always thought he was attractive since we first met. But when Shane grabbed me from being hit by that car, I saw fear in him that I could have been hurt. Shane is the first guy that I really like. He even stayed with me at my house until the following Monday morning. The incident happened on a Saturday. I saw how much he cared for me. I am still scared, though, and nervous. And my stomach is in knots."

I couldn't stop smiling, and my cheeks hurt because of it.

"I am by no means a shy person. But with me expressing feelings, I am shy about it."

Adrian's POV

"Honey, that is what we are here for. Momma Adrian will help you. And everyone here will do the same. Don't worry, sweetheart."

Yes!! Bliss is the best woman that Shane will have dated. She is perfect, and we all love her. I really can't wait until he proposes to her.

"Kevin just sent me a text, ladies. He told Shane we were talking about our shopping trip to Milan," Aris mentioned.

"So, when we return to our seats, let's tell them we talked about shopping. We really do need to talk about that. You all are going to love shopping there. Bliss, by the end of this trip, Shane will be yours."

We walked out of the office and back to our seats.

"Why did you all rush back to the office?" My husband asked me.

"Keep your voice down." I handed him my phone. "Do not read it out loud."

He read it and smiled. "That's my boy."

"By the end of this trip, Bliss and Shane will be dating. We are planning the perfect way for her to express her feelings."

"Well, Italy has some absolutely, beautiful scenery. Perfect place for them to get together."

"I was thinking about the company ball - the girls and I will have Bliss looking breathtaking, making Shane go crazy. And you all make Shane drop-dead gorgeous so that Bliss will be weak in the knees. We are not getting any younger. Some more grandchildren would be nice."

Shane's POV

After Aris and Bliss returned, they grabbed a blanket and wrapped themselves up. Aris fell asleep.

Before Bliss fell asleep, "Can you wake me up when we get to Italy, please? I could not sleep last night because I was too excited."

Bliss then put the chair back and closed her eyes.

I hope we can turn our friendship into a relationship with this trip. I get butterflies in my gut every time I see Bliss.

A couple of hours later, I started hearing Bliss's soft snore. I looked at Bliss and saw that her hair was getting in her face. While moving her hair out of her face, I couldn't help but caress her cheeks. Bliss did not flinch at all. I just stared at her, at how peaceful and beautiful she looked while she was asleep.

I just want to hold Bliss in my arms as I did in September. I better get myself some rest too. So, I got up and grabbed a blanket from the overhead compartment. Then, I adjusted the seat back and fell asleep.

*******************

Seven and a half hours later.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be landing shortly, so please adjust your tray tables and put your seat belts back on."

I woke up to being in an embrace with Bliss. Then, I glanced over at Kevin and Aris, who was grinning like crazy.

"Bliss, wake up, love. We are about to land and must buckle up our seat belts."

Bliss' POV

I did not want to wake up, but I had to. When I did, I realized I was wrapped in Shane's arms. Thank goodness he could not see my face because I was blushing like crazy.

"Okay." Once we did that, Mr. Jimmy landed the plane. I sat the seat up real fast and faced the window because I didn't want anyone to see that I was blushing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Italy. Hope everyone has an enjoyable two weeks, and see you all on our return trip to New York."

Shane stood up and walked towards Mr. Jimmy's captain's seat. I surprised myself and waited for him. I'm not sure how long it will take us to get to his house, but I am going back to sleep in the limo, which I am sure Shane got.

Andrea whispered, "Waiting for your boo?"

She smirked, and I blushed. When Shane returned, he noticed that I was the only one left. He was surprised too. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." Again, I surprised myself and held onto his arm as we got off the plane. I did not see any limos, but I did see a caravan of SUVs. "You, Jessica, and Andrea are riding with me."

"Sure." They already sat in the back, so I sat up front with Shane. Once everyone was secure in their vehicles, Shane pulled off, and everyone followed.

Shane's POV

My house is in Rocco Priora, 23 miles from the airport in Rome.

"Once we arrive at the house, I'll show everyone to their rooms."

It will take us about 45 minutes to get there. About 10 minutes later, all three ladies had fallen asleep. Bliss was doing her soft snore. It was too cute.

"We are here, everyone."

Jessica and Andrea woke up and got out of the truck. But Bliss did not move. So, I went to the passenger side and opened the door. She was sitting with her face towards the window. "Bliss, we are at the house." Bliss did not budge. She even snored again.

"Shane, good luck dealing with that," Andrea said while she and Jessica started laughing. "The only way to wake her up is with an alarm."

"Here are the keys to the house. You all can let everyone in."

Oh, I have a way of waking Bliss up. Watch. I whispered in her ear, "Bliss, daddy is going to carry you to your room, then tickle and kiss you."

She woke up fast, then said, "Daddy is going to get a punch to the gut if he does."

I started laughing. "Come on; we are here at my house." After Bliss got out, I locked the truck and went inside.

"Even though it is dark, I can still see it as a beautiful house."

"Thanks. Wait until you see the amazing views tomorrow in the daylight."

While showing everyone their rooms, I realized that my parents would need separate rooms. They agreed when I told them. Once everyone was in their rooms, I went to mine and crashed on my bed. It was a long day with the nine-hour plane ride and time difference.

*******************

"Shane, wake up."

I felt hands taping me to wake up. I opened my eyes to see Bliss.

"Is everything okay?"

She was standing there in a see-through robe, and I couldn't see anything. She started taking her robe off and just had on a lacy bra and panties. I was speechless. "Uh, uh, what are you doing?"

"I am doing what you and I both know we want. I locked the door. I can't hold in my desires anymore, Shane. I remember when you choked on the water at the restaurant when I said I was a virgin. Well, here I am to grant your wish."

Bliss peeled the covers off me, then sat on top of me. Then, Bliss grabbed my hands to start taking her bra off.

"Bliss, if we do this, you will no longer be a virgin. Are you sure?"

"Oh, I am more than sure. Switch places. Ravish me, Shane Landes. Make me yours."

Bliss wrapped her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. "Let's do this now."

"Who am I to deny a beautiful woman her request?"

*****************

Man, that was, shall we say, a vivid dream. I suddenly felt the need for a very cold shower. So, I bolted out of my bed into the bathroom.

After my shower, I tried to fall asleep but couldn't.

"Well, we both had the same dream about each other." I just went outside and sat on the patio to watch the sunrise.

(Shane's Italian home in the daytime)

Guess I wasn't the only one up because I heard rustling in the kitchen. Then, whoever it was joined me outside on the patio.

"Hey, son, what are you doing up so early?"

"Uh, couldn't go back to sleep. Bad dream."

"From the tone in your voice, it says otherwise. You were dreaming about Bliss, weren't you?"

I must learn to hide my nervous facial expressions. I can't believe I am going to say this. I started coughing and said, "I had a sex dream."

"Boy, why couldn't you just say you had a sex dream about you and Bliss?"

"Because that is not the type of conversation you discuss with your parents."

"Good morning, boys. What are my two favorite handsome guys talking about?" My mum asked as she came outside.

My dad teasingly says, "Shane here had a very 'pleasurable' dream about Bliss."

"So, when are you going to make it a reality? Your father and I are not getting younger, and I would like some more grandchildren."

"Uh, okay. My love life is not up for discussion."

"Just saying, Shane. We all already love Bliss. Now, it is your turn. Start asking Bliss out for dates or something. I am ready to burst open and tell her that I am your mother. Plus, Italy is very romantic. Are you getting the hint?"

"I am way ahead of you, mum. Jessica and Andrea will come with me to the jewelry store later today for something special for Bliss. I will ask her at the ball next Saturday to be my girlfriend."

"Good boy."

"While on the plane, I ordered food for all of us for this week. The delivery should be here by 8:30 am. We can go to the store for the second week and get what we need."

"Okay. Until that comes, I think I am going for a swim."

*************

While walking to my room, I heard the front doorbell ring. When I opened it, I couldn't speak a lick of Italian. So, I knocked on Bliss's door because I remember she told me that she could speak fluent Italian. When she opened her door, her hair was in a puff off her face. She wore a mini skirt and a white tank top. Looking at her legs reminded me of that dream I had.

"Good morning. Can you follow me to the front door? I remember you said you spoke Italian. I ordered some food for us for this week, and it was delivered this morning."

"Sure." Bliss followed me downstairs. I saw the delivery guy checking her out and licking his lips.

Bliss looked up and asked, "What am I telling him?"

"Tell him to follow me with the delivery to the kitchen. And if he doesn't stop looking at you like you are prime rib, I will knock him out."

"Possessive much? Okay, I will tell him."

"Il mio amico ha detto di seguirlo in cucina. Oh, e se non smetti di fissarmi, ti staccherà." (My friend said to follow him to the kitchen. Oh, and if you do not stop staring at me, he is going to knock you out.)

The guy immediately stopped staring at Bliss then he looked at me. All I did was a scowl.

"Darn right, I am possessive."

When it comes to her, yes, I am. Next weekend, Bliss will officially be mine.

"This kitchen is beautiful! And look at the view out the window. I see you have a pool, too. That is good to know because I brought a bathing suit with me."

I facepalmed.

"This is going to be a long, two weeks. Kill me now. Looking at Bliss in a bathing suit is going to be hard."

I signed the receipt once the delivery was done, and they left. I put the refrigerated stuff away first. After closing the refrigerator door, I put everything else on the kitchen island. Then, put it away as Bliss showed me at my house.

"Good morning, Shane. You have a beautiful house."

"Thanks, Jessica. Listen, can you and Andrea help me pick a necklace and ring for Bliss? I want us to become an official couple the night of the ball."

"Of course. I am happy for you both. I hope Bliss says yes. You are very good to her, Shane. And, call me Jess or Jessie. And for Andrea, call her Drea."

"Okay. Thanks, Jess. I'll send you both a text before we leave the house. Bliss went outside if you were looking for her. And, there is plenty of food that I got delivered for everyone. So, help yourselves."

"Thank you, Shane."

**********

No one was hungry for breakfast. In the afternoon, Kevin, Aris, Mercedes, and Wyatt explored Rome.

Reg, Natalia, Bliss, Jessica, Andrea, Nina, and my mum relaxed in the lounge chairs around the pool.

Reg's husband, Mr. Charles, and my dad were in the basement, playing Pool.

I just stood at the back door frame, blushing like an idiot at Bliss.

Bliss should wear her hair off her face more often. Her face is flawless, with not a blemish in sight. I started feeling things that I had never felt before - nervous.

Ever since I was dating age, I never, ever felt nervous about asking a woman on a date or about being my girlfriend. That is until now. My stomach is in knots right now just looking at her.

Bliss glanced up and caught me looking at her. She flashed her trademark, beautiful smile. I just really noticed Bliss has dimples on both her cheeks. I couldn't help but wink at her. Bliss started blushing and looked away.

After that, I checked the clock on the wall; it was five in the afternoon. So, I went to take a shower and started getting ready to leave the house.

**********

After showering and getting dressed, I texted Jessica and Andrea. I told them we could leave now and to meet me outside at the truck.

As I was coming downstairs, I smelt food in the kitchen. Of course, I had to go in there. It is time to blush again because two of my favorite women are cooking together. My mum looked up first.

"Oh, hey, Shane. Bliss and I are fixing dinner for everyone tonight." mum said to me. When Bliss is in the kitchen cooking, don't disturb her. I did that once, and boy, she told me off.

"I'm taking Jessica and Andrea to the store. They said they forgot to pack a few things. So, we are going to town, but not sure when we will be home."

"Can you pick up some wine on your way home?"

"Of course. See you later."

After leaving the kitchen, I made my way to my truck.

"Ladies, do you need anything from the store? Bliss was in the kitchen with my mum, so that is what I told them," I asked them both while starting the truck and pulling off.

"Don't worry, Shane. We'll buy something."

*************

Milena's POV

If Shane thinks having me exiled to Italy will keep me away from him, he is sadly mistaken.

Too bad that car did not succeed in getting rid of that chick. Why is that heifer still alive? Knowing Shane, he probably saved her.

"Thanks a lot, Shane. You should be mine, not hers."

"Speak of the devil." Look who is in town. But who is that with him, and why are they going into a jewelry store?

It just hit me - he is planning to propose to her.

"Not if I can help it."

******************

Thank you all for reading chapter 17.

Shane's Italian home - © Can Stock Photo / photoquest

Thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘