Belle felt her need for Diego growing, and all she could do while he fondled her neck with his lips was gasp and emit low moans.  She had her eyes closed, letting the touch of his lips on her ignite the flame within, even the feel of his hands on her waist, holding her snugly against him, heightened her arousal.  She took in the smell of him.  She kissed his forehead, tasting him.  She heard his own breaths deepening, his voice growing huskier.<em>Oh, Diego, do you know how turned on I am right now?</em>She was scared out of her wits.<br/><br/><em>”Bella, when should we meet for our picnic tomorrow?”</em><br/><br/>She tried to speak, but his kisses were so distracting!  Instead, her lips dipped down and sought his own, kissing him passionately as her arms wrapped around his neck, her hand at the back of his head, encouraging him to stay where he was.  Somewhere in the back of her head warning bells were going off, but their clamoring had dimmed as the evening wore on.  Finally, with great difficulty, she broke the kiss, smiling into his face as she traced his soft lips with her finger.  He was still holding her tightly against him.<br/><br/>“Diego, I somehow find it easy to be quite honest with you.”  She lightly kissed his lips, then smiled into his eyes.  “I want you, Diego.  I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.  But my background holds me back.  My father raised me to guard my heart and soul, and I have already given you all of my heart.  I also feel a responsibility to guard his reputation, and yours.  If the gossips and paparazzi even suspected I might be sleeping around, they would drag the Berei name through the mud, and yours along with it.   Our picture would be on every rag in the country.  “Spanish Ambassador in bed with Nanobots?” or something equally stupid.  You know yourself they would be happy to do so.  Spain would probably haul you back so quickly we wouldn’t have time to say goodbye.”<br/><br/>The last words were choked out as the thought of it coming true brought tears to her eyes.<br/><br/>“I don’t want to lose you, Diego.  Look how I tremble as you hold me close.  Must we be intimate for you to spend time with me?  Can we not sit here and love each other as much as we can for the time being?”<br/><br/>She did not know how to tell him that she required some kind of commitment before she would risk going that far.  So far, the only future they had was the next date.  But she did not want to push him into anything he wasn’t ready for, or didn’t want.  It was just her personal, private belief.  She would never do anything that might risk her father’s reputation, or his company.<br/><br/>“If you want to leave and walk away, I would not hold it against you.  I have no doubt there are numerous beautiful women, just in your hotel alone, who would be happy to spend a night in your arms … as would I.”  She anxiously searched his eyes for understanding, her own eyes so wet they blurred her vision.<br/><br/>