Belle was glad Diego was interested in the picnic.  She knew Clarise would beg to make her famous chicken salad croissants.  Diego’s hand ran along her leg and she felt shivers run up both legs, the tenderness of his touch bringing her all sorts of pleasure.<em>Oh, it is grand being in love.</em>She gasped as she heard herself thinking.  It was the first time she had admitted to herself that she was in love.  Even though Diego had been claiming his love for her, she had been loathe to use the word herself, wondering how anyone could fall in love in such a short time.  But there, she had finally said it, even if it was just to herself.  She was in love.<br/><br/>Belle laughed lightly.  “Do not think for a moment that I would rather be with my father than you, Diego.  Although I wonder at his behavior as of late, staying at home would bring me no closer to it.  He is rarely home these days, except when we plan it, and when he is home, he retires to his bed early, so it would do me no good to wait for him,” she grinned devilishly, “all alone, in that great big house, by myself, with no one to hold onto and kiss me and love me.”  She kissed him, then leaned her head against his shoulder, sighing contentedly.<br/><br/>Suddenly Diego picked her up, making her squeal happily.  He moved about the terrace, their lips touching often, sometimes kisses to the neck.<br/><br/><strong>"If the lady wants to go home I would be happy to oblige, unless she wants to stay here and enjoy the romance some more?"</strong><br/><br/>Belle did not answer immediately, as her lips were consumed by Diego’s in a passionate kiss.  She gladly accepted his tongue as hers bantered with it playfully.  When they broke the kiss, she spoke.<br/><br/>“The lady wants to go home and the lady wants to enjoy the romance some more.”  She shivered slightly.  “It is a little cool tonight, although I did not notice it until just now.  Would my guest like to retire to my library for an after-dinner drink and, perhaps, a little close company?”  She kissed him, then pulled back, giving a seductive smile, “Please?”<br/><br/><br/>