Alessio slowly moved his tongue on my lips, waiting patiently for me to open my mouth. He coaxed me gently, unhurriedly. He put the slightest pressure on my lips, and I gasped. He took the opportunity to slide his tongue in. Softly brushing against mine, he kissed me slowly, as if to savor the kiss.
This time I boldly returned his kiss. I had grabbed hold of my courage and put it all on the line. I didn’t think that kissing Alessio was something I’d ever grow tired of. It felt like I had been starving for his kiss.
His hand slid up my neck, to just beneath my ears, and his fingers splayed out, his hand cupping my jaw. His other hand glided through my hair, tilting my hair slightly upward for better access to my lips.
I placed both hands on his chest and leaned closer into his body, letting his warmth envelop me. In his embrace, I felt safe. I felt wanted.
Alessio didn’t rush and he let me direct the kiss. He licked the seams of my lips and I let out a small sigh. So soft, so warm, so sweet.
I was drunk on his kisses.
He gently bit down on my bottom lips and then he claimed my lips again. This time his kiss was a little harder, a little more demanding.
And I gave it to him.
We were both breathing hard when he pulled away. Alessio laid his forehead against mine as he fought to catch his breath.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of kissing you,” he said, his voice gruff.
I blinked up at him to see his gaze already on mine. His eyes were soft and filled with adoration, a look that stole my breath. In the depth of his gaze, I saw his need there. His want for me.
I was completely transfixed by his eyes. His hand moved from my face, down to my hips. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me close into him, anchoring my body into his. My heart was pumping wildly and my knees grew weaker at the fervor in his gaze.
He held me as if I was precious. He looked at me as if I was the only thing he could see.
I felt beautiful.
“Alessio,” I said. I didn’t know what else to say.
He leaned down and gave me a quick peck on the lips before stepping away. He nodded toward the piano with a smile. “Go,” he urged.
My lips stretched in a wide smile and I nodded, quickly hurrying toward the piano with the flower still in my hand.
Our gazes stayed connected, both of us completely captivated by each other as I ran my fingers over the keys.
I didn’t close my eyes even once. I didn’t look away from Alessio.
When I was done, I let my hand rest on the piano key and swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nervous and shy under his penetrating gaze.
“Are you not going to read tonight?” he asked.
“Oh.” I smiled and then got up.
I walked over toward him and stopped in front of the coffee table, picking up my book. “I will. I’m in the middle of this one. I can’t wait to finish it.”
He chuckled. “You sound excited about it.”
“I am,” I replied, taking my seat on the sofa chair next to his. “It’s a really good book.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
I opened it, and felt Alessio’s eyes on me the whole time I was reading. It was so hard to stop myself from peeking up at him.
And I lost that battle many times.
Whenever our eyes met, Alessio would smile and I would send him a smile of my own.
My heart was doing flips. My stomach was filled with butterflies. I felt light with euphoria. And a sense of peacefulness overcame me.
I wanted to stay just like this. But then I yawned.
“You should go to sleep,” Alessio said, sounding wistful.
“Hmm.” I closed my book. Alessio leaned forward and brushed the few hair strands out of my face, letting his fingers linger on my cheeks longer than needed.
He brushed his thumb over my jaw and then suddenly leaned forward. I let out a soft whimper when he pressed his lips on mine. He gave me a quick peck and then leaned back, letting me go.
I missed his touch almost immediately.
Placing my book on the coffee table, I got up and stood in front of Alessio. Smiling down at him, I whispered, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” he replied.
Biting on my lips, my shoulder dropped at the thought of being away from him after spending such an exquisite time with him.
Giving him a final glance, I started to walk away but I felt an arm wrap around my waist, pulling me back. I yelped when I fell on Alessio’s lap. My eyes widened in shock and I looked up at him.
He gave me quick peck on the lips and then pulled back with a smirk. I couldn’t help but giggle.
He sucked in a sharp breath. Placing a finger at the corner of my lips, he whispered in complete amazement, “This is the first time I’ve heard you laugh.”
I ducked my head shyly and pressed a hand on his chest.
Alessio placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head up again. “You should do it more often.” He brushed his thumb over my lips. “You have a beautiful laugh.”
Before I could say anything, his lips claimed mine again, this time almost possessively. He pulled at my bottom lip, demanding entrance. His arm was like a band of steel around my waist and his other hand came up to cup my jaw.
He kissed with such intensity that my heart stuttered and I melted into him.
His kiss eventually slowed and I sighed against his lips. His eyes were intense with need. His touch was fire, and his kisses were intoxicating.
He was all I could think about.
I closed my eyes and lost myself in his kisses and sweet, gentle caresses.
Chapter 43
“They are leaving!” Maddie pouted as she walked into my room. “Artur said they will be gone for a few days.”
I straightened and looked at Maddie with wide eyes. “Alessio is going too?”
She nodded and pouted. “Yeah.”
He didn’t say anything. I saw him last night, yet he never said a word. The thought of being without him made my heart ache.
It had been a week since the first time he kissed me in the piano room. Sometimes during the day, he would take me to the creek. And then we spent most of the night together.
He always bent down and kissed me soundly on the lips. He would steal kisses while I read. Sometimes, he would pull me on his lap. I would lay my head on his shoulder and read while he played with my hair. He never pushed for more.
These days had been the most beautiful. Each day, my heart grew fuller. Alessio had weaved his way into my heart and I didn’t want to let him go. Instead, I embraced it.
And now, I felt distressed at the mere thought of spending even one day without him.
“How long will he be gone?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Artur said a few days.”
“Oh,” I muttered, looking down at my hands, which were twined tightly together.
She stood up. “C’mon, let’s go.”
“Where?” I asked.
“They are probably about to leave now. Let’s go say goodbye to our men.”
When I quickly stood up at her words, she smiled. I followed her out of my room, my heart thumping hard as we made our way down the hall.
As we made our day down the stairs, we saw the men at the bottom. Nikolay and Viktor were talking, while Artur leaned against the wall. Alessio was looking at his phone.