“Okay!” she announced excitedly. Her legs unwrapped around me, and she pushed at my chest. I didn’t have a choice but to let her go.
Ayla leaned up on her toes and gave me a kiss. “I’m going to make the best chocolate cake for you.”
Before I could say anything else, she was already running out of the room.
Shaking my head, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I walked out behind her, but not before catching a glimpse of the piano in the corner of the room. I made sure to have one in before we arrived.
The piano was a part of us. I knew how much it meant to Ayla. Even though we weren’t at the estate, she was still going to play for us.
I walked into the kitchen to see Ayla talking animatedly on the phone as she placed the ingredients on the counter. “I have everything. Maddie, stop it. It’s not funny.”
She listened to Maddie talk for a second and then growled in frustration. “I’ll get it right this time. I’m going to make the best cake…you’re so mean.”
I didn’t know how long I stood there and watched Ayla talk while she tried to bake. I listened and watched and smiled.
And then her angelic voice snapped me out of the moment. “Alessio, can you taste it for me?”
Ayla showed me the spoon filled with chocolate batter. She dipped her finger in it and waved at me. Walking closer, I took her hand in mine and sucked on the finger. I heard Ayla gasp, and then she licked her lips.
“Hmm…sweet,” I mumbled, licking her finger clean. “Like you.”
“Umm…okay,” she replied in a daze.
“Oh hi, Alessio!” I heard Maddie’s voice from the speaker. Fucking cockblocker.
“Hi,” I mumbled, glaring at the stupid phone.
Ayla let out a small laugh before turning around again. I stepped up to her back and wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her to me as she continued baking.
Ayla looked over her shoulder, her green eyes meeting mine as they twinkled merrily.
I was right. She was too precious.
Chapter 26
Ayla
“Where are we going?” I asked for probably the tenth time as Alessio and I got into the car.
“Somewhere,” he muttered in reply.
“That’s not an answer.” I glared at him, but he just smirked, giving me that devilishly sexy look that I couldn’t resist.
“It’s a surprise, kitten. Retract your claws.”
“But I want to know.”
“It’s a surprise, woman. Give the lovesick puppy a break, baby girl,” Viktor said from the front. Phoenix let out a laugh.
I had to stop my own giggle from escaping when Alessio gave him a death glare.
“Fuck you,” Alessio snapped. “Drive.”
“Oh, he is snappy this morning. Did he not get some loving last night?”
Viktor really had a death wish.
“I will shoot you. Don’t test me,” Alessio warned in a deathly tone.
“Give Boss a break. If he shoots you, I will have to clean up the mess afterward,” Phoenix mumbled.
“Whatever. I’m only stopping for my baby girl. We don’t want to taint her innocent eyes.” Viktor winked at me through the rear-view mirror.
I saw Alessio’s hands tighten in fists, and I quickly placed my hands over his. Releasing my seat belt, I moved forward until I was sitting sideways on his lap.
With my lips next to his ear, I whispered my next words so only he could hear. “You have nothing to be jealous of, Alessio. I’m yours. Wholeheartedly. You have me. Mind, body, and soul. Nothing and no one is ever going to change that.”
His body instantly relaxed. “You always know when to say the right thing,” he mumbled back.
“It’s the truth, Alessio.”
“I know, Angel.” He placed a kiss on my forehead, and I laid my head on his shoulder. We stayed like that until the car came to a full stop.
“We’re here,” Alessio announced. “Close your eyes.”
I did as I was told, trusting him. The door opened, and then I was being pulled out. I was swept off my feet as Alessio held me to his chest.
“Can I open my eyes now?” I asked, feeling suddenly giddy, my heart jumping in excitement.
“No. I’ll tell you when,” he replied gruffly.
We walked for a few minutes, and then Alessio placed me down until I was standing next to him again. “Last night, you said you were going to miss the creek. Open your eyes, Angel.”
I did, and then my heart stuttered. Oh my God.
The beauty in front of me took my breath away. A field full with flowers. So many of them and all different colors.
“It’s not the creek. But close.”
“This is beautiful,” I breathed in complete astonishment. “I have no words, Alessio.”
Tears stung my eyes as I stared at the landscape in front of me. I was standing in the middle of a field, where thousands of colorful flowers bloomed.
The light breeze touched my face, and I smiled. So peaceful.