“What?” He feigned innocence.
“You’re so bad,” I murmured, shaking my head.
I felt his hand on the back of my head, his fingers tangling in the dark strands. He pulled my head down until our lips were mere inches apart.
“I never said I was good,” he replied, his voice dropping to a huskier tone. And then he claimed my lips in a hard, bruising kiss.
This kiss wasn’t gentle or sweet. It was possessive. His tongue licked at my lips, coaxing me to open to his demanding advances. I readily complied, parting my lips to allow him entry. His other hand framed my face to pull me harder into him.
There was so much feeling behind this kiss that I wanted it to last forever.
Starved for air, I broke away long enough to gulp in a breath before Alessio took my lips again. His tongue danced with mine, touching, licking, claiming me.
His lips moved to the corner of my mouth, and he placed a kiss there before dragging his lips down my jaw and the side of my neck. Throwing my head back, I gave him better access, completely lost in him, his kisses and touch driving me insane.
Alessio sat up and shifted me around until my legs were wrapped around his waist. He stood up, his lips never once leaving my skin as he walked out of the water.
Then I was slammed against a tree. His fingers dug into my hips as he brought his lips to mine again. My hair was wrapped tightly into his fist, pulling my head back. I felt his hard length resting between my legs, and my fingers tightened around his shoulders.
Alessio suddenly pulled away harshly. My eyes snapped open in surprise. Both of us were gasping for breath when he laid his forehead against mine. “We need to stop here,” he said gruffly, his eyes still closed.
Thank you.
My hands moved from his shoulders to his neck, and I held on, as if he was my saving grace. “Okay,” I whispered back.
He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Lust. That was what I saw. His need for me. His blue eyes glinted with it.
“Alessio.”
He shook his head. “I just need a minute,” he said before closing his eyes again, his breathing harsh.
Alessio always stopped himself. For me. He put his need aside, giving me what I needed. Always thinking of me first. After my breakdown, he never pushed for more. This was the first time he lost control like that, yet he didn’t let it go too far.
Palming his face, I gently rubbed my fingers over his cheeks. I placed a kiss on the tip of his nose and then gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Thank you,” I whispered against his lips.
Chapter 3
I was lying back against the tub, my eyes closed, my hands running over the warm water. It was late at night, and after playing the piano for Alessio, I couldn’t sleep.
All I could think about was the moment at the creek that morning. Every time, the same images flashed behind my eyes. Alessio kissing me. Our need for each other.
And then I would remember how it was when he had made love to my body.
My body warmed up under the thoughts of his lips and hands on me again. Letting out a tired sigh, I opened my eyes and stepped out of the water, drying myself with the big white towel. But instead of putting on my nightdress, I wrapped the towel over my shoulder, staring at myself in the mirror.
“What am I doing?” I whispered to my reflection. “Can I do this?”
Alessio wanted me…and I wanted him too.
I craved his touch.
Placing a hand over my chest, I felt my pounding heart. “I don’t want to be scared anymore.”
I wanted to be free. I wanted to live. I wanted to feel…everything.
I wanted Alessio.
I opened my eyes, making direct contact with my own green eyes in the reflection.
Holding the towel tighter around me, I glanced at the mirror one final time before turning around. My hand rested on the knob for several minutes, pulling at the strength and courage inside of me to open the door and go to Alessio.
I was at a constant battle in my mind. Fear on one side, while the other demanded freedom and happiness.
With my final decision made, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Alessio was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard with only his black sweatpants on. He was looking down at his phone but quickly looked up when I walked into the room.
“Ayla?” he questioned, his eyebrows furrowed at the sight of me. “Why are you only in your towel?”
Sitting forward in bed, he placed the phone on the nightstand. “Are you okay?” he asked worriedly, tension cording the muscles of his shoulders.