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“I don’t think I can sleep in our room without you, either,” he confessed, his fingers tracing random patterns on the length of my bare arms.
Pushing my head up, I looked at Alessio, my gaze searching his in question. “Our room will stay empty until you are ready for me to explain. When you are ready, we’ll meet in our bedroom,” he explained, his bluish eyes holding me captive.
That sounded perfect. “Okay,” I agreed again. Alessio sent me a small smile and quickly gave me a peck on the lips.
I pressed my forehead against his and closed my eyes again, letting myself feel his arms around me. I let this moment make its way into my heart, holding it closely there. I absorbed his warmth for one last time, knowing that it was almost time for me to go.
After a few minutes, I leaned back and Alessio’s eyes turned sorrowful. “I have to go now,” I whispered.
Alessio nodded, and I slowly got off his lap. His arms fell to his lap, and a shuddered breath left his body, an agonizing expression passing over his face.
Giving him a final glance, I turned to walk away, but a hold on my wrist stopped me. Looking down, I saw that Alessio’s hand banded my wrist, refusing to let me go. I faced him again, and he stared up at him, his eyes glistening in the light.
“Don’t take too long,” he ordered gruffly in an authoritative way that made my toes curl. His voice was hard, demanding, and held a clear warning.
I couldn’t help but smile before nodding.
He still didn’t let go of me. So, this time, I answered verbally. “Okay.”
When he was satisfied with my spoken answer, his fingers unwrapped around my wrist as he let me go.
I walked backward a couple of steps before turning around and leaving.
Entering my room, I closed the door and got straight in bed. After taking my sleeping pill, I burrowed deep under the soft comforter and closed my eyes.
But sleep didn’t come as fast as I expected.
Instead, all I could think about was Alessio.
My body was tingling and warm under the comforter. Even though Alessio wasn’t holding me any longer, I still felt him on my skin. It was as if he branded me, letting me know that I was his.
And there was no denying it.
I was his.
Chapter 15
“Are you serious?” Maddie growled as she walked into her room, slamming the door behind her. My head snapped up at her tone, and I placed my book down, giving her a questioning look.
“Huh?” I asked.
“Three fucking days. No, scratch that—five days, Ayla! How long is this going to last?” She glared at me. I knew exactly what she was talking about, and as she voiced out her frustration, I looked down guiltily.
“I don’t know what to do with you, and it can’t go on like this anymore,” she cried, her unconcealed impatience evident in her tone and expression.
Sighing, I nodded my head. “I know—”
But she interrupted me, not giving me chance to talk. “Alessio is practically going insane. He isn’t eating and barely even sleeping. Have you seen him? He looks horrible! And let’s not forget the anger. Oh God, I’m shuddering with just the thought of it. He’s snapping at everyone and is threatening to shoot people left and right. I’m going to admit this only once, but even I am scared of him right now.” She paused and sucked in a quick breath before continuing with her rant.
“I have never seen him like this. He’s like this dragon breathing fire, and everyone is scared of going close to him. Every single member of his household is keeping their distance from him, even Viktor and Nikolay. And Mom, too. We are so done with this shit and want it fixed, right now! And only you can fix this,” Maddie snapped, stabbing a finger at me.
In the last three days, the only time I saw him was at night when I would play the piano. But that was it. After playing, I would get up and walk away.
It was torturous and left a deep ache inside of me. Even worse, I knew it was hurting Alessio too.
Maddie was right. I had kept this on for too long. The problem was that I had already forgiven him, but I just didn’t know how to say it. Or maybe I didn’t have the courage to say it. Either way, now everything rested on my shoulders, and I had to ask for his forgiveness too.
Before I could open my mouth to say something, Maddie kept going as she crossed her arms over her chest, trying to look very intimidating. But with the way her glare was centered on me, she didn’t have to try too hard.
She was frightening when she was angry.
