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I took another step…and then another. Each step, my heart grew fuller with love for the man who gave me this.
I bent down and scooped a handful of sand before letting it slip free between my fingers. A tidal wave of emotions crashed through me, and my eyes stung. Was it possible to be this happy?
I lifted my head to the sky and closed my eyes, letting the sun kiss my face. After the longest time, I stood up and walked toward the water. I felt Alessio at my back. He wasn’t far, but he also wasn’t stopping me.
Alessio was letting me explore…on my own. He was giving me freedom to do what I wanted as he kept watchful eyes on me.
The sand was wet as I drew closer to the tide. The first step I took and the water passed over my feet, I let out a small gasp. I stood there, letting the water wash over my feet.
When I felt an arm wrap around my waist, I smiled. Alessio pulled me into his body, and I placed a hand over the arm that rested possessively and protectively over my stomach.
As the tides crashed gently around us and a smile spread across my lips, I could only think of one thing.
The words ran through my mind, but I didn’t say them.
The words were a mere whisper in my thoughts. Words that were meant for only Alessio.
I love you.
Chapter 24
Alessio
I watched her wander toward the ocean, watched her experience the feel of the sand for the first time. Ayla’s steps were almost feather light, as if she was floating toward peacefulness. As she grew closer and the water rushed around her feet, I saw her shoulders relax further, and she tilted her head toward the sky.
I’ve been to many places with beaches but never cared about it. Never thought of taking the time to feel the sand or the ocean. But watching Ayla experience this, it showed me that sometimes we needed to be grateful for what we have.
And I was grateful for her. My Angel.
Rolling my slacks up above my ankles, I walked over to Ayla. When I was close behind her, my arms instinctively went around her waist, pulling her small body to mine until her back was pressed against my front. She rested a hand over my arm, and I smiled.
This…this was what I needed. Her. Us.
As the tides crashed gently around us, I could only think of one thing.
I was never letting her go. Now that I had had the taste of true happiness, I didn’t think I could live without Ayla. She was everything and more.
Placing a kiss next to her ear, I let my lips linger there. Ayla sighed and then turned around in my arms. Her hands went to my waist, and she tilted her head up.
Ayla beamed up at me, her smile so big, her green eyes lighting up…actually her whole face lighting up. It was enough to make me catch my breath as I stared back in awe at her beauty.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said, her eyes trained on mine.
“Do you like it here?” I asked, my fingers brushing against her cheek lightly.
“Yes. And you still have to show me the house,” she murmured. Leaning forward, she placed a kiss in the middle of my chest and then laid her head there. Seconds turned into minutes, and I had no desire to move.
Finally, I gently pulled away. “Let’s go. I’ll show you around the house. And then I have to take care of some business.”
“Okay!” She stepped back and grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the house excitedly. We walked up to the porch that overlooked the ocean, but instead of going inside, I froze on the steps.
“Right. I need to do something first,” I muttered, looking down at Ayla’s confused face. Without giving her a chance, I bent down and swept her off her feet, cradling her to my chest.
“Woah. What are you doing?” Her arms went around my neck, but I just smiled, walking inside the house with her in my arms.
“Carrying you over the threshold,” I announced, almost too proudly. Thank fuck the guys weren’t present or I would never hear the end of this.
“Why?”
“Maddie said I had to do it. Don’t know why. She said it’s important.” I rolled my eyes, remembering her order and murderous intent if I didn’t do as I was told.
“That’s weird.”
Agreed. I didn’t know why we had to do this either, although I wasn’t complaining. I would carry Ayla anywhere, and having her in my arms was enough to make me a happy man.
Damn, I really was pussy whipped.
Putting Ayla back down, we walked around the house, showing her everywhere. Ayla loved it. If I wasn’t mistaken, she loved it more than the estate. It was a simple beach house.
