Groaning his complaint, he said, “Yeah, it’s been three days! How do you expect me to live like this?”
Laughing loudly, she said, “You’re ridiculous, but I love you. Let me get back to work so I’ll be ready when you come for me.”
“Counting down the hours.Love you, cara mia.”
Rushing into her house hours later, Aria freshened up and slipped into a coral-colored dress. The weather was still unseasonably warm and she wanted to wear it before the cooler weather arrived. Pairing it with a jean jacket and brown leather wedges, Aria finished getting ready just as Alex pulled up.
For as much as she had teased him earlier, she was anxious to see him, too. Memories of the last six incredible months flowed through her mind.
Evenings out to dinner, as well as many spent in each other’s homes cooking together, concerts in the park, moonlit walks on the beach, hours of conversations, and karaoke nights with Enzo and Corinna which were always interesting.
Her walk down memory lane was interrupted when Alex knocked on her door, pulling her out of her musings.
“Hey beautiful girl,” he cooed when she opened the door.
She would never get used to the sight of this gorgeous man with a heart of gold.
“Hey, there,” she said, batting her eyelashes and openly flirting with him.
“You look amazing,” he said as his eyes perused her from head to toe, making her blush as he always did.
“Thanks. You look nice, too. Special occasion?” she asked as she took in his dark wash jeans and fitted white button-down shirt.
His eyes held mischief when he answered, “Seeing you is the special occasion.”
“You know your way around a compliment, Mr. Rossi.”
Bringing her into a warm embrace, she heard him groan in her ear, matching the way she felt inside.
“You smell so good,” he said, his words slowly spoken.
“Hm, must be all those flowers you send me.”
Pulling back, he feigned annoyance at her retort.
“You know what I meant. Now if you’re done teasing me, are you ready?”
“Yes! I only had a quick salad for lunch and I’m starving,” she answered, gathering her purse as he walked her outside and locked the door for her.
On the ride, his hands stayed on her the whole time. But his eyes held a strange expression, almost nervous.
“Everything okay?” she asked, moving a piece of hair from his eyes as he drove.
The action always caused his eyes to flutter.
“Better stop that unless you want me to pull over before we get home,” he teasingly warned.
The flirty warning and the word ‘home’ made her inhale sharply as she looked at him. His sheepish reaction was adorable, but she wondered why he had said it that way.
Alex helped her out of the car as usual when they pulled up to his house and held her hand tightly when they entered.
As soon as they entered the living room, he pulled her to him and kissed her with fervor.
Aria lost her breath for a moment.
His arms encircled her waist as one hand traveled up into her hair, cupping the back of her head. Aria rose onto her toes, trying to reach him better. Soon, they were lost in each other's arms, dizzy with love and passion.
“Aria,” he whispered as he pulled just a few inches away from her lips. “The night we met again at the gallery, my life changed forever. I was lost until I met you.”
