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When I didn’t respond, but instead pretended to snore, a pleasing, husky chuckle escaped his lips, and it was somehow the sexiest thing I had ever heard.
“Sweet dreams, Bambola,” was the last thing I heard before the drone of the plane's engine lulled me to sleep.
Twister
Olivia
Arriving at the resort in Courchevel, set in the vast and stunning French Alps, took my breath away. It was an undisputed jewel of beauty with unparalleled luxury and glamour. I read the leaflet front to back on our way to the lodge to find out about the area and all the things we could do here. It was one of the highest, largest and most prestigious ski resorts in France, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest. The Buccinis never did anything in halves. There was an idyllic village with upmarket boutiques, gourmet restaurants and picturesque timber chalets decorating the main hub. When we finally stopped outside what looked to be a medium sized hotel, my jaw dropped open as I realised this was the Buccini’s chalet. It was unrivalled against the others built around it in size and style. Everywhere you looked, the scene was dusted with powdery, white snow on the roofs of chalets and the floor. It almost blinded me when I climbed out of the tinted car.
Sani and Raya were screaming already, obsessed with the snow as they picked it up in their hands and threw it in the air. I walked towards the steps of the chalet and ran my hand over the beautifully carved timber bannister.
Glancing to the side of me, I saw Giovanni standing tall, taking a deep inhale of the crisp air with his eyes closed. He looked like he was meditating for a moment, but as he released his breath, he opened his eyes and peered down at me. A sweet smile lit up his face and he started up the steps to the front door. This place obviously meant a lot to him.
The rest of us followed him up as his men took care of our luggage and scouted the area for any threats. I had wondered where they were going to stay during this vacation, but quite clearly, the chalet could house at least twenty people comfortably.
Cecilia showed me to my room, which was the size of Gigi’s apartment, and told me to take an hour to shower, freshen up and unpack. As I looked around the magnificent room that had bespoke furniture and subtle alpine textures, I let a little squeal escape my mouth. I kicked my shoes off and jumped onto the king-sized bed before falling into the mountain of pillows that surrounded me. This was amazing. I instantly wanted to take pictures to share on social media or to Facetime Mills and show her where I was, but as soon as the thoughts crossed my mind, it dampened my excitement. Pushing those ideas to the back of my mind, I waltzed into the bathroom and turned the three-headed shower on as the room filled up with steam. I took my time to enjoy the balmy water and use the designer products that were displayed in the shower cove before climbing out and wrapping an extremely soft, fluffy towel around my body and one around my hair on top of my head. How on Earth did they make these towels so soft? I would have to ask Cecilia. I chuckled at the thought. As if she would know!
Walking over to the large balcony doors that overlooked the breath-taking mountain landscape, I pulled them open and stepped outside onto the small balcony of my bedroom. Looking over the edge, I spotted a large hot tub on the decking below and smiled. Gigi was right! Mimicking Giovanni earlier, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, the smell of fresh snow and pine flooded my senses.
“Hello neighbour,” a deep voice snapped me out of my bliss and I screamed, hugging the towel to my body as I looked over at the balcony right next to mine. There, leaning back on a wooden chair, was a gleeful looking Giovanni. His dark eyes roamed my exposed skin and bare legs as he lifted his cigar to his lips and took a deep drag.
“Oh my god! You scared the shit out of me!” I shouted and he smirked, releasing a cloud of smoke as he did.
“Scusate bambola.”
“Wait! What do you mean, 'neighbours'? Is this your room?” My eyes widened as I realised that our bedrooms were literally separated by one wall, and I suddenly felt panic looming. Of all the, however many rooms in this place, I was given the room right next to his. That cannot be a coincidence.
“Si. Is that a problem?” He looked so relaxed. Too relaxed. It was unnerving. This Giovanni that was slowly coming to the surface over the last few days was different. He was softer and kinder. And yet that seemed to make him feel more dangerous to me. Because I was starting to like this man before me.
“Depends. Are you going to behave yourself?” I gripped my towel tighter around my chest as his eyes filled with heat and desire.
“I never behave myself, bambola. You should know that by now.” He suddenly stood up from the chair and stubbed his cigar out on the ashtray. “But if you are worried about me climbing over your balcony and letting myself into your room, don’t be. I will only enter with an invitation.” He winked before walking through his own balcony doors and into his room. I turned abruptly and closed the doors behind me, noticing my heart was beating faster than usual. This was going to be complete torture and he was going to do everything in his power to make it so!
∞∞∞
When I finally made my way downstairs to the open-plan ground floor that had a large living area centered around an open log fire, a dining area and a separate snug which, to my delight, was packed with a definitive and interesting assortment of books and a large kitchen area, I could hear laughter from the children.
I paused at the bottom step and watched the scene before me with bewilderment and warmth. Cecilia was lounging on the sofa surrounded by furs, a large glass of wine in hand and watching her two youngest running around the living room as their ridiculously bulky brother chased them both, making dinosaur noises.
“Ahhhh!” Raya squealed as Giovanni scooped her up effortlessly, hanging her upside down before throwing her onto the empty sofa.
“Don’t you dare leave my cave little girl! I will be back with the other one soon!” he growled, making her scream and hide behind a pillow laughing.
Sani leapt over the sheepskin footstool and raced towards me. “Liv! Help! A T-Rex is after me!”
I stood my ground as Sani hid behind my legs and Giovanni marched towards us. I had to bite my lip to avoid laughing at seeing such a brute of a grown man, pretending to be a T-rex. He even had the little claws up by his chest in character.
“Go away T-Rex! There are no little boys here!” I shouted, unable to hide the laughter in my voice. He came up so close that he was towering over me as Sani’s grip clung harder to my jeans.
Giovanni sniffed the air dramatically and then he lowered his head into the crook of my neck, sniffing my skin. Just the feel of his stubble against my sensitive flesh made my knees go weak, but I fought my desire. “Are you sure? Because I sure can smell him!”
Sani screamed as Giovanni quickly pulled him out from behind my legs and threw him over his shoulder. I laughed, trying to reach for Sani, but just as rapidly, Giovanni had bent down and lifted me over his other shoulder too. Sani and I both giggled as he marched us over to the sofa Raya was on and Cecilia watched on in delight. He threw us down aggressively and we both bounced on the cushioned seat, laughing. “Now which of you shall I eat first?”
His eyes scanned the three of us but rested on me and I saw the hunger in them. I immediately became transfixed by his dark eyes as they bore into my soul.
“Liv! Liv! Eat Liv! We are only little!” Sani cried, causing me to snap out of my trance and dive at the little traitor, tickling his stomach.
“You little monkey!” I shouted as he rolled around helplessly.
