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“Elle?” Finn’s voice startled me and my whole body jolted as he stepped forward. “Everyone has left. We can stay here for a bit longer if you want or I can take you back.”
My fingers were rotating my wedding rings absentmindedly. I wasn’t sure I could move. I wanted to sit here for eternity. Waiting for him to return to me. As long as this night lasted forever, I could believe he was coming home. When I didn’t answer, Finn pulled up a chair next to me and held my hand. We sat in silence for what felt like hours.
“Elle. I think it’s time to leave.”
I exhaled a shaky breath and wiped my sore eyes. “Just give me a minute. Please.”
He carefully stood up, grabbed my bag from the table and the keys to the gallery so he could start locking up. “I’ll wait for you in the gallery, Piccola.”
I heaved myself to my feet, knowing I had to somehow force my limbs to move. I dug down deep into my soul and straightened my spine. No. There was no proof that he was dead. Until I had proof, I would not give up. I would find him. I would not rest until I was back in his arms.
With newfound determination and strength, I stormed out of the back room and into the gallery, sweeping my fingers across my cheeks to rid myself of any more tears.
I frowned when I saw Finn standing outside the front of the gallery, leaning against his car. He was shaking his head with intense emotion in his eyes and a ridiculous grin of disbelief on his face. I turned to see what he was staring at. Or should I say who?
My heart stopped.
There was a tall, broad figure standing with his back to me and staring at the canvas our bodies had made together the night we first had sex. I froze, not believing what I was seeing could possibly be true. And then, he slowly turned around and his eyes found mine. Still the lightest blue gems I had ever seen; crystal clear and glistening like the shallows of the ocean. I slammed my hand over my mouth as I fought back a sob.
“Why are you crying, Princess?” His deep voice washed over me; caressing, soothing, healing my soul. The corners of his lip tugged into that cheeky smile, his dimple flirting at the surface of his skin. Tears of unbelievable relief and joy fell as I smiled so brightly at him from across the room.
“I’m not,” I lied, just like I had all those years ago.
His beseeching eyes never left mine as we relived the moment we first met. He replied cheekily, “Well, it’s not raining…”
A shudder of breath left my lips as I raced forwards into his embrace. His body engulfed me, his strong arms hoisted me off my feet as he buried his head into my neck, inhaling deeply. My favourite smell in the world once again entered my senses and calmed my pounding heart. I closed my eyes and squeezed him hard. He released a groan of pain that caused me to loosen my grip around his neck and move my head back to stare up into his eyes in alarm.
“Easy baby,” he smiled. “I have a fractured collarbone, apparently.”
“What?” I shouted, my eyes scanning his chest with worry, but he pulled me back into him tightly.
“Sorry I missed the launch, Princess. I tried,” he husked into my hair with choking emotion as he set me back down on my feet, keeping his arms locked around my waist and holding me to his solid body. “It looks amazing. You are amazing. And… a little obsessed with me,” he teased as he admired my art collection. Trust him to make a joke right now!
“Everyone thought you were dead, Alessio! Where have you been? I didn’t believe it! I knew you would never leave me,” I cried desperately as he placed his forehead against mine. “Galiz’s plane. What happened? Why didn’t you call me?”
“I know. I’m sorry, Elle. I thought I had died in that ocean. I thought I would never see you again,” he breathed, lifting his muscular hands to my face and caressing my skin, his nose brushing against mine. My hands glided up his back, under his jacket and hugged him closer to me. We couldn’t get close enough. I needed to feel him. To know he was really here and I wasn’t dreaming. He seemed to have the same thoughts. “But I woke up last night in a Spanish hospital. I’d skydived out of the plane, but my parachute hadn’t opened properly. I nearly drowned. Luckily, a fishing boat nearby saw me fall and rescued me. I’ve been in a coma, Elle. I woke up last night and the first thing I did was bolt out of that hospital and find my way home. I had no money or phone, but I knew I had to get here in time. I’d made you a promise.”
He took my lips in a forceful kiss, full of love and passion, causing my whole body to come alive to the sensation of his tongue stroking mine and the feel of his powerful lips. When we finally broke apart, he smiled down at me with so much devotion, my knees nearly gave way in his embrace.
“I can’t believe I nearly lost you. That is it, Alessio Barbieri. I am never letting you out of my sight again,” I husked against his lips as he smirked, oozing that rugged handsomeness and allure.
“Is it your turn to keep me hostage now, Princess?”
“I think it is…” I smiled, as my heart fluttered in my chest and I allowed this moment of pure elation to sink in. “And I’m keeping you forever.”
His lips brushed against mine with the softest of touches before he lifted my hand to his and entwined our fingers.
“Forever starts now, Princess. I love you, Elle. I was born to love you.”
“And I you…” I beamed as we walked hand in hand into our forever.
