Ayla barely speaking a word to me. I sat down against my chair and rolled my neck left and right, trying to release the tension. I didn't understand what I did wrong. I tried everything,

with Alessio, but he loves deeply. He loves with his heart. Something he's scared of. But you can change that. You can be his strength." "He is mine," I whispered. "He is my strength." "Alessio will realize it soon. And when he does, he won't be able to stay away from you. Fvck, he can't even stay away from you now. Do you see him? He always follows you like a little puppy. Oh my God, that was such a bad comparison. Alessio is nowhere close to a little puppy." I laughed. "We wait for him to make a move," Maddie said. "He has been making a move for the past three days." He had made several attempts to talk to me. "Well, he needs to make a better move then. If you know what I mean." She wiggled her eyebrows mischievously. "Maddie!" She shrugged. "No, seriously. Maybe he should bring you flowers again. Or maybe just another kiss. This man is driving me crazy." I didn't know what I was going to do without Maddie. She always knew how to make me feel better. "We wait then," I said with a smile. She winked and I laughed. I would wait...because I needed him. *** I walked inside the piano room to wait for Alessio. He was the never late. He was always there at exactly ten. I could play the piano even if Alessio wasn't here, but I didn't. I wanted to play for him. I wanted to bask in the warmth of him watching me as I played. Sighing, I looked down at the phone for the time. Any minute now. Something caught my eye. My gaze shifted to the sofa chair I usually sat on and I let out an audible gasp. Bringing my hand up, I covered my mouth in shock. But I couldn't stop the smile that played across my lips. A single white peony was lying on the seat. Slightly bending down, I took the peony in my hand and brought it close to my chest. Straightening up, I held it there. Alessio. He was so sweet. I couldn't believe he put the peony there for me. This wasn't a big bouquet. It was just a single peony, but it held the same value and meaning. It still made my heart flip, and my cheeks were hurting from my wide smile. "I can safely assume that you love the peony." My eyes widened and I quickly swiveled around to see Alessio leaning against the door, his arms crossed over his chest. His head was cocked to the side, a small smirk on his face. I wanted to say that I hated that smirk...but truly, I didn't. I tried to hide my smile. "I..." I paused and then sighed. I couldn't lie. "It's beautiful. I love it." He slowly walked toward me, his eyes intense as he kept his gaze on me. As he got closer, my heart went wild and my stomach twisted with butterflies, a feeling that I always got when he was close. Alessio stopped in front of me. I could feel his warmth on my bare skin. I looked up into his eyes. He was so tall. His gaze, filled with need, shifted to my lips and I instinctively licked them. Alessio took a step closer until we were barely an inch apart. I sucked in a deep breath and my chest brushed against his. Chat martinmartino on zero eight one eighty thirty fourteen twenty one to be added to his whatsapp group. He brought his hand up, trailing a finger down the length of my bare arm. I shivered and my fingers tightened around the flowers. "Alessio..." "Ayla," he whispered, leaning his head down. We stared at each other, and then he leaned closer until his lips were only an inch from mine. "I'm going to kiss you," he said. "Okay..." I saw a little smirk on his face and then he lowered his lips to capture mine. My breath caught. His lips brushed gently against mine and I sighed. Alessio slowly moved his tongue on my lips, waiting patiently for me to open my mouth. He coaxed me gently, unhurriedly. He put the slightest pressure on my lips, and I gasped. He took the opportunity to slide his tongue in. Softly brushing against mine, he kissed me slowly, as if to savor the kiss. This time I boldly returned his kiss. I had grabbed hold of my courage and put it all on the line. I didn't think that kissing Alessio was something I'd ever grow tired of. It felt like I had been starving for his kiss. His hand slid up my neck, to just beneath my ears, and his fingers splayed out, his hand cupping my jaw. His other hand glided through my hair, tilting my hair slightly upward for better access to my lips. I placed both hands on his chest and leaned closer into his body, letting his warmth envelop me. In his embrace, I felt safe. I felt wanted. Alessio didn't rush and he let me direct the kiss. He licked the seams of my lips and I let out a small sigh. So soft, so warm, so sweet. I was drunk on his kisses. He gently bit down on my bottom lips and then he claimed my lips again. This time his kiss was a little harder, a little more demanding. And I gave it to him. We were both breathing hard when he pulled away. Alessio laid his forehead against mine as he fought to catch his breath. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of kissing you," he said, his voice gruff. I blinked up at him to see his gaze already on mine. His eyes were soft and filled with adoration, a look that stole my breath. In the depth of his gaze, I saw his need there. His want for me. I was completely transfixed by his eyes. His hand moved from my face, down to my hips. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me close into him, anchoring my body into his. My heart was pumping wildly and my knees grew weaker at the fervor in his gaze. He held me as if I was precious. He looked at me as if I was the only thing he could see. I felt beautiful. "Alessio," I said. I didn't know what else to say. He leaned down and gave me a quick peck on the lips before stepping away. He nodded toward the piano with a smile. "Go," he urged. My lips stretched in a wide smile and I nodded, quickly hurrying toward the piano with the flower still in my hand. Our gazes stayed connected, both of us completely captivated by each other as I ran my fingers over the keys. I didn't close my eyes even once. I didn't look away from Alessio. When I was done, I let my hand rest on the piano key and swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nervous and shy under his penetrating gaze. "Are you not going to read tonight?" he asked. "Oh." I smiled and then got up. I walked over toward him and stopped in front of the coffee table, picking up my book. "I will. I'm in the middle of this one. I can't wait to finish it." He chuckled. "You sound excited about it." "I am," I replied, taking my seat on the sofa chair next to his. "It's a really good book." "I'm glad you like it." I opened it, and felt Alessio's eyes on me the whole time I was reading. It was so hard to stop myself from peeking up at him. And I lost that battle many times. Whenever our eyes met, Alessio would smile and I would send him a smile of my own. My heart was doing flips. My stomach was filled with butterflies. I felt light with euph