ALESSANDRO'S POV

Air flew into the car, making my hair move in all directions possible.

I looked to my right where Akila sat next to me, her gaze was focused outside of the window as she quietly breathed. Then our hands resting together caught my attention, I stared at them for a moment. These past two days have been an actual dream. At some point, I would second guess if it was actually happening.

Being able to get this close to her, spend hours talking to the only person I thought I would never get a chance with. It all felt too good that it made my mind hesitate. But in the end, it all happened.

I don't know what we are, I've confessed multiple times I like her, a lot. And if my words aren't enough, I'm sure every time she saw how her touch, smile affected me, she would know with no words spoken between us.

Thinking about what we are, what this might lead to is something we need to both discuss together, so I won't let my thoughts drive me anywhere and wait for the right time, when she is comfortable.

I was shocked to learn that she would let me drive her car again. I chuckled, finally letting my gaze concentrate on the road again. The sun rose between the sky lightly. Thank god, the sunlight was not burning hell, instead, it's soft and relaxing. The air isn't cold nor hot, but it sure hits like getting slammed into a wall. There was no wind but with the speed we're travelling with, air came in and out of the car.

Akila's castle is right at the end of Sicily where no one can possibly find her. It's almost unbelievable how not me or any of my men noticed this gorgeous land years ago, however, I'm glad she found it and made the best out of it. The absolute best.

"Want to play a game?" I looked to my right and my god. The way it hits me, every single time, when I look at her, when I get a glance of her eyes, it hits like hell.

As if she can hear my thoughts, the lips I haven't been able to resist curled smoothly into a smirk I want to kiss so badly.

I nodded slowly, trying my best to shake away this feeling, putting me right in my place. Then I wondered what kind of game she could possibly be thinking of, I tried thinking of anything but my mind can't seem to focus right now. She bite roughly on her bottom lips and I'm trying so hard to keep my shit together.

I let out a shaky breath when she finally let go of our eye contact and searched for something down her pocket. She pulled out a phone out of nowhere and I found myself confused. I've never seen her with a phone, hold one, or even speak through one.

She quietly did something on her phone and slid it between her thighs. God I wish I was a phone.

I had to switch my gaze from her to the road but if I'm being honest, it was mainly on her. The road is empty anyways, that's what I like to blame it on, not my own self I can't control.

I finally managed to find my voice again and asked, "What game?" I'm speaking so softly, I don't know what's going on. Her deep, deep dimple broke through her cheeks and I can't recall something making me happier.

"I have no idea" she admitted, not sure why she suggested it with nothing in mind. Then I realised she's trying to make a conversation, with me.

My heart kept beating louder and louder into my ears, yet it felt so warm and calm. She makes me feel impossible things all at once.

I watched her think deeply about something. I noticed that whenever she's thinking hard, she likes to rest her hands on her thighs, sometimes she rubs her finger on her own skin and sometimes she's too focused, she sits so still as if she's trying to blend in with the walls. "Forget the game, I want to tell you a story"

The whole drive was Akila expressing how deeply she hates night clubs. She told me a story after another, her murdering men and women at a bar or the night clubs she seriously hated. She says they're useless and a waste of time. And I of course didn't say anything, I have dozens of clubs and casinos out there and she knows but that didn't matter to her because whatever I'm doing doesn't change her opinion. And that, I love and appreciate so much.

It was so hard not to look at her every time she spoke a word. I wanted to capture it all with my eyes, to go back in time and observe her over and over again. I want to have this picture of her, every memory of her trapped in my mind, closed on tightly where they can't escape. It's the first time I heard her talk so freely, her voice filled with so much light-confidence and just seeing her like this made me wish this moment to last forever. I want her to talk, speak about whatever please her and I sit beside her and listen. Listen until my ears go deaf, listen until I can't help but wrap my arms around her, allowing her to take every warmth left in my body.

Car rides always felt fast, this one felt just right. I would do the smallest and biggest thing to repeat this again, anything to hear her voice so happy, so joyful.

Akila never misses a beat, never hesitates or her voice breaks. She let out her words knowing they're heard clearly with no need to repeat. She doesn't need to grab anyone's attention, it's already given all to her.

Even those who never met her, they're always pulled by her. All of her. Her beauty, her confidence, her walk, everything.

And I just can't get how I got so lucky to be with her right now. It is obvious Akila barely had any human contact. Whenever she does, she's set there to kill them. She never communicates nor expresses her thoughts with anyone but her own self. It's a great thing being self independent and I support her life decisions no matter what because if she didn't do all of this, she wouldn't be the Akila I know today. Even though I'm sure a hundred percent I would've loved every version of her, I'm glad she's happy that way. I thank god she's strong enough, she's beyond just strong, she's so many things I can't put in enough words.

I felt her now warm hand break away from my hand and for a second there, I felt my heart actually hurting. I looked at her immediately and watched her grab something from the backseats. Her side profile is so perfect I can't help but stare. Her cheekbone landed sharply on her face, a jawline that looks like a bullet can't cut through. Her long dark lashes curled adorably on her eyelids as the side of her eyes looked pure gold.

I let out a loud breath which she turned to. Her face now is one, two, three inches away from me. I tried to keep counting, to keep my mind focused but I can't. I can't.

When she's this close, everything breaks. Everything is nothing, a world so blurred that her face is so plain. Every line, soft moles that are barely noticeable are standing out her beautifully settled features.

"We should get inside, i'm sure everyone misses you" she's the one to speak first and again break our connection. Sometimes I wonder what will happen if she never does, because I know too damn well I would never pull away from her.

I managed a small nod, she didn't waste a minute and got out of the car. I gave my head a little shake and got out as well, following her lead. We both held suitcases filled with our stuff. I packed my drawer instead of shipping it back again and she brought a few things from her massive closet. I only got there once, when she was packing actually. She was picking what to take and I was searching for her. She signed me to come in the closet and my mouth dropped. It's huge, clothes organised by length and materials. It's five times the size of my bedroom and believe me when I say I have a big room, until I've seen her castle.

It sounds like a fairy tale story, no one nowadays owns castles. We all buy lands and build them into mansions but Akila did the exact opposite. She brought back old traditions and made them into something much more remarkable.

We stood in front of the main doors, waiting patiently for anyone to open the door. They're all up by now, it is nine in the morning which means only Lydia and Lia are asleep. No one knows I'm coming today, I haven't contacted any of them since the night I left and I'm thankful none of them bothered me these past days.

The door started opening gradually which made me and Akila look up, Armando stood on the other side and when he met our gaze, he screamed. Everyone came rushing to the door half panicked and finally saw us.

Lilanna shouted a yes and started pushing Adriano to take away my bags. I laughed at her and walked in the house before Akila. I walked past the shocked Armando when I heard Kira offering Akila help, I knew she already refused with a simple head shake. Dante stood right in front of me, his hands resting in his pocket as his face bright up with a smile.

With no words in need, he gave me a half hug and patted my back three times before pulling away. I turned my head to Adriano offering me a hand, I took it and shaked it remembering the night by the pool.

Everyone welcomed us with smiles, hand shakes and small hugs. We all sat around the living room, I got stuck between Armando and Emilion while Lianna sat on Adriano's lap. The rest shared the rest of the seats and Akila took the biggest armchair in front of me. A small table separated us and a few metres, her head fell to the back as the chair supported her neck. I suppose she's tried and it hit me. She can't even rest her exhausted body. I sensed something wrong, I felt off and wanted to take her somewhere alone to sit there and make her forget for just a moment all of this.

Julia tried to talk us into eating breakfast but we both rejected. "Come on guys, they must be tired. We should let them rest" and there goes another wave, washing away any delight I felt.

They all stood up in understanding and left shortly after. I gathered my strength, pushing away my thoughts and forced myself off the coach. I approached Akila knowing she would feel my presence. I held out my hand for her and waited. Her face slowly turned back to its normal position and she looked at my hand for three seconds before she moved her body forward and got up. Then she took my hand a little aggressively yet very gently. Her fingers brushed between my skin and tightened around my fingers. Without resisting, I brought our joined hands to my face and placed a muted kiss on the top of her hand.

I walked us up the stairs and down the hallways, I would glance at her a few times and her eyes would blink slower with each step we took. I wished to carry her, however I know she won't enjoy that right now. I don't want her to think I'm showing any signs of pity or sympathy, I genuinely want to help.

But I know she doesn't want my help.

Finally we stood right outside my bedroom and I've never felt more relieved. I made sure to stop in front of her room in case she wanted space but she responded by guiding us forwards. I twisted the door knob and she pushed the door open as she walked in, I followed right after her and closed the door.

"Come here" I turned her around and pushed her body on mine. I waited so long to do this. I shielded my arms around her back as my chin rested lightly on her head.  I rocked us from right to left, allowing our comfort in the silence to speak words louder than our thoughts.

I kissed her hair a couple times, maybe too many times but I don't care. I separated our chests just a few inches to see her face. I leaned down and left more kisses on her cheeks. My lips met with her cold skin and it never felt more heavenly.

Her right hand travelled up my body until she gripped my neck hard, and before I could give in another thought, she pressed her lips on mine. She kissed me roughly, and it's taking every muscle in my body not to rip her clothes apart. I crave her even when she's right here, when she's kissing me, when she's breathing in me.

Our heads moved together as if they knew each other's next gesture. My need for more, for her kept increasing. And I'm afraid if I can't hold back anymore, she will never rest. I hate myself, I hate myself for separating our lips. I don't know how she did it so many times but it's definitely not easy for me in any way.

"I will take a shower" she told me and took a step backwards, completely disconnecting our bodies. My skin already cried out for her but I held myself in place. She gave me her back and made her way towards the bathroom. I closed my eyes for a minute, still feeling her lips on mine.

I squeezed my eyes shut harder for a second and then relaxed my face as I took a deep breath in. I opened my eyes one more time and started heading my way out of the door.

I came back to my bedroom with a black hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. I also got her a set of matching underwear and a sports bra which I hope she's fine with.

I knocked on the bathroom door two times before getting in. I placed down the clothes near the shower and prepared her a towel. After making sure everything is ready when she gets out, I left the bathroom and went to my closet. I took off my pants and threw them in the empty laundry basket, then followed my shirt. I used the small bathroom connected to my closet to wash up and turned back to put my sweatpants on.

As I stepped out of the closet, I saw Akila from the corner of my eyes leaving the bathroom at the same time. I fully faced her and we locked eyes, she spoke a 'thank you' through her eyes and I couldn't help but touch her again. I stood by her side and took her hand that I can't seem to stop touching. I opened the blanket for her and she sat down not holding back. I glanced at the rest of the bed in hope she lay down, I met her eyes again and we stayed like this for a while. I tried, so hard to read her. To find something, anything but I got left with nothing.

Her eyes are so transparent, as if I can see through them yet I find emptiness.

I tugged her in the blanket and went to the other side. I hesitantly laid down next to her as I watched her face carefully, waiting for any rejection in case she needed her own space. But there's none.

My heart rested now, knowing she's okay with this. I was about to pull her close to me when she started taking her hoodie off. Now she's in her bra, the one I picked for her.

Heat rushed through my face and my heart collapsed with excitement merged with nervousness. Breath Alessandro, breath.

She moved her body the opposite way of mine and her head landed on the pillow as she covered her body with the covers. "I am offended" my voice rang around the room and I heard her chuckle.

I couldn't take it anymore, I sneaked my arm down her bare waist and pulled her against me. She adjusted herself on my body and oh my god. Her ass gently brushed the poor guy down there and I think he's freaking out right now. I have no idea how and when I learned to control myself but I'm sure if she keeps moving like this, it won't last for long. 

Lord have mercy.

Akila stopped and found her comfortable spot, she breathed a few times loudly and then I couldn't hear the air around her. She fell so silent all of a sudden that I couldn't even hear her heart beat. My mind was about to go crazy when she started giggling. "I tend to breathe calmly and make zero noises, not ones hearable to human ears" she said and I know, I know she's smiling.

"Try to rest, love, please"

Now her heart beats came back to life and I could hear them clearly. My naughty, very bad lips couldn't hold back and smiled.

"Go to sleep Alvaro" her voice faked an annoyed tone which probably followed with an eye roll. I chuckled before reaching closer and buried my face in her neck. Her chest rose for longer than it should have and then fell slowly. My smile maintained its place as my body relaxed against hers until I fell UNCONSCIOUS.

—————————————
[ VOTE•COMMENT•SHARE ]