VALENTINA

"You gave me life when my heart was numb. I need to sing you a song or somethin'. Need you all to myself."

. . .

I have no idea what happened with Scott and how everything came about. It just... sort of happened.

Scott is attractive, and I get the appeal. He's also easy to talk to. Knowing that he and Alessandro have been intimate helped me get more comfortable with him.

I can't believe I dry-humped Alessandro while Scott was watching. That I let myself be that vulnerable and exposed.

Although it felt good, I'm happy Alessandro doesn't like the idea of sharing me. And that we've established that.

I'm lying on Dante's couch in his apartment as he's scrolling on Netflix, debating what we will watch tonight.

A sudden knock at the door gets both of our attention. I look at Dante.

"You expecting someone?" I ask him. He shakes his head with a frown and stands up to open the front door.

We're both surprised to see Alessandro standing there, arms crossed as he leans against the doorway.

"Alessandro," Dante says, surprised to find his twin at his doorstep.

"Sup," he grins and his eyes move further into the apartment, and his grin widens when he spots me on the couch.

"Sweetheart," he greets me.

I narrow my eyes playfully.

"Not your sweetheart," I reply, though there's no hate in my voice.

When Dante looks at me over his shoulder, Alessandro mouths "You are."

Alessandro walks into the apartment, past Dante, and falls on one of the couches opposite the one I'm on.

"Alright, what's going on?" Dante asks, closing the front door.

"Can't I visit my brother?" Alessandro asks, taking off his shoes and crossing his arms behind his head as he leans back.

"Yes, but you rarely do. So that's suspicious," Dante comments and raises a brow. "Don't you think?"

"I'd think my twin brother would be more welcoming if I decide to stop by," Alessandro shoots back.

That shuts Dante up. "Well, if you don't need anything, we were just scrolling through movies. You can join us," Dante says.

"I'd love to," Alessandro grins and makes a point of getting comfortable on the couch.

As Dante continues to look on Netflix, I get a notification on my phone.

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: You look cute

My heart skips a couple of thousand beats at those words and I have to bite down hard on my lip to prevent a smile from forming on my face.

Yet, the blush doesn't get the memo and I feel my cheeks turning hot.

Val: You just 'happened' to stop by, huh?

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: Of course I did. Though I might have heard from Mom what Dante's plans for tonight were

Val: And now you're here

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: And now I'm here. And you're sitting too far away

Val: Then do something about it

"What are you grinning at?" Dante asks as he casts me a glance.

I realize that I am smiling at my phone like a dumb, love-struck girl.

"Just this guy," I try to shrug it off.

"A guy?" Dante asks surprise in his voice and expression.

"Yeah, he's a pain in my ass. I'm trying to pay attention to what movie you're going to pick."

From the couch, Alessandro smiles at his phone while pushing his tongue into his cheek.

My phone vibrates with another message.

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: 'this guy' huh?

Val: yes. This guy

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: what's he like, then?

Val: stupid. Hot. Has a big dick

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: should I be jealous?

Val: no, you're good

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: hmm alright. But 'this guy'?

Val: What was I supposed to say?

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: 'a pain in my ass'?

Val: yes you are. You know all about that

Idiot Asshole Stupid Fucker: and how is that, hm?

Val: well, you like to take it up the ass, don't you? I could always peg you <3

My joke hits its mark because Alessandro covers up his chuckle with a cough.

Dante glances at him, and then back at me.

"Why haven't you guys bitten each other heads off by now?" he asks, a frown on his face.

My lips part, but no words leave my mouth.

"We uh..." Alessandro begins. "I guess I matured?"

"You?" I scoff, the reply immediately flying out of me. "I would've done the maturing, if one of us had gone through it."

"Right," Alessandro deadpans and raises an unimpressed brow.

"Never mind, I jinxed it," Dante mutters and shakes his head.

We settled on some romantic comedy that came out a month ago and decided to give that one a go.

Throughout the movie, I notice I'm missing a certain someone's arms around me.

"Are you ready?"

"Born ready."

Alessandro chuckles and holds onto the bike, waiting for me to get on it.

"Alright, second try. I think you can do this."

"I think so too," I grin, even though the last time didn't end so well.

After I spent the night at Dante's – and Alessandro made me promise I'd sleep in the guest room – I went back to my apartment, only to get my bag packed to head over to Alessandro's apartment.

My heart warmed when I walked in and he said he brought over one of the bicycles from his parents' place so we could practice here in his garage.

I get on the bike and put my hands on the handles, and both my feet on the pedals. Alessandro's hand is on my back, softly rubbing circles and his other hand is gripping the handle to keep the bike upright.

"So now you pedal," he instructs, and I do so. The bicycle moves forward slowly.

"Keep going," he tells me, and I do.

"Okay, I'm not freaking out yet," I tell him, trying to keep the bike straight as I pedal.

I hear a chuckle and then a kiss is pressed against my temple.

"You're cute when you're focusing," he tells me, his voice gentle and low.

My cheeks flush at his compliment and my lips twist in a grin.

With his proximity, and his hand touching my back, it's a bit hard to think.

As always, his scent is distracting me and all I can think about are the times I find myself in his embrace, or in his arms after sex, or when I wake up in the morning and feel him behind me.

I'm so in love with him.

"Okay, pick up the pace a bit," he tells me, and I do so.

My grip on the handles gets stronger and as we do more circles in the garage, the more secure I'm becoming.

"Tell me when you're ready," he hums into my ear, causing shivers to run up and down my spine.

We do a few more rounds before I give him the sign.

"I'm ready."

"Alright, baby. I'm going to let go."

He presses a kiss on my cheek and lets go.

I don't feel his arms and grip anymore, and then I'm on my own.

For a solid ten seconds, I manage to bike on my own around the garage.

"Valentina!" Alessandro shouts in excitement. "You're doing it!"

A laugh escapes me, my smile nearly breaking my face.

But as soon as the ten seconds are done, I lose balance and can't keep upright anymore. So I pull at the brakes, softly this time, and get on my feet.

Alessandro walks over toward me and presses a kiss on my head.

"You did it," he grins.

"For like ten seconds," I pout, but he kisses it off my face.

"You still did it. You'll be able to do it one day, trust me."

"One day," I muse and nod. I've got to practice some more.

Alessandro puts the bike away and then we head upstairs to his apartment that's closer to campus. I've never been here before.

All I know is that Alessandro has the place to himself, and he seldom spends a lot of time here. Just to sleep, as Dante says.

When I got there, Alessandro just quickly tossed my overnight bag into his room before taking me downstairs.

Now I'm inside, I take a look around and spot the living room. There's a couch facing the large windows, and I take notice there isn't a TV. The kitchen is open-plan, stranding at the living room and the hallway is on the other side of the room.

I let Alessandro tug me to his room, where I immediately change into more comfortable clothes. But before I can even put my sleeping top on, it's taken out of my hands and replaced with his shirt.

"Thanks," I smile and pull it over my head.

"Now, we can order some food if you'd like," he suggests and takes my hand in his as he sits on his bed, to pull me in between his legs.

"Sounds good. What are you craving?"

"You," he grins cheekily and pecks me on the cheek. "Although, I can save you for dessert."

"Besides that," I chuckle, though I'm melting on the inside at his words.

"Some pizza. Don't ever tell my Dad that we ordered pizza, though. He'll lose his mind."

We decide on pizza and then the order is placed.

But not five minutes later, the bell rings.

Alessandro and I look at each other with a frown on our faces.

"They can't be here that quickly," he says. We both walk to the front door and look through the camera.

The blood drains from my face when I see who it is.

Dante. 

. . .

short but cute filler chapter.

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