Chapter 61 Chapter 61

Chapter 61 Chapter 61
"Now," I say with a half-smile, "let’s take some time just for us."
I grab the wine bottle and open it slowly, the soft pop breaking the silence. I pour the glasses and hand one to Chloe before sitting beside her. Our fingers brush for a moment, and she smiles faintly.
"It’s been a while since we had a moment just for ourselves..." I say, swirling the wine in my glass. "Ayla’s asleep, so I think we deserve this, hm?"
She laughs softly, bringing the glass to her lips. The gentle sound of her breathing blends with the sweet scent that fills the air.
I set my glass down on the table and lean toward her, brushing my lips against her neck. I feel her shiver instantly, a quiet sigh escaping before she can hold it back.
"Why don’t we wait until the honeymoon?" she murmurs, her voice trembling but playful.
"Wait until the honeymoon?" I whisper against her skin, my mouth sliding up to the corner of her jaw. "Are you trying to punish me, cara mia?"
She turns her face toward me, her eyes locked on mine.
"I need you," I continue, my voice lower, rougher. "I want you."
My fingers trace a slow line beneath her blouse, feeling the warmth of her skin under my hands. Chloe holds her breath, her lashes fluttering, and for a moment the world seems to stop — just the two of us, the forgotten wine on the table, and the sound of her heartbeat racing beneath my touch.

"Ayla’s had you these past few months..." I murmured, my voice rough, my eyes locked on hers. "You have no idea how much I missed you."
Chloe gave a faint smile but didn’t answer. Her eyes said everything.
I leaned in slowly, closing the distance until I could feel her warm breath against my skin. Our lips brushed softly at first, then the space between us vanished completely. The kiss came intense, urgent, as if time itself had stopped.
She sighed into the kiss, her fingers tangling in the back of my neck as I pulled her closer. The taste of wine mixed with hers, and for a moment, the rest of the world disappeared.
My hands slid down her sides, feeling every movement, every small shiver that escaped her. The air grew heavier, our breaths tangled — until a sharp sound broke the silence.
Ayla’s cry echoed from upstairs.
I closed my eyes for a moment, swallowing the urge to curse out loud. I took a deep breath and let out a frustrated sigh.
"I’ll go check on her," Chloe said, straightening her blouse and fixing her hair, her cheeks still flushed.
I stayed there, leaning back on the couch, watching her climb the stairs. I ran a hand over my face, trying to hold back both a laugh and my frustration. I grabbed my glass of wine and downed it in one go, feeling the warmth slide down my throat.
I set the empty glass on the table and leaned my head back against the cushion, the distant sound of crying blending with the soft patter of rain against the windows.
For a few seconds, everything felt calm — almost too calm.

I walked up the stairs in silence, the sound of Ayla’s crying echoing softly down the hallway. I gently pushed the bedroom door open and went to the crib. She was restless, her little face red and her tiny hands open, asking to be held.
I picked her up, resting her head on my shoulder, and began to rock her slowly, whispering soothing words close to her ear. Little by little, the crying faded, turning into soft, broken sobs.
I sat down in the chair beside the crib, adjusting her against my chest. The room was almost dark, lit only by the faint glow of the lamp. A peaceful silence filled the space, broken only by the gentle rhythm of her breathing.
I brushed my fingers through her fine golden hair and kissed the top of her head, breathing in that sweet baby scent that always melted me. A smile slipped out before I even noticed.
"You’re such a little glutton, you know that?" I whispered, my voice thick with affection.
Her tiny fingers moved slowly, brushing against the fabric of my shirt as if searching for something familiar. I kept rocking her gently, humming a soft old melody — one my mother used to sing to me.
Her body grew lighter in my arms as sleep returned. I looked down at that peaceful little face, now calm and serene.