Chapter 32 Essentials
Alessia’s POV
I wake up at the crack of dawn and turn quickly to an empty cold spot. Alex didn’t come to my room last night. I slept off waiting for him. It sounds crazy now but I missed him. The bed feels too big and the room too cold. I keep repeating to myself that it doesn’t matter, that I don’t care, that it’s better if he keeps his distance. But it’s a lie and I know it. The truth is… I missed him, I missed his scorching heat, his magnetic presence.
I sigh, dragging myself out of bed as I remember what happened last night once again, my nipples tightening against my silk pyjamas top. The way his eyes captured mine when he sauntered back to me after his lap dance. The way he looked at me with a quiet intensity in the car when he said, “Only the ones I can’t get out of my mind.” I shiver, shaking my head as if it will help in dispelling my naughty thoughts.
I have a quick shower and come out dressing up in tight jeans with my lacey red balconette bra. I stand in front of the dresser to touch up my face when I hear the door being jiggled. I cross over to the wardrobe to find a top when Alex barges in.
I gasp, covering my chest with my hands.
“Alex, you can’t just barge in here! Why didn’t you knock?”
His eyes rove over my body shamelessly, staring at my breasts. Something dark flashes across his eyes for an instant and I shiver in response, my nipples tightening instantly.
“Why should I knock? It’s my house…” he says calmly, striding to the chairs to sit.
I stared at him agape before the cool air brushes my skin and I remember I still haven’t worn a top. I pick a blouse and hold it to my chest.
“Can you please close your eyes?” I ask softly.
“No, Cara Mia,” he answers curtly.
Heat fills my cheeks. “Come on, Alex, please.”
“I already said no,” he answers darkly, settling back in the chair and fixing his gaze on me.
“Merde,” I mutter under my breath as I turn around and quickly drag my top down my head. My heart is beating so fast and loudly in my ears I hope he cannot hear it. The air in the room feels so thick all of a sudden.
Once I am presentable, I join him, sliding into the other chair.
“It’s time for your first lesson,” he says as if nothing just happened, his voice filled with amusement.
Well, if that’s how he wants to play it, so be it. I scowl at him and tell him, “No.”
He chuckles. “We are starting anyway.”
He switches on the laptop and shows me how to sit well while using it so my neck doesn’t hurt or my back, then we proceed to the first folder on Natura’s coven. The history is filled with old Latin words and we spend a long time learning how to pronounce them. Every now and then, he brushes my arm or back when trying to call my attention to something, and my skin burns where he touches. My breath hitches in my throat.
I gulp, pretending once again to not feel it, but inside? Inside I am burning up. Before I know it, hours pass and there is a quiet knock on the door. I face him, my face scrunched with worry.
“Who could that be?” I ask. He leans back and answers, “Come in.”
“We are about to find out,” he adds, tapping his foot to an imaginary music while my heart sinks in my chest. Dios mio, I am having such a lovely time with him. Please let it not be his jealous sister who seems to have the hots for him!
The door opens and Lucia walks in with a breakfast tray.
“Good morning, Signor, Signorina.” Lucia walks towards us with the tray.
“Good morning, Lucia.” I smile at her brightly, remembering the conversation we had yesterday. I need to ask him for the money so she can go today. I stare at Alex, wondering if he will ask me what I need the money for. Well, if he does, I will tell him. I am a woman after all, with needs. With that, I straighten my shoulders and ask as he moves the laptop off the table while Lucia serves us our plates:
“Alex, please, I need $100…” I ask softly.
He looks at me, raising his eyebrows. He puts his cutleries down and brings out his wallet.
Counting out some notes, I feel uncomfortable watching him so I focus on my plate. “Here.” He slides five hundred-dollar notes to me with his hand. I go to grasp it and he keeps his finger on it. His gaze locks on mine, dark and intent.
“I don’t want you to be cash-strapped. I know women need essentials, but nonetheless, don’t try and use this to escape because trust me, you won’t get far…”
I gulp, nodding my head. “It’s nothing of that sort. I want to give $100 to Lucia to buy me some feminine products.” I remove $100 from the pile and slide the rest to him. I feel a warmth spreading in my chest at his generosity.
“Keep the rest in your bag, Cara Mia,” he says as he picks at his food. I face him once again, then reluctantly nod and say, “Thank you.”
After we are done eating and Lucia has finished fixing the room, I hand over the $100 to her under the watchful gaze of Alex.
“For what we discussed last night,” I tell her softly.
“Si, Signorina.” She collects the money, putting it in the front pocket of her maid’s uniform. She collects our plates and makes her way out of the room, leaving me and Alex alone once again.
Alex looks at me again. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”
I suck in a deep breath as warmth and gratitude fill me. The last person that cared about my well-being at all was my mother. Dios, this man is obliterating my defenses and creeping into my heart, and there is absolutely nothing I can do but nod and keep staring at him.
My heart is in trouble. Serious trouble.