Chapter 25 XXV.
I woke earlier than necessary. First, because I had to be punctual for my meeting with Mr. Francisco, and second, because I couldn’t sleep in the first place. The memories of last night played in my mind like a broken record that refused to stop.
I could still feel the heat of Alessandro’s body against mine when I fell on him. Our faces had been so close that one wrong move would have led to a kiss.
It’s wrong in so many ways to think of Alessandro like that, but I can’t help myself anymore. He has completely poisoned my soul. Every part of me aches for his touch. I enjoy being in his presence, and that infuriating smirk of his always makes me doubt myself.
He is the very reason I am trying so hard to secure this deal with Mr. Francisco. This deal will mark the beginning of my freedom from Alessandra, and I won’t have to worry about hurting her anymore.
Breaking things off will hurt her eventually, but at least I won’t carry the guilt of cheating on her.
I had just finished adjusting my tie when I heard a knock on my door. After giving myself a quick once-over, I walked over to see who it was.
“Morning, Rowan!”
That familiar flutter returned to my chest when I found Alessandro standing there with a bright smile on his face. He was dressed in formal wear as well—a black suit with matching trousers. His white button-up shirt was fastened all the way to the top, but something was missing.
Alessandro wasn’t wearing a tie.
I pushed aside the distracting thought that he looked good in anything he wore and raised a brow at him. “Why aren’t you wearing a tie?”
He rolled his eyes at my mock-strict tone. “You of all people should know I can’t knot a tie.” He dipped his hand into his right pocket and pulled out a black tie. “But I have it right here, in case you want to help.”
I shook my head at his cheekiness and stepped aside to let him in. “Come in. I’ll help you. You need to look your best.”
Like a child who had just received his favorite Christmas gift, Alessandro chuckled as he hurried into my room.
I couldn’t help smiling. Despite his broad physique, Alessandro could be unexpectedly cute when he wanted to be.
I closed the door and joined him in the middle of the room. He stood there, glancing around in fascination. “Why is your room more beautiful than mine? You got yourself a better room, didn’t you?”
I rolled my eyes at his childish comment and stretched out my hand. “Stop joking around and give me your tie. We don’t have much time.”
He watched me with a smirk for a moment, and my heart pounded as I wondered what was going through that mischievous mind of his. He was probably about to tease me again.
Still smirking, Alessandro stepped closer until he was standing right in front of me. My heart raced at our closeness. Every part of my body tingled, and it took effort to keep my arm extended without it trembling.
He stared at me with those enchanting forest-green eyes that had captivated me from day one—the same smirk that had become the subject of my dreams curving his lips.
He was looking at me that way again. The way that made my body feel as though it were charged with electricity.
Gently, he took my hand in his larger one. His touch sent a shockwave through me, nearly making me stagger back from the intensity of it. Somehow, I managed to remain standing.
He lifted the tie with his other hand and, with deliberate gentleness, placed it in my open palm, still cradled in his.
“Here’s my tie, Rowan.”
The way he said my name made me feel as though I were vibrating. Every part of me reacted to his tone—even the part I so desperately wanted to ignore.
I swallowed nervously. Why was he using that tone with me? It sounded dangerously close to seductive.
Deciding this had become far too intimate, I quickly took the tie from him and created some distance between us so I could breathe.
How does he make it look so effortless?
Alessandro seemed to snap out of whatever trance he had been in, yet he continued staring at me in that unsettling way.
“I—I’m going to fix your tie now.”
He nodded, but the thought of being so close to him made me dizzy. The sensation was overwhelming. Still, I had no choice. I didn’t want him thinking I was strange.
As I hesitantly stepped forward and began knotting his tie, Alessandro’s eyes remained fixed on my face as though he were seeing something entirely new.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I kept my gaze lowered, working my fingers as quickly as possible so I could be done with it.
Once finished, I stepped away as if burned. “All done!” I exclaimed, louder than intended. My nerves were getting the better of me.
Alessandro remained standing there, looking at me like… like—
God. He makes me so nervous.
“I… I think we should go,” I muttered, hurrying toward the door. I wasn’t sure I could survive another minute under that intense gaze.
In a flash, Alessandro closed the distance and grabbed my wrist.
My heart nearly stopped.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against my earlobe, and I shivered when his warm breath ghosted over my ear.
What on earth is he doing to me?
“Thank you,” he whispered softly. “For the tie.”
The way he said it set my skin ablaze. His grip on my wrist did nothing to calm the heat spreading through me, and I found myself swallowing hard.
Just as suddenly as he had grabbed me, Alessandro released me and stepped back. I instantly missed his warmth, yet at the same time, I was grateful for the chance to steady my breathing.
“Let’s go,” he said with a smirk before heading out.
I stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, only then realizing that Alessandro had definitely been teasing me on purpose.
We still have four more days to spend in France.
I need to be very careful around him.