Page 69 of Marked By Mayhem

He kisses me, then lies down and pulls me to him so we're spooning in bed. The subtle shifts in his demeanor haven’t gone unnoticed.

I see it in the way his eyes linger a moment longer, the curve of his lips softening when he looks at me. There's a tenderness in his touch, a warmth that wasn't there before. It's as if the walls he's built around himself are starting to crumble, revealing a vulnerability he's kept hidden from the world.

And I’m glad. Grateful.

I catch him stealing glances when he thinks I'm not looking, his gaze lingering on me like a delicate touch. The air between us has changed, charged with unspoken emotions.

It's in the little things – the way he insists on accompanying me to places now, the genuine concern in his voice when I mention a problem, and the unexpected surprises that he has for me.

A small smile plays on my lips as I recall the other day when he surprised me with a bouquet of flowers, each carefully chosen, so that they were twelve different colors.

It wasn't just the gesture itself but the way his eyes lit up when he saw my reaction. It was a moment, a flicker of something more, something that hinted at a connection deeper than the things we have seen together.

Late at night, in the quiet of the room, I find myself replaying these moments like a cherished melody. The thought that Tommaso is growing fond of me, falling in love with me, is both exhilarating and scary. I had never anticipated this.

I've seen the shadows in his eyes, the aftermath of his responsibilities, and the scars that mark his journey. In those vulnerable moments, I've witnessed a side of him that few are privileged enough to see. And as the barriers crack, I can't help but wonder if my presence is becoming an anchor in the chaos that is around him.

It's not just the closeness or the shared laughter; it's the way he listens when I speak now, the genuine interest he shows in my thoughts and dreams.

There's a familiarity, a comfort that settles between us, a space where words become unnecessary, and our silences speak volumes. I know it’s love. And he does too.

I close my eyes, knowing that I have never slept better, and that I might have just lost the bet of my life.

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