Page 154 of Capuleto

A soft knock ended the conversation and brought back the composure.

Valerio opened the door, and there was the object of my desires. Looking somewhat haggard, with deep circles under his eyes, the appearance of not having slept in several days, and a certain something that made me want to kiss him until my lips were raw.

"Are you here to relieve us?" my men asked, trying to be politically correct.

"Yes, you can leave now. I have the boss's permission to guard Aleksa."

The Russian hadn't shifted his gaze an inch. His eyes were so entwined with mine that it was impossible to let them go.

"Okay, if you need anything, let us know. Take care, Aleksa, and you know…" They didn't finish the sentence. They gave me a wink and closed the door.

My whole body tensed with the desire to have my guy in my arms. I didn't give a shit about the wounds or the bandages. The need to feel him was much greater than the pain.

"Hello," he murmured cautiously. He was so adorable that I was dying to caress him all over.

"Slow down, Aleksa, slow down, savor the moment."

"They told me you saved my life," I stated, biting my lip as I watched him advance.

"People exaggerate; I just dealt with a couple of idiots who didn't know who they were messing with."

"Yeah… and you made it clear to them."

"More like, I gave them a one-way ticket to the afterlife." The corners of my lips curled up.

"You look tired."

He had reached the side of my bed.

"It's been a hectic few days. You, on the other hand…"

"You, on the other hand…?" I prompted.

"You look just like always."

"You mean I always look like a mummy freshly pulled from the sarcophagus?"

"I mean so incredible that I forget to breathe when I see you."

I gave him a willing smile. Andrey was earning a lot of points; having me on the brink of death had made him more romantic than usual.

"I really wanted to see you," he continued.

"We're on the same page. That tired face makes me want to lie you down next to me."

"Given your condition, that'll have to wait. Not for lack of desire," he clarified in case I had any doubts. "I brought you a gift," he admitted, embarrassed. I blinked a few times.

"Really? What is it?"

His cheeks took on some color. He reached into his jacket and pulled out an object that he shook. A beautiful Christmas bell adorned with a red ribbon. I couldn't help but laugh, even though it hurt.

"The other one was too broken for you to use again."

"Does that mean you want to get your nurse position back?"

"This means I want to get everything back with you," he replied intensely. I shivered all over. "No matter what happens, I want to be there, in the hollow of your pillow, in your shameless smiles, losing myself in every beat that thunders in your chest."

"That's very nice. Did you copy it from a song?" He frowned, annoyed.

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