Page 19 of Silent Night With Alessio

She looks up as I approach, and I see the tears welling in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “I didn’t mean… I didn’t think…” Her voice breaks, and she wipes at her cheeks, frustrated, trying to hold herself together.

“Hey,” I say, sitting beside her, my voice softening despite myself. “Look, it’s over. You’re safe now. I shouldn’t have yelled.”

She shakes her head, her voice barely a whisper. “I just… I never thought I’d be in something like this. I just wanted to live my life, to be normal. And now I’m a target, caught in something I don’t understand. I’m terrified, Alessio. I just want to go back to my shop, to the way things were…”

Her words cut through me, and for a moment, I’m at a loss. I reach out, taking her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. “You shouldn’t be on the path of Luciana enemies. None of this is fair to you.”

She looks at me, her gaze filled with a pain that makes my chest tighten.

And then, before I know what’s happening, we’re leaning closer, the distance between us shrinking, until her lips are a breath away from mine. I can feel her hesitation, the way her breath hitches, and I know this is a line I shouldn’t cross.

But at this moment, it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters except the feel of her lips against mine, soft and warm, melting away every wall I’ve built, every rule I’ve lived by.

The kiss is slow, tentative, a quiet surrender that deepens, pulling us both under. And for the first time, I allow myself to forget, to give in to the warmth of her touch, the feel of her heartbeat echoing against mine.

For this brief, stolen moment, the world fades away, leaving only us locked in a fragile, breathless silence..

8

Isabella

The room is shroudedin darkness, a quiet stillness hanging in the air as Alessio kisses me. And it feels as though time itself has unraveled, pulling us into a world where nothing exists but this…his warmth, his strength, his taste.

My fingers tangle in his hair, feeling its softness against my skin, and every rational thought dissolves like sugar on my tongue.

I know I shouldn’t be doing this, that letting myself fall into him is a risk I have no business taking. But right now, in this moment, it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters but him.

The kiss deepens, his lips firm and searching, and I feel my pulse racing, my breath hitching as he pulls me closer, his hands warm against my back.

I lean in closer, pressing myself against him so much it feels like we are about to fuse. I am almost surprised by myself, surprised by this side of me he has brought out. I can already feel myself moisten, my body reacting effortlessly to his touch.

But just as it seems like I’m about to get pulled into a sizzling moment with this man, I feel his grip loosening.

The kiss lingers a moment longer, the taste of his restraint heavy between us, like he’s holding himself back, like this is something he knows he shouldn’t want. Then he pulls away slowly, his gaze catching mine for a second before he looks aside, breaking the spell.

“We shouldn’t… we can’t do this,” he murmurs, his voice rough again, that soft edge from a moment ago gone.

My breath catches, and I blink rapidly, my eyes locked on him. I know he’s right. Deep down, I know. But this feels… right. How can something that feels so perfect, so inevitable, be wrong?

I can’t help myself…I reach for him, fingers clutching his shirt as if something else has taken over me, and the words slip out, unbidden.

“Please, Alessio… don’t stop. I need this.”

He sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes dropping to where my hand clutches his shirt, and when he looks back at me, there’s something almost stunned in his expression, like he can’t believe my boldness. But I don’t care. I don’t want to stop.

“I need you, Alessio,” I say, voice low, steady, as I stare right into him.

His eyes darken, a fierce, almost primal intensity crossing his face. The look is raw, masculine in a way that sends a thrill through me. I want him. Now.

And in one swift, breathless moment, he pulls me against him, his mouth crashing into mine, wild, unrestrained. It’s more than a kiss; it’s like we’re giving in, letting go of every forbidden feeling, and it’s electric, animalistic.

He lifts me into his arms, carrying me upstairs to my room, immediately placing me on my bed, his hands tracing paths over my skin as he peels away my clothes with a gentleness that’s almost reverent.

Every touch, every kiss, feels like a promise, a silent vow that he’ll protect me, even if it’s just for tonight. His mouth trails down my neck, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake, and I arch beneath him, feeling my body come alive under his touch, feeling all the fright that built inside me dissolve away.

He pauses, hovering over me for a moment. Despite the terrifying intensity in his eyes, his calm, measured breaths were a stark contrast to my ragged breathing.

And then, without breaking the lock his eyes have on mine, his hand goes between my thighs, caressing my skin ever so delicately as he inches closer and closer to the parts of me that are screaming for all his attention.

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