LOGINTESSAI missed this. I missed the unfiltered happiness that came just by being with family.“Thank you,” I said to Matteo and another of Leonardo's men as they helped load my family's luggage into the car.“Bloody hell,” Ella gasped, taking a step towards the car. “Is this a freaking Karlmann king SUV?” Her eyes widened as she traced her fingertips on the door handle.“Language, Ella,” mum scolded.“Sorry,” she mumbled, her eyes still glued to the car. “But seriously, how rich is this guy?” “Ella,” mum called again to put her in order but I laughed, shaking my head at how impressed she was at the car. I had no idea how rich he was. I never paid attention to his wealth or what he does to make them. But the one thing I knew was that he was very rich.Matteo pulled the door open for us and I could see the wheels of questions turning in both my parents' heads. I knew they'd have a million questions for me and as much as I wanted to be able to truthfully answer all their questions, I jus
TESSA “Is everything set?” Leonardo asked Matteo as he carried the last of my luggage into the elevator. “Yes, boss,” Matteo affirmed. “Whenever you're ready, Signora,” Matteo said, waiting by the elevator doors.I nodded then turned to face Leonardo once more, clasping my hands in front of me as a smile made its way to my lips.He raised his phone to check something then dropped it back. “They'll be landing anytime soon. You should get going now,” he said. I nodded but couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I tried to memorise every line on his face, to have it ingrained in my memory like my only saving grace.My chest felt full but at the same time, there was a longing present. It was too complicated to explain. I was beyond ecstatic that I'd be seeing my family once more after months apart but I couldn't deny the fact that I was feeling a bit down about not seeing Leonardo for a while.It was crazy because a few months back I'd never have imagined I'd feel this way. If anything, I
LEONARDOShe pulled back, brushing my hair back as a smile graced her lips.“Was that why you were being distant?” My brows drew together and my chest tightened painfully.“I know it's stupid— ” she said, shaking her head.“It's not stupid,” I watched her as she worried her lower lip. “Tell me.”She let out a small breath, tucking her hair behind her ears. She crouched down before me, staring at her palms that rested on my thighs.“I know I have no right to be jealous, but —” I frowned at her words and cut her off.“You have every right to be. If something bothers you, you say it. You don’t keep it in your head and torture yourself with it.” I reached for her chin, raising her face to meet mine. “I didn't like the way she touched you,” she said in a tiny voice with a little pout.“I know.”“I didn't like the way she looked at you.”I nodded, “I know.”“I didn't like…,” she lowered her eyes once more and her voice dropped even lower. “I didn't like watching another woman have an excus
LEONARDO I never knew the amount of self-control I had until her. I never knew one could get pleasure by pleasuring someone else. I never knew I could get my satisfaction just by seeing her come apart. And now, watching her breathing softly with her hair sprawled across the pillow and her lips slightly pouted, I realized that was all the pleasure I could ever ask for. Her lips parted as she let out a soft moan in her sleep, causing my pants to tighten. She didn't have to lift a finger to get me turned on. Even in her sleep, with her hair everywhere, she was sexy and tempting without even trying. A chuckle escaped my lips and I brushed her hair from her face, my touch lingering on her cheeks. ‘You're too beautiful to be killed,’ I recalled the first time I saw her physically after that night. She'd looked scared, but her fear didn't stop her from being bold and even calling me crazy. I wouldn't have thought twice before putting a bullet to her brain. I never left loos
TESSA“Tonight was perfect. Thank you, Leonardo,” I said as we got into the car, ready to head back home.“It was my pleasure, Tesoro,” he replied, his eyes never leaving mine.I relaxed into the leather seats, feeling my cheeks heat up at the intensity of his gaze.His left hand came to rest on my knee through the slit that cut up halfway, drawing little circles. I could feel the warmth on his palms and it ignited a fire within me.The driver started the car and pulled into the road. I tried to distract myself by looking out through the window at the passing cars and buildings that blurred by as we sped down the road, but my mind was running at a hundred miles.The car was quiet, left for the soft hum of the engine but there was a form of heated tension. I could feel it. And the way he rubbed my knees didn't help at all.“Did you…um, did you have fun too?” I tried to start up a conversation. Just anything to distract myself from the heat building inside me.I took a quick look at him
LEONARDO I couldn't stop watching her.The entire drive to La Rosa d'Oro, I'd been trying and failing not to stare. Everything about her pulled at me. The way that dress clung to her curves. The way her fingers kept drifting to the ring. The way she bit her lip when she was nervous. Her very existence.The car slowed down at the entrance to the restaurant. “We're here, Don Vitale,” The driver announced.She looked around with wide eyes, taking in the elegant facade, and I found myself smiling.“Hold on,” I said when she reached for the door handle.Matteo alighted from the passenger seat, discreetly scanning the surroundings before pulling out the folded wheelchair from the back and setting it up.I held the door frame for support, then slowly shifted my weight, sliding from the seat and lowering myself into the chair, wincing slightly at the dull ache that shot up my spine.I circled the car, coming round to Tessa’s side and held the door open for her. I extended my hand to help he
LEONARDO“It's perfect,” she whispered, a tear sliding down her cheeks.I lifted my hand, wiping the tears away with my thumb. I couldn't bear to see her cry. Not for any reason. “You're perfect,” I corrected. Not the ring, not the gifts, nothing could compare to her. Absolutely nothing.My eyes d
TESSA I wasn't prepared for that. The way his eyes darkened as they held mine while he said those words, the honesty in them…it terrified me. “Leonardo…” I trailed off. “Don't say anything. Just let me. Let me feel this with you.” He whispered. He reached out his other hand and trailed his
TESSAI stirred, reaching out for Leonardo, only to find the space beside me empty.My eyes snapped open before squinting at the bright lights that seeped through the full length window. I pushed up on one elbow, scanning the room but he wasn't in sight.My fingers curled into the duvet as flashes
TESSA It felt so good to be home. Home. A sudden calm filled my distraught thoughts as the elevator doors opened. I helped Leonardo into the penthouse, my mind returning to that night before his accident. How disregarded I felt as he walked out after I'd poured out all my emotions to him. We st







