Mag-log inLEONARDO 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 dropped to her full lips, resisting the urge to feel them against mine, to feel our breaths mixed together into something dangerously addictive.Her long lashes fluttered, casting warm shadows beneath her eyes.My chest felt full, warmth coursing through my veins. For the first time in my life, I felt complete.I could never let go. I was so deep in whatever this was that letting go was not an option.Her lips parted, a small breath escaping and I felt all my control slip away. I pulled her in by the waist. I needed to taste her. Fuck! I needed to feel her lips on mine, hear her breathless moans, see the desire burning in her eyes and know that I'm the only one that gets to see this side of
TESSAMy head throbbed.Not too painful, just a dull but heavy pressure behind my eyes, like I hadn’t slept enough even though I knew I had.I kept my eyes closed, hoping the pain would fade as I turned to my side, hugging the pillow closer to my chest.I heard frantic movements coming from outside my door. I slowly peeled my eyes open, adjusting to the light with my brows drawing together.Perhaps it was his men up here. I tried to ignore the sounds, focusing on getting rid of the headache forming when I heard a loud crashing sound.I pulled the duvet away from me and swung my legs off the bed, holding the edge of the bed to steady myself for a bit when my head spun. The marble tiles were cold beneath my feet as I stood up but I didn't bother putting on any slippers.I was still caught up in my thoughts about what could possibly be happening outside when I heard Leonardo's voice filled with urgency. “Careful with that!”“Mi dispiace, Don,” came another voice.I made my way out of my
LEONARDO “I’ll… give you some space,” Tessa murmured, shifting on her feet. I caught her hand before she could leave. “You don't have to go,” I studied her with a frown on my face. The awkward smile on her face, the way she nervously rubbed her elbow and stared down, avoiding my gaze didn't go unnoticed. She had never excused herself whenever I had a session. If anything, she'd stay around to ensure I was comfortable with the procedures. But now, with the way her eyes darted around, but purposely avoiding my gaze, it clearly showed something was wrong. “Um…I have a call I need to make anyway,” she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, pulling away from my grip. “I'll leave you to it,” she said faintly, before leaving. I stared at her retreating form, feeling a wave of confusion. She was okay just minutes ago. “I'll begin with the standard stretches,” the physiotherapist said, crouching down in front of me. I paid no attention to her. I hated strangers touching m
TESSAMy shoulder stiffened at the sight of her. A hollow ache crawling its way up my chest.His private physiotherapist was a lady? But I thought it would be the same male physiotherapist assigned to him back at the hospital. A lump formed in my throat as my eyes lowered to her hand extended towards Leonardo. Leonardo ignored her handshake offer, narrowing his eyes at her. “I wasn't informed there'd be a change in personnel.”She retreated her hand but her smile didn't falter. “I was instructed to take over your recovery plan effective immediately,” she said calmly. “Dr. Romano was reassigned to another high-priority case. Hospital administration felt my expertise with spinal injuries made me better suited for your recovery.”Leonardo glanced up at me, his lips pressed into a thin line. He was clearly not pleased with the arrangement. And on the other hand, I still couldn't get myself to snap out of whatever it was going on within me. My fingers dug deep into my palms in a futile
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 of last night resurfaced. How his arm locked around my waist, his breathing warm against my neck. I bit my lower lip as heat crept up my neck just at those memories. I turned towards the bedside table, seeing the time on the clock.11:56 am.I nearly bolted upright. Oh Christ!I pulled the duvet away from my body, rising to my feet. I hurried out of the room not minding the fact that my hair looked like I'd run straight through a tornado. Making my way towards the living room, I paused to put my hair up into a messy bun.I hadn't had a proper sleep in a few weeks but I definitely took this one a little too personal. Almost 12 noon? What was I thinking sleeping in like that!“Sì, riveder
TESSA“Why can't I feel my legs?”My chest tightened as those words left his lips and then my heart skipped a bit, my blood ran cold.He looked at me, confusion etched on his face.“Mr. Vitale, take it easy,” the doctor cautioned when Leonardo strained to move his legs but failed once more.“Why th
TESSAI didn't answer, not because I didn't want to stay, but because I was scared. Because anything I said right now could break either of us. But the look on his face as he thought I was repulsed by him was even more heart wrenching.“No,” I said quickly, squatting in front of him. “No, I don't
LEONARDO Fuck this pain! I hated feeling this useless and helpless. I fucking hated the pity looks. It agitated me more than it calmed me. I hated that a mere fucking accident was able to put me down. “Fuck!” I yelled, slamming my fist against the edge of the bed. Pain shot through my knuckle
TESSA“Is–is that blood on your shirt?” Panic rose in my chest as I stared at him. Red stains splattered across his shirt.I raised my eyes to meet his. They were dark, void of any emotion. I desperately prayed for it not to be what I was thinking but a deeper part of me knew exactly what it was.M







