LOGINIt's a couple of weeks until Christmas, and I'm actually looking forward to returning home for the holidays. With Alexa by my side, my last visit was somewhat enjoyable, and I only see that improving as she gets more comfortable around my family. That being said, I'm still keeping the visit brief.Work at Ombra is going great but the family business has been stressful. I'm pissed that I have to spend the night away from Alexa to come in and hear about the latest f-ck up. I rushed into the office as soon as my second, a no-nonsense guy named Luca, called. He almost never needs me to come meet him in person and the fact that he didn't want to say anything over the phone means it's bad.We keep our offices in the back of a strip club that I prefer not to visit, in a part of town that I no longer belong to. Coming here makes me think back to when I was first exiled. I was heartbroken and lonely with something to prove. Looking back now, I see how far I've come. It's crazy that it took hav
Over the next couple of weeks, Cass has me sitting in on an increasing number of meetings to take notes. After the meetings, we'll usually do a debrief where he asks me a bunch of questions about the finer points of the meeting and my opinion on what the next steps should be. He's even had me write up a few preliminary drafts for proposals.This isn't normally part of my responsibilities as his assistant, but I can't say I don't enjoy the extra work. It's fascinating and much more challenging than my normal day-to-day tasks. We've gotten into the habit of eating lunch together in his office so that I can have time to ask questions and get clarification when needed.Today, we're eating a turkey, pesto sandwich when I finally feel the need to ask, "Why are you letting me do so much and being so patient with all my questions? I'm sure you could get this down so much faster."He puts down his sandwich and I appreciate that he's obviously taking this question seriously. "I think you have f
We arrive home just after lunch and I have the rest of the day to relax and do as I please. I was expecting to stay through lunch with Cass's family, so this was an unexpected boon. I'm not sure what changed our plans but I'm not complaining.I start walking in the direction of my room to put my things away but Cass grabs me around my waist and asks, "Where do you think you're going?"I look at him confused, and say, "To my room."He gives me a mischievous smile and pulls me with him in the direction of his room."You know I'm always ups for more sex, but you could at least give me a couple of minutes to put my stuff away before you pounce," I lightly joke.We get to his room and I'm immediately speechless. I walk around seeing my stuff placed all around his room the same way it was placed in mine, right down to the vibrator in the bedside drawer. My face turns a bit red when I notice that one, knowing that someone had to move it.I turn back to Cass with a questioning look, still una
After taking Alexa roughly on the plane, I let her sleep. I knew I would want more when we got home, so I wanted her to get as much rest as possible.I watch her sleep next to me and think back to everything she said to Allegra. Our family always visited the cemetery to memorialize our fallen members but I felt guilty for leaving Alexa behind. I stayed as long as necessary but left as soon as no one was looking. I hadn't known that Allegra had slipped out early on the pretense of getting things ready at the house for our return.Alexa likes to eat, so I knew she wouldn't skip breakfast, but as I approached the informal kitchen and living room I heard voices. They weren't raised, but there was a tenseness in the air that was undeniable.I know I found them early in their conversation based on their politeness. However, I was shocked when Allegra's voice changed into something I'd never heard before. I was tempted to look around the corner and risk giving away my presence just to check
I wake up alone in bed and I can tell it's already mid-morning by the amount of sun streaming in the room. I stretch and roll to my side and come face to face with a note.Take your time. I'll save breakfast for you.I smile at the completely unnecessary note. I'm not actually his girlfriend, and this isn't the first time I will be alone in his house. I toss the note in the trash and get up and dressed. Checking the time, I see it's around 10am. I'm not sure how late we're staying today but I make sure I'm packed for whenever we leave.The house is weirdly silent this morning, which has me a little curious as to where everyone is. In the kitchen I find a covered plate of food with my name on it in the same writing from the note. I fight the smile trying to break free from knowing that Cass took the time to do this. Most men wouldn't even worry about whether you have breakfast or not.I warm up the food in the kitchen then sit in the beautiful kitchen nook to eat. It's so peaceful, bei
I wake up beside Alexa for the second morning in a row and I marvel at the novelty. Up until now, I've never actually slept through the night in the same bed with someone.When Allegra and I first met, she was still living with her strict Italian parents and had a curfew, and for most of the time we knew each other, she was being courted by my brother, so we were sneaking around, stealing quick moments. When she would visit me in Chicago, she was already married and it just seemed appropriate that I give her a room of her own.I realize now that from the moment she said 'I do' I held back a part of myself. I would visit her in her room, but I would never stay, and she would never ask. I can't believe that realization didn't hit me until this moment. I look over at Alexa, sleeping peacefully beside me, and feel a rush of warmth and thankfulness towards her.I studied her so I could remember what she looked like in the morning. No doubt, she would want to sleep in her own room back at t







