MARCOThe door clicked shut behind me. My shoes hit the floor heavy, muffled by thick carpet. I paused just a second. Took in the office. The same old scent hit me, leather, cologne, aged wood, and something like old books. It hadn’t changed. Everything in its place.Tony stood by the desk, flipping through a folder. His sleeves were rolled up. Jaw tight like he’d been grinding his teeth since morning.He didn’t look up. “Took your sweet time.”I shut the distance slowly. “Was getting used to soft mornings and soft hands.”He smirked, barely. “You mean Sarah?”I reached for the folder. “You trying to gossip or get me briefed?”He let it go easy. “Glad you’re back, boss. It’s been…busy.”I settled into the chair, leather creaking under me. “Start talking.”“Shipment landed clean two nights ago. No eyes, no snags.”“Good. Customs guy?”“Paid well. Didn’t blink. Kept the crates moving.”I nodded and flipped the first page. Numbers, routes, stamps. All standard. “He’ll want more next time
SARAHThe plane was quiet in that expensive way.. Everything smelled like soft leather and lemon-scented wipes. First class—Marco called it “VIP shit.” Whatever it was, it was way nicer than anything I’d ever flown in before.I was by the window, legs under the thick blanket they’d handed me when we boarded. I leaned into the seat, watching the sky out the window, nothing but clouds and blue. The wing cut through them like a knife sliding through whipped cream.I didn’t realize how high we were until I stared long enough to get a little dizzy. That always happened when I thought too long about flying, how something so heavy could just float like this.Next to me, Marco was already knocked out. His arms were folded across his chest, his face tilted toward me. His mouth slightly parted, jaw relaxed, hair messy from his fingers running through it one too many times.Just then the flight attendant showed up quietly.“Would you like your meal now, ma’am?” she asked, voice polite and low, l
SARAHIt was still early, but my eyes refused to shut again.I lay there for a while, tucked in the sheets, watching the soft morning light slide slowly across the wall. The room was quiet, peaceful, almost too still for the thoughts running through my head. My body felt sore in that lazy, sweet way after being touched the way he touched me last night. I smiled to myself, then frowned, then smiled again. It was ridiculous how one night with Marco could still make me feel like a shy girl all over again. My cheeks warmed as I shifted a little under the covers.I turned my head slowly toward him.He was still sleeping, back against the pillows, one arm tossed over his stomach. His chest rose and fell, calm, steady. His hair was messy from sleep, and a strand of it curled across his forehead. I reached over, gently brushing the strand back, then let my fingers rest in his hair for a second. He didn’t stir. I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.“Sleep, baby,” I whispered,
SARAHI woke up to see the soft light pushing through the curtains. Marco wasn’t beside me. The bed was still warm, but his side was empty. I sat up slowly, tugging the sheets around me. He was near the window, sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed already. His back was a little hunched, phone in hand, thumb moving like he was rereading something over and over.“Hey,” I said, voice scratchy from sleep.He turned, smiled. “Morning.” He stood, leaned in and kissed my forehead. “You sleep okay?”“Yeah. You?”He nodded. “Didn’t want to wake you.”“You’re dressed,” I said, glancing at his button-down shirt. “Where you going?”He tucked the phone away like it was nothing. “Nowhere. I’m with you today.”I watched him a second longer. He smiled again, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Something was off. I knew that smile.. it was his ‘don’t ask’ smile.“Breakfast?” he asked.“Sure.”We ordered room service and ate in bed, legs tangled under the sheets. Pancakes, eggs, espresso. I watched him ch
SARAHThe sheets were still warm when I opened my eyes. Light spilled in from the wide windows, casting gold across the floor. I could feel Marco’s arm heavy around my waist, his chest steady behind my back. For once, there was no tension in his hold. Just peace.I didn’t move for a while. I just lay there and listened to his breathing, soft and even.He was still asleep when I turned a little to face him. His mouth was parted. Hair a bit messy. He looked younger like this. Lighter.“Staring again?” he murmured without opening his eyes.I smiled. “You caught me.”His eyes opened then, sharp but soft at the same time. “You should’ve woken me. Could’ve stared properly.”“You looked too calm. I didn’t wanna ruin it.”He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Nothing you do ruins anything.”We stayed like that for a few more minutes, arms tangled, silence warm between us.Eventually, we ordered breakfast—pancakes, eggs, some espresso. The food arrived quick. Marco pulled the t
SARAHThe sunlight brushed across my face, warm and soft. I blinked awake, my eyes adjusting to the light pouring through the long curtains. Everything was quiet. No birds. No movement. Just peace. I turned on my side, facing the window. The garden was still there, the one I started fixing. Flowers had started to push through the soil.I sat up slowly, brushing my hair back. My legs were still sore from the night before. I wasn’t even sure when I fell asleep. Marco had held me for a while. I remembered that. Then nothing.The door to the balcony slid open.Marco stepped in, shirtless, his chain resting against his chest. He carried two cups of espresso. My lips curved into a soft smile without meaning to.“You’re up early,” I said.He walked toward me and kissed my forehead before handing me a cup. “Didn’t want you waking up alone.”I took the cup, warm in my hands. “That’s sweet.”He sat beside me on the bed. “I’ve got something planned for us today.”I raised a brow. “Is this one of