I had spent the whole morning thinking is I should go see Adrian or not. Alexander returned after he had gone to check up on Ramona, like I asked. But I gave him another excuse and told him I needed to spend the free day Ramona had given us alone. Now it’s 1 p.m., and that’s when my phone buzzed. Adrian: “Do you want me to come over to you instead? Cause I will.” I swallowed hard and texted back, instantly making my decision. “No. I’m on my way.” My heart slammed against my ribs as I quickly got changed and grabbed my bag, slipping my phone inside. I left the room quietly, pulling the door shut behind me without a sound. The villa was quiet and peaceful, almost like no one else but me was inside. When I reached the front door, I paused. My fingers hovered over the doorknob. I kept thinking about how wrong this was, but my body was already outside. I walked quickly down the path, and when I reached the front gate of the villa, my cab was already waiting. I’d booked it on my ph
The faint buzz of my phone lit up on the nightstand, causing me to wake up. But the moment I saw Adrian’s name flashing across my screen, my heart skipped. I turned my head, and Alexander was still asleep beside me. His bare chest rising and falling in the soft golden morning light. One of his hands was resting loosely near mine, his face peaceful. I slipped out of bed carefully, tiptoeing across the room with the phone in hand. My heart pounded as I eased the bathroom door shut behind me. I answered in a whisper. “Hello?” “Morning, princess,” he said. His voice was all smoke and heat. “Took you long enough.” “Yeah, morning.” “You still in bed?” he asked, voice low. “God, I wish I was there.” I swallowed. “Well, you’re up early.” “Didn’t sleep. Couldn’t. I told you I was coming, and I keep my promises.” My breath caught. “Wait... you’re here?” “Just landed in Italy. The driver’s taking me to the villa I rented in Capri. Figured I should be close, and I mean... very close.” I
The phone buzzed again, and this time I didn’t hesitate. I know I shouldn’t have answered, but I did. “Finally,” Adrian said, his voice low and laced with a dangerous familiarity. “I was about to send a search party.” My heart thudded. His voice has always made me weak in the knees, and it still does. “I’ve been distracted,” I said softly. There was a pause, and then. “Mmm. If it’s not me doing the distracting, I’m offended,” he murmured. “Where are you, princess?” I hesitated, glancing out the window as I thought to myself. Should I lie? I could lie, but... “I’m in Capri,” I said quietly. “Capri?” he repeated, like he didn’t believe it. “Italy? What the hell are you doing in Capri?” “Sloane and I thought it would be a great idea to come here for our 2 weeks break.” He gave a soft laugh. “So, you just snuck off to Italy and didn’t think of telling me?” he asked, teasing. “Damn, princess. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were hiding from me.” “I’m not hiding,” I said,
Alexander didn’t come back after Ramona had asked to speak with him in private. Now, it’s noon and Sloane and I are seated beneath the vine-covered pergola, overlooking the sea as the breeze sweeps in salted air and the far-off sound of boats hums like a lullaby. “I swear,” Sloane said, stretching out her legs and sipping on a glass of peach iced tea, “if today’s activity is anything that involves walking through a vineyard in heels again, I’m revolting.” “I thought you liked the vineyard,” I smirked. “I liked the wine, Kim. Not the blister.” We both laughed, and though Sloane had kept me distracted with jokes and gossip, a tiny ache lingered in my chest. But I told myself not to read much into it. Just as I began to say something. Ramona emerged from the villa. She stepped out gracefully in a powder-blue wrap dress, her hair tied in a loose, regal braid down her back. Sloane nudged me. “Here comes the queen.” I shot her a look. “Be nice.” “Of course.” Ramona approached and
I woke up feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Stirred slowly as the sheets tangled around my legs. I reached out with a sleepy smile, expecting to feel Alexander beside me. But my hands met empty sheets. I could still smell traces of his perfume in the room as it filled the air with a hint of citrus and sandalwood. I sat up, brushing the loose strands of hair from my face as I glanced at the door, praying he would walk in. A soft frown creased my brow as I slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom, catching my reflection in the mirror instantly. My cheeks were pink, lips were still slightly swollen. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and tied my hair into a lazy knot. When I stepped out of the bathroom in a silk robe, that’s when my nose caught it. The smell of warm pastries and honey. I froze in place. Alexander was back. He stood by the bed with a wooden tray balanced in his hands. He wore a soft white linen shirt that was unbuttoned just enough to expose a sliver of chest, an
I was brushing out the last bit of tangles in my hair when I heard it—the unmistakable edge in Ramona’s voice. “Are you serious right now?” she snapped, her voice rising from down the hall. “You’re really standing on what you said? You’re not coming to dinner with me?” I froze, my brush mid-air, eyes darting toward the door. From the corner where she sat cross-legged on the bed, Sloane looked up too. “Is that...?” I nodded slowly. “Ramona.” Sloane’s brows lifted in silent alarm. “Here we go.” “I don’t get you, Alex!” Ramona’s voice carried again, louder this time. “We literally won the game together. You promised—!” “Don’t say that. I didn’t promise you anything,” Alexander’s voice came in low and even, but I could hear the strain in it, the way he was trying to keep his composure. “You said dinner on your yacht was the prize. I never agreed to be your date.” My heart thudded. Sloane and I exchanged glances as I stood up from the vanity stool, stepping closer to the door. The