Claimed | Second Love Romance ✔️

1| Surprises

Chapter One

Alice

Happiness, I never knew what that truly was until now. The warm embrace of Alessio's strong arms surrounded by pillows gives me complete bliss in this cold New York weather. Snow blankets the streets outside, and the twinkling lights of Christmas fill the trees, illuminating the room in the dark of the night. While during the day, it adds that Christmas feel that makes you feel like you're living your Hallmark fantasy.

But with the aesthetically pleasing view, the cold is a bitch.

The forecast said it was twenty degrees today. You would have to be a mad man to want to leave the comforts of your bed today.

Days like this only solidify my preference for warmer weather. The feeling of the sun beaming on your face with a cool drink in your hands is unbeatable.

But, this comfort of Alessio's warm solid body against my own is slowly changing that. I will admit in passing. I've suggested for us to move to Los Angeles or Miami for the easy access beaches and guaranteed warm weather. All of which he gladly said yes to, but I quickly retracted when I saw him actually look for houses.

New York may be cold in the Winter and a bit too loud at times, but it's home. It's where I met him. It is where we fell in love, and I rebuilt myself into who I am now.

I am a survivor who has lived through one too many one-in-a-lifetime tragedies and made it out alive.

Alessio tightens his hold on my waist, sending a jolt of warmth into my very being.

It seems like such a short time, but it's been two years now. It has been two years since the beginning of Alessio, and I's indescribable romance. It has been officially six months now, with us moving together in his apartment well... now our apartment he would correct me.

I never lived with a guy, except on the island. Well, to rephrase it, I've never willingly lived with a man. But I don't think it could get any better than this. We wake up together, entangled with one another with the occasional morning delight followed by breakfast. On the weekends, we walk Charlie, and during the week, we take turns.

We kiss, go to our respective jobs or his respective job while I do whatever strikes my fancy that month. Then at night, we eat dinner, sometimes in front of the television, sometimes at the table, make love, take a shower, and have the most comfortable sleep possible.

Our curtains are drawn, blocking out the sun I know has risen hours ago by the constant ringing of his phone. It must be around eight now, and he's usually in the office by now. But, because of my increased libido as of late. I needed a morning quickie which he gladly agreed to.

Another ring of his phone goes off, and Alessio merely snuggles more into the crook of my neck, completely ignoring it.

"You know you have to answer that," I mutter. I inhale his scent. He must have showered before I woke up.

"No, I don't. It's nobody important," Alessio responds at a low murmur. His voice still sends chills down my spine and rattles my brain of everything. I lay naked next to him. My shoulder-length hair that I have kept colored blonde is tossed in the bed-mixing in with his own. I run a finger along his eyebrow.

It's a new scar cut that he got from work hidden behind a bandage. He called it while in the breakroom by opening the cabinet a tad too quickly while on the phone. I only kiss it praying it gets better.

"I'm sure it is very important, babe. Your phone has been going off non-stop. And besides, it's probably Damien."

He pulls me into his chest. "If it's Damien, I'm definitely not answering it. He probably forgot how to use a toaster and needs my help," he jokes. "Or worse, he's calling about Odette ignoring him again. Or Tara punching him."