𝙿𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃 -

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ sᴇᴠᴇɴ

ᴀʟᴇssᴀɴᴅʀᴏ

"

You cannot be fucking serious," I mutter in disbelief, my eyes wide as I take in the chaos before me.

There, perched on the granite kitchen counter like a pair of college besties, are Melissa—my very drunk girlfriend—and Mamma, both of them giggling like maniacs and holding half-empty bottles of Hennessey.

"One more round!!" Melissa yells, tilting the bottle up and letting the amber liquid slide down her throat like water.

"I don’t know why my figlio never brought you here before," Mamma slurs, grabbing Melissa by the cheeks and planting a kiss on her face. "I love you, bellissima ragazza!"

I blink, taking a moment to process the absolute madness of this situation.

"Che diavolo sta succedendo?!" I yell, throwing my hands up in pure shock.

(What the hell is going on?!)

Melissa nearly chokes on her pizza from laughing. "We’re having fun!" she exclaims, waving a greasy slice in the air like a trophy.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, sighing as I step forward. "It’s time for bed."

"Nooo," Melissa groans, holding the Hennessey bottle close like it’s a prized possession. “I was winning.”

"I do not need your help, lucertola, I’ll go on my own," Mamma snaps, smacking my hand away and tottering toward the hallway. She mumbles something under her breath, swaying like a pirate at sea.

“Goodnight Melissa,” she says with a wobbly wave.

“Night night!” Melissa giggles, waving back dramatically.

Once Mamma disappears down the hallway, I turn back to Melissa.

“Your turn, amore,” I say softly, gently lifting her off the counter.

She throws her arms around my neck and pouts, “I don’t wanna yet…”

“We need to get you cleaned up,” I say, kissing her forehead and grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge.

---

UPSTAIRS

“Amore, I can’t shower with you,” I say, trying to keep my voice level even as her body presses into mine.

“But I want you to,” she whines, grinding slowly against my now very evident arousal.

I groan, biting my lip. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

“I can’t take advantage of you. Maybe when you’re sober.” I gently pull her hands away, trying to be the voice of reason while my body screams otherwise.

“I am sober,” she snickers, giving me a little spin and shaking her ass temptingly.

I raise an eyebrow. “Doesn’t seem like it.”

She leans in, purring, “What if I told you I’d let you eat me out right after?”

I nearly choke. “Go take that shower right now, woman.”

With a devilish smirk, she skips into the bathroom and turns the water on. I hear her humming some Caribbean tune as steam rises from behind the glass.

---

MELISSA

My hair’s damp, the water droplets sliding down my back as I towel off. I down the last of the water bottles and lean on the sink, feeling the pleasant buzz mellow into a warm haze.

A knock.

"You okay?” Sandro’s voice, soft but concerned.

I nod even before he sees me. “Yeah. Come in.”

He peeks his head in with that crooked smile of his, the one that always makes my stomach flip. “Want help?”

I nod. “Yeah, sure.”

He’s already moving, fetching the blow dryer and the comb attachment like I showed him once before.

“Sit,” he gestures, and I do—hopping onto the bathroom counter in one of his oversized t-shirts.

He parts my hair with careful fingers. “Is this your real hair?” he asks.

“Technically, yeah,” I start. “It used to be super curly—an afro. But when I was back home in St. Vincent, my mom took me to the salon, and I got it relaxed. I didn’t want a silk press. I wanted straight hair.”

He nods, still combing gently. “It’s beautiful. And soft.”

His fingertips trail over my scalp, massaging soothingly. I melt under his touch, eyes fluttering shut.

When we’re done with drying, I plug in the flat iron.

“I’ll handle this part,” I say with a laugh. “I don’t trust you that much.”

He chuckles, leaning against the wall, watching me like I’m the only person on earth. I finish straightening, rub in my oils, and twist it up into a bun.

“Thank you,” I murmur, hopping off the counter.

“Don’t thank me.” He steps forward, brushing my cheek. “Don’t ever apologize either. For tonight or anything else.”

I lower my eyes. “I just don’t want to cause trouble…”

“Trouble?” he scoffs, lifting my chin. “You? You’re my peace.”

I smile as tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

“Gimme a kiss, bebé,” he says with a grin.

I pepper his lips with little kisses until he pins me gently against the counter and deepens it—one hand cupping my jaw, the other sliding around my waist.

“I love you so much,” I whisper against his lips.

“I love you more.” He kisses me again, longer this time. “And I have something planned for tomorrow.”

“Oh?”

“Just us. You, me, and Leo.”

“No work?”

“No work.” He smiles, that rare, genuine one that makes my heart skip.

I smile, pressing my forehead to his.

“Then I can’t wait.”

_______

I'm trying to do one chapter for each of my books😭

'Demure' will be out soon😩
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