A Touch of Sin |18+|

43

ALANI

Arriving at the hotel in the late afternoon, the sun was already beginning to set.

It was the next day, the day before Cecelia and Ava's engagement party. Valerio and I had decided to stay the two nights at a hotel that he was familiar with—just for extra precaution and safety. I was exhausted after the tedious drive that should have been a lot quicker. With Alonzo still on the loose, Valerio did not want to be followed.

Which meant checking his car before driving, taking uncommon routes and checking the rear-view mirror until he was convinced that nobody was trailing us. It felt as if he was being ridiculously cautious but one could never be too sure and plus—Valerio knew what was best for the both of us.

The last time we were at a hotel, it didn't end too well.

He was also determined on not letting trouble follow us to my sisters house, and I adored him a little more for that fact alone. Besides the part where he was dead-set on letting me attend a party that we could have easily avoided.

I looked over at him, seeing the dimmed orange glare of the sun hit his face in just the right way. Valerio was only parking, paying no mind to me but I let a smile spread across my face the longer I stared at him. I couldn't help it. I didn't know why I was feeling the way I was, but I couldn't take my eyes off him.

He had his sleeves rolled up, showing the detailed ink on his forearms complimented by the silver watch he always wore.

He had rings on his fingers, and a replica of the chain he gave me around his neck. So gorgeous. I let my eyes wander down his chest to his wide spread legs and his tattooed hand resting leisurely on the gear knob.

Such a pretty scene.

My grin automatically widened, and I probably looked like a fucking creep just staring at him.

There he was, with me, while he had a million other things to do and I don't know why the thought had a heavy ache lingering in my chest. When he stopped the car, leaving it in the middle of a reserved parking spot, I moved closer to him to kiss his cheek. Just because.

Valerio wasn't expecting it, but a smile was quick to show on his lips and I pulled away to settle back onto the seat. He looked at me, his eyes gentle and the grin all too sincere. He lifted his hand, biting his lower lip as he smiled.

With his hand around the back of my neck, he let his lips touch mine in the middle of the centre console.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, the fullness of his lips barely grazing mine as he whispered his words.

Always checking if I needed anything.

Who the fuck was this man?

"I'm okay," I murmured. "Do you need anything?"

"Yes," he said, and my lips departed from his as I pulled my head back.

I scowled, looking at him curiously. "What do you need?"

"For you to get your ass in our room so I can have you to myself," he said, and I chuckled at the utter seriousness he emitted.

He switched his car off—not his regular car—and opened the door. Before Valerio could walk around the hood, I had my door opening from the inside already.

From the disapproval look he gave me, he didn't like it at all.

I rolled my eyes, dismissing his antics with a wave of my hand.

Valerio had to be one opening the door for me or I was hit with unsatisfied glares that I wasn't even sure he could control. But he just had to deal with it.