The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Twelve

As the rays of morning sun began to gently filter through the curtains, Terzo woke up to find Alice still fast asleep, her arms wrapped tightly around his torso whilst the soft weight of her head rested on his chest. He smiled at the sight, feeling a sense of warmth wash over him, her gentle snoring making his heart swell. He stroked her hair softly, not wanting to disturb her peaceful slumber, though he couldn't help but chuckle thinking about how the previous night had ended and how hungover she was going to be. For a while, Terzo simply enjoyed the quiet and the intimacy of the moment, but eventually, Alice began to stir, her eyes fluttering open.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." Terzo smiled, though Alice was slightly disoriented.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" She exclaimed. In a state of panic, she pulled away, looking slightly embarrassed when realising she had unconsciously clutched onto him in her sleep.

"You were the one clinging onto me like a koala, darling, not me." He teased with a playful grin, yawning as he sat up against the pillows.

"Fuck." Alice groaned, her hand holding her head, figuring that she must have been quite intoxicated the night before. "Oh, that's so embarrassing, I'm so sorry." She muttered, feeling the effects of the hangover starting to take hold.

"Don't worry about it. It was cute." Terzo smiled sympathetically, reaching out to comfort her.

But as Alice's stomach churned, her embarrassment quickly took a backseat and instead she was rushing to the nearby bathroom, barely making it in time before being sick. She almost tripped over the mountain of mesh that was her dress from the night prior, realising she was clad in nothing but her underwear. Terzo, wearing just his trousers, slowly followed behind her, smugly smiling as he sat on the cold tiles beside her. He pulled her hair back gently, holding it out of her face as she leaned over the toilet.

"There we go." He said soothingly, rubbing her back. "Let it all out. It looks like somebody had a little too much to drink last night, hm?" He smirked.

"Fuck off Terzo." Alice scowled, swatting the man to her side.

"I'm only teasing you amore, I'll go and get you some painkill- oh. And we're vomiting again." He pulled her hair back again, unable to hold back his grin.

"You know you're not helping." Alice angrily managed to say between gags. "I can't believe I'm letting you see me like this."

"I've seen worse, believe me." He patted her head, standing up and reaching for a towel hanging over the bathtub, draping it over her exposed body. Once she was covered up he handed her a glass of water and helped her rinse her mouth. "Hangovers are the worst, aren't they?" He spoke with a genuine, sympathetic smile, rubbing her shoulder when she nodded. "I want you to have a cold shower for me, I'll find some paracetamol and water, ok?"

"Ok." Alice nodded as she wiped the tears that had trickled down her cheek, deep down feeling grateful for his help. Despite the awkwardness of the morning, she found great comfort in his caring gestures.

"Good." He cupped her jaw. "I'll go and find some ice for the water from downstairs so it's nice and cold, I'll only be a minute."

Terzo stuck to his promise and brought back a jug of ice-cold water for her, pouring a large glass and placing it beside the bed. He lay out a bathrobe for her to slip into and prepared all of her makeup removal products to help her with once she was out of the shower. He took the time alone to finally take off the formal trousers he was wearing, and changed into his own bathrobe.

"Come and sit down." He softly spoke as she emerged from the bathroom, holding her stomach. He helped her put her arms into the soft fabric of the bathrobe before sitting her down on the bed. "Here's some water for you. How are you feeling darling?"