The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Twenty

Terzo dragged his trembling legs off the ground, dusting down his now-dirtied white trousers and extending his arm towards Alice. She slipped her hand into his gloved one, feeling his strength pull her up from the cold, stone floor of the cathedral. She sniffles, wiping her eyes as she took in her surroundings, ceilings, high enough to touch the heavens, and decorated pews filled with thousands of guests, all left stunned after the events.

"Come on amore." He softly grinned whilst looking at the slightly disheveled girl. He saw nothing but ethereal beauty whilst looking at her enlarged eye bags, her dirtied hair pulled back into a loose braid and her blotchy, tear stained skin. "Let's go and get you cleaned up."

Terzo held Alice's hand tightly by his side as they walked back to his room, hearing hushed whispers of the guests fade into distant echoes. She leaned into him, letting his torso carry some of her weight as they stumbled back to the papal corridor in a comfortable silence. He guided her to the sofa, collapsing onto the cushions and gently dragging her fragile body to join him.

He engulfed her in his strong arms, his lips pressed against the crown of her head as she clung onto him. For a minute, feeling his chest beneath her cheek steadily rise and fall with every breath he took, Alice forgot about all her worries, her stress, her exhaustion. She inhaled the man's scent, the familiar aroma of cologne and freshly washed linen, not without a hint of cigarette smoke. A singular tear of joy, and of relief, fell from her eye, splashing onto his shirt.

"Are you okay?" Terzo whispered, dragging her out of her trance. "I was so worried you wouldn't make it in time."

"I'm okay." She replied, cupping his jaw. Alice smiled as he placed his gloved hand over the top of hers, her tired eyes sparkling. "I'm more than okay, Terzo. I'm here with you, and that's all I could ever want. Don't underestimate my determination Terzo- if I want something I'll make sure I get it."  She grinned playfully, making him chuckle. "I'd cross every land and ocean to reach you darling."

"Well," Terzo's eyes trailing to her genuine, happy smile, gently placing the pad of his thumb against her lower lip, "you don't have to worry about doing that anytime soon my love. I'm never going to let you go again."

He pinched her jaw and pulled her towards his face, capturing her lips in a tender, feathery kiss. Her lips were soft, almost silken, and pressed lingering kisses against his to savour the warm sensation. The joy bubbling up their bodies left them grinning into every kiss, pulling away and gazing lovingly into each other's sparkling eyes.

"Fuck, can we do that again?" Terzo whispered.

Alice adjusted her position in his arms, sitting on his lap with her knees either side of his thighs. She ran her hands through his hair that was still stiff with hairspray and product, forcing his head backwards onto the back of the sofa. She leaned over him, her lips crashing against his whilst feeling his hands supportively holding her up by her waist.

Terzo felt his body temperature rise, his lungs clenching as the kiss became heated. Their lips sloppily caressed each other's, hungry and excited. He hummed, his brows furrowing as she moaned into the kiss, feeling his cheek's flush. She pulled away, breathing heavily as she gazed down at his head still tilted back against the sofa.

"I want to do that again and again and again...forever amore." His teeth glistened as he grinned, one hand cupping her jaw whilst the other remained holding her waist.

"I think you've got a new addiction to add alongside croissants." She teased, earning a genuine giggle from him.

"And it's all your fault sweetheart." He felt his throat tighten, his eyes glassy with tears whilst his eyes lovingly gazed at her. "I love you so much Alice."