HALFBLOOD DANCER

20. RUMINATION

Florence—jewel of the Renaissance, home of Leonardo Da Vinci—is a dreamland I've always wanted to visit since I was a child. And here I am now, having breakfast on the balcony of the Duomo View Executive Suite at the Four Seasons Firenze, with no other than Sandro Bianchi, the man of my dreams. Literally.

Life could not get any better.

The minute I casually mentioned to him in a conversation last week that I always wanted to visit Florence, he made all the arrangements to bring me here. We're staying in a bi-level suite with amazing views of the city and the hotel's impressive gardens from every angle. But the best view of them all is that of the famous and iconic cathedral, the Duomo.

I must confess I was disappointed yesterday when we arrived and saw there were two bedrooms in our suite. I know we're still not ready to be together intimately, but I was hoping we would sleep next to each other on the same bed, at least. As it turns out, we're not even on the same floor. Sandro insisted on taking the rooms downstairs, leaving me all alone in the enormous royal bedroom on the second level. I have an entire floor to myself.

What he doesn't know is that I plan to be here on his floor all the time.

I look at him...Boy, you'll have to carry me upstairs if you want to get rid of me. My lips twitching with a smirk, I watch him as he takes a business magazine from the table and starts flipping through the pages. He looks peaceful and happy, the sight melting my heart.

It's been two weeks since our visit to Amalfi. That incredible weekend brought us closer together, allowing us to see what we really mean to each other. It changed everything for us. The difference in Sandro's behavior ever since is evidence of that. He's no longer the mercurial and incomprehensible man that was driving me insane. And although his dominant personality is still in his nature, as he's so used to having control and to giving orders, he's completely different with me. He understands my issues with being controlled, and he respects them.

I love him even more for that.

He's mostly relaxed now, and exceedingly indulgent, as he strives to please me all the time. But I can see how he struggles when I go anywhere without him. He still feels extremely protective of me, and he never wants to leave me.

To my surprise, I'm starting to rather appreciate his overprotection, if I get to be with him. I love every second I spend with him. I love being in his arms and the way he makes me feel. I love the fact that he has so much to tell. He's an intellectual being with immeasurable experience. And he has been open with me, sharing everything about his world and life.

I have learned so much with him.

The past five weeks have been the best of my life, despite all the drama I encountered at first. When I heard I was coming to Italy, I knew I was up for an adventure. But little did I know then what an epic and life-altering journey it was going to be.

For me, this trip was not only about my future as a ballerina, but about my independence, as well. I knew it was going to change things between my father and me. But I never expected to find the sense of freedom I have found here. And I would've never foreseen everything that has happened, or how exceptionally it was all going to change my life. Forever.

Learning about the existence of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural creatures has been a real awakening for me. The world, as it turns out, is much bigger and much more extraordinary than I could've ever imagined. To realize we are not alone, that humans are merely a part of this fantastical world where many other powerful species coexist among us, is a humbling knowledge that has transformed my perspective on everything.

Falling in love with one of those creatures still feels like a dream. And yet, my life makes more sense now than ever before. The best part is that this unique and gorgeous creature fell in love with me, as well. How did that happen? Why me? Why is he so interested in everything that has to do with my life? Why does he act like he's the lucky one and I'm the special prize, when it is the other way around? I still don't understand how and when I became so fortunate to be the one chosen and trusted to learn all his secrets, to be loved by him.