Bound to Us (Bound Duology Book#1)

The Campfire Connection

The evening air was cool as everyone gathered around the campfire, its warm glow casting flickering shadows on the faces around it. Laughter and voices filled the night as students toasted marshmallows, told stories, and soaked in the atmosphere. Emma lingered near the back, looking around for a seat—but the benches and logs were packed, with barely any space left.

She scanned the crowd and spotted Ilario sitting by the fire, leaning back with a lazy smile, one arm draped across his knees. He caught her eye and raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look that made her pulse quicken.

"No room left, straniera?" he called out, a playful glint in his eye.

She shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I guess I'll just stand."

He patted his lap. "There's always room here."

Emma rolled her eyes, but she could feel her cheeks warm. The others were wrapped up in their own conversations, so she took a deep breath and made her way over to him.

"Are you sure?" she asked, hovering for a moment, her heart racing.

"Absolutely." He looked up at her with that familiar smirk. "I don't bite. Unless you're scared."

She shot him a look, refusing to let him see her nerves, and finally lowered herself onto his lap. His arms wrapped around her instinctively to steady her, and the warmth of his hands on her hips sent a thrill through her that she couldn't quite ignore.

They sat like that, her back resting against his chest, his chin near her shoulder. She could feel his breath against her neck, and for a moment, the noise around them faded into the background.

"Comfy?" he murmured, his voice low, meant just for her.

She tried to sound casual. "It'll do."

"Good," he replied, his tone soft but teasing. "Because I think you secretly love being close to me."

Emma rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "You're delusional."

"Maybe," he replied, a playful edge to his voice. "But you're still here."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the flames dance in the fire. Every now and then, Emma would catch a few envious glances cast in her direction, but for the first time, she didn't care. Right now, it felt like it was just the two of them, a silent bubble in the middle of the chaos.

After a while, he leaned in a little closer. "You know, I thought I'd hate this trip," he murmured. "But you... you've made it pretty unforgettable."

She turned slightly, her face close enough to his that she could see the golden firelight reflected in his eyes. "Well, I'm glad I came, too," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

They held each other's gaze for a moment, the air thick with something neither of them could deny. And as they sat there, surrounded by friends but lost in their own little world, Emma knew that things between them were changing. This wasn't just rivalry or teasing anymore; it was something deeper, something that scared and thrilled her all at once.

And in Ilario's steady gaze, she saw the same mix of excitement and vulnerability, as if he was wondering the exact same thing.

The campfire was starting to wind down, and most of the students had drifted off to their rooms or were chatting quietly in the villa's dim hallways. Emma stood up, stretching after a long day, when Matteo approached her, his usual friendly smile lighting up his face.

"Emma," he said, his tone warm, "do you want to come by my room for a bit? I thought we could chat—it's been ages since we had time to actually talk without everyone around."

Emma hesitated. She hadn't really gotten to know Matteo too well yet, but he'd always been friendly, one of the few people who seemed to look past all the drama around her and Ilario. Besides, he was easy to talk to, and she appreciated his laid-back vibe.

"Sure," she replied with a smile. "I'd love to."

She turned to grab her bag, and as she did, she noticed Ilario watching them from across the room, his eyes narrowing slightly. He'd been joking and laid-back earlier, but now there was a tension in his jaw and a flicker of something stormy in his gaze.

Emma gave him a small wave as she walked past, but he only nodded curtly, his expression guarded. She could almost feel his jealousy radiating across the room, though he tried to mask it with a casual posture. There was no mistaking it; Ilario wasn't thrilled at all.

Emma and Matteo found a quiet spot on the edge of the villa's terrace, where they could talk while still taking in the view of the moonlit countryside. Matteo asked her about her life in Italy, her dreams, and plans for the year, making her feel like he was genuinely interested. The conversation was refreshing, and she felt like she could finally breathe, free from all the tension that had followed her lately.

But it wasn't long before they heard footsteps. Emma glanced up and saw Ilario coming toward them, his expression unreadable as he casually leaned against the doorway.

"Hey, Emma," he said, his voice smooth but his eyes fixed on Matteo. "Didn't know you'd left the campfire so soon. Everything okay?"

Matteo's eyebrows raised in surprise, but he nodded politely. "Oh, we're just catching up. Emma was telling me about her life back in the States."

Ilario's eyes flickered briefly, then he gave a tight smile. "Great," he replied, his tone flat. "Sounds... interesting."

The tension in the air was palpable, and Emma cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably between them. Matteo, sensing the shift, gave her a friendly smile.

"I guess I should head to bed," he said. "Catch up tomorrow?"

"Of course," Emma replied, appreciating his tact.

When Matteo left, Ilario stepped closer, his voice low as he finally let his irritation show. "So... Matteo, huh?"

Emma sighed, crossing her arms. "Don't start, Ilario."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady. "Start what? I'm just asking why you'd be alone with him out here when we're supposed to be on a trip together."

She shook her head, both annoyed and amused by his possessiveness. "Are you seriously jealous? Matteo's a friend. Just because we talked doesn't mean I'm suddenly interested in him."

Ilario looked away, his jaw tight. "It's not just talking, Emma. You're here with me, but he's acting like he can swoop in and take you away, and I don't like it."

Emma softened, realizing that beneath his bravado, there was a hint of insecurity. She stepped closer, resting a hand on his arm. "Ilario, I'm here because I want to be with you. Don't make this about something it's not."

He looked down, his expression softening as he placed his hand over hers. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice losing its edge. "I just... I don't want anyone else taking you away."

She smiled, squeezing his hand. "You don't have to worry. I'm not going anywhere."

He pulled her closer, his arm wrapping around her waist, a rare vulnerability in his eyes. "Good," he whispered, his gaze locking onto hers. "Because, straniera, you're all I want."

He meant it while she ignored it.

As they stood there under the moonlight, the tension between them melted away, replaced by something deeper, something real. And in that quiet moment, Emma knew there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

As they walked back toward the group, Ilario slipped his arm around her shoulder, and Emma leaned into him, feeling like, for the first time, they were on the same page.

Bisou,