Bound to Us (Bound Duology Book#1)

Prom

The day of prom arrived with a blend of nerves and excitement Emma hadn't expected. Her room was a whirlwind of discarded dresses, makeup tubes, and the scent of perfume as she tried, for the hundredth time, to calm the butterflies in her stomach. She could barely focus as she adjusted the soft, silky folds of her dress, brushing invisible wrinkles off the fabric and studying her reflection one last time. Tonight wasn't just about prom; it was about her and Ilario, the next step they'd been building toward for weeks, maybe even since that first day they'd met.

Just as she finished, there was a soft knock on her door. Her mom peeked in, eyes bright with excitement, and Emma turned with a nervous smile. "Mom, do I look okay?"

Her mom's face softened, a hint of tears in her eyes as she took in the sight of her daughter. "Honey, you look beautiful. Ilario is one lucky guy." She gave Emma a gentle hug and murmured, "You've come a long way this year. I'm so proud of you, sweetheart."

Emma felt a lump rise in her throat but managed to keep it together as she stepped back. "Thanks, Mom." She took a steadying breath. "I think I'm ready."

Downstairs, Ilario was waiting in the foyer, and when Emma descended the staircase, his breath visibly caught. He was dressed in a classic, sleek black suit, the simple elegance of it making him look older, more serious than she'd ever seen him before. But his usual playful smirk softened as he looked at her, a warmth filling his gaze that made her heart stutter.

"Emma," he said quietly, meeting her at the foot of the stairs. "You look... I don't even have words."

She felt her cheeks flush, smiling shyly as she adjusted the hem of her dress. "You clean up pretty well yourself, Ilario."

For a moment, they stood in the hallway, just taking each other in. The air between them felt electric, and she knew, deep down, that tonight was going to be unforgettable.

The drive to prom felt surreal. The small-town streets were bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, casting everything in a warm, magical light. Ilario kept glancing over at her, their fingers intertwined on the center console, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. When they finally pulled up to the venue—a large, historic building transformed into a sparkling prom wonderland—he turned to her, his expression a mix of excitement and anticipation.

"You ready for this?" he asked, squeezing her hand.

Emma nodded, her smile widening. "Let's go."

Inside, the place was filled with music, laughter, and glittering lights that cast a dreamlike haze over everything. Their classmates, dressed to the nines, swirled across the dance floor, but when Ilario took her hand and led her into the crowd, everything else faded away. They moved together in sync, the world around them blurring until it felt like they were the only two people in the room.

After a few dances, they drifted away from the crowd, finding a quiet spot outside on the building's balcony. The night air was cool, and they could see the stars above, casting a silver glow over the scene. Ilario pulled Emma close, wrapping his jacket around her shoulders to keep her warm.

"I can't believe how perfect tonight has been," she murmured, looking up at him, her heart swelling with emotion.

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I'm glad. I wanted tonight to be everything you imagined. You deserve that, Emma."

She felt a surge of bravery, something she'd been holding back for weeks. "Ilario... this may have started as an act, as a way to deal with everyone else, but... I need you to know that for me, it's real. I don't want to pretend anymore."

His gaze softened, his hand moving to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin in a way that made her breath catch. "Emma," he whispered, his voice filled with that same raw honesty. "It's been real for me for a long time. I just... I guess I was waiting for the right moment to tell you."

She looked up at him, feeling everything she'd been holding in come to the surface. "Well, you don't have to wait anymore."

With that, he leaned down, their lips meeting in a kiss that was gentle but filled with every unspoken feeling, every shared moment, and every hope they'd built together. It felt like everything had been leading up to this moment, like the world had finally tilted into place.

When they pulled apart, Ilario rested his forehead against hers, both of them smiling like they were in on a secret only they knew. The music from inside drifted out to them, and he took her hands, pulling her close to sway to the distant rhythm.

"Can I say something cheesy?" he asked, his voice a playful whisper.

Emma laughed, nodding. "Go for it."

He looked down at her, his eyes filled with warmth and a happiness she'd never seen there before. "Tonight, dancing with you like this, it feels like a dream come true. And I don't want to wake up."

She felt her heart soar, her laughter softening into a smile. "Then don't. Let's keep dancing."

Bisou,