Surviving the CEO

Chapter 19: What Makes Me Special?

**Xavier's POV**

I wake up the next morning with a smile on my face and Aria curled into my chest. I lay there admiring her beauty, her innocence. My fingers weave their way into her hair and gently combed their way through. Aria shuffles around in her sleep but soon falls back into her silent sleep after releasing a small sigh.

I slowly make my way out of bed and quietly go into the bathroom after placing a soft kiss on Aria's forehead. Locking the door behind me I start the shower. I do my morning business then brush my teeth to get rid of morning breath. Stepping into the shower, I let all the sand and grime from the beach slide down the drain.

I step out fifteen minutes later, wrapping a towel around my waist and quickly dry my hair with another. I comb the mane on my head and run my fingers in it so it has more definition and volume. I exit the bathroom to see Aria is wide awake, sitting against the headboard.

"Buongiorno, mia cara." I say as I walk to my walk-in closet.

"Good morning." Aria whispers as her face turns red.

"What's wrong, mia cara?" I smirk as I walk out of my closet with black Calvin Klein boxers and black Nike sweatpants and I hold a black t-shirt in my hand.

"N-Nothing." She says as she looks anywhere but at me.

"Are you sure?" I walk over to the bed and sit next to her so our bodies are touching.

"Yes."

"Si è assolutamente bello." I whisper as I kiss her gently.

"What did you just say?" Her voice small and barely above a whisper.

"I said,  'you are absolutely beautiful'. " I translate as I stare deep into her eyes.

"Come on mia cara. Let's go have breakfast." I hold her hand and pull her with me. I pull my shirt on over my head and start walking to the bedroom door.

"Wait." Aria stops me and I whip around to face her.

"What? Did I hurt you? Where are you hurt? What did I do? Tell me Aria. Wh-" I stop my rambling as Aria presses her finger against my lips. I look over her body, checking for injuries once more.

"No. You didn't hurt me. I just wanted to tell you that I want to take a shower first." She giggles softly. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding and feel the tension leave my body.

"Yes, mia cara. You can. I'll get you some clothes but in the mean time why don't you wear some of mine."

"Okay." Aria gently interlaces our fingers and looks at them carefully. I brush my thumb over her knuckles slowly and watch as a chill rakes through her body. A small smile makes its way onto my lips and I can't prevent it from happening.

"I'll leave some clothes in the bed and when you're done you can come downstairs for breakfast." I place a soft kiss on her forehead and gently push her into the bathroom.

Once I hear the water running and like she's already started washing her hair, I walk into my walk-in closet, grabbing a pair of my boxers, black joggers and my favorite white t-shirt. I place them on the counter in the bathroom instead of the bed. The glass shower is filled with steam and I can see Aria's smooth, delicate skin, water making its way down her chest. I leave the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind me and exit my room, thinking about Aria.