Ava is 22, shy, brilliant, and oblivious to the world of romance. As an electrical engineering student, her life revolves around circuits, equations, and quiet routines-until she becomes the new babysitter for Alessandra Moretti, a stunning, elegant, and untouchable Italian widow. Alessandra is 34, cold, and flawless to everyone else, but behind closed doors, she's a mother, a grieving widow, and a woman haunted by love lost. With three children to care for, she needs help-but she doesn't need her heart tangled in the process. What happens when Ava's gentle intelligence and quiet kindness slowly pierce Alessandra's walls? When secrets are shared, emotions collide, and the line between care and desire begins to blur? A story of slow-burning romance, emotional rollercoasters, and discovering love where you least expect it. Will walls be broken? Will hearts be won? Some love is learned. Some love is earned. This is the art of loving Alessandra.

The elevator opened probably at my stop and closed again. I could feel her smirking agaisnt my cheek "wait did you not tell your friends how you begged me to fuck you?" she asked chuckling a bit. "No," I said way too fast. "Wait, I meant I didn't say anything because nothing happened, we're going to forget about it," I said, forcing my eyes open and pushing the warmth away. "And if I don't want to forget it?" she asked, moving down to my ear. I gasped as she kissed right below it. "You have to. We..." I trailed off, my head falling back against the wall on its own, "We can't." "Why can't we?" she asked. "We want the same things, whether you're willing to admit it or not," she whispered, then kissing the spot again. "There is nothing to admit. I got over you," I said, repeating what I said last night, even as my body said something completely different. She let me go, stepping back. "Look me in the eye and tell me you're not turned on," she said, looking at me dead in the eyes. We both know I was, but I was definitely not going to say it. "I'm not," I sighed, trying and failing to sound convincing. "You're excuse for last night is that you were drunk. What's your excuse this time?" she asked, that annoying smirk coming back. ---------------------- Emryn and Avani have been best friends since they were kids. A tragic accident separated them, but what happens when Avani returns to work with the chief just to get to Emryn? Will they find themselves where they were six years ago? Will they be able to pick up their friendship as if nothing had happened? Stick around to find out!! ;) Not a slow burn!!! :)