ONE HUNDRED AND SIX.

“Shhh, don't cry, amore mio.” Gently, he brushes the pad of his thumb across my cheek, wiping away my tears. “I can't stand to see you weep.” He grunts.

Wrapping my arms around his torso, I rest my head on his chest, feeling the vibration of his heart.

The soothing melody calms my frantic nerves, which are screaming within me.

As Alessandro envelops me in his big arms, he rests his chin on the top of my head and draws in a slow breath of air.

There is nowhere I feel safer than being wrapped up in his arms. A sense of calmness flushes out the feelings of dread, panic, and anxiety.

“I've missed this,” I whisper, breathing in his cologne that makes me dizzy with desire.

I've missed his citrus, woody-infused scent with a touch of smokiness from his cigars or cigarettes. If it were possible, I'd bottle it up and lather myself with it when I'm missing him most.

“I've missed this too,” exhaling as I move back from our embrace, I glance up at him. “I'm ready to sit down and listen to y