Chapter 11 Closer To Him

Alyssa Russo POV

“Cool,” Anne smiles.

Alessandro opens the book and starts to read.

I catch a word here and there. I use the chance to fold some of Anne’s clothes and put them in drawers, letting Alessandro’s smooth Italian flow over me like silk.

No one should read a children’s book in this tone.

It’s criminally sexy.

Eventually, A closes the book. I turn as I hear it softly close, and catch him looking down at Anne.

His eyes are shiny, like there’s tears behind them.

But that can’t be right.

Alessandro de Rossi never cries.

“Is she asleep?” he whispers.

She snores softly, answering the question for both of us.

Alessandro rises quietly, placing the book on the nightstand. I shut off the light, and we step into the hall.

Together.

Suddenly, the silence between us is awkward.

“Um. Thank you,” I murmur.

“It was a joy,” he says.

I look up.

He’s being honest.

“I think that I’m still a little hungry,” I blurt.

I’m not sure what compels me to say it. My mind is reeling through the moments