Chapter Thirty Nine

Present day…

There was no doubt Nico was the most fascinating man I had ever encountered. His well-structured face lay perfectly calm in the embrace of sleep. His beautiful lips parted just a little bit, he looked so innocent and free of problems while he slept.

I watched in awe at the man whom I had given myself to last night. I nestled against his chest, and traced the lines with my thumb, marvelling at the sculpture of his jaw, the perfect slant of his cheekbones. My fingers, still tingling from the echoes of our passion, traced the lines of his face, a map I was determined to memorize.

Nico’s eyes fluttered open, catching me in the act. A slow smile, as warm as the morning sun, spread across his face. "Morning…Ella" he rasped, his voice thick with sleep. He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

My cheeks flushed, a blush mirroring the sunrise. "Morning," I mumbled, trying to mask the way my heart hammered against her ri