The car started moving, and I opened my eyes, looking out of the window. I saw us leaving the estate, and the gate closed behind us.
I was out. Panic started to make its way into my body again, but Alessio’s firm hand around my neck calmed me. I buried my face into his neck and closed my eyes.
This was going to be a long drive.
“Sleep, Angel,” Alessio whispered.
And I did. I slept soundly for hours, and the next time I woke up, it was morning already, the sunlight brightening the inside of the car.
“How much longer until we reach there?” I asked in Alessio’s chest. I was no longer on his lap; instead I was seated beside him. Still, I was wrapped around him like a vise. I was using his chest as a pillow, and my arms were around his waist.
“Eight hours or so,” he replied, his chest rumbling with his voice. “We have to make a few stops along the way.” I must have slept for some time.
He chuckled low. “You must have been tired, and the stress you put yourself through last night has weighed heavily on your mind and body.”
“Alessio?”
“Yes?”
“I need the bathroom,” I said as quietly as I could.
“Nikolay, take the next exit. We need to rest for breakfast,” he ordered.
“Boss,” Nikolay acknowledged Alessio’s demand.
When the car came to a stop, Viktor and Nikolay stepped out first. They guarded our door, and then Alessio stepped out, pulling me behind him. We walked into a coffee shop, and after Alessio handed me a small bag, I quickly went to the bathroom to freshen up.
After I deemed myself presentable again, I walked out and almost bumped into Nikolay’s back. He turned around. “Boss is waiting for you there.” He nodded toward the entrance. We joined Alessio and Viktor and walked back to the car.
“Viktor got you donuts and muffins,” Alessio said, handing me a brown bag.
“Thank you, Viktor.”
“You are welcome, baby girl.”
I giggled at the name while Alessio growled beside me. “Don’t call her that.”
It had been a few weeks since Viktor gave me the new nickname. After several attempts at flirting with him, he also joined in the fun to make the brooding man sitting beside me jealous. Viktor found the best way to push Alessio’s button.
His new nickname for me: baby girl. Alessio hated it and looked like he was murdering Viktor multiple ways in his head every time the name was uttered.
“What type of name is baby girl, anyway?” he snapped.
Viktor laughed and winked at me. “Look who’s talking. The one who calls his woman Kitten.”
“Fuck you! She loves it,” Alessio said, raising an eyebrow at me.
“Ayla, you like when I call you baby girl, right?” Viktor asked, just to taunt Alessio.
“I love it,” I said, hiding my giggle behind my hand.
Alessio’s hand came to rest on my thigh, his fingers pressing into my skin in warning. He leaned into me and whispered in my ear, his voice taking a huskier tone. “You are going to pay for that, kitten.”
Oh, I know.
Smiling innocently at him, I gave him a quick peck on the lips. Alessio’s eyes turned molten with desire, and I bit down on my lips. I shook my head, giving him a warning look.
I must have fallen asleep on Alessio’s shoulder, because the next thing I knew, someone was shaking me to wake up.
My eyes opened to meet Alessio’s smiling blue ones. “We are here.”
My head snapped up, and I looked outside the window. We were here. I made it without a nervous breakdown or panic attack.
Alessio opened the door and stepped out first. He took my hand and pulled me out of the car. The first thing I heard was the sound of the waves. And then I felt the wind on my skin. Everything was quiet except the ocean waves. The smell of the ocean filled my nose, and I smiled.
Peace. It felt like peace.
I looked up at Alessio to see that he was already staring down at me, his gaze filled with adoration.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“I bought this beach house yesterday. This place is ours. And the beach is ours, too. It’s a private beach. Nobody is allowed here except us,” he explained.
“We are the only ones here?” I asked in astonishment.
He nodded and started to pull me away from the car. But instead of walking us toward the house, we walked the opposite way.
The sound of the ocean grew closer, and the smell of it hit me harder. Excitement and anticipation filled my chest.
As soon as I saw the first glimpse of the ocean, my breath came out in a whoosh. The beauty of it stole of my breath. It looked unreal.
Alessio let go of my hand. “Go,” he urged. “Feel the sand under your bare feet.”
I quickly took off my flats and took my first step on the sand. The softness tickled my feet a little, and I wiggled my toes, my feet sinking deeper into the sand. I looked back at Alessio, and he smiled encouragingly.