Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109716 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 549(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Why are you apologizing, Angel?”
When I went to answer, he pressed his fingers against my lips, stopping my tide of words. “Not a word, Ayla. You have nothing to apologize for. At this point, I don’t even care who the father is. The baby is mine. You are mine. He is ours. That’s all that matters.”
His hand went to my round belly. He caressed the bump gently. “I think I already love him, Angel.”
My hand went over his. “I want him, Alessio.”
A surge of protectiveness and possessiveness coursed through me.
I didn’t know who the father of my baby was. I didn’t want to know. I just wanted to love my baby.
I wanted to give my baby all the love I never had.
Alessio pressed his lips to mine again. He kissed me with so much care and love, like he treasured me. He held me gently, as if I were made of glass.
I felt cherished.
His touch was soft and gentle. His words were sweet.
He was everything I needed and wanted.
I love you.
The words were stuck in my throat. I didn’t say them. I wanted to, but something stopped me.
He told me he loved me, yet I couldn’t say the words. I didn’t know why.
I didn’t think I needed to say them anyway. What we had was more powerful than those words. We just had to feel our love for each other.
Even without those words, our hearts were entwined together.
“Alessio,” I said quietly. “You are my peace.”
He smiled against my lips. “I know.”
His answer brought a smile to my own lips. We kissed, our lips touching softly. It was slow, gentle, and soft. His tongue mated with mine, and I sighed into his kiss.
A knock on the door broke us apart. Before Alessio could answer, I saw Maddie running inside, followed by Lena.
She stopped in the middle of the room, her eyes on mine. “Sam told me Ayla fainted.”
Her gaze roamed over me, fear in her eyes. Lena stopped beside her, her expression panicked too.
Alessio chuckled lightly. “She remembers,” he announced.
Maddie’s mouth fell open, and Lena gasped. Before I knew it, I was swept in their arms. They hugged me too tight. We cried together.
I missed them so much.
“I’m sorry for taking so long,” I breathed through my tears.
“You have come back to us. That’s all that matters,” Lena admonished gently.
Maddie didn’t let me go for the longest time. Lena had long left, but Maddie still held me. “I was so scared, Ayla. You have no idea. I’m so happy. I feel like every sacrifice I made was worth it.”
My forehead pinched in confusion, and I stared at Alessio’s blank eyes. Maddie paused and pulled away. She swiped her tears away and smiled, her eyes twinkling merrily.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused.
She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. You sure know how to stress someone out. By the way, I am still a little pissed that you talked to me last. Not fair that Alessio got your voice first.”
I ducked my head shyly, feeling my heart warm with her words.
“Ayla needs to rest. You can talk to her tomorrow, Maddie,” Alessio said, pulling me into his arms. My back was to his front as he held me.
Maddie nodded. “You’re right.”
She kissed me on the forehead before pulling away. “You need to rest and sleep a lot. I’m sure remembering everything has taken a toll on you.”
“I do feel a little weak,” I admitted, relaxing in Alessio’s arms.
“That’s it,” he growled, sweeping me off my feet. “I should have known.”
He placed me on the bed and pulled the comforter over me. “You need to rest,” he ordered, leveling me with a hard look.
I heard the door close as Alessio gave me a pill. “Sam told me to give you this. It’s for your headache.”
I took the pill, and Alessio held the glass of water to my lips as I drank. When I was done, he pushed me on my back and turned off the light.
He climbed in bed behind me, pulling me to his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist, his hand over my baby bump. I placed mine next to his. The baby moved once before settling down.
“Sleep, Angel.”
I closed my eyes.
Sleep, Angel. I’ll watch over you.
I knew he would watch over me. Just like always.
As sleep started to take over my mind and body, my lips tilted up in a small smile.
He came for me, just like I knew he would.
“Thank you for loving me,” I whispered into the dark.
“Never thank me for loving you, Angel,” he muttered back.
Chapter 15
I pulled my pink dress on. It stretched over my round stomach, and I stared in the mirror.
The dress was a beautiful baby pink, and it came down to my mid-thighs. I was so thankful that Maddie bought these dresses.