Lily's POV.
I wake to the soft crackle of the fire, the room bathed in golden light. Alessio is beside me, eyes heavy with exhaustion, his hand brushing against mine. I reach for him, and he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he smiles—a small, tired curve of lips that makes my heart catch.
I press closer, letting the warmth of his body ground me. His hands slide over my back, gentle, searching, as if memorizing me. I lean into him, feeling the tension and chaos of the world outside dissolve. His lips meet mine, soft at first, then insistent, urgent, and I respond without thought, only feeling.
We explore each other slowly, reverently. Every touch, every sigh, feels like a promise we’re making in secret. I trace the lines of his jaw, the broad curve of his shoulders, and he shivers beneath my
