A planned engagement

chapter 14

Sunlight poured through the bedroom window, warm and golden.

Nico sat in the old wooden chair pulled close to the bed, elbows on his knees, simply watching her. Alexi slept curled on her side, one hand tucked beneath her cheek, her dark hair fanned across the pillow. She looked peaceful in a way that made his chest ache with quiet wonder. After everything they’d shared last night, she was still here—real, warm, his.

When her eyes finally fluttered open, they found him immediately, and a sleepy, radiant smile spread across her face.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said softly, standing to join her. He sat gently on the edge of the bed as she pushed herself up against the headboard, pulling the sheet with her.

“Good morning,” she murmured, voice still husky with sleep.

He reached out, brushing his knuckles along her cheek. “How are you feeling, baby girl?”

“I’m good,” she said, though a faint blush rose on her skin.

Nico couldn’t resist touching her. His fingers traced the soft line of her jaw, the curve of her cheek, the fullness of her lower lip. Then he leaned in and began pressing light, playful kisses there—one, two, three—until she started laughing, bright and breathless.

“Nico, stop,” she giggled, trying to turn away. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t stop. His hand slid lower beneath the sheet, caressing her waist, then gently between her thighs. She gasped, a small wince of tenderness flashing across her face.

He froze, worrying, flooding his eyes. “Did I hurt you last night?”

“No… not really,” she whispered, looking down.

Nico cupped her face gently, searching her expression. “I’ll call Anna to come take care of you. I wish I’d known—I wouldn’t have been so rough.”

“Know what?” she asked, confused.

“Baby girl…” His voice softened with awe and tenderness. “You were a virgin. You didn’t tell me.”

Alexi turned her face away instantly, cheeks burning. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.

“No, no—Alexi.” He turned her back to him, holding her gaze steadily. “Never be sorry. I’ve never met anyone like you in my life. You’re so sweet, so pure… I could never, ever get tired of you.”

She smiled shyly, tears glistening in her eyes.

He took her hand, pressing it over his heart. “I don’t want to be just your first, Alexi. I want to be your last.” His voice was low, earnest, full of everything he has been holding back ever since he laid eyes on her “I love you more than you can imagine. Marry me—for real this time. Let me spend every day making you the happiest woman on earth.”

“Oh, Nico…” Tears spilled down her cheeks as she looked at him, overwhelmed with joy.

He brushed them away gently with his thumbs, smiling through the emotion shining in his own eyes. “No crying, Just say yes.”

“Yes,” she whispered, laughing through the tears. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Nico pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly but carefully, burying his face in her hair. She clung to him just as fiercely, breathing him in—warm skin, faint traces of last night, home.

He lowered her back to the bed lying close to her.

"Tell me anything you want," Nico murmured, his voice a low, velvet caress as he gazed into her eyes. "I'll give it to you. You deserve everything, Lexi."

Alexi smiled, her lips curving with a mix of tenderness and desire. "Right now, all I want is to see my family. I miss them so much, Nico," she whispered, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on his chest.

"Of course," he replied, his hand cupping her cheek. "Is that all?"

"Yes," she said softly, but then paused, her gaze turning heated as she let her eyes roam over him, lingering on the strong lines of his body. "For now," she added, her voice laced with sultry promise.

Nico's breath hitched, and he smiled, inching closer until their bodies brushed. "Oh, Lexi," he breathed, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. "You're too beautiful. I can't resist you for long." His words vibrated against her mouth as he kissed her again, slower this time, his tongue teasing hers in a dance that sent sparks through her veins.

"Your parents will be here tomorrow," he continued between kisses, his hands sliding down her sides, pulling her flush against him.

"No," Alexi murmured, breaking the kiss just enough to speak, her breath warm on his skin. "I'd like to go to them. I miss home already. I want to tell everybody that I'm getting married." Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging gently as she arched into him.

"Alright," Nico said, his voice husky with restraint. "I understand. That's why we need to start preparing for the wedding as soon as possible. I can't wait for you to be my wife." He nipped at her earlobe, eliciting a soft gasp from her.

Alexi just smiled, staring at him with unabashed adoration as she sat up properly on the bed, watching him talk. She'd never seen him so talkative before—he looked so adorable, so utterly hers. I can't believe he's mine, she thought, her heart swelling even as heat pooled low in her belly.

"Alexi," he called, snapping her out of her reverie.

"Yes, my love?" she replied, her voice a breathy invitation.

"I said, where would you prefer the wedding ceremony—here or in San Diego?"

"Anywhere," she whispered, her eyes darkening with want. "All I know is I love you, and I want to be with you." She reached for him, pulling him closer.

Nico smiled, a wicked gleam in his eyes. "Where have you been, Lexi?" he asked as he climbed onto the bed, drawing her down beneath him until she lay back, his body hovering over hers, warm and commanding.

"Waiting for you," she purred, surging up to kiss him. Their lips met in a gentle fusion that quickly ignited into passion, tongues entwining as his hands roamed freely. He cupped her breasts through the thin fabric of her nightgown, thumbs circling her n*****s until they hardened under his touch. Alexi laughed softly, a sound of pure delight mixed with arousal, her body writhing beneath him.

He stared at her for a moment, his eyes devouring her flushed cheeks and parted lips, as he tangled his fingers in her hair, rubbing the silky strands between them. "I will call Anna to take care of you," he said, his voice rough with need, "because I can't wait to have you again." He pressed kisses along her cheeks, her jaw, trailing down to her neck where he sucked gently, marking her skin with his desire.

Finally, with a reluctant groan, he stood up, adjusting himself with a rueful smile. "I'll be downstairs making breakfast," he said, his gaze lingering on her swollen lips and heaving chest.

She only nodded, her body still humming from his touch, already aching for more.

That evening, after a cozy dinner together, Nico was lounging on the couch with his laptop when he glanced up and called out to Alexi, who had just finished washing the dishes. She hurried over, drying her hands on a towel, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

"I'm calling your mom," he said with a warm smile, standing up to hand her the laptop. "Sit down and talk to her, okay? I'll be right back." He leaned in, brushing a quick, tender kiss against her forehead before heading to the kitchen cabinet. He grabbed the gin from the top shelf and poured himself a drink, the ice clinking softly in the glass.

The call connected, and Alexi's face broke into a grin. "Hello, Mom!"

"Oh my God, Alexi! It's you!" her mother shouted, her voice bursting with excitement. In seconds, the sound of footsteps thundered through the speaker as her siblings rushed over.

"Alexi! Lexi!" they chorused, overlapping in a chaotic jumble of greetings.

"How have you guys been?" Alexi asked, laughing as she settled into the couch, pulling her knees up comfortably.

"We've been great!" her mother replied, still beaming through the video feed. "But we've missed you so much!"

"Where's Nico?" Mike, her brother, chimed in eagerly, peering into the camera.

Alexi glanced around, spotting Nico leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping his gin and watching her with that intense, affectionate gaze that always made her heart flutter. He wasn't wearing a shirt, his toned chest catching the soft evening light, and it was distracting in the best way—sending a little shiver of warmth through her. "Oh, he's... right here, actually," she said, trying to play it cool. "But he's busy at the moment, you know—work, work, work."

Nico caught her eye and smiled, a slow, knowing grin that made her cheeks heat up. He loved seeing her like this, so animated and joyful while chatting with her family. It made him fall for her all over again.

The conversation erupted into a frenzy of overlapping voices—her siblings talking over each other, sharing silly stories and inside jokes. "Okay, all of you! I need to talk to your sister alone—you're so loud!" her mother finally yelled, shooing them away. Through the screen, Alexi could see her mom dashing to her room, slamming the door shut and locking it with exaggerated flair.

Alexi burst into laughter, clutching her sides. God, she'd never missed her family this much—they were absolute chaos, but the best kind. Crazy, wonderful family, she thought, her heart full.

Once the noise died down, her mom leaned closer to the camera, eyes twinkling. "So, Alexi, tell me what's really going on over there?"

Before Alexi could respond, Nico set his glass down and sauntered over, sliding onto the couch beside her. He draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close in a possessive yet gentle hold, his bare skin warm against hers. Leaning in toward the laptop screen, he flashed a charming smile. "We're getting married next weekend," he announced, his voice low and confident, laced with that romantic edge that always made Alexi's pulse quicken. He turned to her then, his eyes locking onto hers with unspoken promise, as if the whole world had narrowed to just them.