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Drake took Alessandra’s hand and ran his thumb across the scar on her wrist. It had healed years ago, but the emotional scars left behind remained raw. Drake lowered his forehead to hers. The move was so gentle she couldn’t hold the tears back.
“Drake… don’t—”
“Shhh.”
Drake gently placed his hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb. She’d learned to stuff everything deep down and lock it away in the dark recesses of her soul. Despite going years without shedding a tear, she suddenly found herself struggling to contain her emotions.
Alessandra froze beneath Drake’s intense gaze. Her breath caught as he leaned in slowly, like a hunter approaching a deer in the forest. Any sudden movements and reality would come crashing down to sever the fragile emotional tether they had built.
Drake pressed his lips against Alessandra’s. The kiss lacked intensity and conflict, devoid of lust or anger, like every kiss that had preceded it. It was filled with intense emotion that threatened to overwhelm them both. If left unchecked, it would burn the world around them.
Drake pulled away quickly and grabbed his clothes. Turning away to dress, his sinewy muscles stretched across his broad shoulders, erecting walls again. Alessandra reluctantly pulled her clothes on while Drake lifted anchor and started the engine.
“Would you like to have dinner with me?” Drake asked once they docked.
Alessandra hid her shock and replied, “Let me take a quick shower.”
After finishing her shower, she settled at the vanity to blow-dry her hair and apply makeup, allowing Drake to have his turn in the bathroom. Her phone chimed with a text.
Luca:I hope you aren’t banging that imbecile, Alessandra. It’s a fake marriage. You belong to me.
Alessandra:What do you want, Luca?
Luca:Is that the proper tone to strike with me? Don’t make me wash your mouth with soap or stick something else in it.
Alessandra: You’re a pig! I’m on my honeymoon. What do you want?
Luca:Marcello’s court date was changed, and your father expects you to attend. Need I remind you of what’s at stake?
Alessandra:I’ll be there. He’s my brother, after all.
Luca:Good girl. Don’t forget to behave yourself.
Alessandra quickly deleted the messages so Drake wouldn’t see them and shut the phone off.
She was about to knock on the door to see if he was ready when she overheard him.
“She doesn’t need to know…. Things are complicated…. You’re right…. I’ll be home tomorrow…. ”
She quickly moved away from the door and sat on the bed. A plume of steam escaped the bathroom as Drake opened the door.
“Is everything all right, Drake?” she asked nonchalantly.
“Of course. Are you ready for dinner?”
After a pleasant dinner, the couple returned to their room. Alessandra prepared for the last night of their honeymoon to the left of a pillow barrier. Drake frowned as she erected the barrier but climbed in anyway.
“Goodnight, Drake,” Alessandra said softly.
“Goodnight.”
Though she didn’t cry herself to sleep, she stared at the ceiling long into the night, knowing he did the same. The honeymoon left more questions than answers, leaving her to wonder where they went from there.
***
Chapter Eight
A few nights later, Alessandra and Drake lounged in the living room, talking and laughing over a glass of wine while waiting for their late dinner to be delivered. She sat with her legs tucked beneath her, and Drake’s arm was thrown over the back of the sofa.
