Chapter 49
49
L eslie slipped into bed with Alex.
"You don't have to..." Alex began, but she cut him off.
"I want to," she interjected softly, shifting closer to him. She guided his arm, pulling it around her until she was nestled securely against him. His other arm instinctively mirrored the first, cradling her close to his body.
There was a moment's pause as they both adjusted to the new position. Then, with a contented sigh, Leslie leaned back against him. The warmth of her body seeped into his, soothing away the remnants of his earlier tension.
He closed his eyes, his senses overwhelmed by her closeness. Her scent filled his nostrils, sweet and calming. Her soft breaths brushed against his skin, and her heartbeat thrummed in rhythm with his own.
In that moment, everything else faded away. The painful past, the uncertain future; they were both forgotten, replaced by the comforting presence of the woman in his arms. She was the constant, the beacon of light guiding him through the darkness of his life.
As sleep began to pull at him, a single question floated to the surface of his mind: could he really deserve her love? Because he had no doubt she loved him, and wasn’t that in and of itself proof of his worth?
She loved him despite his past, despite the darkness within him. And in a world that seemed to be shrouded in shadows, she was his light.
With that thought, Alex allowed sleep to claim him, his hold on Leslie tightening ever so slightly. And for the first time in a long time, he slept with a sense of utter peace enveloping him.
That night, sleep eluded Leslie entirely. She lay nestled in the comforting cocoon of Alex’s arms, her heart aching with quiet desperation. His rhythmic breathing was the only constant in the whirlwind of emotions that she was experiencing.
His confession had left her feeling raw, shocked, and scared. The image of the blade slicing through his skin, the droplet of blood dripping down his neck—it had all played out like a nightmare. But it was real. It was painfully, horrifically real.
In the darkness, silent tears slipped down her cheeks. She clamped her mouth shut, trying to keep her sobs silent as she held him closer. She was desperate to shield him from her fear, desperate to be his rock when he had shown himself to be so fragile.
Her heart ached for him, for the pain he had endured, the guilt he carried, and the fear that was etched in his eyes. But she was also undeniably scared. His world was far darker than she could have ever imagined, and she wasn’t sure if she was brave enough to step into it, assuming he even allowed her to.
Eventually, exhaustion took over, lulling her into a fitful sleep filled with disturbing dreams. When she woke, the room was bathed in the soft light of dawn. For a moment, she was disoriented, lost in the tangled sheets and dark thoughts.
Then she realized Alex was gone. A pang of panic shot through her, but it was quelled when the bathroom door creaked open and Alex stepped out, a towel slung low around his waist. His hair was wet, droplets of water still clinging to his bare chest. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest, her gaze drawn to the small wound on his neck, a haunting reminder of the previous night’s revelations.
"Good morning," Leslie murmured, forcing her voice to remain steady. Her heart still ached from the memory of the night before, but the last thing she wanted was to bring back the dark cloud that had lingered over Alex. To her surprise, sleep seemed to have done Alex good. His eyes seemed lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from them. He was smiling, a soft, genuine smile that reached his eyes. It was as if the Alex from last night was a different person, his dark confession a story from another life.
"Good morning," he replied, his voice warm and relaxed. There was an uncharacteristic tenderness in his gaze, one that made her stomach flutter despite the turmoil of emotions swirling within her. He moved closer, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead. The casual affection startled her, yet she couldn't help but lean into his touch.
Her heart fluttered with intensity. She was torn between relief at his sudden lightness and fear that he was simply brushing aside his pain, pretending it didn't exist. She studied his face, searching for any sign of the torment he had revealed last night. But all she found was repose.
Her mind screamed that this wasn't right, that they needed to address what had happened. But the softness in his gaze—dare she say, the peace in his gaze—had her swallowing her words.
Perhaps she was right to worry. Perhaps she was enabling his tendency to bottle up his emotions. But she couldn't bring herself to shatter that peace. After all, she wanted him to be happy, and if this was what the beginning of happiness looked like for him, she would do everything she could to preserve it.
"Get dressed. Wear something pretty but comfortable," Alex told her, his tone hinting at a surprise. Leslie was intrigued and a bit apprehensive. With a soft flutter in her stomach, Leslie nodded. She slipped into the comfortable sundress someone in the village had donated; it swished around her knees in a comforting rhythm. Alex dressed in a casual short sleeved button down and jeans then led her outside to a modest car he said he was borrowing from the monastery. He opened the passenger door for her and she settled into the seat.
The drive to wherever Alex was taking them was beautiful, almost dreamlike. They moved through dense forests, the sunlight dappling the path ahead through the overhead canopy. The little towns they passed were quaint and charming, their narrow cobblestone streets echoing with the laughter and chatter of locals.
Leslie became lost in the placidity of the ride, her worries dissolving into the warm breeze that blew through the open window. As they rounded a curve, a breathtaking panorama unfolded before them. A sprawling vineyard stretched out, lush green vines rolling down the hillside in neat, symmetric lines. Patches of bright wildflowers speckled the landscape, contrasting vividly against the verdant backdrop. Nestled amongst the rolling green was an elegant villa, its terracotta roof glowing warmly under the sun.
Alex eased the car into a parking spot right in front of the villa's entrance, the gravel crunching under the tires. The door to the villa swung open, and out walked a man who appeared to be in his late fifties. He wore a friendly smile on his face, his warm brown eyes lighting up at the sight of Alex.
"Signor Alex!" he greeted in a heavy Italian accent, reaching out a hand to shake Alex's.
Leslie, taken aback, leaned towards Alex and whispered, "You know these people too?"
Alex chuckled. "No," he said. "I just called ahead."
She watched Alex exchange a few more words with the vineyard owner before he turned back to her. “Ready for a tour?”
She smiled. “How exciting. Yes!”
They were led through the winery, rows of oak barrels lining the stone-walled cellar, their earthy scent permeating the cool air. The owner, Luigi, was animated, speaking of the family tradition that had spanned generations. They paused often, given small samples of wine to taste, each one more delicious than the last. Leslie found herself giggling, tipsy on the wine and the company of Alex, who seemed to be truly enjoying himself.
The vineyard bloomed under the midday sun, and their laughter carried through the verdant fields, their gazes meeting often, their connection strengthening with every shared secret and smile.
Lunch was served in a quaint bistro at the vineyard, bathed in the golden afternoon light. A bottle of Prosecco, bubbly and crisp, was popped open for them. Their glasses clinked together, and Leslie couldn’t help but revel in the romantic setting and the man across from her.
With lunch finished, Luigi presented them with a second bottle of wine to take home. "For the beautiful couple to continue the celebration at home."
Alex's lips twitched into a smirk, his gaze meeting Leslie's as he held the bottle aloft. "Thank you, Luigi. I have plans for Leslie when we get back and this will be perfect.”
Immediately, Leslie’s mind began to spin with possibilities, especially ones where they kissed, caressed, and eventually fucked. But Alex had sworn he wouldn’t fuck her, she reminded herself.
After a relaxing ride back, the monastery's heavy doors loomed before them, their time-worn facade exuding an air of timeless tranquility. Alex, on the other hand, seemed to hum with an energy that was infectious. His eyes sparkled with an unspoken secret, and it pulled a laugh from her lips.
"Alright, what's got you so excited?" Leslie asked, her gaze fixed on him as they made their way through the echoing hallways.
"That, my dear, is a surprise."
Before she could further voice her curiosity, they arrived at their room. With a ceremonious flourish, Alex opened the door. Leslie gasped at the stunning transformation it had undergone.
Candles of varying heights flickered around the room, their golden light dancing upon the walls, casting an intimate, warm glow. Red and white rose petals were scattered across the floor, leading to their bed which was adorned with more petals and fresh flowers, their fragrant scent filling the air.
"How...?" She found herself unable to finish the sentence, her surprise leaving her momentarily speechless.
Alex stepped past her into the room, moving toward the bed. There he placed the bottle of Prosecco into an ice bucket already waiting. "Father Alessio," he admitted.
The revelation was met with a moment of silence as Leslie drank in the sight before her. The effort, the surprise, the romance of it all left her heart swelling with a profound affection for the man who had gone out of his way to create such a beautiful surprise.
Alex's surprise didn't end with the romantically bedecked room. Holding Leslie's hand, he gently guided her towards the bathroom, which had also been transformed. The bathtub was filled with water, a fine layer of rose petals floating on top. The air was heavy with the aroma of scented oils.
Feeling his arms wrap around her from behind, Leslie inhaled sharply, her eyes falling shut as she leaned into his embrace. His lips met the sensitive skin of her neck, each kiss drawing a soft whimper from her lips.
"May I?" His voice was a soft murmur against her ear, his fingers gently playing with the tie of her dress.
When she nodded, he skillfully untied the knot and pushed the dressed off her, allowing the fabric to pool around her feet. Every nerve in Leslie's body came alive under his heated gaze. She felt seen, cherished, and loved. Gone were thoughts of darker things and worries that Alex could never love her the way he’d loved Mia. The look in his eyes was the look of a man who was gloriously in love, and this beautiful moment would forever be etched in her heart.