CHAPTER 40
Mia didn’t wake up all at once.
It came slowly like something pulling her out of a dream she couldn’t quite hold onto.
A soft pressure brushed against her lips.
Faint enough that she almost ignored it.
She shifted slightly, her brows knitting together, her hand curling into the blanket
Then it came again.
Warmer and lingering, her breath caught softly as her eyes fluttered open.
Marcello.
He was leaning over her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of him before her thoughts fully settled.
One hand rested beside her head, the other cupping her cheek, steady and careful, like he didn’t want to startle her awake.
“…Marcello?” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.
“Sorry,” he said quietly.But he didn’t move away.
His thumb brushed lightly along her cheek, slow, absent-minded, like he was still caught in the moment.
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Mia blinked up at him, her lips curving faintly. “its okay…”
Marcello’s gaze dropped to her mouth again, something in his expression tightening just slightly.
“ You've got me so addicted, I couldn't leave without a taste” he said.
Mia’s smile grew a little, softer now.
He watched it form, something settling in him at the sight.
Fuck he was obsessed
“You've got me so whipped.
. you don't know how much power you hold over me.
" Something like that was so foreign to him, he paused then continued " your kisses are the best I've ever had. " He confessed.
Mia stilled, fully awake now.
A faint warmth rose to her cheeks, her fingers tightening slightly around the blanket.
“…really?” she asked quietly.
“Yes.” he answered without hesitation.
His thumb brushed her cheek again, slower this time.
Mia didn’t know what to say to that.
So she didn’t.
She just looked at him.
Marcello held her gaze for a moment, then made his decision.
“I’ll be doing that every morning.”Mia blinked, a small smile forming again despite herself.
“…okay,” she said softly her cheeks turning a shade of pink.
I should go.”
Mia shifted under the covers, pushing herself up a little, her hair falling loosely around her face.
“…where are you going it's still 4... And dark?” she asked glancing at the clock
“Work.” he paused for a second then continued "Luca's coming back this evening." The words settled differently.
Mia stilled slightly, her fingers tightening against the blanket.
“…tonight?” she asked. Marcello nodded once then continued
“I’ll be back with him tonight.. "
Mia looked down for a moment, processing it quietly, the way she always did.
Things were going to change she could feel it.
Marcello watched her, catching that shift without her needing to say it.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He reached out, his hand brushing lightly against her arm.
“Nothing changes.. I'll always find a way to come see you.. okay,” he said his voice firm and certain.
Even if it wasn’t that simple.
Mia looked back up at him but she didn’t question it, she trusted him.
“…okay.” she nodded taking in a deep breath.
Marcello held her gaze for a second longer, then leaned over her, close enough that she could feel the warmth of him, his gaze dropped to her mouth again and he couldn't be able to stop himself, he just needed one last taste before left.
The kiss didn’t start soft the way it had the night before, this was possessive like he was claiming her.
Mia let out the faintest breath against his mouth, surprised by the shift, her hand instinctively tightening against his shirt.
That was all it took.
Marcello deepened the kiss, slower and firmer, like he was letting himself feel it fully this time instead of holding back.
His hand moved from her cheek into her hair, steadying her as his mouth moved against hers again, more deliberate now.
There was quite an intensity in it, something that built instead of rushed each second pulling him in deeper than the last.
It wasn’t just a kiss anymore.
It felt like he was corrupting something so innocent and at the same time couldn’t get enough of it.
Mia responded without thinking, soft but present, her fingers curling more firmly into his shirt as she leaned into him slightly, submitting and letting him lead.
That nearly broke whatever control he had left.
Marcello exhaled against her lips, his grip tightening just a fraction as he kissed her again slower this time, but deeper, like he was trying to memorize it, like he needed more of it than he was willing to admit.
For a moment, everything else faded.
Work.
Luca.
Grayson.
All of it.
There was only this and her
.
He proceeded for a few seconds then broke the kiss, his breath slightly uneven, his forehead resting briefly against hers as his hand stayed in her hair, like he wasn’t quite ready to let go completely.
“Fuck.. I'm in so much trouble,” he muttered under his breath, Mia whined at the loss of contact.
" That was... " She trailed off.. she didn't know how to describe it
" Incredible" he finished for her pecking her swollen lips once more.. " so beautiful.." he muttered his voice in restraint while he adjusted his trousers..
" I have to go now sweetheart.. or else I wouldn't be able to control myself ” he paused then continued " You're very precious to me and I wouldn't want to rush you into anything.
" He said stepping away from her .. Mia glanced up at him with her doe eyes understanding that he needed to go although her face slightly frowning.
" Smile baby... Please" he begged.. " it's not easy for me either.. I'm going to miss you so much." He admitted.
" I'll miss you too .." she murmured
" Hmm" he grunted, his chest filling up with warmth. He kissed her forehead then turned toward the door, but paused before opening it.
Just for a moment.
Then he left.
And the room fell quiet again.
Mia lay back slowly, her fingers brushing lightly against her lips.
They still felt warm and plump then she smiled and settled back in bed and dozed off.