Chapter 108

Chapter 62

Amber moved like someone groping through the dark, blind to everything but the overwhelming storm of emotions raging within her. Her hands fumbled against furniture, knocking over a vase that shattered on the floor, though she barely registered the sound. Her knees buckled as she reached the threshold of the bedroom, gripping the doorframe to steady herself.

Inside, Luca stood abruptly from where he had been sitting, his posture rigid, his expression guarded and tense—like a wounded animal bracing for attack. His jaw tightened, his dark eyes flickering with frustration and defensiveness.

“What now?” he groaned, running a hand through his hair as his frustration spilled over. “What did she say this time? I try to solve one problem, and it just creates a thousand more!” His voice rose, anger masking the exhaustion beneath it. He looked ready to spar, to defend himself yet again.

Amber didn’t fight him. She didn’t have the strength, nor the will. Instead, she crossed the room in a few swift, uneven steps, stopping only when she was standing right in front of him, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his body. Her tear-filled eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

Then, without warning, she stretched her arms out and threw them around his neck, pulling him close in a desperate embrace. Her voice broke as she whispered, “I love you so much.”

Luca froze in her arms, his entire body going stiff with shock. She felt his sharp intake of breath against her cheek, a gasp of disbelief. His hands moved to her arms, as if to pull her away so he could look at her face, but Amber clung tighter, refusing to let go.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she buried her face in his chest. “Please don’t ever leave me again.”

The words broke something in him. Luca let out a sound—a quiet, choked whimper that she had never heard from him before. Slowly, his arms came up to wrap around her, holding her just as tightly as she held him. She tilted her head up and saw it: tears shining in his eyes, threatening to spill over.

Amber’s breath caught, and despite the tears streaking her face, a radiant smile bloomed. It was small at first, but it grew when she saw the corners of Luca’s lips twitch upward in response. His own tears finally fell, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, they both smiled—real, unguarded smiles—at each other.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Luca murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

They stood there, holding each other in a moment so tender and raw that it felt like time had stopped. It was as though the years of pain, anger, and misunderstandings were dissolving between them, leaving only love in their place.

Finally, Amber broke the silence, her voice light and tinged with a playful mischief. “Where’s Nico?”

Luca blinked, momentarily thrown off by the shift in tone. “In his room, playing on my phone,” he replied, a small frown of confusion forming. “Why?”

Amber’s cheeks flushed, and a sly smile curled her lips. “Do you think he’d notice if we disappeared for half an hour? I have... plans for my husband.”

Luca’s expression shifted, surprise giving way to amusement, and then to something more primal. He smirked, leaning closer to her, his hands resting firmly on her waist. “I don’t think he’d notice at all, especially if we’re quick about it,” he teased, his voice dropping into a low, suggestive tone.

Amber laughed softly, but it faded into a sigh as Luca leaned in and kissed her, starting gently, brushing his lips over the tip of her nose before pulling back just enough to speak.

“I don’t know what brought this change,” he murmured, his voice laced with gratitude and relief. “But thank you. I don’t think I could survive without you anymore. These last three years were hell, and I don’t want to go back to being that miserable, lonely hermit.”

He nudged her chin with his nose, his touch affectionate and playful, before tilting her head up. His eyes searched hers, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he whispered, “I love you.”

Then he kissed her—deeply, passionately, with all the love and longing he’d been holding back for years. Amber melted into him, her fingers threading through his hair as he kissed her senseless, their shared pain and sorrow giving way to something infinitely sweeter.

Amber barely registered how her heart hammered in her chest as Luca’s lips met hers with a fervor that was both passionate and desperate. His hands cradled her face, his thumbs brushing gently over her cheekbones even as his mouth claimed hers with a deep, possessive intensity. His tongue grazed her bottom lip, coaxing her to open to him, and she did, the softest of sighs escaping her as their kiss deepened.

It wasn’t just a kiss; it was an outpouring of everything they hadn’t been able to say for three long years. His lips moved against hers with precision and fire, each touch speaking of longing, regret, and an overwhelming love that neither of them could deny anymore. He pulled back just enough to look into her tear-brimmed eyes, his own dark gaze softening.

“I love you, Amber,” he whispered, his voice low and hoarse, filled with emotion. She blinked up at him, her chest tightening as tears spilled down her cheeks.

“I love you too, Luca,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with honesty and relief.

His hand moved to the nape of her neck, guiding her back into another kiss—slower this time but no less intense. His lips trailed down her jawline, brushing feather-light kisses to her ear, then her neck. Amber gasped as his mouth found the sensitive spot just below her ear, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

Without breaking contact, his hands moved to her waist, finding the hem of her blouse. He paused briefly, his dark eyes meeting hers as if asking for permission. She nodded, her breath hitching as he tugged the material up and over her head, leaving her in just her skirt. He let his fingers trail reverently over her shoulders, down her arms, and across her back as though memorizing every inch of her.

Amber, emboldened by the tenderness in his touch, began working at the buttons of his shirt, her fingers fumbling slightly from the sheer nervous energy coursing through her. He helped her, shrugging the garment off and tossing it aside. His body was warm and solid against hers as she pressed her palms against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat under her touch.

Luca leaned down, kissing her once more, before his lips began a slow, deliberate path down her neck, her collarbone, and the curve of her shoulder. His hands found the zipper of her skirt, easing it down as he knelt before her, his eyes never leaving hers. He slid the fabric away, leaving her exposed to his gaze. His expression was a mixture of awe and admiration, making Amber feel more cherished than she ever had.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

She felt a blush rise to her cheeks, but before she could say anything, he rose and cupped her face again, kissing her deeply. The heat between them was undeniable now, their bodies pressing closer as his hands roamed her back and waist, pulling her flush against him.

When she reached for the waistband of his trousers, he stopped her, capturing her hands in his. “Not yet,” he said softly, his lips quirking into a small, teasing smile. “Let me take care of you first.”

He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed and laying her down gently. His touch was reverent as his fingers skimmed along her arms, her sides, and her legs. He kissed her again, softer this time, before pulling back to shed the remainder of his clothing. Her breath caught as he joined her on the bed, his weight a comforting presence against her.

Every kiss, every touch was deliberate, slow, and filled with meaning. It wasn’t just about passion—it was about rediscovering each other, about rebuilding a connection that had never truly been lost. As their movements became more fluid, more natural, Amber felt the weight of the past lifting away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of love and belonging.

They moved together in perfect harmony, their breaths mingling, their hearts beating as one. When they finally collapsed into each other’s arms, the world outside faded away, leaving only them and the unspoken promise of a new beginning.
The Stormy Reclamation: A Marriage in Ruins
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