♥ Chapter 45♥

Isabella Conti.

Tuesday.

15:50 '' Alessio's house. '' Bedroom. '' Portevecchio.

He took the tray from my lap when he saw that I had finished eating and put it on the dresser. I was surprised when he untied his towel and stood naked in front of me. I was still wearing my towel, but he carefully pulled it off my body and threw it on the floor. He climbed onto the bed and pulled me close to him. I agreed to go to him willingly, wrapping my arms around him and putting my head on his chest. Oh, this position is so good.

The warmth of his skin against mine was comforting and exciting at the same time. I could feel every beat of his heart, strong and constant, and it calmed me down. He slid his hands down my back, caressing my skin tenderly. His fingers traced paths of fire that sent shivers down my spine.

''Alessio... I want to tell you something,'' I began, already feeling nervous.

''Tell me.'' His voice was calm, but still had a commanding tone.

I let out a small sigh.

''Yesterday at work... My ex-boyfriend visited me.'' I swallowed as I felt the room get colder.

'' Go on, precious. '' His tone, although calm, was now in fact an order.

''He... He came after me, wanting us to go back to what we were before... But I didn't want to, because I feel nothing for him but hatred. I wanted to tell you because I don't want to hide anything from you. Because a relationship with secrets doesn't go any further. '' His hands caressed my skin again.

He remained silent for a few minutes, just stroking my skin, until he sighed.

'' Very good. Precious, I killed your ex-boyfriend. '' I felt my skin crawl. I quickly removed my head from his chest and stared at him, shocked.

'' H-H-How? '' He sighed.

''You said you don't want secrets, so I'm telling you. I killed your ex-boyfriend.

I ended up sitting on the bed, not believing it. Even though he was the son of a bitch, I didn't want him to die; I just wanted him to go away.

"The reason I killed him was that he had naked photos of you." I widened my eyes in shock.

'' What? But he and I never had anything. '' He sat down on the bed.

''They were photos of your breasts from when you were younger. He used to take them when you were asleep. '' I started to feel sick, my breathing became heavier.

Alessio quickly noticed and pulled me onto his lap, ignoring our touching intimacies.

'' Calm down, my queen. '' I hugged him tightly, and he kissed my shoulder affectionately. '' There was a video of him masturbating while looking at a picture of you, we found it on his cell phone. That's why I killed him. He deserved it for doing that to you. Anyone who tries to hurt you or take pictures of you will die.

My thoughts were spinning in a whirlwind. It was too much to process. On the one hand, I felt great relief that he had been punished, but the idea of someone dying just for trying to take pictures of me bothered me deeply.

''I... I don't know what to say,'' I mumbled, still in shock.

''You don't have to say anything now. I just want you to know that I'm here to protect you, no matter what. '' His voice was firm, but there was a tenderness in it that touched me.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my breathing. The warmth of Alessio's body and the steady rhythm of his heart all helped to center me.

'' I... I don't want you to kill people just for looking at me or taking a picture of me, Alessio. Just delete the photos, you don't have to take someone's life for that reason. '' He pulled my head away to face him.

''My Isabella, the world I live in is dangerous. My enemies, knowing that I have someone I care about, will do anything to hurt you because they know it will affect me. A photo of you could circulate in several countries. I don't want anyone to know that you're my queen. I don't want you to run any risks. As I said, I'm going to protect you. Maybe my methods aren't good, but I don't care, I'll kill anyone who dares to harm you. '' His tone was firm, and so was his gaze.

I grabbed his face and kissed him. He quickly returned the kiss with urgency. The intensity of the kiss increased with every second, as if we were trying to express all the whirlwind of emotions we were feeling at that moment. I could feel the passion and possessiveness in every movement of his lips, and that made me even more in love with him.

His hands slid down my back, pulling me even closer. I wanted to feel every part of him, I wanted him to know that I was there, completely his. He deepened the kiss, and my body responded automatically, every nerve on alert, every cell pulsing with desire.

When we finally pulled away to breathe, Alessio's eyes were dark with a mixture of desire and determination.

''You're mine, Isabella. '' he said, his voice hoarse. ''And I'm not going to let anything or anyone separate us.

'' Yes, I want you to be mine forever, Alessio. '' I replied, feeling the sincerity in my words.

He pulled me close again, and this time the kiss was softer, but still full of emotion. His lips moved slowly over mine, and I felt a deep warmth spread through my body, a warmth that only he could arouse.

His hands slid down my back, caressing my skin with a tenderness that contrasted with the intensity of his feelings. He held me as if I were the most precious thing in the world, and at that moment, I felt that I really was.

"You're mine, my beautiful queen." I smiled and hugged him tightly, feeling protected and loved.

He lay down, with me on top of him. This position was perfect and very comfortable.

'' Rest, my queen. '' He kissed my head, conveying calm and tranquility.

He pulled back the sheet and laid it on top of us. I put my face against his neck and closed my eyes, feeling sleep coming on. His presence was comforting, and I gave myself up to rest, knowing that I was safe in his arms.