Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Alessio raised a questioning eyebrow, a smirk on his face. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he cocked his head to the side. Without saying anything, he removed his suit jacket and threw it on the grass. As he rolled the sleeves of his white shirt up, he shook his head.
“I’m giving you a head start, kitten,” he said, his voice deep and playful.
My eyes widened, and I let out a small laugh. “You won’t be able to catch me,” I teased before jumping out of the water and running past him.
“Let’s see about that,” he yelled. Looking behind my back, I saw him coming at me in full force.
Letting out a yelp, I ran faster, turning in circles and running toward the stream again. I felt him coming closer, and as soon as I was on the edge of creek, his arm lashed out and wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me back.
Alessio picked me up and spun me around in circles, my laughter echoing around the creek.
“Got you,” Alessio whispered in my ears. He placed a kiss on the back of my neck. “I’ll always catch you, kitten.” I melted in his arms, pressing my back against his front. “You’ve been very bad. Such a little minx.”
“Alessio,” I breathed as he placed a kiss behind my ear.
I was about to turn around in his embrace, but my feet slipped on the wet grass. My eyes went wide as I let out a yelp, my hands going to Alessio’s collar to hold on.
“Fuck,” he swore.
Everything happened so fast. First, I was falling, and then I wasn’t. But as soon as I had straightened myself, I heard a splash of water and a spring of curses coming from Alessio. Quickly swiveling around, I faced the stream, only to let out a booming laugh when I saw him.
He was sprawled in the water, completely wet, his face a mask of astonishment.
I quickly lost my smile when I saw his face turn expressionless. Standing frozen in my spot, I bit on my lips nervously, scared that he was going to be angry. There was only silence for a few moments.
But then a sudden laugh startled me, and I jumped slightly.
I stared at Alessio, shocked. He was laughing. Alessio Ivanshov was laughing.
I had never seen or heard him laugh before. He was always a brooding man, his face impassive and hard. Occasionally, he would have a full smile on his face but never a laugh. It was as if it was forbidden in some way.
Such a joyous sound coming from Alessio sounded so foreign. His laugh was deep and rich. His whole face was lit up with it. As his whole body shook, all I could do was stare at him in amazement.
Such a beautiful sound coming from a broken man. When was the last time he laughed so freely?
This…whatever I was feeling in my heart as my chest grew fuller with unnamed emotions…this was heaven. This was true happiness.
A smile spread across my lips until my cheeks hurt from it. “I’ve never heard you laugh before,” I whispered, kneeling down on the edge.
Alessio quickly lost his laughter, and he looked confused for a second, like he couldn’t believe he was actually laughing. He cocked his head to the side, looking at me with a strange expression on his face.
And then he smiled. “I don’t think I ever had a reason to laugh before,” he whispered back.
We were lost in each other’s eyes. Blue to green. Not once did we look away, both of us refusing to break this connection.
When I finally blinked away, I looked down at the rushing water. “You said you didn’t want to get into the water, right?” I teased.
Alessio let out a small chuckle. “How the fuck did I fall and you didn’t?” he muttered under his breath.
I shrugged at his question. “Give me a hand,” he said, holding out his hand. Instead, I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“I know what you are doing, Alessio. I’m not going to fall for that.”
He dramatically placed a hand over his heart. “You wound me, kitten.”
Shaking my head at his teasing expression, I stood up. “You should get out of the water or you’ll get sick. It’s too cold.”
“I really need a hand, Ayla. I think I hurt my back.”
At his words, I let out a gasp. “What?”
With my heart filled with panic, I ran into the stream and bent down, giving him a hand. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Where?”
When I realized my mistake, it was too late. His hurt expression turned into a smirk. Alessio grabbed my hand and pulled. The next thing I knew, I was half sprawled over his chest.
“Oops,” he mimicked my words from before.
Slapping him gently on the arm, I looked down at him. “Alessio,” I scolded.