Page 36

Hazel snuggled in close, the remedy to her cold self was Vincenzo. He had his arms wrapped around her as though his life depends on it…

His life does depend on it.

"I'm so cold" Hazel muttered

He pulled her even closer, his hand running through her hair gently.

He was starting to feel better, his temperature returned to normal as soon as he touched her.

He of all should know the consequences of his actions. Not only did he do that, he always pulled Hazel into this.

Goodness, she's innocent and yet he managed to pull her into this mess.

Vincenzo stood on his feet in a blink of an eye, Hazel in his hands as he laid her on the bed.

He could only imagine how cold she was and a glance at her shivering made him feel even worse.

This happened because of him.

"Don't leave" she pleaded

"I'm here. I'm not leaving" he assured as he settled beside her and wrapped her in his warmth.

Hazel's eyes opened slowly, focusing on the man beside her.

She was here again, on his bed, right beside him and the worst part of it was the sense of belonging she had. Like she belongs there with him in his arms.

That feeling was both exciting and scary

She was here again and he looked so concerned for her. The s is part is that she had just experienced the weirdest thing she could ever imagine.

In a matter of seconds, she had come up with a terrible cold and then the portal she'd seen….

She had moved from her room to his within seconds….

How on earth is he going to explain that? There is something he had told her and he had better start talking.

Enough with the secrets!

Vincenzo exhaled, she almost forgot he could read her mind.

"Give me time. " he placed a kiss on her hair

"And I promise to tell you all you want to know. Answers to every one of your questions" he promised

"Why do you need time?" She asked

He sighed

"There are some ends I need to tie to make this work " he explained

"What ends?" She asked

He chuckled

"You won't stop asking questions are you?" He muttered, his breath in her hair

"I don't understand anything here Vincenzo " she muttered, she was going to tell him her fears and he had better listen.

"Am I hallucinating? Is this a dream or reality?" She asked

"It's all real. I told you before" he reminded

"Then why do you push me away and then want me as your life depends on it?" she asked

He exhaled

"I wish I had control over that. That is what I need time for" he offered

"To decide what to do with me?" She asked

Vincenzo shook his head as a fondness escaped his tone.

"I already know what to do with you. It's not something I can change or alter" he offered

His hands drew lazy circles on her skin. Everywhere he touched tingled and coats with warmth.

She's never felt so safe in an utterly ridiculous situation before. Not to talk of this sort of situation that made no sense to her.

"It will all make sense anymore Mio. Just be patient with me" he pleaded

She felt like she could understand what he was saying but she knew she didn't. It was almost like her heart connected to him but her logical reasoning needed answers.

"I don't want to drag you into my world. It will only hurt your heart" he placed his hand on her chest, listening to her heartbeat.

"And your mind" he ran his hand through her hair once more, his eyes marked with deep feelings for her.

"There's no point hiding it " he muttered

"I can almost feel…what you feel" hazel muttered

He nods

"But it feels so distant " she adds

He exhaled

"I know " his grip around her tightened

"That's why I need time Hazel" he muttered

Hazel nods.

"If you feel that much, please don't push me away" she pleaded

He said nothing but his grip around her only tightened protectively.

"You should rest" he muttered

"Wait, it's still noon," she muttered, trying to look around for a source of light.

"It's night already " he offered.

Hazel followed his gaze, the wall clock read 9:30.

Geez, time must have gone by so fast. She felt like she'd only been with him no longer than five minutes but time had gone fast.

"That's strange" she muttered

He chuckled

"Strange is the norm around here" He offered

Hazel stared at him in silence as he did the same. He had a habit of touching her hair alright, his fingers gracing her scalp, making her feel at ease.

"Why do you do that?" She asked

"Cause I love the colour of your hair. Brown and silky" he informed

"What happened? To me? I was okay then I came down with a cold ...." Hazel started

"Hazel" he called rather very softly

"Uhm?"

"I'll give you all the answers you need." He reminded

"I can't help it when I'm so curious," she said

He chuckled

"I noticed"

"How long do you plan to keep me here?" She asked

"All night" he whispered

Hazel's chin grew warm.

"And I'm out of here"

Just before she could leave, Vincenzo pulled her back to him. His eyes arched in confusion

"Where are you going?" He asked

"To my room? Chole is going to get worried" she pointed out

"And who are you so concerned about that? You know where you are and you're safe. That should be all right?" He asked

"She's just looking out for me" Hazel explained

"So am I" he defended

Hazel couldn't hold back her laughter, He looked like a little toddler whining about candy. His brows were furrowed and he was almost pouting.

"Who knew you could be so cute?" She chuckled

"That's a first. Handsome, sexy, good-looking, rich….I'm aware of all that. Bit cute, that's a first" he muttered thoughtfully.

"Well, you're cute " Hazel teased

"A grown man. Cute. That sounds wrong" Vincenzo settled on that thought

Hazel's lips tried to hide her laughter at this point

"What's wrong with that?" She asked

"You have no idea how old I am, do you?" He asked

Hazel stared at him in thought, calculating Annie's age along with whatever her lucky guess was.

"Thirty-five" she replied

Vincenzo frowned

"I look 35?" He asked

Hazel shrugged.

"I guess?"

He sighed, if he told her how old he was, she was bound to freak out and he'd have to give some real explanations to her.

He wasn't ready for that now. He wants her happy and that's it.

"Doesn't matter. Cute….you can say that" he said, finally accepting it as a compliment.

If that was a pet name, he would strongly disagree but she didn't say it was did she?

"Why is it such a big deal?" She teased

"Calling your boss cute isn't something you come by every day" he admits

"I must agree" Hazel nods

He sighs, his finger tracing her face like he did the first time she'd slept on his bed.

Her eyes, nose, ears, jawline and then her lips.

"I still can't believe it. You're here…with me" he muttered

Hazel stared in silence, of course, she had no idea what he was talking about.

"Every night….I just can't get the image of you out of my head…I almost didn't believe it was you" he muttered

Hazel could see the longing in his eyes and once again, she felt his emotions like it was hers and she felt years of loneliness.

Years of waiting and waiting with hopes being dashed over and over again.

"Why…." She asked in worry

"You're here now. That is all that matters" he muttered, his finger dancing on her lips.

He wanted to kiss her so bad…

He had no idea if she wanted the same as she was not thinking about it.

Hazel's eyes went shut as his hands traced her lips. Every touch of his seems to exaggerate a little, making her feel so much in just a second.

She opened her eyes to see him staring at her with hooded desire.

It was almost like he was trying to fight off an urge of his…

Her eyes went down to his lips and that was more than enough for him.

He crashed his lips into hers, kissing her slowly and yet passionately. That action seems to tell her how much he wanted her, how much he missed and how much…he loves her.

Hazel ran her hands gingerly down his chest to the back of his head and then back.

He deepens the kiss pulling her even closer like he wanted to melt into her.

He breaks the kiss, both breathing heavily but their gaze never leaving each other.

"Vincenzo.." she complained

He smirks.

"Go to bed missy. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow" he advised

Hazel pouts, earning a smile from him.

"Come here" he pulled her closer, her head on his chest while he made lazy circles on her shoulders.

"Go to sleep" he whispered