As soon as he parks in the company’s underground garage, Alexander breaks the silence.
“Many of the employees have been here for years. They’re practically family,” he says, meeting my eyes. “Some of them will greet me with hugs or kisses. Men and women alike. But nothing inappropriate. I respect the people who work for me, and they respect me.”
I nod, listening.
“I’ve never been involved with anyone who worked for me. And I never would be. Everything has always been strictly professional. The ones who, over time, became friends... are only that. Friends.”
I study him, absorbing exactly what he’s trying to tell me. “Thank you.”
We both know exactly why he felt the need to reassure me. And I don’t think he will ever fully understand how deeply grateful I am, not just for what he said, but for being exactly who he is.
I lean across the console and kiss him deeply. Alexander steps out, walks around to open my door, and we head for the elevator hand in hand.
We start at reception, where he introduces me to everyone. As we move through the building, floor by floor, that same feeling from New York returns. He treats every employee the same way: with natural authority, genuine attention, and, most importantly, with respect, no matter the role they play.
And just as he warned me, many of them greet him with open affection. But the entire time, he makes a point of keeping me close, introducing me and making space for me in every room we step into.
He introduces me as his friend. And as the woman who is going to write ‘the best article Santoro Marmo’s internal magazine has seen since the company was founded’.
The pride in his voice nearly makes me blush.
I catch the curiosity in people’s eyes as we pass. And I feel it again when his hand rests at the small of my back.
When we reach his office—almost identical to the one in New York, just as he promised—I go straight to the floor-to-ceiling window. Milan is even more beautiful from up here.
I’m taking it all in when I feel him step up behind me. Before he can say a word, I turn and draw him closer, kissing him the way I didn’t when we stood in the other version of this office months ago.
I’m not rewriting history. I’m just... no longer hiding from what I want.
I run my hands down his bare back.
“It feels so good to be here, just like this, with you,” I say, looking into his amber eyes beneath the Positano sun.
From Milan, we made our way to Amalfi. The last four days have been a blur of coastal stops, and with each one, I’ve fallen a little harder for the view.
Yesterday, Alexander chartered a boat and took me to Capri for the day. We returned to Arienzo just as the sun was setting. And today, our last day here, we did nothing at all. We intend to just enjoy the beach and be together.
I look around, noting that only a few sun loungers are occupied. Since it’s nearly the end of October, we can enjoy the sights without the crowds, something that would have been impossible in the height of summer.
Alexander nuzzles my ear. “I wish this could last forever,” he whispers, his voice raspy.
My chest tightens, and I turn in his arms, capturing his lips with mine.
The kiss deepens, and he cups my bottom, lifting me high enough that I can lock my ankles behind his back. We break apart breathlessly, and he punishes my ass with a firm squeeze, groaning into my neck.
“Lucky for us the beach is practically empty,” he murmurs, his voice rough. “Even so... I’m going to have to wait a while before I can get out of this water.”
I start to laugh as I feel him pressing hard against me. He’ll have to waitmuchlonger than ‘a while’ if he doesn’t want to put on a show.
He slaps my ass, hard, and I lean right back in, biting his bottom lip. “Not even in cold water, Alexander?” I tease.
He scoffs, looking at me like I’m crazy to even ask. “What is cold water compared to having you in my arms?”
Every day, I tell myself that eventually something will change. That this reckless hunger will finally fade. But it doesn’t. I want him more with each passing day, and every time he touches me, there’s this unshakable sense that I’m exactly where I belong.
Sliding off his lap to make it easier, I’m barely two steps away when his hand catches me again, drawing me back for one last kiss. When he pulls away, his voice is playful. “Want to swim out further?”
I smile, slipping from his arms. And then I dive beneath the surface, letting the water carry me forward as I lead the way.
