Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(54)

When the music stops, Alex gives the musician a generous tip and holds my hand, bringing me to the center of the Fontana di Trevi. I marvel at the imposing sculpture of Oceanus—god of the sea.

“Have you ever been here at night?” he asks.

“No, never. It’s much better than during the day.”

“Here,” he says, giving me a coin. “Time to make a wish.”

I shut my eyes, bring the coin close to my chest, think about a wish, and throw it into the fountain. When I reopen them, Alex’s staring intently, a smile on his face. “Well, what about you?”

He also closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and throws a coin into the water. “This must be the biggest cliché in Rome,” he confesses, laughing.

“Hmm…” I bite my lip thoughtfully. “In order to be the biggest cliché, we would’ve been lovers and you would’ve already kissed me by now,” I tease (or not) while my tipsy blue eyes twinkle at him.

Much to my surprise, he suddenly bursts out laughing, “I’m sure Andrew would’ve loved to do so,” he states with confidence, until he meets my gaze again, clears his throat, and glances nervously at his watch. “It’s getting late. We should go back to the hotel.”

I’m not pleased, but he’s already booking an Uber on his iPhone. How can I extend my evening with him? I’ve got an idea, a very dangerous one he’ll probably decline, but nevertheless, I take a deep breath and dare to ask, “Would you offer me a last drink in your room?” Alex gawks in shock. “Don’t you have tea to offer?” I insist.

He doesn’t know what to say or do. Undecided, he ponders a bit further. “Petra, I don’t think it’s appropriate to invite you to my room.”

“Why not? Are you afraid of something?”

“Of course not,” he replies straightaway. His eyes dart down while he thinks something through. “Alright, but just one cup of tea.”





“This is not a room. This is an apartment,” I exclaim as we enter the living room of his suite.

“I like to be comfortable.” Alex removes his blazer, rolls up his sleeves, and goes to the bar area to boil water. “So, what kind of tea would you like?”

“Matcha tea.” I know he doesn’t have this one.

“You’re so cheeky. Black, grey, green, or jasmine?”

“Jasmine sounds nice.”

A twinkle of amusement lights up his face. “Oh, before I forget, I brought something for you.” He runs into his bedroom, leaving me as curious as ever.

I find a wall mirror and discreetly fix my hair and lipstick, but suddenly I feel his presence coming from behind.

“Do you know what it is?” he asks.

I turn to face him.

He’s holding a carmine-colored velvet box. I have no idea what it holds, and shake my head. He opens it. I gasp in surprise—inside lies a beautiful, very fine twenty-four-carat gold necklace with an oval pendant.

“It’s so beautiful. What does the engraved shape of the pendant mean?”

“I gave it to you for your baptism. It’s the coat of arms of my family.” I clearly don’t remember. “Since the medieval period, my ancestors used to give a gold chain with our coat of arms engraved in a pendant to their most cherished friends and allies. It means we will serve, trust, and protect them, no matter what. When that incident happened, your father wanted to erase not only my presence, but my entire memory from you. So he thought it’d be in your best interest to return it to me.”

“Dad is such an asshole…”

Alex chuckles at my reply. “While I understand he was worried about your behavior, I felt taking such a meaningful gift from you was a bit harsh.”

Facing the mirror again and with my back to him, I pull my long hair slightly up. “I want to have it back,” I tell him.

He steps closer, opens the clasp, and delicately puts the chain around my neck, closing it. He bends slightly over my shoulder and stares at me in the mirror, observing the pendant appreciatively as it lies on my chest. I caress his gift, proud to wear it.

As he holds my upper arms, his face softens with a tender smile. “I know you hear it all the time, but”—he swallows hard—“you’re disturbingly perfect, Petra…”

I gasp, winded by his words. He has never praised my beauty before. In fact, it’s the very first time he has complimented me on my appearance.

My eyes are drawn to him, to his parted lips so close to my skin and to his breath growing heavier. With his fingers tightening on me, he shuts his eyes and places a long, delicious kiss on my neck. Oh God. I shut mine too, and, losing myself in his touch, I rest the back of my head on him, at his mercy.

His arms move over my chest, wrapping me against him. His mouth on my neck sends my heart in a flurry of wild beats. This time as he kisses me, I feel his tongue. “Ahh…” I release a quick moan—he’s now sucking it avidly. I know he wants me as much as I want him. My entire body’s boiling with desire.

He wants to continue, but painfully stops, restricting himself from going any further. Then he removes his arms from me and takes one step back, looking angry and deceived. “You should get some sleep now. It’s getting late,” he says harshly.

“Alex,” I breathe, trying to move toward him, but he continues to distance himself.