“Sir,we have tried tracking her location but couldn't get our hands on it yet. She was last seen in Sydney but then we lost her trace—”

My jaw clenches at his words, my grip tightening around the phone “What do you mean you lost her trace—” I pause mid-sentence, my eyes drifting to Allison. She stris slightly, mumbling and shifting in the bed. A sigh escapes me softly, I quietly rise form the bed and stride towards the balcony.

“I have told you to keep an eye on her. She is not just important but essential! I warned you all to be careful!” My voice sharpens as I slide the glass door open before stepping into the cool air. The familiar Italian breeze greets me, carrying with it the scent of salt from ocean. The view before me is erotic, beautiful in its own unique way. Yet, even this fails to settle the storm increasing inside me.

“Forgive me, sir. We are back on her trail. We will find her soon” He stammers on his words, his voice laced with fear. “We could ask Elias Williams. He is closer to her, more likely to—”

“No”I intrupt him sharply, my voice cold and unyielding.  If they go through Elias, then Liam and Jeff will get involved too and everything willbe revealed. I can’t afford interference — not when I am this close. “Don’t make that mistake. I don’t want anyone else involved. Just find her and bring her to me.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

I hang up without another word. My mind is still racing with thoughts  and possibilities. I slide the balcony door shut and step back inside — leaving it slightly cracked open to let the sunlight flow inside.

Crossing the room, I pour myself a glass of water and chug it down in one long gulp. The cool ess refreshing my throat but not easing down the burning in my chest.

And then I feel her.

A slow smirk tugs at my lips as I turn. There she was burying her face into the pillow, her bare shoulder peeking from under the sheets.

“I know you’re awake, sweetheart.”

No answer

She stays perfectly still, pretending to be asleep, her hair covering her face.I place the glass down with a thud and cross the room, lowering myself onto the edge of the bed.

“Were you checking me out?” I murmur, brushing her hair back, letting my fingers graze her soft cheeks.

Her lashes flutter before she opens one eye, a hint of smirk tugging at her lips. “Well… you can’t blame me. You look dangerously hot.” Her gaze drifts lower, lingering over my chest and abdomen. Her cheeks gets flustered before she quickly looks away.

She doesn't respond, pretending to be asleep. Her hair covering her face as she is laying on her back. I keep the glass down with a thud, walking over to her and sit on the edge of the bed.

“Were you checking me out?” I tease, moving her hair out of her face. She slowly opens her eyes, a small smirk forming on her face “Well….you can't blame me, you look really hot” her eyes trails down to my body, her cheeks flustered before she looks away.

A low chuckle escapes my mouth  as I lean in “You can look all you want, amore. I don’t mind being devoured by those eyes” I say, brushing my knuckles against her bare back, tracing the delicate curve of her spine — watching the goosebumps spread across her skin.

She hums softly, almost teasing my behaviour “Who were you talking to? Work again?” Her tone is sharp, mixed with disapproval.

For a second, my expression falters diwn. But I quickly compose myself, forcing a faint smile “Sorry, sweetheart. It’s important.” I lace my fingers with hers, hoping for her understanding.

“Yeah, yeah. You drag me here to your hometown for a vacation, and yet every morning, every night. It’s always ‘work from vacation’, right?” She grumbles, her pout making her even more irresistibly beautiful. “You were the one who lectured me about working too much. And look at you now.”

Her words stings me because they are true. I exhale slowly, the feeling of guilt coursing through me “I know. And I’m sorry. I can’t just ignore it right now”

She scoffs, rolling her eyes “Your company won’t collapse if you relax for a few days. What kind of business needs this level of obsession?”

I chuckle, leaning closer to her “You can look at me all you want”

If only you knew

And I hope you never do.

“I will make up for it” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead like a promise

Her eyes narrows in skeptitism and doubt. She caught me too many times slipping away to work behind her back. I should have never brought her here if I knew this problem was coming my way.

“Fine” she huffs “If you are going to bury yourself in work, then I will also take clients of my own” She announces, reaching for her phone — the look of rebellion flashing in her eyes.

That catches me off guard. My eyes widen and I quickly snatch the phone from her hand. “Don’t.” My voice drops, sharo and leaving place for no argument “Don’t even think about it.”

“What? I am not doing it to spite you” she says innocently but the flicker of mischief in her eyes says something else.

She sits up, the sheet sliding low across her chest as she holds it around her body. “Lucas is my patient. But he’s also a friend, and I should check on him”

The word ‘friend’ slaps against my ears. My jaw clenches as I snake an arm around her waist, yanking her closer “Professional. That’s what you need to be. He’s your patient. Nothing more.”

She tilts her head, her smirk mocking me. “You were a patient too. Then a friend. And then…” She trails off, letting the words hand in the air between us. The atmosphere shifts at the memory. She was the perfect-proper therapist — who helped me heal. And I fell for her perfection and also everything behind that facade.

“Bitter truth?” She asks, shrugging her shoulders nonhalantly.

My gaze drifts down — her throat, her collarbone, the swell of her chest half-hidden by the sheet but lowered enough to give me the view.

“It’s different” I mutter, my lips grazing her jaw before trailing down her neck “I fell for you. And you fell for me too. Don’t act like I was the only one who broke the rules” Gently biting her skin and earning a soft gasp from her.

Her body arches against mine and I take the chance to pull her onto my lap. The sheet slips pooling around her waist, baring her to me.

Her legs wraps around my hips, her arms holding my shoulders for support. Her hair spills across her face and I brush them back, memorizing her.

“I just want you to relax and give me time” she whispers, her voice soft “Not your phone. Not your work. Just you and me”

“You have me” I murmur, trailing kisses down her throat, my hands feeling every curve and contour of her body.  “All of me. My time… my attentiob” My hand slides upward, brushing teasingly below her chest. Her breath hintche, her back archs — pressing her body against mine.

“What else do you want?” I ask, laying her back onto the sheets and hovering over her. My weight pinning her down, feeling every inch of her.

Her chest heaves as she looks up at me, her lips parts slightly “Maybe… we can explore more? The beaches… the city…”

I smirk, loweri

ng myself until our bodies have no space in between  “Let’s explore each other first.”