Chapter 71

Damiano

Althaia said her goodbyes to the others, and I drove her back home. Not ready to let her go just yet, I walked with her inside. She greeted her mother, and she received a curt nod from me as we made our way to her room.

“What time are you leaving?” Althaia stepped between my legs as I took a seat on her bed. She wrapped her arms around my neck. I held her against my body, savoring the moment, knowing I wouldn’t be able to hold her for a while.

“Once the others are ready, we will leave.” I sighed, still not happy that I was leaving without her. But I knew I had to be patient and give her the time to sort things out before having her all to myself.

“You’ll be fine.” She spoke softly before moving to straddle my lap and leaning in to kiss me.

The moment her lips met mine, I was overcome with desire, and I eagerly responded, losing myself in the intensity of our kiss. I held on to her tightly, unwilling to let her go, and wondered h