Night had draped itself softly over the De Luca mansion, wrapping the estate in total silence. Alessandro stood by the doorway of the master suite, his eyes on Rose.
She was asleep, her back turned to him, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Moonlight filtered in through the sheer curtains, casting a glow across her face, softening her features, and making her look almost untouchable.
Almost.
But Alessandro didn’t touch her. He only stared—longer than he meant to, before exhaling a quiet sigh and walking out. He didn’t belong in the same bed as her. Not yet. Not tonight.
Instead, he made his way to the guest suite and shut the door behind him.
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Morning came with golden light seeping through the massive windows of the mansion. Rose had already showered and was tying
