Page 103 of Filthy Dirty Dom

It made sense, but she hated that once again she’d unintentionally brought up something that reminded him of his time in the military.

“I’m proud of my service, Leslie. We did a lot of good. Like anything else, it comes with unpleasant memories sometimes, but don’t think that any mention of that part of my life is harmful to me.”

She nodded, not surprised he’d read her thoughts so accurately. “You should add mind reader to your resume along with botanist. Did you learn that in the military, too?”

“Reading one’s enemy is an acquired skill. Not that you’re my enemy, of course.”

Wasn’t she? In some ways, she was an enemy to his peace of mind. To his need to retain control. After all, she’d fought his desire to withhold himself from her, and pushed him to reveal his past. She suddenly wondered how much pain she’d cost Alex over the years by her relentless pursuit.

Soon, their walk through the garden led them outside it, and to her surprise, Alex didn’t stop them to guide her back toward the monastery. The vast green forests stretching out in the distance offered a sense of solitude and peace she hadn’t realized she needed. Eventually, they wandered down the hillside and into a nearby village. From the ancient cobblestone streets to the picturesque houses with their colorful flower boxes and laundry hanging out to dry, it was quaint and charming. If what Alex believed was true about part of the Italian mafia separating themselves from Luca to track down Alex, they could still be in danger, but he obviously felt they were safe enough to venture beyond the monastery walls. Then again, she’d seen him strap on his holster and put his gun in it, so he was prepared for mostly anything.

They strolled through the narrow alleys, past stone houses adorned with terracotta roofs. The aroma of freshly baked bread and herbs filled the air, making her stomach rumble. A small bistro tucked away in a corner caught their attention, and Alex gently guided her towards it.

He ordered for them in flawless Italian, something that almost made her swoon. When he caught her practically drooling, Alex’s eyes twinkled. “Someone likes me speaking in Italian.”

A surprised giggle escaped her before she could stop it. "I'm impressed, but I've heard better," she retorted, pleased when her playful jab was met with a chuckle from him.

The easy, teasing banter continued as they savored their breakfast. Despite the revelations about his past, his sudden easy-going demeanor as he navigated the small Italian village fascinated her. It reminded her of how he’d been before the invaders had attacked Caris.

She remembered what he’d said about needing to lead two halves of two whole lives—one half as Selfish Alex and one half as Protector Alex. Right here, right now, she suspected that after letting down his guard last night, Selfish Alex had gained an edge over his counterpart. Could it be that by telling her about Mia, Alex felt lighter? Had he released her hold on him enough that maybe, just maybe, he could imagine the two of them, even for the briefest time, as two lovers on a trip, temporarily shedding their real identities for the romance of the quaint little village?

With the warm Italian sun above them and the taste of delicious food lingering on her tongue, Leslie found herself embracing the fleeting moment of normalcy. It was a beautiful illusion—a much-needed respite from the whirlwind of chaos their lives had become.

After breakfast, they came upon a quaint little jewelry shop, nestled in between an old bakery and a vibrant green grocer's stall. The scent of freshly baked bread and ripe tomatoes was in the air as they stepped inside, and Leslie was immediately captivated by the delicate designs on display.

Though she probably spent too much time admiring the jewelry, Alex was ever patient. At one point, she heard him speaking with the shopkeeper, an old man with an engaging smile.

“Thank you,” Leslie said to the shopkeeper when she was ready to go. “Ready?” she said to Alex.

“Not quite yet,” Alex said.

The shopkeeper handed him a box, which Alex took and carried to Leslie. He opened it; inside was a pendant on a delicate gold chain. The gold pendant was in the shape of a radiant sun. Delicate rays extended outward from its center stone, a dazzling citrine gemstone. The intricate filigree patterns added a complexity to the design that was uniquely beautiful.

It was breathtaking.

Alex took out the pendant and passed the box to the shopkeeper. Then Alex turned back to Leslie, a question in his eyes. "May I?" he asked, holding up the necklace.

Leslie bit her lip. She was touched by his gesture, moved by the way he wanted to be a part of the moment, to place the necklace around her neck. She nodded, her voice catching in her throat, making her unable to verbalize her agreement.

Alex moved behind her, his hands steady and warm against her cool skin as he lifted her hair to one side, allowing him access to fasten the necklace around her neck. The sensation of his touch, combined with the cool metal against her skin, sent a shiver down her spine, her heart pounding in her chest.

Once the necklace was secured, Alex's fingers lingered for a moment, brushing against the skin of her neck before he moved to stand before her, his gaze falling to the pendant resting against her chest.

She reached up to touch the pendant. "It's beautiful," she murmured, looking down at the necklace. "Thank you, Alex."

He nodded, his gaze never leaving her face. "It suits you, Sunshine," he said.

As the cool pendant rested against her skin, a surge of warmth filled her. This wasn't an ordinary gift—it felt like a silent confession, a symbol of their shared moments, both sexual and emotional, since they’d left New York.

It felt like an unspoken promise, one that renewed Leslie’s hope that she and Alex would end up together.

And she didn’t know if that flickering hope was a good thing or not.

47

The leisurely stroll back to the monastery was tranquil, and as they walked, Leslie found herself subconsciously tracing the contours of the pendant Alex had given her. She’d never take it off, she thought. No matter what happened between them, she would carry Alex with her for the rest of her life. Not just around her neck, but in her heart.

Once they reached their room, Alex said he wanted to check in with Father Alessio. He asked Leslie to come, but Leslie said, “I’m sure he’d appreciate a private word with you. Why don’t I stay here.”

---