________

*****

She heard Valerio's chuckle and Amara desperately wanted to turn around and look at him but his arms tightened fractionally around her and she felt week in her knees when she felt his mouth ascending up her neck again, sucking a mark on it.

Amara didn't know why but she felt almost....Hunted.

Her thoughts were only confirmed when he kissed her neck once, twice, and again, and then brushed his lips over her cheekbones and jaw before nicking the soft skin of her ear, as he leaned down and whispered in a low tenor, his voice sounding dark, possessive and terrifyingly like a predator who just caught it's most precious prey.

"Caught you, little dove."

________

Present time.

Caught you, Little Dove.

Amara's breathing hitched at the softly uttered words, more like a warm rush of air than words at all.

At once, she turned around in the steely cage of his arms, her eyes blown wide in disbelief. She placed her palm against his cheek, chuckling breathlessly as she whispered,"Valerio, it's you"

Valerio's lips curved into a smirk at the joyful expression on her face. "I...I can't believe it",she continued, her heart so full of love and joy for the man standing in front of her, her eyes turning suspiciously bright.

Valerio's own darkened in response and he immediately bent down, hungrily pressing his lips over hers, making Amara gasp at the suddenness of the action.

His right hand cupped the back of her head, raising it as their lips connected, while the other held her firmly by the hip. His teeth nipped and bit at her lips, gentle yet fiery, and it made heat burn through Amara's veins as she went on her tip toes, responding with a passion of her own.

The kiss made her head spin and she tried to remember how to breath but failed miserably! Her whole body trembled and she was immediately pulled tighter against him as Valerio moulded her body to his warmer one, before she felt his arms shift and she was suddenly lifted up.

Amara let out a surprised squeak at his action and felt him smile against her lips.

Without breaking the kiss, Valerio carried her back inside the warm room and towards her bed, sitting down as he wrapped his arms around her, hauling her up and gathering her closer, Amara's arms going around his neck as he dragged her into his lap, splaying his hand over her lower back to hold her close, encasing her in his warmth.

And all this while his mouth continued to devour hers with such an intensity that one might think that he was starved for her.

When he finally pulled away to let Amara catch her breath, he started kissing down her neck, seemingly unable to tear his lips away from her even for a moment.

"V...Val-"

Her breathy call was cut short by the said man scrapping his teeth across the skin of her neck before soothing the slight sting by pressing feather light kisses across it.

Amara grasped his shoulders in a tight grip, her heart was pounding in her chest so wildly that she was afraid that it would jump straight out of her chest if Valerio did not stop soon.

She gasped loudly when Valerio's lips found hers again and she was pulled tighter against him, their bodies moulding perfectly against each other as he kissed her deeply one last time before finally pulling away, bending low to rest his forehead against hers.

Amara's breathing remained rapid and uneven, her heart thudding wildly in her chest while Valerio's breathing steadied into a deep, enjoyable breaths as he treasured every moment, staring at her contentedly, his dark eyes tracing the gentle curve of her face, her every little feature while relishing in the feel of her body over his.

Several moments passed in complete silence before Amara blinked, once, twice, and again trying to come out of her haze, suddenly thankful of the dim lighting in her room as she felt her cheeks heat up.

She felt, rather than heard Valerio chuckle, a low vibration of his chest against hers, as his lips skimmed her rosy cheeks lightly before he buried his face into the curve of her neck.

Amara smiled softly, her fingers curling, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"I was informed that you are upset with me", Valerio breathed against her neck after a few moments, pressing small kisses against her skin, "but if this is how I'm greeted every time I supposedly upset you....", he left off suggestively, darkly amused.

Amara instantly stiffened in his arms, her eyes snapping open, wide, as her fingers playing with his hair froze.

She immediately scrambled to move, but before she could have so much as put even a centimeter between them, she felt the air shift and in the next instant she was sprawled on the bed, her back hitting the mattress with a gentle thud.

Amara stared at Valerio with wide eyes, before narrowing them into a glare as he got on top of her, his arms on either side of her head as he balanced himself effortlessly without putting any of his weight on her.

"Tsk tsk sweetheart, not so soon", he smirked cockily.

"No! Get off me", she muttered, glaring at him, his previous words having triggered something in her memory.

Valerio chuckled under his breath, finding the glare aimed at him nothing less than adorable.

She pushed at his chest lightly with her hands making Valerio narrow his eyes, before his hand caught both her wrists in his and he held them over her head.

"You wound me, my love. I wonder what I have done to receive such hostility", he murmured in a low and husky voice, staring deeply in her eyes.

Amara's glare did not lose it's edge.

"You sent him away", she answered after a few moments.

Whatever it was that Valerio was expecting, this wasn't it, because he went completely still, his eyebrows furrowing in aggravation.

"Who are you talking about?", he questioned, the gears in his head turning rapidly.

"Him, who else?",she answered, staring up at him meaningfully.

Valerio's jaw clenched and he squeezed her waist making Amara yelp, her eyes widened as she flushed, squirming against him.

"Who is this him sweetheart?",he asked, possessively, his eyes flashing ten different shades of dark as he awaited her answer.

Amara eyed him silently, a small frown on her face.

The gears in Valerio's head turned rapidly before it finally clicked, his expression cooling as understanding washed over him.

"I did not send him away", he replied.

Amara opened her mouth to object but he cut her off.

"I simply advised Caden to do so. He had to leave Amara, it was absolutely necessary", he replied. "For business purposes of course", he added the last sentence almost as an afterthought.

Amara's frown deepened. "You only sent him away because she is here and -", she was cut short when Valerio leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on her lips.

"Yes, that too", he murmured against her lips, wicked humor swirling in his eyes.

Amara sighed once he had pulled away, her lips involuntarily twitching up in a smile because she could see how amused Valerio really was.

"You're incorrigible, Valerio Valentini",she whispered, shaking her head, unfathomable affection in her eyes.

Valerio freed her hands and Amara wasted no time in hooking them around his neck, while his own came up to caress her cheek.

"I've really missed you. I'm glad you're here", she smiled sweetly at him, her voice thick as she took in his every feature, from the curve of his strong jaw and light stubble on his face to his sharp cheek bones, and dark eyes.

Valerio remained quite though, staring down at her with an undecipherable expression on his face and it made Amara squirm slightly, growing uncomfortable with his silence.

She tried to move, to get up, but froze when Valerio dipped his head lower, his eyes flashing. "Now that's out of the way",he spoke in a low voice, suspiciously calm, "Will you please tell me what has truly upset you? Or rather who?"

Even his calm tone couldn't have taken away the menacing and dark edge to his words, making Amara tremble unconsciously as she looked at him like a deer caught in headlights.

"N-Nothing", she replied, and bit her tongue when the words left her mouth, knowing that she had committed a mistake.

A huge mistake.

Because in the very next second she was being tugged in his arms, again, as he dragged her up with him in a sitting position, their limbs a tangled mess and she was pulled in his tight embrace, Valerio's mouth touching her skin, scraping teeth over bone.

Amara's breath hitched at his actions, her body shivering and her pulse pounding against his lips.

"Sei mio, Amara", he whispered possessively along her clavicle, sucking a mark against it, before moving higher, teeth scraping a mark as he laid his claim.

"You being upset, affects me. It upsets me", he emphasized, pulling away and cupping her face gently in both of his palms, a magnificent contrast to the dark fierceness in his eyes. "Tell me the truth. I want to hear what has troubled you"

It wasn't a request anymore.

And Amara was struck with the sudden realization that all this while Valerio was giving her a chance to come out with the truth on her own, he was being patient, like he always was with her.

Only her

"I was just being silly", she shook her head smiling softly at him, hoping to sooth his inner beast.

Valerio just angled his head higher, jaw tight, silent.

Too silent!

She bit her lower lip, her heart rate accelerating as she glanced at him with nervousness shining in her eyes.

Valerio's eyes darkened at her action, and Amara gasped when his hand against her hip tightened marginally as she was pulled impossibly close to him.

"Amara", he growled warningly.

"Val...I..."

Amara gulped, licking her lips nervously, all the while trying to think of a way to ask him the question which had been stressing her for some time now before she sighed, deciding to keep her words simple.

"I-Is everything alright?",she finally asked, albeit hesitant.

Valerio stared at her, wordlessly commanding her to continue talking.

"It's just.... everyone has been behaving quite strange lately... I can't understand", Amara fumbled, "Please, just tell me, has something happened?", she pleaded.

"Strange how?", he enquired instead, his voice cold, unforgiving.

Amara shrugged. It wasn't something that she was able to express. It was just a feeling deep in her bones, a feeling of missing something, as if it was within her reach and yet far no matter how hard she tried to grasp at it. It was a feeling of terrible, terrible wrongness—

She jumped when Valerio brushed his lips against her temple, and she shifted closer to him, hiding her face against his chest, her fingers knotting against the lapels of his coat in a tight, desperate grip.

"I heard him and Caden arguing before he was sent away", she finally whispered in a small voice. "I haven't seen them fight like this before in so long. He didn't want to leave. He was completely against it. And it just made me wonder..."

Valerio raised her head, pressing a long and hard kiss against her temple.

"I have everything under control sweetheart", he spoke in a low and rough voice.

"But-"

"Amara!", he interjected, eyes dark, sharp. "Everything is under my control",he repeated.

Amara didn't doubt his words.

Valerio Valentini wasn't a liar. Especially not her Valerio. And yet, a part deep inside her heart couldn't shake off the uncertainty, the irrational fear.

Some of it must have reflected on her face too, because she was immediately engulfed in a comforting embrace by Valerio, his hold on her both protective and possessive.

"Calm your thoughts sweetheart. You have no reason to worry. You're safe, I won't let anything happen to you, ever",he murmured. "And anyone who fails to heed my warning and dares to touch even a single hair on your head will find themselves so deeply buried in the earth that not even their next seven generations will be successful in finding their remains"

His lowly whispered words came out cruel and vicious. It was a certain truth, a promise, one which Valerio would keep against all odds.

Just like all his other promises.

Amara would know after all.

She cleared her throat, hoping to soothen his tense frame. "I wasn't worried about myself"

Valerio chuckled in exasperation, rubbing his face with one hand while the other held her firmly. "When are you ever",he grumbled.

Amara cringed. "Definitely not the right to thing to have said",she muttered internally.

But before she could have said anything else Valerio buried his face against the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply, "I can't believe I went on so long without this", he nearly groaned, his hands clutching her to himself,

"Without you!"

''I'm glad you are here", she replied sweetly, pressing a kiss against the corner of his lips.

Valerio pulled back slightly, enough so that he could stare clearly in her eyes before cupping her cheeks with both the hands.

Amara's pulse skyrocketed, both at his gesture and the raw emotions plainly visible in his eyes.

She buried her fingers into his messy hair, nails grazed his scalp softly and he sighed softly, his eyelids fluttering close for a moment, and they both leaned closer —

Amara startled, jumping against him.

"I'm going to slaughter Liam", Valerio growled under his breath.

Amara's eyes widened and she pulled away from Valerio, or tried to at least but he refused to let go of his hold on her, his eyes narrow.

"Valerio'',she hissed, trying desperately to put a respectable distance between them as the knocking grew more insistent.

"C-Come in",she called out loudly, and the door opened, Liam's head poking in.

"Oh, you're awake", he stated, his eyes narrow as they fell on her.

Amara smiled, her cheeks red."I was just going to sleep now", she yawned, only just realizing how tired she actually was, slumping against Valerio.

"You should", Liam nodded, before turning to look at Valerio. "I need to talk to you about something important"

"It can wait. You can wait!",he emphasized, eyes like molten steel."Preferably outside this room",he dismissed Liam, who walked out grudgingly.

Amara hit his arm lightly. "Behave! He's my brother",she admonished.

"He disturbed us on purpose", Valerio stated coolly."It's not my fault if Liam has got a death wish"

He laid her out on the bed then, not waiting for a reply, his hand caressing over her warm cheek and Amara realized something with a jolt.

It was time for Valerio to leave.

"You can stay here, you know", Amara told him, staring at him with innocent eyes.

She wasn't sure for how long Valerio was planning to stay in New York. She didn't want him to leave again soon.

Valerio raised his eyebrows in surprise, his eyes falling on Amara's bed before looking at her with wicked humor on his face.

Amara's eyes widened at once, her cheeks turning scarlet.

"I-i didn't m-mean that",she stuttered, blushing madly.

"Denial doesn't suit you, sweetheart", he murmured in a husky voice, as he glanced at the empty space on her bed once more, contemplative.

Amara almost screeched, positively mortified. She quickly turned away from him, closing her eyes tightly as she pulled the covers over her blushing face.

She heard Valerio chuckle throatily, and turned to face him, biting her lips nervously.

But before she could say anything he leant down, his palms on the side of the bed, leaning over to her and pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. When he pulled away, he only pulled away a fraction and Amara could still feel the warmth of his breath on her skin.

"Dream sweet dreams, my little Dove",he breathed softly.

He brought his palm up to her cheek, stroking it gently, before leaning in and kissing her softly and the next thing Amara knew, her dreams were swallowing her up, Valerio and her room fading out.

But before the darkness swallowed her completely, Amara was sure that she heard Valerio speak, and his words made her heart beat rapidly with both, apprehension and excitement.

"When I share your bed, it will be with your permission La mia bellissima colomba,

and I will make sure that you enjoy every fucking second of it",the sound slipped into her ears as soft as the gentle waves in the sea.

"....And very soon"

****

"This color really complements your skin tone, ma'am",one girl commented.

"This scarf brings out the color of your eyes, my lady!",the other declared, offering her the scarf.

Amara sighed, shaking her head."I'd like to try that dress",she said, much to the joy of the first woman who had introduced herself as Stacy, who quickly rushed towards her with the dress in her hand.

She took the dress from her, refusing her help, again, and entered the spacious fitting room.

Amara had been pleasantly surprised to find Valerio waiting for her when she woke up and she would have thought that he had spent the night at the Sullivan estate if she didn't know any better.

After having breakfast Valerio had decided to bring her for shopping, before promising to take her for lunch and then to another surprise place, the name of which he refused to divulge.

And here she was now, two hours later, trying clothes, or modelling them for Valerio more specifically (much to his enjoyment), who sat outside the private fitting room area being attended by the owner of the shop himself.

Amara quickly got changed and looked at herself in the mirror.

The dress that she wore was truly beautiful. It was pale pink in colour and made of satin, falling just short of her knees.

The only problem was the zipper behind the dress which Amara try as she might, couldn't zip up. She walked out of the fitting room, calling out loudly,

"Stacy, could you please help—"

She stopped short because her helpers had apparently disappeared and in their place now stood Valerio, his hands tucked in his pants pockets, all broad chested and at ease, looking nonchalant and utterly unapproachable.

Their eyes met and Valerio straightened, his expression questioning but then his eyes flickered to something behind her and he stiffened.