At first, I thought it was just a dream, but the minute I felt her struggling to turn around, the minute she settled her head on my chest, I was sure this was all real. It wasn't a mirage, and the evidence was all there along with our limbs tangled up together, her hair a messy halo on my couch pillows, her breath against my skin. All that under the comfort of an old blanket, in my living room. She was in my house and it felt like home; more so than ever before.

It was after dawn and the sun's rays illuminating her face made her truly look like an angel, befitting of the nickname I first gave her.

She reached for her phone that was vibrating only to find out it wasn't hers waking us up so early on a Saturday; it was mine. Turning around to grab the annoying device, I was surprised to find a missed call from a number I didn't recognize, followed by a message from the same number a few seconds later. I ignored both and turned around towards the still sleepy woman next to me.

She nuzzled her face in the crook of my neck while her hand gripped my shirt, her leg draped over my lap, as she cuddled closer to me. I would lie if I said I wasn't loving this side of her. It felt surreal, but my Angel was indeed in my arms and the happiness warming my chest was immense. I brushed her unruly hair away from her face, securing the unmanageable strands behind her ear. My fingers ghosted along the shape of her face, careful not to wake her, as I admired the freckles dusting the bridge of her nose and cheeks. She looked younger than her twenty-four years of age and I had this strong urge to protect her, and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer to me.

Although I was still tired, I couldn't go back to sleep. Brushing my face against her hair, I placed feather kisses on her skin, my nose tickling her slightly as she struggled to push my face away. I chuckled at the sight of her trying to free herself from under the warm blanket draped on our bodies, as she sat on the couch next to me disoriented. The cold, unwelcoming air of the room rushed in the space she left beside me, and I shivered, trying to control the scowl on my face. My disapproval didn't last for long, because nothing seemed warmer than the look on her face, as she rubbed her still sleepy face, urging herself to properly wake up. Looking around, she tried to interpret the situation we found ourselves in, but the only thing escaping her lips was a squeal of surprise, when I pulled her back on my chest.

Much better!

"What time is it?" The huskiness in her voice was something I heard for the first time, and it was swirling the feelings inside me in a way it probably shouldn't.

"It's after 6 am." My voice was hoarse and groggy, and I felt her shiver as my breath fanned her skin.

"I should go home. I'm in no mood to explain myself to Markus when he wakes up and I would rather avoid confrontation with him." She said, but cuddled closer to me, not yet ready to leave.

I kissed her forehead because I felt the same and she turned to look at me, biting her bottom lip in a way that always had such a strong impact on me. I didn't know how many times I had to warn this woman, but especially in that moment I felt myself losing the control I had.

My actions were performed in seconds, not giving her enough time to react, before I straddled her waist, trapping her under my body for the first time. She gasped surprised, before a soft chuckle left her lips, as she tried to shove me away with her delicate arms. Her fruitless attempt urged me further and I trapped both of her hands above her head as I kissed her lips softly. Amused, she smiled through the kiss and I dragged my lips down the column of her neck. I felt her body freeze bellow mine and soon, goosebumps had risen on her smooth skin.

It was all fun and games between us, innocent back and forth bickering that didn't always require words to get the point across. What I failed to realize, though, was the fact that our current predicament was only worsening how I was feeling, making me thirsty for more, driving me insane. And all that because Erika Ricci couldn't understand how her simplest actions affected me.

"I warned you, angel." I breathed against her skin. "Don't tempt me with those lips."

"I- I forgot..." She sounded breathless; she wasn't the only one.

"How can I help my angel to better remember next time, hm?" My lips grazed her burning skin, and a soft sigh left her lips.

"Brandon I- Dio mio!" She breathed in, making me chuckle. Unknown to her, I was fluent in Italian, which was a little secret I wished to keep to myself for a little longer.

I pulled back enough to see how flustered she was and indeed her blush traveled all the way to her neck and chest. My thoughts were running wild at our close proximity, but I had a feeling she was more innocent than I thought and I had to control myself.

Deciding this game was too much for the both of us – maybe even more so for me, than her – I stood up and held my hand towards her to hoist her on her feet. With her hand in mine, I turned to take us to the kitchen, but she had other plans for us, as she pushed my back on the couch. I was surprised at first, but nothing compared to the feeling of her body close to mine as it was her turn to straddle me. I was impressed and turned on at the same time, even more than before. How fucking hot was this woman in front of me? Maybe she could handle more than I gave her credit for.

"Angel, you don't want to push me –"

"Oh bambino, non hai idea di quanto mi piaci." She said with a sigh, her warm brown eyes looking into my own.

I couldn't believe how sexy those words sounded coming from her mouth, but I didn't say anything. I loved – ... I liked – ... I fucking loved listening to her express herself; in Italian or any other language, really.

"You are so fucking sexy." I said, pulling her body closer to me before I crashed my lips on her soft ones, finally losing all control once again to this amazing woman.

I wrapped my arms around her waist pulling her even closer. I kissed her with all the fire burning inside me. I let all my emotions into that one kiss, hoping she could feel my burning want; hoping she felt the same.

Before I started questioning my actions, she moaned into my mouth making me crazy. She brought her hands to my hair and neck, pulling my hair with one hand and scratching with the other. I groaned and bit down on her lower lip, earning another moan from her.

We were battling for dominance, driving each other feral, but I was not one to give up so easily. I hoisted her up, sitting now on the couch with her straddling my lap. My hands moved from her waist down to her hips, her warm flesh burning underneath my hold. I pulled her closer and she grinded against me, my throbbing member rubbing against her sensitive skin. Pleased sighs escaped her lips, as she turned her face to the side, giving me all the access in the world to kiss and mark her soft skin. From her jaw, to her neck, my lips were taking everything she would give me.

Her movements along my lap were slow, sensual. I was getting desperate, we both were, but she wasn't giving up on her slow, dragged motions; she was enjoying torturing us both too much. Pleased grunts left my throat, and I pulled her closer to halt her movements from driving me crazy.

I wanted to remove all clothing between us, so we could lose ourselves in each other. I wanted to feel her naked skin against my skin. But I had to give her time. I had to give us time.

With the little restrain I had left, I held her close to me and she started to slow down. I loved this about her, about us. We could communicate without words. We just knew; we could feel each other's signals, feelings... Her head was in the crook of my neck, and I rested my head on top of hers. We were both panting, greedily taking in deep breaths of air to calm ourselves, and I enjoyed breathing in her beautiful scent.

We stayed there for a couple of minutes, before I felt her lips leave a warm kiss on my neck. She turned to look at me, but shied away from me quickly before I could glance at her. I chuckled at her antics; she was so sexy, demanding even, a minute ago and now she went back to being my blushing angel again.

"Look at me, Angel." I was still breathless, but my voice came out strong. I wasn't completely sure where her thoughts were taking her, but I had to stop her from having second thoughts right now. Her eyes found mine, an endearing blush coloring her cheeks. "You're blushing. Why are you getting shy all of a sudden?" I teased, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade.

"You're red, too." She looked away again.

I pinched her chin, turning her towards me before I kissed her nose softly.

"I'm flustered and frustrated, Angel, not shying away from the things I want to do to you."

Her lower lip was once again trapped between her teeth, but I restrained myself this time.

"You pulled away..." Her voice was timid, almost a whisper. "Didn't you want more?"

"Baby, if I hadn't stopped myself, your clothes would've been on the floor by now and... I want to give us more time, Erika. I want you to want this, to want me. I want you to be sure."

She continued to bite her lip, still looking at me; I could almost see all the wheels turning inside that beautiful head of hers, but right now I didn't want her to question me.

I brought my lips down on hers and pulled her close to me once again. I wanted her to stop questioning me and enjoy this feeling between us. I bit her lip hard, licking it to sooth the pain, earning a sigh of pleasure from her. An exhilarating rush made me feel uncomfortable in my jeans, but I couldn't stop from pulling her flush on my body.

My tongue was asking for entrance, but she denied me which earned her another bite on her lip's corner this time. She gasped and I pushed my tongue inside her warm mouth. She fought with me, like the fighter she was, making me smirk.

Before I lost the little control I had left, I brought the kiss to an end and she rested her forehead on mine. "Don't ever question if I want you, Erika. Me wanting you is the most logical thing. Facts are miniscule at this point."

She chuckled and kissed my cheek, and, in that moment, I truly felt content with my Angel in my arms. We were in our little bubble for a while longer, 'til it burst, and we were harshly reminded we had to face reality, when we were interrupted by the vibrating phone on the coffee table.

This time it was hers and she reached around on the coffee table, reaching for her phone without moving away from my lap. I steadied her with my hands around her waist, and she turned around with the device in her hands; the name 'Stellz' on the illuminated screen. She picked it up apprehensively, biting her lip when her eyes met mine; somehow, I had to get used to this habit of hers.

Before Erika uttered even a word, Stella's nervous voice came through the phone. "Are you okay? I went to your room and you weren't there and last time I saw you last night, you were with Jaxon and I was worried-" My jaw clenched at the name her friend mentioned, my hands pulling closer to me, but I remained silent.

"Stellz, take a breath. I'll be back soon and I'll tell you everything." She interrupted her panicking friend as she met my eyes, a knowing glimpse in hers. I knew not to ask. She had already told me they were friends and I had to trust her, as well as hope that Jax had no intentions of hurting her; the latter almost impossible as I felt bile rise in my throat.

She ended the call, her eyes still meeting mine, but no words were exchanged. Instead, I hid my face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her calming scent as her hands rubbed my scalp soothingly. The moment didn't last for long, though, because her stomach rumbled in hunger, followed by my own.

"I have a feeling you like grilled cheese toast." I said and her eyes widened with enthusiasm, a big smile on her face as she nodded in approval.

I easily hoisted her up, her legs circling my waist and her head resting on my chest as she held on to me. I took us to the kitchen, placing her on the kitchen island before I began working my magic on our little morning snack.

"How do you drink your coffee?" I asked, not sure about her habits, but wanting to learn more about her.

"One and one third teaspoons of coffee, one fifth of the cup milk." I couldn't help the questioning glance I sent her way, but I found it truly endearing when she stood her ground with that precise coffee-order. "What? It's the best balance." Her blush made me chuckle as I moved towards the stove to preheat the pan.

How could someone be so pure?

I took all the ingredients out of the fridge for grilled cheese, along with milk and the carrot cake Malcolm's mom brought to the office the other day; I had a feeling she liked sweets. The cheese sandwich was being warmed up in the pan, while I cut two pieces of cake for the both of us. In no time I had our coffee mugs, her with milk and my dark Americano, and grilled cheese sandwiches in front of us, and I took a seat next to her on the kitchen counter, a habit of my own I hoped she didn't mind.

"Who made that? It looks so delicious." She said, eyeing the cake in front of her and licking her lips in excitement. It was fascinating how she was looking at some cake the same way I was looking at her.

"My friend Malcolm's mom owns a bakery near Washington park. She heard I was injured and decided to drop by the office yesterday."

She was deep in thought for a second, probably thinking of how I was injured in the first place, before she shrugged it off. I should tell her some truths one of these days.

"So, what's her bakery called? Maybe I could take a piece to Stella and Markus. We're a family that loves everything-cake." She admitted with a chuckle.

I promised to take her to 'Nancy's ' some time, as we devoured our breakfast. This picture of the two of us enjoying our time together, was one I wanted to save and relive again and again. It was still so early, but somehow the woman beside me was walking through the walls I built around me, and I knew, it wouldn't be long before I opened up to her. I was ready for it.

"My mom owns a Trattoria in Rome. It's a family business, basically, one passed down from her own mother after she moved back in Italy from the US."

"Your grandma is from the US?"

"No, she's Italian. She came here because of the war, but moved back after some time. She doesn't say, but I think she was really disappointed in her work environment."

"Really? I had no idea. Do you know, in which State she leaved?"

"Hmmm... Portland, was it? Seattle?" A buzz of electricity travelled through my body, and I wondered if Erika noticed my fist clenching to my side. "I don't remember. But it was definitely to the West. When she heard we were coming here to study she was so opposed to the whole ordeal, but my parents assured her, that times had changed and it'd be different for us."

The story seemed familiar, as if I had heard a similar version of it, but couldn't recall in that moment, so I asked more information and Erika was delighted to tell me about her family.

"It's called Trattoria a Mirabello. It's where she met my nonno. It used to be Trattoria l' Americano, but after she got married it seemed more fitting."

"I don't know, I think l'americano sounds pretty good, don't you?"

"Your accent is pretty good." She chuckled, and my eyes widened for just a second, before turning to look in her eyes; a mischief in mine.

"I guess I'm full of surprises."

"You could say that again. Remind me to ask you, after today's third cup of coffee, how you found my apartment." She was teasing, but her words brought me out in a cold sweat. Thankfully, I wasn't cornered by her clever questions this time, as she seemed content with the cup of coffee in her hands.

Knowing her best friend was at home worrying about her, we ushered to the car, light music accompanying our conversations. It wasn't 'til we were at her door, that I realized how fast these past hours with her had gone by. I couldn't wait to see her again, even though I knew, with our hectic schedule it would be a while. Still, I had the MMA match to look forward to, and having her in the audience, in the front row was more than I could ask for.

"Try to get some rest." I whispered in her ear when I pulled her in my arms.

Her hands were entangled in my hair, as she nodded at my request. "You should, too." She whispered back, placing a soft kiss below my ear. I shivered, feeling my whole being on fire, as I pulled her closer, my lips finding her own one more time.

It wasn't easy to pull away, especially when the kiss grew hungrier; our cheese sandwich doing nothing to satiate our hunger for each other. I was losing myself in her once again, before our bubble was pierced a second time by her phone vibrating.

"I should go." She spoke against my lips, sounding as breathless as we both felt.

Trying not to extend the torture for the both of us, she moved quickly out of the car and towards her apartment door. I waited 'til she was safely inside, and truth to her word, Stella was there waiting for her, the cheerful brunette hugging my angel with everything she got.

Before I drove away, the vibration of my phone reminded me of the missed call and message left a few hours ago, and I dialed the number that left another message. I shouldn't be surprised to hear the man on the other side; besides, it was long overdue the two of us had a talk and so I drove quietly towards the docks where we were meeting.

The moment I parked my car, he opened the passenger's door, siting where Erika was a few minutes ago. He was quiet, but then again, he was always quiet, hiding behind the stone-cold façade he wore.

"I was surprised you called. How long has it been? Two, three years?" He nodded once, looking out the window before meeting my gaze.

"You seem happy" I hummed at his correct assumption. "She's an amazing doctor, you know. Saved my ass from almost killing a teenager."

"She seems like the kind to kick your ass, if you get in her way." I chuckled, thinking about the feelings I was already developing for Erika. "You can't save everyone. Sometimes, you need to accept the help given to you." My words took both of us off guard; I shouldn't be the one to talk.

There it was, Jax's signature stern front. No one ever managed to pierce through the walls he always had around him, except from her. The two of them always had this connection between them I couldn't understand before now. Even with the years they were apart, it was obvious, that the man in front of me was still as broken as the day she left.