There is smut in this chapter, it's not overtly explicit but keep that in mind.

the beach

her

Aleksander not only bought them food and other products. Alina soon finds out that he bought her art supplies. When she asks about it, while he's making them dinner —pasta, at her request— he simply shrugs.

"I figured you might want to draw and write. I also brought your box, in case you needed it." He says it like it's not a big deal, like it's nothing.

She's still not quite sure if he really is that thoughtful, or if she's making a big deal of his gestures because for so long no one has cared. Either way, it doesn't matter, she hops down from the counter and hugs his back, clearly taking him by surprise.

"It is nothing Alina, seriously. I just wanted you to have an outlet for your feelings," he explains, still stirring the sauce but using his free hand to grab hers to kiss her knuckles.

Her box and her supplies give her something to do with her time, because for the first time in five years, Alina wakes up and has no responsibilities. No work, no duties, no appearances, no recording sessions, no meetings, no fittings… nothing. She doesn't even have an alarm! She usually wakes up when she can no longer ignore the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.

Aleksander does everything for her. He cooks whatever she desires and if he can't then he orders it, because he speaks Spanish, of course, he does! He does whatever she wants. If she wants to go to the beach, he goes with her. If she wants to go in the water, he follows her. It makes her feel giddy, even if she had a legion of fans and people ready to do her bidding, it's different with Aleksander. He doesn't behave like this because he wants something from her, he behaves like this because he likes her and wants her to be happy.

And Alina is happy, there's no doubt of that.

For the first time in forever, she's the master of her own life. She eats whatever she wants, sleeps until she wants to wake up, splashes around, and plays with Iris. But she also does a whole lot of nothing.

Alina lies on the towel and tans, only moving when Aleksander chastises her for not using sunscreen —she obviously coaxes him into helping her with her back, and she has to bite down a moan once she feels his hands on her skin— and at nights she also sits on the shore, next to him, while they look at the stars.

Aleksander might do whatever she asks of him, but he also gives her space. They lay next to each other on the towels but while she's busy writing or doodling, he's reading a book or dozing off. She's almost certain that this is the first time he's had a chance to rest in a while. She's happy about that because he deserves it. As much as this escapade was something she requested, Alina knows this is also giving him some time to relax and wind down.

His company is something that she has always welcomed and while she's happy to have him there with her, she's also incredibly frustrated, because Aleksander hasn't even kissed her since they got to Mexico. He only slept with her that first morning, and then he decided to exile himself to the couch, which she hates because she wants him there with her.

She knows he's being respectful and giving her the space he thinks she needs, but the truth is that Alina wanted him. His intentions were appreciated, but completely unnecessary because she wanted him by her side. Not only for sex, it was more than that to her. She wanted his body protectively around hers, to feel his warmth against her skin. She wanted to talk until the sunrise. All she wanted was to have intimacy with him.

She dropped and dropped hints until she exhausted herself, so, on Sunday night, once they've been at the house for a week, she decides to do something about that. She decides to change things, to take control, because she refuses to continue like this. Alina wants him, and he wants her too, she's tired of this shit.

"Alina? What are you doing here?" Aleksander lifts his eyes from his book when she enters the living room.

"Scoot. I'm going to sleep here now!" She announces, much to his evident surprise. "If you don't want to share my comfortable bed, then fine. I will sleep here with you, then."

Aleksander's eyes soften as he listens to her. He does give her some space to sit on the couch before he starts to speak. "Alina, I would like to sleep with you on the bed…"

"Then why don't you, uh?" She must sound like a whiny baby right now, but she doesn't give a shit. "Have I not made it clear enough that I want you? That I want to do more than share a bed?" Aleksander gives her a faint smile before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I just wanted to give you space. I want you, of course, I do, but after what you went through, it did not sit right with me to just be all over you. Alinochka, please know…"

Alina doesn't let him finish, instead, she closes the distance between them and kisses him. She stopped listening to him after he admitted he wanted her as well. That's all she wanted to hear, that's all she needs to know before their lips collide, and she's once again reminded of what a great kisser he is.

The first kiss they ever shared was barely even a kiss, it was just her pushing their boundaries. It was tentative and chaste. It was over before it even started but, at the same time, it had been proof that he wanted her as well. The second kiss they shared was different, not only because he took the lead, but because he revealed his true feelings to her. She had felt more from that kiss than from any encounter she had ever had with Mal or Aleksei for that matter. It was perfect, even if everything went to shit minutes later, that single moment between them was absolutely perfect.

Just perfect as right now.

Aleksander kisses her, it's slowly at first, but it's also completely intoxicating. She sits on his lap and lets her hands roam through his hair as his own settle on her lower back. Alina wants those hands to touch every part of her body, but for now, she's perfectly content. She just wants his lips. She wants to get drunk on their kiss.

Alina had never thought much of kisses. When she was little she loved the idea of kissing. She swooned every time a couple kissed on screen, and she daydreamed about when that would happen to her. But the kisses she had shared in the past were nothing exciting, not really. Aleksei was shy and clumsy. Mal was rough and inconsiderate. There were others, a few nameless people she had kissed as well but, again, nothing exciting. Nothing like this.

Nothing could compare to the way Aleksander kissed her or the way he made her feel. If only she could go back and tell a younger Alina that it would be fine, that after years of lousy kisses she would find someone that would make her feel like paradise existed. She has never been a believer, but Aleksander's lips —all sinful and heavenly— make her believe there could be such a thing for them. Heaven on Earth, just for them.

They kiss for a long time, but Alina doesn't have it in her to feel angry. Why would she? She's in the arms of the hottest man she's ever seen and his kissing her senseless. Remaking her into someone new, someone who only wanted his lips.

They kiss like teenagers, making out on the sofa while their hands tentatively explore their bodies. His big, gentle hands start at her lower back, but after a while, he makes way and caresses her bare legs. His fingers draw lazy circles on her stomach before he finally reaches her breasts, and he starts to play with those as well. Aleksander's mouth and tongue never leave her, but eventually, he makes his way towards her neck. It makes her shiver and gasp in pleasure.

"Sasha…" Alina starts to say when he sucks a particularly sensitive spot. Normally she would freak out because she's not supposed to have marks on her perfect skin, but right now she doesn't care. He can do whatever he wants, as long as he gives her pleasure.

"So good for me, my Alinochka. So soft and sweet," he murmurs against her skin, and Alina thinks he sounds so fucking hot. His voice was always captivating, but now that it has dropped a couple of octaves, now that sounds rough and aroused, she thinks she won't ever want to hear him any differently.

Not only can she hear his arousal, but she can also feel his erection against her body. It makes her smile to know that he wants her, that he truly, really, honestly wants her. That he wants her, Alina the person, not the singer, not the idea. It means the world to know that he wants her for who she is. That he wanted to give her space, that he respected her. While all of that was very thoughtful, she wanted him right now.

"Sasha, please…" she begs as she grinds against his body, making him moan in response. "I want you inside me," she purrs in his ear.

That seems to do the trick, because he stands up with her in his arms, eliciting a giggle from her. It won't ever get old to know that Aleksander can carry her in his arms as if she weighed nothing. She makes herself comfortable in his arms, as he starts to walk towards the room, leaving Iris and the couch behind. She wraps her legs around him and rests her head on his shoulders.

He's gentle when he helps her sit on the bed. His eyes never leave her, as if he's unable to look away. No one has ever looked at her like that, and she's pretty sure she has never looked at anyone like she looks at him. Alina is also unable to look away, not because he's ridiculously attractive, especially now with the messy hair, but also because she likes him. She likes him so much she can't believe this is happening. She might as well combust right now.

"Are you sure?" Aleksander asks. He has one of his hands cradling the side of her face, and she's pretty sure that in any other situation the gesture would make her want to cry. Right now, instead of crying, she just smiles, because this is exactly the confirmation she didn't know she needed. He's treating her with respect and care, two things she's been deprived of.

She nods in response, eyes roaming through his face before stopping at the sight of his lips. "I'm sure, Sasha. I want you. I want this," Alina says before joining their lips once again.

Aleksander eagerly responds but lets her take control of the kiss as he busies himself with undressing her. She wasn't wearing much, only the shirt she stole from him and regular underwear. Still, Aleksander undresses her with care before he makes her lie on the bed. It's only then when he starts to kiss her whole body. If she thought his lips on hers were too much for her to even bear, she really had no clue what was in store for her. Because now that she feels him kiss, lick and suck every inch of her body —just like she fucking wanted to— Alina knows there's a before and after.

The meaning of her body has transformed and changed over the years. When she was little it was something she loved and fiercely protected. As a teen, it was the source of shame and embarrassment, at least until she found a way to love herself once again. And as an adult, there were mixed feelings about it. Her body was not a temple, or better yet it was a temple, but one that was not respected. One that over the years had been trashed and mistreated by everyone. Sadly, that also included herself. She had forgotten how to love herself, and that included her body. A body she let many people use and abuse over the past years.

Aleksander wasn't one of those people.

He was actually treating her like her body was a temple, something to be respected and revered. He was on his knees giving her pleasure. She didn't even ask, she had barely opened her mouth to speak. She consented, and then she properly became a creature consumed by desire. Alina didn't even ask for him to do that. By all means, she wanted to, because no one had ever eaten her out, not Aleksei and certainly not Mal. But she had been terrified to even open her mouth.

Turned out she didn't even need to. Aleksander is on his knees, looking at her like he is thoroughly enjoying what he is doing. It is sinful, the way he looks at her. His pupils are blown out with desire, eyes as dark as the night, as he starts to make his way towards her pussy. He's kissed her upper body, not rushing but instead taking his time to worship her, and now he slowly kisses her thighs as he makes her way towards her folds. She's so incredibly wet it's fucking ridiculous, and she should feel ashamed but…

"So sweet for me. You taste delicious, Alinochka…" Aleksander comments as he starts licking her folds. His stupid tongue is going to be the death of her.

Her previous sexual encounters are nothing compared to this one. As far as she's concerned, she has never really been touched before this moment. She has never known pleasure, not like this. Aleksander gives and gives and gives. She's drowning in it. Alina doesn't even know what to do, never in her life has she experienced something like this. All she knows is how to give. She has given so much of herself she doesn't know how to take, better yet, how to simply receive without giving something in return.

Aleksander knows this, and he calms her down. "Let me take care of you, Alina. Let me make you feel good."

Alina cannot even use her mouth to say anything other than his name. She can't do anything other than becoming soft and pliant under his hands. For all she knows, he was made for her, so that she can experience pleasure.

She comes with his name on her lips and her hands in his hair. It's the first orgasm she's experienced in years. One she has not been in charge of. She's pretty sure she blackouts for a second. It's so intense she doesn't even know if she's part of this Earth anymore. Maybe she has ascended or something. This is what actually ended her, the hottest man she's ever seen gave her so much pleasure she stopped existing.

But then she realizes he hasn't stopped. Aleksander is still on his knees, his tongue licking her folds and his thumb grazing her clit. He's making the most delicious sounds, letting her know he's enjoying himself. She tries to sit down, to let him know it's fine, but one of his hands presses her against the mattress, a clear attempt to keep her in place.

"Sasha, Sasha, you don't have to…" She tries to keep her voice steady and fails completely. Aleksander's smile grows bigger after hearing her.

"Just enjoy, moya lyubov. Let me do this for you," he says, with those dark eyes shining with desire. She's just a girl, how can she even try to say no to him? So she nods in response, taking his free hand and lacing their fingers together.

She doesn't even realize he's said something in a language she doesn't understand. But Alina knows how a voice sounds when it's happy. She knows whatever the hell he's saying, it's affectionate. Deep within her, she knows whatever it is, it's something he means completely.

He makes her come two more times with his fingers and tongue. Alina has never felt like she feels at this moment. Treasured and worshiped. Treated like she's a human being deserving of good things. She knows, without a doubt, without a second thought, that she would trade her life, all the money, and the fame, for more moments like this. It's not even the pleasure; although she can't argue that's an important part. But it's more than that because there are feelings involved. Alina is not stupid to believe this is love, but they care for one another, they like each other. Even if she didn't know, she knows now.

Her brain might be completely scrambled after three orgasms, one more intense than the next, but it's undeniable there are feelings there. And while this is not the moment to reflect on those, it makes her happy to think about that.

Although he shows no signals of wanting to stop or slow down, she wants him. She wants him inside her, not only because she's desperate for his dick, but also because she wants to make him feel good. He deserves pleasure as well.

"Sasha…" she breathes, using all her will to rest on her elbows. She needs to look at him as she speaks. "Sasha, I want you inside me, please," she begs as he starts to kiss her navel, so lovingly, she lets the tears fall from her eyes. At some point, her eyes started to feel very moist, but she's never had sex so intense she actually cried.

Aleksander kisses the tears away as she hugs him, keeping him close to her. "Alina, we do not have condoms," he explains, and she shakes her head in response.

"I'm clean, I swear. I went to the doctor after I broke up with Mal. I have one of those implants…" she's ready to beg, but it doesn't seem necessary. As soon as he listens to her, he's undressing himself. It all goes by so quickly she barely has time to appreciate his naked body before he slides into her.

If she thought she was going to pass out from his fingers and his mouth, she was really not prepared for his dick. He fills her up completely, as if he belongs there. It might be bigger than she's used to, but it's absolutely delicious. So much so, she needs a second to get a hold of herself before she starts to move with him.

She has never felt so in sync with anyone. This is their first sexual encounter, and he seems to know what to do to make her see stars. Aleksander treats her body like he already knows it, where to touch, where to kiss. He even seems to know when to pick up the pace, when to start pounding into her to drive her over the edge. It seems surreal that they even manage to come at the same time.

"So good for me, my beautiful Alinochka," he murmurs in between kisses. She's glad he can still speak because she's unable to do anything more than breathe and cuddle him. Aleksander doesn't even seem to bother about her behavior. He welcomes her with open arms and kisses every inch of her face as she falls asleep around his body.

After that night, they become insatiable. By all means, she still writes, tans, plays with Iris, and sleeps. But they also fuck, so much she doesn't know if they're making up for lost time, or they simply just want to enjoy every single surface of the house. It's not like she complains, not really.

That next morning, she woke up to the sight of his head buried between her legs. One orgasm later, she was already tugging him because she wanted to relive the feel of his dick inside her. He fucked her slowly and lazily, making Alina realize that's how mornings were meant to be spent. And as if that wasn't already incredible, he then left to make her breakfast. He brought it to bed, much to her surprise.

Alina felt like the luckiest girl in the world. There was nothing better than what she was living.

She thinks about it as they lay on the living room floor. Alina has no clue as to how they ended up fucking there. One thing led to another, and before she knew, she was riding him like her life depended on it. Aleksander was completely disheveled. Hair completely messy, dark eyes twinkling with excitement, lips moaning her name… She liked seeing him like that, but she also loved how he looked after sex. As he tried to keep his breathing steady, his eyes were closed, and that gave her a moment to simply look at him and just bask in how beautiful he is.

"Sasha…" she whispers as she kisses the tip of his nose. "Can I say something? Even if it sounds mean?"

That gets him to open his eyes, and she has to make the effort to not freak out as his eyes settle on her face. He looks at her in a way she cannot describe, she's been trying to work it into her songs but still, she has no words. Aleksander is beautiful, he's always been, and she's sure he will always be, even when he's old and full of wrinkles. He's going to be a silver fox and enchant everyone everywhere. But right now she's the only one that can see him with his messy hair, his tanned skin, and the absolute bliss on his face.

He's all hers. She might not realize that yet, but deep down, Alina is certain of that.

"I doubt you can actually be mean, Alinochka. Whatever comes out of your pretty mouth cannot be mean." She smiles and kisses him in response. He's so sweet to her, it's unbelievable.

"I know your dream was to become a politician. I'm sorry, please believe me when I say I'm sorry that you never got to accomplish that. But if you had, we never would've met. So, I'm glad you're not a politician," she says, a little nervous because of his potential reaction to his words. Aleksander, however, responds by keeping her close and kissing her shoulder. "I also don't like the idea of you being a politician," she adds, and that makes him snort.

"Is that so?" He muses as he flips them, using his hand so that her head doesn't hit the ground.

"Politicians suck, Sasha. You're better than that. You care and you're kind. They are liars and cheaters and they suck." Alina is so passionate about her speech, she barely realizes she's talking about her grandfather. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"Moya lyubov is so smart. She is so pretty, incredibly beautiful…" He starts to lower his kisses, making her shiver in response. Fuck him and his words and his actions. He's already made a mess out of her. What else does he want? "But she is also smart, clever, so sassy and funny," he keeps on saying, and Alina swears she has never been truly complimented before. Even if she had, Aleksander expertly pairs his compliments with orgasms, so really there's no point of comparison.

Clothes seem to be optional after they start having sex. They barely cover themselves with anything other than underwear or, in her case, with whatever shirt of his she can get her hands on. Only when they go to the beach do they wear something, and that is because Aleksander absolutely hates the sand. Alina would spend every second of the day naked and wouldn't mind. She's spent the past years wearing next to nothing against her will. It's only now, with Aleksander, that she actually doesn't mind baring her body to him.

Not when he treats her so lovingly and carefully, she feels like crying. Most of the time it's not even sexual. Sure, there are marks all over her body and his touch is intended to be teasing or provocative sometimes, but she's not referring to that. She's thinking about how he hugs her every time after he comes; how he cuddles with her, every time without fail. Alina thinks about how he holds her when they are in the water, his big hands softly and gently holding her body. Yes, his damned fingers have made her come so many times she lost count, but she thinks about how he holds her hand or how his fingers trace the outline of her face each night before he sleeps.

He also holds her tenderly when one night she asks him to dance. Aleksander doesn't mock her, he just stands up and holds his hand out to her. Doesn't ask about music or anything, he just holds her against his body as they both start to sway in the sand. The ocean provides all the music they need. For a moment, she's just so happy she buries her head in his chest, trying to get a hold of herself. She doesn't want to worry him with tears, much less with tears she would have a hard time explaining.

She keeps thinking that she's never felt like this, that nothing compares to what's been happening with Aleksander. But Alina is not brave enough to look for answers or to try and search within herself the reason behind it all. She decides to simply enjoy what's happening. To enjoy that this amazing human being was there for her when she needed him the most, and that now seems to spend his days catering to her every whim.

She knows there's a reason why her notebooks are now filled with poems and half-written songs about him. She knows, she's just terrified of entertaining the mere thought.

After a couple of minutes of just swaying, she looks up at him and smiles. The moonlight bathes them and makes him look unreal, so handsome, and beautiful, Alina opens her mouth to compliment him. She doesn't, because his gaze falls on her, and she promptly blushes. Someone needs to tell him his eyes are just too much. A weapon of mass destruction, he can render her useless with those dark eyes she still wants to get lost in.

So, instead of complimenting him, like she was planning, she starts singing. Once upon a time, she used to seek refuge in her voice, before the fame and the stardom, and now she's doing the same. Although now, she's not singing something he might know. Instead, she sings the lyrics that have been haunting her for the past couple of days. The ones that he inspired.

"You stopped my heart from fifty feet. It pumped and sang and skipped a beat. And when I sleep my soul you keep," she sings, loud enough so that he can listen to her. "I wish for you to be happy. I wish for you to be free. I wish for you to be fearless. That's wishes one, two, and three." She looks at him as she continues to sing. There was no melody for the song, but that doesn't seem to matter. He's inspiring her right now, so much so that she's singing from the heart, something she hasn't done in a while. "And I won't wish to be yours or for you to be mine. But I wish them all for you every time."

There's nothing else, that's all she's written, but it might as well be a masterpiece if the way Aleksander looks at her means something.

"Is that yours?" he asks, resting his forehead against hers. She nods, feeling a little shy about the admission. "I have never heard anything so beautiful in my life, Alinochka. Can you please sing that again? I want to hear it forever."

Alina will comply, will sing for him whatever he wants, even her silly little chorus. But before she does that, she's going to kiss him senseless. She's going to let him know everything she's still afraid to put into words. And then she'll sing for him, for as long as he wants to.

him

Aleksander wakes up to the most beautiful sight he has ever seen.

Alina lies next to him. She is still asleep. Her eyes are closed, and her hair spills all over the sheets. He could count her freckles or her eyelashes if he wanted to, but he does not. Instead, he traces the outline of her face. His finger gently travels around her face as he thinks about how their relationship has significantly changed in the past few days.

He wanted to give her space. Aleksander would argue that she desperately needed it, especially after the whole thing with Mal. So he took the couch, despite her hints, and tried to not dream of her. It was easier during the day. During the day, he was just her shadow. It should have been embarrassing for him to follow her and do whatever she asked of him. However, he did not mind. Not when he was able to see how happy she was. As long as she was at peace, he would continue to make a fool out of himself.

But still, the nights were difficult. It was hard for him to sleep on the couch. Not only because it was uncomfortable, but because sleeping next to her had been fantastic. He longed for that, even if he was stuck in his resolution to give her space. Aleksander was convinced she needed it. His stupid wishes and desires were not as important as her well-being.

Alina proved him wrong on that part, and he cannot complain about it.

Seeing her resolution, how determined she was about being with him made him change his mind. It had impacted him, how she was not going to take no for an answer; it made him realize it was okay to want her. As much as Aleksander thought that the last thing she needed was a boyfriend, he was powerless after hearing how much she wanted him. Because he wanted her as well. That was all he did, day and night. Yes, he did whatever she wanted, whatever she asked him to; but silently, he spent his days longing for her. For the woman who tanned next to him and asked to be held whenever they went into the ocean.

So, he gave in. He was just a mortal man, after all. She was a goddess who wanted him. How could he ever say no?

He was glad he did not deny her, that he took her to bed and gave her pleasure. Because that was what he did. He gave and gave and gave. Aleksander gave because he wanted to because she deserved it. But also, he could not deny he also gave her pleasure because he was drunk on her. Her body was beautiful, soft, and warm, but he also knew it had been neglected in the past. So he worshiped her, there simply was no other option for him. Especially when she made those noises, so melodic, so sweet and addicting, Aleksander thought he might pass out.

Everything about Alina, everything she did and everything she was, enchanted him. But nothing prepared him for the moment when he finally was inside her. He could try to come up with metaphors and comparisons. Aleksander could try to quote the great poets and still, he would come up empty-handed. In thirty-two years of life, he could not find one single moment that came even close to what he felt that first night they slept together.

Nothing could also compare to the present moment, where he had lost count of how many times they had laid together.

He kisses her forehead before leaving the bed, looking for clean underwear to put on before he walks towards the kitchen to get started on the day. Iris is already there, trying —not so subtly— to get fed. His good girl deserved all the food in the world. After all, she has been at the mercy of two insatiable adults that can't keep their hands off each other, often forgetting about her for brief periods of time.

He feeds her and pats her head before he looks around the fridge to start with breakfast. They were running low on food, so he knew that he was bound to make another trip to the supermarket. Once Alina got out of bed, he would ask her if she had any special requests, but for now, it seemed like pancakes were the way to go.

Everything is set for him to start making the pancakes when Alina strolls into the kitchen. She is wearing one of his shirts, and although she looks like she's still asleep, there's a small smile on her face.

"Good morning, Sasha!" she greets, kissing his cheek before she grabs a mug and serves herself some coffee. "Mmm pancakes. I love that, thank you." Alina sits on a stool and sips her coffee as Iris makes her way towards her, just as Aleksander starts with the first pancake.

"You are welcome, Alinochka. I need to go out for more food, so if you want to make a request…"

"What's Alinochka?" She asks, instead of coming up with a list of things for him to buy. It takes him a second to process her question.

"What do you mean?" He does not turn around to look at her. He does not trust himself to keep an eye on their breakfast if she is there. Aleksander knows he is a fucking fool when it comes to Alina, so he refuses to turn around, even if he thinks it is quite rude behavior.

"You say 'Alinochka' and I don't know what that means," she comments, remaining quiet for a second. "You said it a couple of times before we had sex, but now you say it all the time."

Aleksander does not blush. He does not panic. He keeps his calm after hearing her and remains focused on their breakfast. And while his face shows nothing, inside he is freaking out. He is aware of what he has said during sex, which is far more than a simple pet name. He is glad she does not understand Russian, and he is very thankful that was the term that caught her attention and not the other ones that have slipped out of his mouth without permission.

"Alinochka is a pet name, an endearment if you will. Did you not know your name is of Russian origin?" He ends up asking after pouring the batter for a second pancake.

"It is? My mother told me it means beautiful and bright, that's the reason she picked it," she explains as she appears by his side, resting her cheek on his bicep and looking up at him.

"Yes, your name is Russian and Alinochka is a pet name," he tells her before he kisses her forehead. The focus should be on their breakfast, he knows, but it's so damn hard when she's around. "Your mother was right, by the way. That is the meaning of Alina. It is perfect because you are, in fact, very beautiful and shine as bright as the sun."

"Sasha…" she starts to say, but he shakes his head in response. He is not done.

"I wish you could see yourself from my point of view. I wish the whole world could really see you, Alina…" There is more he wishes to say, but she does not let him. She takes his face in her hands and kisses him until the burnt smell makes them come back to reality.

They end up ordering breakfast. He orders huevos rancheros just because the name makes Alina giggle.

He might not like the incident that drove them to leave the States and seek refuge in Mexico. If anything, he wishes that such thing had never happened, that Alina never knew such pain. But wishing did not work in real life. Things have happened and consequences led them to the bubble they were living in. And that was something he was thankful for because Alina was wonderful, and now he got to spend his days relishing in her presence.

Aleksander knew she was wonderful before this getaway. He knew it from the second she sought him out, and they started to bond. But that was nothing compared to the woman he saw every day now. Alina was finally free to do and say or simply be who she pleased. Under the Mexican sun and accompanied by the sound of the waves, away from prying eyes and a controlling industry; Alina had blossomed.

He was thankful that he was there to witness all of it.

"Sasha?" Alina's voice brings him back to reality as he puts the tap on his whiskey bottle. A glass of red for her and a whiskey for him. Tonight was chillier than usual, so Alina refused to go down the beach, preferring to cuddle on the couch. "Sasha, would you sing for me?"

Aleksander had thought he would never deny her anything, but it seems to him like he just found the thing he will draw the line at.

"Why would you want that?" He asks as he reaches the couch, sitting next to her and offering her the drink. "I am not a singer."

He can dabble on the piano because he had lessons as a kid, but that is the extent of his music knowledge. He is an avid fan, especially of Alina and her voice. That did not make him a singer, though.

"I'd like to hear you," she explains after taking a sip and putting the glass on the coffee table. "I think you have a beautiful voice. I also think you'd make a terrific singer…"

"You think so?" He asks with obvious surprise in his voice. Aleksander had never been complimented because of his voice before. It means a lot to him.

"I think your voice is beautiful. I always have, since we met," Alina says before kissing his jaw. "I won't judge you or mock you. I just want to hear you sing because… Well, I don't mind singing for you, but I would like for you to sing as well."

Alina has, in fact, sang for him. Almost daily at this point. She sings as she writes and tries to work on melodies. She sings when she tries to wake him up after a nap or to help him sleep at night. She sings because she's happy, and she wishes to do it.

It is such a small thing to do for her when she adds melody and harmony to his days. Besides, he knows he is unable to deny her anything.

"Fine," he says, with a fond smile on his lips as he starts to think about what he can sing for her. When a song comes to him, he takes her hand. "But do not make fun of me for picking old songs."

"I promise," she says while her thumb caresses his knuckles. Even if she breaks her promise, Aleksander knows he will not mind, just because she gifted her that smile.

He starts to sing 'Sweet Caroline', thinking that Neil Diamond deserves an apology for what he's doing to his song. Alina, however, looks at him as if she is listening to something wonderful. That emboldens him, so before the chorus, he takes her hand and hoists her up from the couch to start dancing.

They have slow-danced several times now, either by the sea, with the waves tickling their calves or on the bed, covered in sheets with the sunlight bathing them. They have never twirled and danced like this, and he wonders why. Alina is clearly enjoying herself, laughing and following his lead as he keeps singing to her.

What a magnificent creature she is. How lucky he believes himself to be, only because she willingly remains in his arms. Aleksander knows himself as a lucky person only because he is there to witness how she lights up the room.

However, he knows he is lucky when she joins in and starts to sing with him. A spontaneous duet that makes his heart jump in excitement. Her voice is magnificent, obviously far better than his own, but they mix so well, almost perfectly. Aleksander allows himself to daydream that maybe they can be perfect together.

After he finishes the song, Alina claps for him with enthusiasm, and he is unable to hide his blush.

"Sasha, you have an amazing voice," she says, standing on her toes to be able to kiss his jaw in adoration. "You're incredible!"

He absolutely disagrees. Compared to her, he is painfully average. He has made sure of it. Eryk Kirigan is average, whereas Aleksander Morozov was meant for greatness.

"No, Alina," he says as he shakes his head. He wonders for how long he'll be able to toy with this line, where he doesn't admit his true feelings to her, but it is obvious how he feels. There will come a moment where she realizes he is gone on her. "I think you are the incredible one."

Her eyes soften after hearing him, and the hand that was gently grazing his neck slowly starts to make its way towards his crotch. There is resolution in her eyes, but Aleksander does not want that. He has the growing suspicion that she has spent more time on her knees than experiencing orgasms. He will have none of that.

"Alina…" his voice has an edge, but she does not seem to care.

"I want to, please let me do this for you," she says as her fingers draw circles on his lower abdomen. Fuck, this woman was going to drive him insane. "You haven't forced me or anything. I just really want your dick."

It is his dick the one that makes his decision for him. Before his brain can even process the words, Aleksander is already taking her in his arms and trying not to run towards the bedroom. Whiskey and wine remain forgotten as Alina undresses him and settles between his legs. The last remains of his doubt, of his reluctance to have her do this, disappear as Alina starts to kiss his throbbing dick.

He has had sexual encounters before, mostly casual things where there was no space for feelings or real identities. Aleksander preferred it that way, it was just easier. He wasn't looking for a relationship, because having a relationship meant that he either had to pretend to be Eryk with the person or he had to be honest. Neither of the options sounded particularly enticing. So, casual sex was the way to go.

Obviously, all of that went out the window with Alina.

By all means, his previous sexual encounters were already forgotten, as nothing could even come to what he felt when he first slid into her. But now, seeing her on her knees with her pretty lips around his dick he knows that no one will ever even come close to her. It is spectacular to see his Alina completely destroying the last remains of his sanity. How can he think straight when the most amazing woman he has ever met is giving him a spectacular blow job. Everything about her seems to be made to drive him crazy. The way her mouth takes him, how she uses her hands, the little noises she makes, how she looks at him.

When he comes, with her name on his lips, he thinks that is the moment he no longer belongs to himself. That is the moment everything shifts, and he realizes —the only coherent thought he can have, as she fucked his brains out— that he belongs to her. Alina can do whatever the hell she wants with him, and he will never complain or refuse her, as far as he is concerned he exists just for her.

Alina is the sun, Aleksander is meant to orbit her.

She swallows his cum, looking happy with herself, before she undresses herself and climbs on top of him, kissing every part of his body. He must be looking at her with the dopiest grin on his face, despite knowing he should at least try to conceal his true feelings, instead of being too obvious. But he cannot, not when Alina is so soft and warm in his arms. Not when she reaches his lips and kisses him slowly, softly, making him think that maybe, just maybe, she also has feelings for him.

What an honor that would be, he thinks as he tangles his hands in her hair. What an honor it would be to find out his feelings are reciprocated by the woman of his dreams. He could only consider himself lucky, privileged if Alina felt for him even an ounce of what he feels for her.

For the first time since they started sleeping together, she falls asleep first. He can't, his brain is still too awake, trying to process everything. But it's also that he has no use for dreams now when the most amazing woman he's ever met is comfortably resting against his chest. As he watches her sleep, Aleksander lets himself wonder if there's a future for them and for the first time since they met, he allows himself to have hope. Hope for a future next to Alina.