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“I really want to get it,” she admitted.

My heart beat erratically in my chest at her words. I grabbed her chin and gently tilted it toward me before I kissed her. Our first kiss had been everything I hoped it would be, and this one was the same. Our tongues met, and I gripped her thigh. She moaned, and I had to pull away before I pushed her too quickly. My forehead rested in the crook of her neck as I rubbed her body while she clung to my neck.

“Come on. Let’s eat, baby. After, would you do me the honor of spending the night wit’ me?” I asked. Her breathing hitched, but she automatically nodded. I kissed her neck. “We ain’t gotta do anything. I just wanna hold you.”

“That sounds perfect.” I tapped her thigh, and after she stood up, she paused and said, “Gino, just . . . please . . . don’t hurt me.”

I watched as she sat across from me. Soon, she would realize that hurting her wasn’t in my DNA, just like I somehow knew that hurting me wasn’t in hers. We were locked in tight, and she didn’t even know it yet, but it was okay. I would hold everything together until she hopped on board.

Chapter Eight

YARA

This hotel was not what I expected when he asked me to spend the night with him. I thought maybe he would come to my house. After dinner, though, he told me to stop by my house to grab some clothes and gave me the address to the hotel.

My breathing hitched when he opened the door after I knocked. Rose petals were everywhere, accompanied by little candles all across the floor, creating a path to the bed and then the other way to the bathroom where I saw a large Jacuzzi. Soft R&B played through the space as I looked around in awe.

“Take your shoes off, baby. You deserve to walk on rose petals,” he murmured as he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the door.

Tears stung the back of my eyelids as I slid my heels off while he grabbed the small bag I had over my shoulder.

My bare feet touched the soft petals. They crackled with each step as I walked further into the room.

“What is all this?” I whispered.

I felt his strong arms circle around my waist as his face nuzzled into the side of my neck. “Just somethin’ light to show you how much of a queen you are in my eyes.”

I leaned back into him.

Follow your heart.

Paris’s lecture from earlier rattled through my mind as I focused on letting go and living in the moment. I knew everything would fall into place as it needed to.

“Thank you,” I muttered. Nobody had ever done anything like this for me before. I was grateful. Still a little scared and unsure of what I was getting myself into, but grateful.

He kissed my neck in response before he asked, “What you wanna do? Want me to run you a bath in the Jacuzzi?”

As good as that sounded, it had been a long day, and I still had to get up the following day and go to work. Even though Gino assured me that my job was safe, I wouldn’t feel right just forgetting about work. I still had bills, and more importantly, really, I needed to keep my medical insurance to make sure I continued to get my medication. Without it, I wasn’t sure I would be able to do much of anything.

“I think I just want to shower and sleep.”

“Shower and sleep it is then, baby. Go ahead and get your things together. I’ll turn the shower on for you.” He kissed my cheek, and then the warmth of his body disappeared.

I turned just in time to see him disappear into the large bathroom. It was then that I noticed that he had already changed. My guess was that he had showered already while I was at my house, getting my things.

I quickly grabbed my toiletry bag and pajamas before joining Gino in the bathroom.

“You should be good, but let me know if you need anything . . . or if you need some company.” He winked, and my heart tapped rapidly against my ribcage.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you, Gino, . . . for everything.”

“It’s only the beginning.” He kissed my hand and closed the door behind him.

I showered quickly and brushed my teeth before putting lotion on and getting dressed. I was eager to get into bed, and even more eager to see what it felt like to lie in Gino’s arms.

He’s married.

Not for long.