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Falynn
PLAYLIST: ? EVERY KIND OF WAY - H.E.R. ?
“I refuse to believe it.”
A giggle bubbles out of me as I stand facing Gio, hands on my hips. He steps forward and drops a kiss on my lips.
“Well, believe it. I don’t like them.”
“You’re telling me you can bash a man’s face in, but you can’t do this?”
“Handling business is very different than…this.”
I eye him like a madman. “You’re kidding, right? You call that handling business?”
“The point is that isn’t this.”
“Okay, but what about when you race down highways like a speed demon?” I tease, hooking my arm with his. We stroll down the crowded promenade. Louis and Dominico, our security for the afternoon, trail only a few steps behind. “You’re telling me you can speed through traffic without a fear in the world, but you’re afraid ofthis?”
Gio’s muscled arm tightens around mine. “I’m not afraid. I said I don’t like them.”
“Sounds like a phobia to me.” I almost giggle again but catch myself at his look of warning. His blue eyes dazzle in the afternoon sunshine, his beard framing his tense face. Even after so many weeks, his handsome looks make me weak in the knees. I nestle closer and lean my head onto his shoulder. “Oh, don’t be a grump! Everyone’s afraid of something.”
“And what are you afraid of?”
“Snakes! And anything creepy crawly.”
“Creepy crawly?” Humor leaks into his stern tone. “You mean like insects?”
“Whoreallylikes bugs? They’re ugly and gross. Not to mention disrespectful.”
“Disrespectful?”
“Have you ever had one jump on you? Or crawl on your countertop? Fly into your food? They’re always crossing boundaries. No respect for your space. They’ve always got to be in your bubble.”
“I’m sure it’s intentional,” he replies with sarcasm and a lone chuckle. “I’ll remember to keep any snakes and bugs away from you.”
“What about you? What scares you?”
Giovanni steers us through the crowd of tourists. Many browse the shops and restaurants. Some stop for photos or linger in the square soaking up the atmosphere. The mood in the air couldn’t be more laidback as everyone makes the most of the Saturday. Including us.
Now that we’ve sorted out our relationship status, eliminated Tony Lovato’s grip on Vegas, and successfully launched the Vittoria, it’s time for a break. It’s what I’ve hoped for ever since my feelings for Giovanni developed strictly from lusty “I’d bust it wide open” to “I kinda sorta like this guy. Maybe I’ll keep him”.
Actually, that’s an understatement.
Gio makes my heart radiate. My stomach quake. My face pull into an automatic smile whenever around him. I want nothing more than to cuddle close and be lovesick fools doing silly couple things like going on double dates and adopting a cuddly dog named Biscuit together.
But, as I glance at Gio, and he doesn’t answer my fear question, another part of me nags. I’ve been a pretty open book with Gio. I’ve told him about my past. I’ve shared my hopes and dreams. I’ve let him into my life in ways I have never let another man in. Not even Enzo in the two years we were together.
He hasn’t done the same. I know he cares about me. He’s told me he loves me, and he never wants to lose me. Shocking confessions in themselves. He’s said he wants me by his side as he rules Vegas and beyond. But opening himself up and letting me see the basest, core part of him? Not even close.
Giovanni lives in his head a lot. He closes off emotion. He goes quiet and checks out. I’ve learned enough of his body language and tells to figure out what he’s sometimes feeling. I can sense his deep care when he wraps his arms around me and holds me.
Even now, as we stroll through the promenade, I know I’m his priority. He spends every moment focused on keeping me safe, making me happy. I just wish I knew how to do the same for him.
What makes you tick, Gio? When will you open up to me? Don’t be afraid. I’ll love you no matter what.
“We can do something else,” I mutter after our prolonged silence. “Maybe we can go to a show—”
