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Five
SILAS
When I woke up to an empty bed, I couldn’t say I was surprised. Gia had this ethereal quality about her. Like I’d never be able to hold on to her. It only made me want to hold on tighter.
I had a feeling things got too intense for her, and she just couldn’t deal. I hoped she couldn’t resist coming back for more. But she’d have to overcome that rational side of her brain, which I knew was strong. I’d bide my time and see how she handled things going forward.
I wanted her to become addicted to me, to my touch, to everything I could offer her because I was positive she wouldn’t get it from anyone else. There was something between us. Something I’d never experienced before, and I already wanted her again.
After my last text, I stayed up way too late waiting for her reply. When it never came, I decided to let her make the next move. I understood she was concerned about her brothers, but we were adults. I was positive we could have a physical relationship and keep her brothers out of it.
I loved the Giovannis and wouldn’t want to alienate them. They’d always been good to me, including me in family gatherings, even when I was younger.
I was a patient man. I’d give Gia some time to come around to the realization that no one else was me. I was cocky enough to think that one night with me would have her coming back for more. That the memory of our evening would overcome all reason.
But as the weeks passed, my patience began to wane. I’d resisted showing up where I suspected she’d be or reaching out to her. But my ego had taken a hit.
I’d been in close contact with her brothers, giving business advice regarding their recent expansion to a second restaurant. I didn’t ask how she was because she wasn’t someone I usually discussed with her brothers. But it was hard.
I wanted to know if she was thinking about me. If she remembered our night. With every day that passed, I began to think she was either incredibly stubborn or she hadn’t been affected like I had.
I refused to believe the latter, so when the Giovannis announced a private grand opening party at the newest Giovanni’s Pizzeria, I said I’d go. It was assumed I would as a family friend, but I wanted to see her. I wanted to confirm that she was affected by my presence.
I timed my arrival so that I missed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. I didn’t want to see Gia for the first time when she was busy. I wanted to catch her off guard.
I walked inside, unsure of what to expect. Gia was near the door, her mouth dropping open slightly before she recovered. “What are you doing here?”
I sensed Leo moving toward me, probably trying to diffuse an argument.
I nodded toward him. “Your brothers invited me.”
Gia’s hands moved to her hips, and I was drawn to the tight black dress she was wearing, with a belt at her waist with a gold symbol. It accentuated her small waist and curves. A vision of her naked and riding my cock in the hot tub popped into my head. I worked hard to clear it because I was in the same room as her brothers.
Gia’s eyes flared with a mixture of irritation and something else—maybe desire. “You’re not welcome here.”
Leo stood by her side. “Gia, be nice. Whatever beef you have with him, can you let it go for one night? Can you just be happy for us?”
Evie ran up to Leo, holding a chain. “Can you put the necklace on me?”
Gia’s face softened at the sweet interaction.
Leo squatted in front of her to put it on. “Of course.”
Once it was on, Evie looked up at me, and my heart squeezed. “Do you like it?”
I cleared my throat. “It’s beautiful, just like you.”
Evie smiled. “Leo’s marrying my mommy.”
The admission made my heart thump a little harder. “Did I miss something?”
Leo grinned widely. “I just asked Harper to marry me.”
Genuinely happy for my friend, I hugged him. “Congratulations. Although I didn’t even realize you were dating.”
“I’ve liked her forever, and when I finally realized she was the one for me, everything fell into place.”
My mind flashed to all those moments on my balcony, and to the one I kept coming back to—Gia naked in my bed. The moon illuminating her skin as she closed her eyes and finally relaxed. I finally settled on, “That’s great.”
