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Gio raises his eyebrow and quirks his lips. “You heard the lady. We won’t need you tomorrow.”
Tarek leaves and we’re finally alone, and the awkwardness settles. In the middle of a Caribbean paradise, I feel slightly out of place. I’m not even sure why, but I guess with all thecatering, I haven’t digested where we are. Or who I’m with.
An infinity pool glistens, with flickering lights illuminating the large terrace. Below us a private white-sand beach stretches into the waves of the Atlantic. The bungalow—as Gio called it—is a huge U-shaped structure of white walls and glass. In fact, the terrace, surrounded by the house itself, feels like a part of the interior.
It’s beautiful, luxurious, and bursting with decadence everywhere. I’m in love with the view already, and I could get used to it all quickly. Which only reminds me I shouldn’t.
I don’t know how long Gio will indulge me, so I need to force myself to enjoy with restraint. The last thing I need is getting over the manand his lifestyleat the same time. God, I’m shallow.
Gio snakes his hands around my waist, his heat caressing my back. He kisses the crown of my head and pleasant shivers tingle my skin. “Penny for your thoughts.”
I chuckle and lean into him, enjoying the feel of him. The breeze. The smell of the ocean mingling with his smoke and spice scent. “I thought you dealt in more zeros than that.”
He snorts. “That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t value a penny.”
Butterflies. Heat. Weak knees. This man. Jesus.
I turn around and cup his face. He’s breathtaking. Especially this version, with relaxed features, crinkles around his eyes, and the dark brown softened into delicious chocolate.
“It’s beautiful here. Thank you for bringing me.” I rise on my tiptoes and kiss him.
He tightens his embrace, spreading his large hands across my back, pulling me to him as he deepens the kiss. We both moan at the same time.
“I’m glad you’re here with me, Princess. Winesty?”
I lift my eyebrows. “Oh man, this date hasn’t even started, and you have something to confess?”
He laughs, and I take a mental snapshot because Gio confirms why rare things have increased value.
“I want your winesty, Mila.”
I frown and he kisses my forehead. “You say you’re glad to be here, but ever since I picked you up this morning, I’ve yet to enjoy the carefree woman I spent time with in California. What’s going on?”
I sigh and lower my head to his chest. I thought I was hiding it well enough. I look up and scrunch up my face, but that has never made things easier.
“Gio, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, because everything you planned for me today was wow and dazzle, but I wanted to spend time with you. I appreciate all the gestures and luxuries, I really do, but it’s also hard to accept, and I want you, not the things.”
He captures my lips with an urgency that takes my breath away.
Heat. Grace. Reverence.
“Jesus, woman, we need to find a compromise. I want to treat you.”
“Maybe fewer keepers and more of you, the real you, would be a compromise.” I lick my lips.
“Just you and me for the rest of the weekend, Princess.”
I grin. “Thank you.”
He dips me and I yelp as we fall onto the sofa, kissing. It’s a playful kiss, a tease really, but as Gio finds the hem of my dress and his warm, possessive hand scorches the skin of my thigh, I sigh.
He doesn’t travel farther, just devours my mouth, digging his fingers into my flesh. We have done nothing beyond kissing yet, but somehow I feel like he’s claimed me already.
His touch.
His kiss.
His gaze.
