Gio (5th Street)

  “Meet me out front in the parking lot,” she whispered rapidly.

  “What?” he asked, already headed for the front exit. His heart sped up with every long eager stride.

  “Just do it,” she urged.

  “I’m on my way.” He nearly broke into a sprint, her voice alone vanquishing all the negative thoughts he’d so recently been thinking.

  Yep, there was no question about it. God help him. He was in love.

  CHAPTER 21

  Pushing through the front door Gio’s eyes scanned the huge parking lot. His eyes zeroed in on Bianca waving at him over by a van. Gio skipped down the stairs in the front now in a full sprint to get to her. When he reached her he didn’t even ask. They could talk later the first thing he did was take her in his arms. He kissed her with a hunger he’d only experienced since the first time he tasted her mouth.

  He hadn’t even given her time to remove the mint and it was now in his mouth as he pulled away grinning and holding it between his front teeth, then pulled it back in his mouth and kissed her again. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips, his eyes closed, afraid of what she’d say but more of what she wouldn’t.

  As usual, she surprised him. She pulled back and he opened his eyes. Her big eyes stared at him very determinedly. “Before I say this, I want you know that even though this may or may not matter to you, it’s still important to me that you know. I care about Felix but I’ve never loved him. I know you heard me say it to him but I know now what it feels like to be utterly and completely in love. What I felt for Felix… feel for Felix doesn’t even come close to what I feel for you. I don’t know what you’ve done to me, Giovanni Bravo, but I love you so much it hurts.”

  He let out a slow breath and felt his heart start up again. “Jesus, Bianca. You scared the shit outta me for a moment there. I wasn’t sure where you were going with that.”

  He slid his tongue in her mouth not caring that they stood in the middle of a parking lot where anyone could see them. None of that mattered anymore. He loved her and she loved him. Nothing would keep him from her now.

  From the moment he first kissed her she’d kissed him back just as eagerly as she did now. She pulled away, licking her lips then glanced around before turning back to the van and sliding the door open. “Hurry up. Get in.”

  “Whose van is this?” Gio glanced around as he climbed into the small cargo van.

  The back was completely empty, no seats at all and no cargo of any kind. He glanced back at her as she slid the door closed. Gio about to ask how the hell she scored this when she sat on her knees looking very serious. “It’s Toni’s boyfriend’s,” she said, the apprehension in her eyes as if he’d actually disapprove confused him. “Her car broke down,” she said as she caressed is face now, staring in his eyes. “I just wanted a moment with you alone. I was desperate Gio. It’s what you do to me.”

  Feeling the enormous relief of once again having confirmation that he wasn’t in this alone—he wasn’t the only one feeling this maniacal. She was too. He’d never seen anything so clear in another person’s eyes.

  He kissed her deeply wanting to assure her he understood completely stopping in between kisses only to tell her again how much he loved her. If there was any doubt about it earlier it was completely gone now.

  With that certainty another unrelenting urge had begun to surface. The need to claim her—make him his but it couldn’t happen here.

  He pressed against her as she moaned into his mouth. “I want you like I’ve never wanted anything in my life,” she whispered barely able to catch her breath. The flavor of her mint had been pretty strong but it didn’t entirely conceal the taste of wine in her mouth. He had to wonder if this was the alcohol talking.

  “I want you, too.” She sucked his neck, making him nearly lose it. Breathlessly, he asked the question that begged for an answer now. “But here?”

  She stopped kissing him, staring at him the emotion in her eyes so real, so indisputable no way could there be any truth to Noah’s theory. She was as afraid as he was that this thing between them could never be.

  “Do you have protection?” her hushed words fell on him like precious water droplets in the mouth of a man dying of thirst.

  “I do, but this is not how I wanted our first time to be. Not in a van. You deserve better, Bianca. You—”

  Her fingers touched his lips as her tongue swept over her own lips. “I’ve never done anything like this. It would be a first for me.”

  Gio stared at her swallowing hard. The thought of being her first anything had him fighting the urge to rip off her dress. Even with everything her eyes were saying to him, that she loved him just as desperately as he loved her and that she wanted her first reckless sexual experience to be with him, something still nagged at him. He had to know. “Just tell me this. Has anything changed? You didn’t respond to my last text this morning.”

  She brought her hands to her mouth her eyes widening. “Oh my God. I did respond but I accidentally sent it to Felix instead.”

  Gio sat up. “What?”

  She shook her head quickly, placing her hands on his chest. Tracing his lips with calming kisses, she spoke quickly. “It was nothing bad. All I said was that I could hardly wait but he called me on it because it still made no sense to him. I was able to cover up saying I meant to send it to my mom.”

  Gio hadn’t paid much attention to anything she said after hearing what her response to his text had been. His mind was back on the condom in his wallet. This was too big of a risk. Someone was bound to notice the two of them had conveniently disappeared at the same time. But just like all the other times his ability to reason sensibly was shot to hell. All he could think of now was getting her down on the floor of that van and doing what he’d been fantasizing about obsessively for too long.

  Still feeling what he’d always felt from her regardless of the impossibility of it all, he knew in his heart he’d stop at nothing to get what he wanted and they’d have plenty of time to make up for this later. For now his need to have her, make her his beat out every sensible thought that dare cross his mind. He kissed her pulling her down with him.

  He had more than enough experience with the fast and dirty. Fast and dirty was not what he wanted with Bianca but at the moment they had no other choice. Gio already knew Noah must know or have some idea what they’d be up to. It was only a matter of time before Felix noticed their absence.

  Nearly losing it when he slipped his hand up between her legs and realized she was more than ready for him, he stopped his ravenous kissing to look at her. “Are you absolutely sure about this?”

  She smiled, her eyes ablaze with desire. “Yes,” she gasped.

  He devoured her mouth again moving her panties out of the way, and sinking a finger in her. Fearing her moan just like he’d imagined after seeing all those orgasmic expressions of hers. His own desire uncontainable now he moved fast to get the condom out, pull his pants down as he got on his knees and slipped it on.

  He looked down at her now, her dress lifted to her waist, exposing places he’d only dreamed of seeing, touching, licking. With her legs spread even as she still wore her long boots, it made this already unbelievable moment even sexier than some of his wildest dreams about her and he’d had some wild ones. It was all he could do to not plunge right in but he had to get one thing straight. He leaned over again and stared deeply into those beautiful eyes that now held the key to his heart. “After this there’s no going back.”

  With her eyes locked onto his like they had been so many times in weeks leading up to this, she nodded.

  “I need to be sure you understand this, Bianca. After this if you change your mind and you and him…” He squeezed his eyes shut not able to even say it—think it.

  “Gio, I told you I love you. I won’t. Ever. I swear.”

  Opening his eyes slowly, looking intensely into her eyes again, Gio believed her. He couldn’t explain it but there was something in those eyes. He saw it d
eep in them. Even though she was betraying Felix, she’d never do it to him.

  Knowing this had to be fast, he placed his thumb on that perfectly wet, already pulsating, spot—right where he knew it would drive her crazy and began the gentle circular strokes as he slowly slid into her. Arching her back with a tremble in reaction to his touch Bianca let out a gasp.

  Never once, did he take his eyes off hers and he watched as her expression changed dramatically doing that thing she did when she felt the fireplace against her back, tasted the hot chocolate for the first time. That alone nearly did him in but he held on sliding in and out, moving faster as he began to feel that familiar tremble and he knew she was close.

  She moaned loudly, lifting her hips up to him and he sped up, slammed in harder now, feeling his own build-up ready to erupt. Just as she cried out he buried himself deep in her letting out all the tension he’d built up in the past weeks—the anger and blood boiling jealousy he’d felt earlier. He came so hard and so much for a moment he worried the condom must’ve burst.

  A few minutes later, they still lay there as the reality of what had just happened sunk in. Gio turned to Bianca lifting himself to his elbow and caressing her cheek with his finger. The connection he felt to her at that very moment was mind-boggling. “No regrets,” he whispered.

  It was more of a statement than a question but she responded with a smile, shook her head and repeated the two words he’d spoken with as much conviction as he felt. “No regrets.”

  That only furthered his faith that as wrong as what they were doing to his friend felt, there was no going back. They were no longer doing it. It was done. This had sealed it. Bianca was more his now than she was Felix’s. As far as Gio was concerned her relationship with Felix was a thing of the past. Though it would still have to be dealt with delicately. For now they’d remain discreet until they could figure out how to move this forward as painlessly as possible because this changed everything. Gio wasn’t about to take even one step backward now. If it meant they’d both move out of Felix’s place a lot sooner than they’d planned, so be it.

  That was inevitable anyway because if he’d had a hard enough time concealing his feelings for Bianca before tonight, it would be near impossible now. It was just a matter of time before he’d have to man up and accept the consequences of his actions. He was ready to do that now, but he knew now was not the time.

  Bianca sat up. “We should get back before they notice we’ve been gone together.”

  They cleaned up, fixed their clothes and started out but not before Gio pulled Bianca back to him kissing her one last time—making sure she understood things would be different from here on. “Just so we’re clear,” he whispered against her lips. “This was not our only chance. This was just the beginning. All right?”

  “All right.” Bianca nodded. With a look of pure elation, she threw her arms around his neck nearly knocking him back down.

  “I love you, Bianca,” he said the words he knew now he’d never get tired of saying.

  “I love you, Gio,” she whispered back.

  They were both feeling the excitement of what lay ahead. “Let’s go,” he said straightening back up.

  They decided to go in through separate entrances. Bianca would walk in through the front of the resort while Gio would go around the back way. Giving her a few minutes so they wouldn’t arrive back together, he slowed his stride as it really sunk in. This was actually happening and she wanted it as much as he did.

  Noah’s words from that first conversation Gio had with him over the phone about this came to him. No matter what, this won’t end well. You know that right? Gio had thought about this many times—about the possibility that somehow he could pull this off.

  Maybe once she broke things off with him and after some time passed, if Felix was in another relationship even, maybe then Bianca and Gio could reveal their relationship. Maybe then, it wouldn’t be so bad. Those were a bunch of big maybes, because in the meantime, Gio would have to deal with the situation as it stood. Gio had barely been able to hold it together earlier when he watched Felix kiss her. The way he felt now, seeing Bianca engage in any physical contact with Felix might blow everything out into the open.

  ~*~

  Bianca did her best to appear as casual as possible as she made her way back to the table with the rest of the girls. One glance over at the guys by the bar had her heart racing. Felix eyed her and he didn’t look happy. Could it be possible he knew what she’d been up to? The idea that he may have had one of his security guys follow her, even as a security precaution, didn’t even dawn on her until she was on her way back but now it was major cause of worry.

  Felix started toward her as she got closer. She slowed not wanting to be too close to the girls now if they were going to argue. Starting to smile as he stepped in front of her, Bianca’s smile went flat seeing the fiery contempt in his eyes. “Where’ve you been?”

  Assaulted by the stench of tequila, followed by his slurred speech Bianca realized he was drunker than she’d ever seen him. “To the ladies’ room. I got caught up on my way back when I ran into someone from school.”

  His eyebrow jerked up at that. “A guy?”

  “No,” she tried not to sound too defensive. Obviously, his reaction was fueled by the alcohol because he’d never once been angry with her and now his body language and the obstinate glare almost frightened her. He was more than angry, he was furious. “A girl I have class with.”

  “You sure?”

  Bianca swallowed hard. What did he know? “Of course I’m sure.”

  “You think I haven’t noticed, Bianca?” He spoke through his teeth, now lowering his voice but stepping closer to her, speaking right in her face. “Suddenly I’m not allowed to touch you but I have to watch while you smile and giggle at all your fucking little texts. Texts you say are all from your mom?” He took another menacing step forward as she took a cautious one back. People around them started to take notice. His eyebrow arched again sharply, as a sardonic smirk spread across his lips. “Oh, you thought I hadn’t noticed did you? How stupid do you think I am? You were probably on the phone with him now, weren’t you?” When she didn’t respond he raised his voice. “Weren’t you?”

  What happened next was a giant blur. Gio jumped in Felix’s face. “Calm your ass down, man.”

  Noah and the others followed as Felix continued to bark at Bianca to answer his questions.

  “He’s drunk,” Noah attempted to downplay Felix’s erupted temper.

  Felix suspected she was cheating but apparently had no idea with who because his anger was all directed at her. The girls all stood as one of the bodyguards informed them it was time to go while the guys continued to try to calm a now completely unreasonable and belligerent, Felix.

  The last words she heard fly out of his mouth were “Fucking whore!” That’s when Gio’s fist flew into Felix’s mouth. Bianca’s stomach fell and chaos ensued.

  Between Felix’s bodyguards, Noah, the rest of the guys, and the bar security trying to get control of the situation the place was a mess. Toni tugged at her hand. “Let’s go,” she urged.

  Bianca didn’t understand the urgency until she saw the cameras. First it was just a couple of people with their phones snapping pictures but then she saw what appeared to be paparazzi. They’d been there the whole night and she hadn’t even considered the possibility that she might be seen by them earlier.

  Toni and Bianca rushed out the back but even then cameras flashed in their faces. Hurrying to the van, Toni searched in her purse for her keys.

  “I have them,” Bianca said, handing them to her as Toni’s eyes widened.

  “Why do you have my keys?”

  Her heart still pounding and feelings of guilt mounting by the minute, Bianca was beginning to feel like she might throw up. “I’ll explain later; let’s just hurry and get out of here.”

  Bianca had asked to borrow Toni’s compact after watching Gio bolt out of there obviously upset
about seeing Felix kiss her. Having told Bianca about the van situation earlier that day, Bianca had acted on a panicked whim and took the keys without Toni’s knowledge. Then she’d rushed out saying she had to use the ladies’ room and called Gio. The guilt was coming in from every direction—even this one. Toni hadn’t been thrilled about the predicament Bianca had gotten herself into. Just like Bianca knew her mother and Nana would think, while Toni did think it exciting, she also thought it was dangerous. Tonight had proved exactly why. Things could escalate quickly and unexpectedly. Hearing Felix call her a whore still burned in her ears, and here he didn’t even know the whole truth.

  As they drove away in stunned silence, Bianca thought of Gio’s words. No regrets. She still didn’t have any—even after tonight’s disaster—but she did regret that she hadn’t decided to leave Felix’s place sooner. She wouldn’t be going back to his cabin. After tonight, she couldn’t. Not just because of the way he’d behaved or because it was plain wrong to continue to stay at his place while completely betraying him, but because tonight she’d seen firsthand how a guy she thought she knew, could turn into someone completely different when angry. Felix didn’t even know what was really going on. She cringed to think what might happen if he did.

  “You think you’ll be able to go get my things from Felix’s place sometime this week?”

  Toni turned to her and pulled off the road into a gas station. She stopped then turned off the engine. “Of course I will.” She smiled. “First let me just say, holy shit Gio and his friends are hot. But Gio’s eyes, my God! I can see why you’d be so tempted. But can you explain why you had my keys and…” Toni squeezed her eyes shut crinkling her nose. “Bianca, tell me you didn’t. I noticed you and Gio were gone for sometime and I figured you might be doing something sneaky but…” She turned to look at the back of the van and Bianca saw the flicker of horror in her eyes the moment Toni spotted it—the condom wrapper. “Oh my God, you did!”