Chapter Thirty-One
A familiar voice calls my name pulling me from my slumber. I groan as reality begins to fade into the forefront of my consciousness. Pleasure and pain radiate through my entire body with every stretch I take as the memories of last night replay in my mind. My muscles are so deliciously sore. I feel like a new woman, in a way I suppose I am. When my eyelids flutter open, I catch sight of Giovanni fully dressed in one of his beautifully custom-tailored suits. Incoherent sounds pass my lips as I try to pull him back into bed with me. A deep chuckle reverberates through his chest as he looms over me.
“Good morning, Amore Mio .” He whispers the greeting just before his mouth gently presses to mine for the briefest of kisses. “I’m sorry to wake you, Bella . I just didn’t want you to wake up and me not be here without an explanation. I have some –” his words die on this tongue briefly. I can practically see the wheels turn in his head as he contemplates just how much he is going to tell me before he makes a decision to be truthful. “I have a few more people to question in order to find out how deep things are with your father before we take him out.”
A blissful sigh escapes my lips as he drones on about my father. Is it sad that I don’t care what happens to the man that provided half of my DNA anymore? Not that he ever cared about me, that much has become clearer than an invisible dog fence over the time I’ve been free and with the Ludovico family.
“As long as you come home to me, do what you need to.” I sigh, full of contentment. “Although, I don’t know that I’ll be doing much moving today anyway. After that last position, I’m pretty sure any flexibility I possessed has now vanished.” My skin heats when I realize what I’ve said aloud. Giovanni chuckles darkly, the gleam in his eyes tells me he’s thinking of every dirty thing he did to me last night.
His lips ghost against mine before he pulls away and stands to his full height. I prop myself up onto my elbow as I pull the blanket snug around my bare chest. Not that anything was showing before. His wicked smirk melts my insides as he retreats toward the door. Before he closes it behind him, he calls across the room to me.
“Rest up, Amore Mio . I have so much more planned for you tonight.” The sensual tone of his voice bathes me in anticipation. I feel my skin prick as goosebumps cover my entire body.
Once I'm alone with my own thoughts my brain is on full steam ahead, unable to stop thinking about what more there could be for him to do to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm ready, willing, and able. The curiosity is going to have me on edge all day. With the realization that I won't be able to fall back to sleep, I throw off the blankets and sit up to stretch my muscles. The cool breeze from the ceiling fan sends a chill through my still naked body. I scramble to the bathroom ready to warm up in the shower while I reluctantly wash off the evidence of last night's events.
I step through the doorway of the kitchen to find Vanna sitting at the island as usual, but she's on her laptop today. Jade is bouncing around like the ridiculously productive woman I've come to know and love. My lips curve up into a grin as it dawns on me that I love this family. I try to walk as discreetly as possible toward them.
Jade glances in my direction for a second with a knowing smirk before she goes back to her task. Meanwhile Vanna’s gaze lands on me and she arches a brow. As I slide into the seat next to her she wraps her arm around my shoulder and chuckles.
“Well, it looks like he finally staked his claim. Are you ok?” Her sweet maternal instinct to care for me makes me feel lighter. I do need to talk because so much has happened in the last twelve hours alone.
A breath whooshes from my body as I exhale deeply before I proceed with the events that lead to this morning.
“Yes, we had sex. It was amazing and terrifying. He's so big and he's got piercings. Is that normal? How many times in one night is normal? Is it normal that I'm so sore?” I rapid fire my questions at her one by one. Jade chokes on the coffee she's sipping as Vanna stares at me with her mouth agape. My gaze darts back and forth between the two women with confusion when I'm met with silence. “What? Did I do something wrong?”
“Jesus, what is with these boys and piercings?” Vanna mumbles under her breath. “Sweetheart, I love you like you're my blood, but this is just not a conversation I can have about my son. Let's call Brittany and get her over here so you can talk everything out. Ok?” She offers as she pulls me in for a tighter hug as she picks up her phone and quickly taps on the screen. Presumably to send a message to Brittany.
My skin heats as I realize that my instinct to share everything with them isn't the best idea in this situation. Vanna must notice my embarrassment because she places the device back on the counter and turns to face me. Her hands cup my cheeks and she offers me the sweetest and warmest smile as I shrink into myself.
“Hey, don't do that. You didn't do anything wrong. You didn't know. If it were anyone else, I'd have the conversation with you, but as a mother, the last thing I want or need to know about is my child’s sex life. I was only eighteen when I had him and sometimes it's hard to believe he's grown enough to be having sex.” She shakes her head with a slight smile as she appears lost in a memory. “He was my little Leo through and through, between his generosity and his need to protect those he cares about. You're in good hands, Nina.”
A strong vibration tickles my butt-cheek as a text message comes through my phone I forgot in my back pocket. I giggle to myself as I pull the device out to find a message from Giovanni.
Giovanni:
How are you feeling?
My lips curve up into a bigger grin as I quickly type back a response.
Nina:
Sore, but good. Ready to find out what you have in store for me tonight.
Giovanni:
You'll have to wait a little longer, don’t worry we’ll still have plenty of time for me to demonstrate exactly what I have in mind when we get home. I'm taking you to dinner first. Be ready to leave by seven.
His response is immediate and the words have me clenching my thighs together. How is it that such simple words can have me on the edge of my seat with excitement and need.
I groan quietly to myself before I shove my phone back into the pocket of my jeans. A moment later Vanna walks toward me with Brittany trailing behind her with the widest smile.
“Tink! How dare you!” She squeals as she rushes up to me and pulls me in for a hug.
“Huh?” My eyes fly around the room as she spins us in a circle until they land on Vanna who has a mischievous smirk on her face. “How dare I what?” Her choice of wording has my body stiff as a board until I force myself to take a few breaths and remember where I am, who I'm with.
“I had to hear from Vanna that you lost your V-card! Seriously, I thought we were friends!” She shouts excitedly.
My shoulders shake with uncontrollable laughter. The last time someone approached me like that was my father because I stood by the window too long when he had people over that could have seen me. He beat me so badly I couldn't get out of bed for two days that time. Now, I'm being scolded for not getting in touch with my friend immediately after losing my virginity. I shake my head and hug Brittany tight before I drag her behind me to lay everything out on the table.
The rest of the day goes by so fast I lose track of time. It's not until Michael walks into the living room where Brittany and I are still talking that I'm reminded I need to get ready. The man towers in the doorway as he clears his throat before entering.
“Sorry to bother you, Johnny sent me back early to pick you up. He's running a bit behind and will need to meet you at the restaurant. Since Abel has the day off, I'll be driving you.” He offers a kind smile before turning away.
Brittany jumps to her feet and scrambles around the giant man. He dwarfs her with his giant frame, so much so that I can't even see her from my position on the couch, and I have to cover my mouth to stifle the giggle.
“Hey, Daddy.” I hear her muffled voice from wherever she stands in front of him. “When are you going to let me take you for a ride?”