Chapter 37
Gio leads me along the lantern-lit walking trail through the forest until we reach an iron arch covered in climbing roses.
As we stand before the arch, there is an excitement to Gio I’ve never seen before.
And it makes me anticipate the surprise he promised me even more.
He smiles warmly and, hand in hand, we walk through the arch.
Just beyond it, we are met with the most beautiful garden I’ve ever seen.
“Oh my!” I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand.
A circular, gravel clearing full of blush pink roses and sculptures of lovers in various poses waits for us.
Lanterns surround the perimeter, offering us just enough light in the moonlit darkness.
Just enough that I can see the gorgeous landscaping isn’t why Gio has brought me here.
In the middle of the garden is a small stone cottage.
It’s shaped almost like a gazebo—circular, with a domed roof.
And, yet it is enclosed. I wonder what’s inside.
Though, as Gio rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, I consider what’s behind the door might not be as important as the activities that will occur.
Thoughts of finally continuing what we started in his shower leave my skin flushed and my heart fluttering with excitement.
“This has always been my favorite garden on the Amato estate. And, yet I always felt it was missing something. You made me realize just what it needed,” Gio says.
I look at him, confused. He pulls me forward, guiding me toward the cottage.
And it’s behind the glass door I find the small structure is much more than meets the eye.
It’s a monument of Gio’s love for me, a reminder of how he listens to me, respects me, and seeks to make me happy.
“Gio,” I whisper, utterly breathless. It’s a library.
He built me a library when my ex wouldn’t even buy me a book.
The curved walls of the structure are adorned with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, which are completely packed with romance novels.
String lights wrap around the tops of the bookcases, lighting the single-room space in a perfect glowy hue.
They continue onto the wooden beams of the domed, milky-blue ceiling.
They look like stars above us. And, to make the space more functional, he’s placed cozy looking furniture in different areas of the room.
Most notably, there is a bed in the center.
And, right now, it looks all too inviting.
“I wanted you to have a place of your own. Not somewhere you have to share, even with Delilah, even with me. This is yours, Darcy. My gift to you.”
I turn to Gio and bring my hand to his neck. His amber eyes are so welcoming I could lose myself in them forever. Knowing that I can, knowing that he’s my safe place, I ask, “But what if I want to share it?”
He smiles as I let my hand slide from his neck down his chest until it rests just above the waistband of his black sweatpants.
“Then I will happily accept your invitation.” At that, Gio kisses me—soft and full of longing—as he brings his hand to the sash on my robe.
As gently as he kisses me, he tugs the sash.
My robe opens and I deepen our kiss. Moans escape me as Gio slips the fabric off my shoulders.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he whispers, pressing his forehead against mine.
I nod and brush my nose against his. “No interruptions. I’m going to take my time with you.
I’m going to kiss every inch of your beautiful body.
I’m going to love you and fuck you in a way that replaces all your unwanted memories.
With kisses, touches, and thrusts, I’ll turn your mind into a safe place where love can live instead of fear. ”
“I trust you,” I whisper. Gio moans as if those are the sweetest words he’s ever heard.
He takes a step back, finally noticing my outfit of choice. When Ana insisted I have a few lingerie items from her shop, I never dreamed I’d actually put them to use. But she’s impossible to say no to, and now I’m grateful I didn’t.
My matching bustier and panty set is made of completely sheer fabric trimmed in black and adorned with black and blue lace, floral appliques.
The tiny blue flowers with black vines offer me very little coverage.
Standing before him, I am and feel naked.
And yet, I do not shy away from his darkening gaze.
He looks me up and down, taking in my thick thighs and soft stomach.
As he does, I remind myself of all the kind things he’s already said about my body—strong, soft, delicate, feminine, womanly, beautiful, delectable, perfect.
His words allow me to feel more comfortable and confident under his gaze.
It’s then that the muscles in his neck contract and the veins in his arms appear to grow along with the bulge between his legs. “I take it you like it?” I ask.
“I love it. Though I prefer what’s underneath it.”
“Well, I could say the same thing.” As I note that he’s still fully clothed, Gio smirks and quickly disrobes.
Even though I’ve already seen him naked, I’m still amazed by him.
Hopefully, he’ll be just as pleased with me when my boobs sag and he gets a better look at the dimples on my ass and the backs of my thighs.
There’s also the matter of my scars. The thought of them twists my stomach.
Fighting against the memories of my past, I reach around and place my fingers on the clasp of my bra.
“Ah, ah,” Gio says, closing the space between us. Just as I think he’s going to kiss me, he spins me around. With one hand on my stomach, pulling me against him, and the other wrapped around my neck, he whispers, “Allow me.”
As my back arches, conforming to the perfect curve of his frame, his penis presses against me from behind.
This position takes me to a place I don’t want to visit.
But as I focus on Gio’s sensual cinnamon scent and the way his hand caresses my lower belly—sweet and loving—I do not stop him.
I let him do exactly as he wants, erasing the memories of my past and giving me the new ones I crave.
Gently and then more forcefully, Gio squeezes me on either side of my neck.
His touch has me at attention, fully present, as his hand on my belly dips lower.
Overtop of my underwear, he teases me. I lean back against him so that my clit is more accessible to him.
But just as I do, he retracts his hand and moves it up to my breast. Still holding me at attention by the neck, he cups my breast. We both moan in pleasure at the same time.
“I love how full they are,” Gio whispers into my ear. “I love how heavy, how…sensitive.”
“Ah!” I cry out as Gio takes both my nipples between his fingers and rolls them.
As he stands behind me, he holds me in place by my nipples, repeatedly rolling my most tender peaks until my body trembles against him.
I grab hold of his hips to keep myself upright as the sensation takes over me.
As I do, he switches from teasing my nipples to massaging my breasts.
This tactic allows the tension rising in me to simmer, yet my body is still tender, eager for more of his touches.
Eager more so to finally have him inside me.
As if sensing my desperation, Gio releases my breasts and kneels behind me.
I’m too caught up in desire to be self-conscious.
But, with his face inches from my ass, I know he sees my scars and my cellulite.
And I can only hope my shower was good enough to welcome such proximity.
There is a slight hesitation as Gio runs his fingers over the scars on my lower back and butt cheek.
Oh, God, please don’t make me explain those right now. Thankfully, he doesn’t.
Gio kisses along the raised flesh and then grabs my butt on either side.
I gasp as he kisses my ass, literally. At first, his kisses are soft.
Then, they turn to gentle bites. Never enough to draw blood or leave marks, just enough to excite me in a way I wasn’t expecting.
I never knew that caresses there could be so arousing.
With my panties now soaked through, Gio removes them, leaving my lower half bare and ready for the taking. “Spread your legs and bend over for me, angel.”
“What?” The request catches me off guard. Ass cheeks in the face is one thing, but ass hole is another.
“Trust me, Darcy. I’ve got you.” His tone is so reassuring and the fresh kisses he plants on my bum have my nerves settling.
I just…what is he going to do from this position?
Every inch, he said. He’s going to kiss every inch.
I take a deep breath as butterflies dance in my stomach.
But, ultimately, I do as he says. “Good girl,” he purrs.
And, before I second guess myself, he pokes his arm through my legs and massages my clit while simultaneously licking and kissing my asshole.
“Oh my God!” I cry at the unexpected pleasure of the circular motions.
Thankfully, there is a nearby chair I can use to hold myself upright as Gio puts in work.
The sensation is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
My clit throbs with desperation after all his earlier caresses.
And now, this position offers him perfect access to give me the release I’ve been craving for what feels like forever. And the way his tongue—
“Relax, baby. Just breathe,” Gio says in between flicks.
“Am I not relaxed?” I ask. As I do, I can feel myself tensing.
He lets out a soft chuckle. But, instead of answering me, he just showers me with compliments.
“You taste so good. And you smell heavenly.” It’s then that he inhales deeply and exhales the cool air right on my sensitive flesh.
His words and the subtle caress of his breath have me melting.
Okay, maybe I wasn’t as relaxed as I could be. But now I am.
“That’s my good girl,” Gio says. I give in to him and Gio intensifies the pressure on my clit.
I almost wish that’s where he’d put his mouth.
But I soon realize, his tongue in my ass is the perfect distraction.
Without it, I’d be hyper-focused on my clit, on cumming.
But, instead, I enjoy the combined sensation.
And, all the while, my arousal creeps through my veins and the electrified nerves, finally granting me an orgasm that makes me realize I’ve never truly had one before.
My body shakes. My legs quiver. Cries and moans of pleasure rip through me as I pinch my eyes closed in response to the all-consuming pressure. “That’s right, baby. Just like that. I want to see your cum dripping out of your sweet little cunt.”
My body bends to Gio’s every command. And, once my legs are done shaking and I’m left breathless and speechless, Gio runs his finger through my sensitive, slick slit.
As he retracts his finger, I hear him suck.
“You are my favorite meal.” He repeats the process of stealing my cum from inside me and bringing it to his mouth.
I smile and relish in the joy we both have.
That position is the most vulnerable one I’ve ever been in.
Somehow, having done what we just did leaves me with a sense of calm.
If I feel comfortable enough to let Gio touch me there, then I shouldn’t have any reservations about anything to come. That’s a freeing thought.
As my smile grows, I consider the possibility that Gio knew exactly what he was doing. He was freeing me of my inhibitions. First, we built the emotional trust. And now, the physical. What comes next? Nothing but pure, devious, and delectable pleasure.
Gio stands, pulling me upright with him. He spins me around and I steady myself using his forearms. Gently, he caresses my cheek. “How do you feel?” he asks.
I laugh. “Obedient. Anything you say, anything you want—I trust you to make me feel good.” He smiles and nods. Then, his eyes drift down to my breasts, which are still carefully restrained by my bustier.
“Then I say, it’s time we remove this.” At that, Gio reaches around me and brings his hands to the clasp on my bra.
With ease, he undoes the hooks, and the dainty fabric tugs away from my skin.
I feel my breasts sink as I’m left completely exposed before him.
But I am not ashamed, and I never will be again.
Because I have a man—a gorgeous, handsome man—who holds my heart and my body with gentleness and possessiveness.
His love for me has shown me I’m worthy.
His desire for me has shown me I am desirable.
In his eyes, there is nothing wrong with me.
And it is through his eyes that I wish to see myself for the rest of my life.
Gio steps forward and kisses each of my breasts. And then, without hesitation, he lifts me and carries me straight to the bed surrounded by bound pages of love. And yet, of all the love stories in this room, ours is my favorite.