Chapter 15
Chapter
Fifteen
brONWYN
Gio took me to work against my will.
The fit I threw about riding in his car, which I’m sure is worth more money than I’ll ever see in my lifetime, didn’t work.
I’m not sure how much a Maybach costs, but the way the leather feels against my hand lets me know it’s real and not the fake stuff my purse is made from.
I don’t feel worthy of riding in something like this.
And what did he say? Nothing. He looked amused before he told me to get the fuck in the car.
Even though I didn’t admit out loud, it was nice not to have to walk, I think the smug bastard knew it. He had a stupid smirk on his face the entire ride to AFK. It took everything in me not to smack it off. Maybe a bloody nose in his expensive car is the lesson he needs.
And to think that wasn’t bad enough, he ignored my pleas of pulling up to the curb and dropping me off. That apparently was too hard for him because he parked, opened my door, and walked me inside.
“I needed to see with my own eyes that you made it here safely.”
“I would have been fine walking,” I say, trying to contain my attitude because I can feel Nate’s eyes on us and there’s nothing more I hate than causing a scene, but I fail miserably.
“Amuse me,” Gio says, not moving to leave.
“Well, thanks.” I wave my hand toward the front door. “I can take it from here.”
“I think you’re forgetting something.”
My brow lowers in confusion as I try to think, but with him being this close to me, it’s nearly impossible. “I don’t think I am.”
“Give me a kiss.”
“What? No!” I hiss, lowering my voice as eyes dart around, making sure no one heard him.
“Now, cara, are you embarrassed of me?” Gio asks, that annoying, amused smile back on his face.
“I can’t stand you.”
“So you’ve said.” Without warning, Gio leans down, sealing his lips over mine in a hard, closed-mouth kiss. His dominance on display as his hand slips behind me and cups my ass, pulling me flush against him. “I’ll pick you up after work.”
Without another backward glance, Gio leaves me there in shock as he leaves.
“What the fuck was that?” Nate asks, breaking the silence in the store.
I robotically turn toward him, my eyes wide and lips still tingling from the feel of Gio’s mouth on mine. “Nothing.”
“Bronwyn, be for real right now. An Adduci brother just walked you into work and kissed you like he owns you. Cough up the tea, babe.” Nate slams his arm dramatically on the counter and holds out his hand, moving his fingers against each other like he’s asking for money.
“It’s…” I trail off, trying to find the best way to describe it. “I don’t know what this is.”
“Bullshit.”
“I’m being serious, Nate! He pushed his way into my life and won’t leave. It’s annoying, honestly.”
Nate studies me through narrowed eyes. “Fine. Don’t tell me. I’ll let you keep it as your little secret…for now.” He twirls around the corner, heading to the storage closet. “Remember, secrets don’t make friends!” he calls over his shoulder.
I roll my eyes. He’ll get over it.
“I didn’t know you loved drama so much!” I yell back.
“I do when it’s not mine!”
I snicker to myself. I believe that. I don’t know how he doesn’t get tired of constantly dating. I would have given up already if I were him. There’s only so many times I could tell someone my favorite color before I would want to stab them in the eye.
Just as I’m about to follow him into the back to help bring out the items we need to stock the store, the phone rings.
“Thank you for calling AFK, how can I help you?” I say into the phone after picking it up.
I listen for a response, but nothing comes. I can faintly hear someone breathing on the other end.
“Hello?” I ask. “Are you there?”
The breathing gets heavier and louder, filling my ear. It’s so loud it sounds like the person is standing next to me. My mind must be playing tricks on me because I swear I can feel the warmth from their breath trickling across my cheek and sending a chill down my spine.
“Hello?” I try one more time.
Nothing.
Not wanting to waste my time anymore, I hung up.
“Wrong number?” Nate asks as he comes up behind me with a box.
“I think so. No one answered.”
“Happened to me yesterday after you left except they hung up as soon as I said hello.” Nate shrugs.
Hmm, that’s weird.
The workday seemed to pass by at its usual speed.
We were steady, which I was grateful for.
It kept my mind off the fact that my life seems to have turned upside down.
I’ve been feeling extra anxious because no matter what I do or how I try to isolate myself and not be involved, something happens that reels me back in.
It’s like I have no control over anything anymore.
And with a man like Gio involved, it feels like a very dangerous game to be playing.
Growing up and watching my dad, I learned never to gamble or take risks.
Obviously, I’m attracted to Gio. He’s the only man who can set every nerve ending in my body on fire.
But would I have approached him on my own?
Absolutely fucking not. Guys like him don’t notice girls like me, and that’s another thing that makes me suspicious about why he’s pushing so hard.
By the time I realize it’s time to close, Gio isn’t here.
I think deep down I knew he wouldn’t come back like he said to pick me up. This morning must have just been a huge production to show he isn’t the hit it and quit it type of guy.
Ugh.
I grab my stuff, turn the lights off and lock the door behind me before I start my long, lonely walk home.
I’m pissed at myself for letting it happen.
I can’t seem to think when he’s around. Especially not when his shirt is unbuttoned at the top and I get a delicious view of his tattoos peeking out on his broad chest. He has the type of body that makes me want to lick every inch of him.
Before I knew it, I was under him, and he was inside me.
I can still feel him. He wasn’t long, but he was so fucking thick.
Every time I felt my vagina ache, my mind would drift back to last night and how much I loved it. My body is the worst traitor.
Just as I’m about to cross the street to the next block, a car lays on its horn behind me, scaring the shit out of me.
I jump two steps back as my hand flies to my chest and I squeeze my eyes shut.
I had been so in my head that I didn’t bother to check if any cars were coming.
I seriously need to get it together. I inhale deeply and slowly exhale, trying to calm my racing heart before I begin walking again.
As soon as I cross the street, the honking starts again.
This time I’m not scared; I’m annoyed. Looking over my shoulder, I stop dead in my tracks.
Gio’s Maybach is idling at the curb.
I grit my teeth and clench my fists because now I’m pissed.
I don’t move as I watch Gio smoothly exit the car and walk around to the passenger side and open the door. He moves his hand for me to get in the car with an easy smile on his face. “Your chariot awaits.”
I look between him and the car, my anger growing with every second I’m standing there. “You can shove your chariot up your ass.”
I start walking in the direction I was heading as I adjust my purse strap on my shoulder, leaving Gio behind.
Only a few seconds pass before I hear the car door slam shut and fast-paced footsteps coming up behind me, making me pick up my pace.
I’m practically power walking like an old lady around the mall right now.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Gio asks as he tries to keep up with me.
My lips press together as I keep my attention straight ahead, ignoring him.
“Hey,” Gio says with more bite in his tone as his hand lands on my shoulder, stopping me and turning me toward him in one motion. “I asked what the fuck your problem is?”
I yank my shoulder out of his grasp as I glare at him.
“My problem is that you said you would pick me up, which for the record I didn’t want in the first place, but when someone says they’re going to do something they should do it or at least let the other person know it isn’t happening.
And then, after not showing up, you decide the next best move is to honk at me on the side of the street? Are you crazy?”
“Cara, you know the answer to that,” Gio says, a sly smile on his face. “As for the rest, I’m sorry. My meeting ran late, and I lost track of time. I should have called, and that’s on me. Will you get in the car?”
I stare at him in shock. I wasn’t actually expecting an apology from him. Maybe hell really has frozen over, and my dad will pay me back the money he owes.
“I’m fine walking.” I sniff, turning my head to look down the street.
Gio heavily sighs. “What do I need to do to make it up to you?”
I don’t look at him as I think about what I want. He isn’t going to let me walk home, so that’s out. I never did get the food I’ve been craving since the night I met him…
“I’d like the pizza I never got.”
Gio almost looks relieved. “I can do that. Will you please get in the car?”
I don’t answer him as I walk back to his car, open the passenger door and get in. Once Gio is in, he puts the car in drive and pulls away from the curb.
“Bronwyn?” he asks.
There’s something in his tone that makes me turn my attention from the window to him. “Yeah?”
“If you ever open your own door again, I’m going to throw you over my knee and spank that sweet ass raw.”
I sharply inhale as my belly flutters. It sounds like a threat. Is it bad that I want it to be a promise?
“I thought you were going to pull a Wren and make me chase you down the street. Then I definitely would have spanked your ass. Probably would have done it in the street,” he continues as he drives back to my place.
Me running? Absolutely not.
“Who is Wren?” I ask, trying to keep my tone calm and casual, but inside the jealousy is bubbling up.
Gio side-eyes me with a smile that says he knows I’m jealous and fishing for information. “My sister-in-law. She’s a trip.”