Chapter Twenty-Three
I ’m sprawled out like a starfish on the bed, left with a dampness between my legs that has me feeling things I don’t understand. There is an overwhelming feeling, a need at my center that I’ve never felt before. I press my legs together for some relief, the pressure feels like heaven, but I need more. More of what, I’ve yet to figure that out. I’m sitting with my back against the headboard with the covers wrapped tightly around my body to hide the moisture he caused. Not that he could see it unless he was between my legs, why does that thought make me even more excited?
Giovanni exits the bathroom, freshly showered, with just a pair of black boxer briefs covering him. My mouth dries at the sight. He’s so beautiful, and I admire the black ink wraps like vines around every inch of his exposed skin. It ends at the wrist and is usually hidden when he’s dressed in suits. The few times I've seen him in T-shirts or mostly bare like this, the beauty of his art steals my breath.
His lips twitch as a knowing grin pulls at the corner of his mouth. My eyes never leave his body while I watch him dress in his usual uniform of a fitted dark suit with a white button up underneath. He carefully secures a watch to his wrist before turning back to face me. The grin is even more apparent as Giovanni stalks toward my side of the bed. He leans forward and grabs hold of my ankles before dragging me to the edge. I let out a squeal at the sudden forced movement, which quickly turns into a giggle when he pulls me up into a seated position after I’m where he wants me.
“I’ll see you tonight, Short Stack.” His lips press against my forehead before he steps away with a wink that is sexier than should be legal. Giovanni disappears from our room in a matter of seconds, and I’m left wondering with confusion clouding my every thought.
The rest of my morning is much the same between getting lost in a workout before a shower followed by breakfast with Vanna and Jade. Now though, I find myself in the living room curled up on a dark green chaise lounge with Pinhead purring against my chest while I read my favorite book. I’ve just reached the moment the female main character meets her love interest when I hear the clicking of heels against the hardwood floors.
“Hey Sweetheart, Tabatha will be here soon with her inventory.” Vanna announces when enters the room, “What are you reading?” Her question is what pulls me from my book as she strolls closer to me.
After I explain a bit about the book I’m reading, she has a sour look twisting her face. She slides down to sit next to my legs as she pats my ankle gently before speaking.
“Sweetheart, you’re how old?” Vanna’s tone has my insides twisting in knots.
With my eyes trained on my hands I reply shyly, “I’ll be twenty-five on October seventeenth.”
Vanna's expression lightens, a bright smile takes over her face just as Tabatha walks in with several of Giovanni’s men, Abel and Rand included. Racks and racks of clothes and boxes of shoes are brought in. My jaw drops wide as I see she in fact brought all of her inventory. Holy shit.
“Tabatha, you didn’t have to actually bring everything ! This is too much!” I exclaim as I jump to my feet and rush over to her. My arms wrap around her shoulders as soon as I reach her. “Thank you.”
She waves her hand at me dismissively. “Oh dear, after what Janelle put you through, I will open a boutique in one of the extra bedrooms exclusively for you if you ask me to.”
My eyes well with tears as I take my time to look at all that she’s brought. I’m not sure how long I’ve been perusing when my arm begins to complain about the added weight. A giggle escapes when I realize I’ve loaded up on pieces I want to try on. Vanna has tears silently streaming down her cheeks that she tries to wipe away before I notice them as soon as I turn around.
“Is it ok?” I ask Tabatha who nods with a wink. Abel lifts the clothing from my arms and follows me to mine and Giovanni’s room. He lays the pieces across the bed before disappearing back into the hall as he pulls the door closed behind him.
The next hour is spent as I would expect a nineties movie montage of wardrobe changes to happen. A number of jeans, dresses, tops, jackets, and shoes of every type are strewn about by the time I’ve finished and decided on what I want to keep. A handful of dresses that are much fancier than what I'm used to. Jeans that fit like a glove and a few shirts that show off my – uh, assets. I’m standing in front of a floor length mirror with a pair of red bottom platform boots. A tan exterior with a heel to give me some height but hopefully thick enough that I don’t fall on my face.
I take a few unsteady steps across the length of the bedroom when I hear a gasp from the direction of the bedroom door. When I turn to find Vanna leaning in the doorway, I smile shyly unsure of what to say.
“Sweetheart, you look fantastic! You need those shoes. This entire outfit is absolutely you.” She exclaims as she claps her hands excitedly and walks toward me to get a closer look at the dark wash blue jeans and purple cropped long sleeve shirt. It’s cut in a low square showing off just enough of my chest that I feel sexy but not like I’m about to fall out of the top. A faux leather jacket over top finishes off the look. My cheeks flush as she spins me to get a full view.
“I feel good. I’m afraid I’m going to hurt myself in these shoes though. How do you walk in those?” I ask as I point to the thin stilettos she’s always wearing.
She chuckles as she lifts her shoulders in a shrug.
“I know you had a rough first outing, but I have an idea.” Vanna’s smile is infectious, “You’re going to be twenty-five in a week, yet you’re still reading a book for teenagers. Would you like to go to a small bookstore with me? We can find you something more age appropriate.” Her lips turn up into a wicked grin as I cross my arms over my chest to protect myself. “I promise you, Sweetheart; I won’t be out of earshot, and I know damn well after how you spoke to Tabs, you’ve got a handle on your emotions enough to fuck someone up if they speak to you inappropriately.”
My jaw drops for the second time today before my shock turns into a fit of laughter. She leads me out to say goodbye to Tabatha, who is just as giddy as Vanna was over my style choices.
Abel pulls the SUV up outside of the bookstore, Under the Cover. My eyes go wide when I get a glimpse of the inside. I follow Vanna quickly as soon as she opens the car door. Abel and Rand are barely out of their seats by the time I’ve reached the entrance. A staccato rhythm beats in my chest as soon as I step through the threshold to find a woman with a radiant smile behind the counter.
“Hi! Welcome to Under the Cover, I’m Brittany. Let me know if you need help finding anything!” She announces just before Vanna joins me. She’s beautiful, she’s got a wild air about her with beautiful tattoos covering every piece of skin that’s on display, and that’s most of it given she’s wearing a fitted tank top with a mini skirt. The ink on her legs is obscured a tad by the fishnet stockings, but just a little. You can still see the beauty with the little bit that’s hidden.
“Hey, Sweetheart, how have you been?” Vanna walks to the counter where Brittany steps around to greet her with a warm hug. She’s adorable, her hair is dark with a bright pink ombre effect. Her makeup is flawless, a peachy eyeshadow makes her hazel eyes pop. They stop me where I am several yards away.
“V! I haven’t seen you in months.” She exclaims as soon as she gets her arms around Vanna.
The two of them begin chatting while I look around. Just taking time to appreciate my surroundings. I’m living my best Belle fantasy life when I see the wooden ladder that slides along the wall. There are several reading nooks plus a swing with silk flowers and vines wrapped around the ropes that tether it to the ceiling. I spin when I register someone approaching my side.
“Hi! It’s so nice to meet you. Vanna said that you love to read, but you’ve not been able to get anything new for a while. I’d love to help.” Brittany’s confidence has my brain whirling.
I take a step back as I suck in a deep breath to center myself. She’s not threatening, she’s just friendly. It’s fine, I’m fine.
“Yeah, I’ve not had,” I pause, contemplating my next words. “I’ve not had access to anything new for quite some time. I got a hold of a book by an author a while ago that was well, hot. But, I forget the name of it.”
Her already bright smile has turned into a wicked grin mirroring one I've seen from Giovanni. Vanna is acting interested in whatever book she picked up, but I can see the smile in her eyes from where I stand. Traitor.
“Oh, Tink – we're going to get real close, real fast.” Brittany giggles as she talks faster than I’ve ever heard someone speak. “Tell me everything about you. What are your kinks? Your likes, dislikes? We’ll start with something that you actually enjoy and branch out from there.”
My cheeks heat and I look anywhere but at the other people in the store. This is embarrassing!
“I uh – I don’t know.” I admit as I allow my hair to fall in front of my face like a curtain.
She wraps her arm around my shoulder as she directs me toward a wall of books, “You’re vanilla. That’s fine, let’s see.”
“What? No, I mean, I’ve never –” The words die on my tongue as soon as I realize she understands.
“Oh. My. God! A virgin! Miss ma’am, this is going to be fun!” She squeals as she spins me in the complete opposite direction toward a different wall of books as she points out her favorite books for beginners.