by Ash, Nikki
I turn around and walk back over to her. She’s now standing like everyone else. “Don’t you ever call me Gio. You want to play the innocent act? Fine. But as far as I’m concerned, you and I are no longer family.” I look around the room, four sets of eyes staring at me in shock. “And if any of you have a problem with me being with Aria, you come to me. Don’t you dare say a fucking word to her.”
“Is she even aware of the risks?” Dad questions, accusingly.
“What about Nico? He’s living with his girlfriend! Are you asking him if she’s aware of the risks?”
“Bro, don’t bring me into this shit. I run a casino and hotel. I’m not being prepped to take over the Valentino organization.”
“It’s still dangerous.”
“And Amber knows she has to have a guard with her everywhere she goes.”
“Aria knows it as well.”
I look at my mom and see she’s frowning. “If she is who you want, I will respect it, Giovanni. I just hope you know what you are doing because mark my words, whether you mean for it to happen or not, you will destroy that girl.” She walks out of the room shaking her head with Cecilia trailing behind her.
“Your mother is right, Son. This life isn’t for everyone. Hell, it’s not for most. Now, you haven’t debriefed me on what happened in New Jersey. Let’s discuss this is in my office where I can have a cigar without Claudia bitching about the smoke.”
We spend the rest of the morning discussing possible theories regarding Sebastian and the Lorenzo organization. Around three o’clock, my mom brings us all a late lunch and we spend the rest of the afternoon going over numbers. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a meeting like this so there’s a lot of shit to discuss. When my mom asks if we’re staying for dinner, I realize I haven’t spoken to Aria all day. I tell her I need to check in with Aria first and then take a moment to check my phone. There’s nothing from her, so I shoot Rome and Caesar a text asking if she’s okay, because while I’m perfectly comfortable destroying a man like Sebastian, I’m a damn pussy when it comes to texting my girlfriend after I gave her the cold shoulder this morning and pissed her off. When Rome texts back that she left to Amber’s place with a suitcase, I shoot a glare to Nico.
“What?”
“Did you know Aria is staying with you?” I show him the text from Rome.
“No, but Amber thinks I’m gone until the end of the week. I didn’t tell her I’m back since I’m planning to surprise her.” He waggles his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.
“You said she has a guard, right? Text him and see if Aria’s still there.”
He sends him a text. “He said the girls were out all day with their friends and they’re on their way to dinner and then to a club to go dancing.” He holds his phone out to show me a picture of the backs of all the women walking into the restaurant. I recognize Aria right away. She’s wearing a peach colored skintight dress with black fuck-me heels, and her hair is in waves down her back.
“Which club?”
Nico laughs. “Great minds.” He shows me the next text: Lush.
Is she serious? She went out with Benjamin a couple times, and he owns that club. That better be a fucking coincidence. I have no problem with Benjamin, but he better not be anywhere near my woman.
We go to the kitchen and let our mom know we won’t be able to stay for dinner.
“I’m going to run home and change. I’ll meet you at the club,” I tell Nico.
“Sounds good.”
I run by the house and change my clothes, then check on the girls and let them know my mom will be by tomorrow. Caesar, Rome, and Edgardo are all here and know to look after the place until Johnny returns.
I arrive at Lush, and after giving my name to the bouncer, I’m let through immediately. The music is thumping and the lights are dimmed down low. I search for the women in several areas but don’t see them anywhere. Just when I’m about to send a text to Nico to see where he is, a blur of peach catches my attention.
On the dance floor, shaking her ass like it’s 1999, is Aria. She’s surrounded by her friends and they’re all dancing, but my eyes are locked on her. Her arms are in the air and her head is thrown back as she laughs. Her body is swaying to the music, and in this moment, she looks so young, carefree, the way a woman of her age should look.
Instead of going to her, I stand on the sidelines and observe her. I watch as she lights up the darkened floor with her natural brightness. The other women gravitate toward her, feeding off her energy. And I wonder if I have ever really seen her smile like that. Was my mom, right? Would being with Aria mean destroying her? She was supposed to be safe at La Stella’s and look what happened. What if the next time my guys can’t get to her in time?
Before I can give it any more thought, Aria’s eyes land on mine. Her smile falters slightly, and it hits me dead in my gut, I want to be the one to bring her smile back, which raises the question: what if that means having to let her go? I push the thought down and give her a small wave. She tilts her head slightly and crooks her finger in a come-hither motion, granting me with a gorgeous smile.
Bridging the gap between us, I take her into my arms—noticing her face has more makeup than usual to cover the bruises Weston left on her—and even though the song booming through the club is a fast, pulsating number, I pull her body close to mine as she dances seductively against me. My knee parts her thighs and she grinds against my leg, giving me access to feel her heat against me. Leaning down, I whisper into her ear, “I’m sorry.”
She looks at me and nods, her arms coming around my neck as she pulls me down to her, her lips brushing mine. The kiss starts off tentative, but quickly becomes more fervent—hungry. It isn’t until her tongue finds its way in, that I taste the alcohol on her breath.
Looks like I’ll be apologizing again once she’s sober.
Chapter Twenty-Six
ARIA
After I accept Gio’s apology—though, we’ll definitely be talking more later—we spend the rest of the night dancing and drinking until the club closes. As we’re walking out, Benjamin stops us to say hello, welcoming us back any time and mentioning he’ll be opening a club in LA next month, if we’re ever in the area, we should stop by.
“Come home with me, baby. Please,” Gio says, once we’re outside. He pushes me against the side of his vehicle and his hand goes to the curve of my hip, descending past the hem of my dress and landing on my bare skin, as he peppers kisses along my hot flesh, down my collarbone, and over my shoulder. When he licks my earlobe, I visibly shiver, making him chuckle.
“We need to talk,” I say, trying to stay focused. His kisses are an aphrodisiac, each and every one of them going straight to my core.
“Come back home and we’ll talk. I promise.” Rests his arms above my head, he cages me in and plants a kiss on the corner of my mouth. His lips move to my throat, then to my neck.
“What happened this morning?” I ask. “Was it because Weston touched me?”
Gio’s body freezes. His thumb and index finger go to my chin and he raises my face so I’m looking at him. “Ari, I can’t keep my hands off of you. Nothing he’s ever done to you could change how I feel about you. How much I want you. How much I love you.” His lips come down on mine for a kiss.
“Then what was it?” I murmur against his lips.
Gio lets out a sigh and backs up, taking his warmth with him. “I didn’t keep you safe.”
“You couldn’t have known Cecilia would work with him.”
“I should have been more on top of it. It happened under my roof. The life I live is dangerous. Cecilia has lived that life right alongside me. She’s watched people get killed, get beaten to death. She’s watched threats get made and those same threats be followed through.”
“I could get into an accident driving and be killed. You can’t predict the future.”
“No, but I can keep you from being put in harm’s way. My biggest fear is that by loving me, you’re signing your de
ath wish.”
“So, what do we do?”
Gio’s head drops and he lets out a defeated sigh. “We keep living our life. We see where things go. I love you so much, but, Aria, if you’re ever put in harm’s way again because of me—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I plead, grabbing him around his neck and pulling him to me. “Don’t say that. Take me home, please. Take me home and make love to me. Nothing is going to happen to me.”
Gio doesn’t take us home. Instead, he takes us to his hotel. He checks us into a room, and once we get inside, he hands me a robe. “We don’t have any clothes here so put this on so you can be more comfortable.” He takes his shoes and socks off then strips out of his pants and shirt.
Taking the robe from him, I go to the bathroom to freshen up. I fix my makeup the best I can, using the soap on the sink to wipe the black smudges from under my eyes, and run my fingers through my hair. Then I remove my dress and heels. I debate whether I should leave my undergarments on and decide against it. Once I have the robe secure, I walk back into the room.
Gio isn’t there, but I see the slider open so I head out to the balcony. When I get out there, I notice each balcony has a privacy wall. Gio is sitting out there with a tray from room service. When he hears me approach, he turns around, grinning at me.
“I ordered some dessert. It’ll help absorb some of that tequila in your system.” He shoots me a wink, and I roll my eyes but go to the tray to see what he’s ordered. Under the lid is a large slice of chocolate cake drizzled with hot fudge. With my index finger, I swipe a bit of the fudge off the top and lick it off my finger until its clean. Gio groans, so I swipe up some more, this time making a production out of licking my finger.
Grasping the side of my robe, he pulls me to him so I’m straddling his lap. He grabs my finger, sticks it in his mouth, and sucks hard. When I try to pull my finger back, he bites down on it.
“Hey! You know I love my cake. Get your own.”
“This cake is for us to share.” He sits up higher and adjusts us, then he grabs the plate with the delicious cake on it along with a fork. When he breaks off a piece, I lean forward to take a bite, but he smirks and takes the bite himself.
“Not cool, Valentino.” I pout and he laughs, the sound sending butterflies to my belly. He takes another forkful and this time brings it to my mouth. I part my lips and he gives me the bite. The cake practically melts in my mouth and I can’t help the moan that slips out.
“I think I need another bite of this cake,” Gio murmurs, his gaze burning into mine. This time when he breaks off a forkful, he pulls down the top of my robe and spreads the cake along my collarbone, crumbs falling all over us. Before I can make a smartass comment, his mouth is on my body, sucking and nibbling the cake off my skin. He swipes a piece of frosting with his finger, and moving my robe down farther so my breasts are completely exposed, he rubs the frosting across one of my nipples.
“Now, this is my kind of dessert.” He lifts a brow and gives me a devilishly handsome grin before grabbing my breast in his hand and bringing my nipple to his mouth.
He sucks on the hardened peak almost to the point of pain. The sensation hits at the apex of my thighs and I clench my legs together in need of some kind of relief. Gio takes another bit of frosting and rubs it onto my other nipple, licking and sucking it, making me squirm in his lap.
When he goes to swipe another piece, I grab his hand. “You aren’t sharing,” I tease.
Guiding his finger to his chest, I rub the frosting over the tattoo he has above his heart, and leaning down, I lick my way across his flesh. I can feel the raised skin from his tattoo and I make a mental note to ask him what it means to him. I’ve seen it a million times but keep forgetting to ask him about it.
I take more frosting off the top of the cake and wipe it across his neck. I run my tongue downward, licking the chocolatey goodness off him. Just as I’m licking the last of the chocolate off, Gio grabs my ass and pulls me closer to him so my pussy is grinding against his hard cock through his boxers. I let out a throaty moan and he groans. His hands go to my breasts as he eagerly takes a nipple into his mouth, licking then sucking on it.
I lean back—his mouth making a popping sound as my nipple gets plucked from his mouth—and grab hold of his shaft, rubbing it through his boxers. I can feel the precum leaking through the material and I need to have it in my mouth. Sliding down the lounge chair, I pull Gio’s boxers down and his dick springs free. Taking his shaft in my hand, I stroke it up and down, getting it harder. Once it’s standing at full attention, I hover over his dick, give him a small smile, then holding my tits together, glide down and around his dick.
“Jesus, baby. Fuck me with those tits.” He lets out a guttural groan as I glide my breasts up and down, fucking him. The head of his cock is glistening with precum and every time his dick comes up, it enters my wet mouth, my lips wrapping around the head, sucking and tasting the saltiness.
Gio’s hips begin to buck, his movements growing more frantic. “I need to be inside you.” He grabs me by my arms and pulls me up. With his dick in his hand, he guides himself into me. I lower myself onto his entire length and once I’m completely seated, let out a heady moan.
“Holy shit. You’re so deep.” I start moving my hips up and down, as Gio groans out, his head going back in pleasure. My arms come up and hold onto his shoulders, my breasts rubbing up against his chest as I ride him. He brings his head down and presses hard kisses all over my breasts before pulling a nipple into his mouth.
“Suck on it harder,” I cry out, needing more, “and pull the other one.” Clamping my nipple down with his teeth, he sucks hard on one nipple while pinching and pulling the other one. Sparks shoot down to my core. My movements get wilder, my vaginal muscles tightening. Gio lets go of my breasts and pulls me into a rough kiss, taking possession of my mouth. His tongue thrusts inside, swirling around mine, as his fingers stroke my clit, the sensations sending volts of pleasure through my body. I can’t get enough of him, and I’m not sure if I ever will.
“Aria, come for me, baby.” His fingers continue to massage my clit as my pussy clenches around his dick. My orgasm builds higher and higher, about to spill over. When Gio’s thrusts into me from below, hitting me deliciously deep, I let go, waves of ecstasy rolling through me like a tidal wave as he follows right behind me.
I let out a satisfied sigh and my head drops to Gio’s shoulder as we both sit quietly, catching our breaths. “I love you,” he whispers into my ear.
“I love you, too.” I pull back and give him a slow kiss, my lips lingering on his, not wanting our connection to end. Finally, he pulls back slightly.
“Let’s go take a shower. Then we can finish this dessert.” He gives me his signature panty-dropping wink and lifts me, setting me down so he can stand up. Once he’s righted himself, he swoops me up over his shoulder and slaps my ass hard, making me squeal as he carries me to the shower where we both get cleaned off, only to get dirty several more times throughout the night.
I wake up to the sound of someone knocking on the door. With one eye still closed, I peek out of the sheets to see Gio taking a bag from Johnny. He closes the door, but opens it again when there’s another knock. This time, it’s room service. He wheels the cart in and tips the guy before closing the door once more.
I sit up in the bed, pulling the sheet up as I go. “I’m starving. What do you have there?”
“Since I have plans for us today, I figured we would go with something less messy.” He lifts the lid up, showcasing the croissants, coffee, and fruit. He brings the tray over to the bed, setting it down in between us, and hands me my coffee. I set it on the nightstand.
“There’s a lot we could do with that fruit,” I say as I pull the sheets down, exposing my breasts. “Like this strawberry…” I take a bite out of it, chewing slowly, then place the other half onto my nipple, rubbing the juice all around the hardened peak.
Gio lets out a rough growl th
en pounces on me, his mouth going straight to my nipple as he laps and licks the dripping juice. The tray of food goes flying when he grabs the sheets and rips them from my body, the cold air hitting my nipples and making them even harder.
He grabs my hips and pulls my body down, my head hitting the pillow, and then he grips my thighs and spreads them open. His body climbs back over mine, and his fingers thread through my own, pinning them over my head as he thrusts into me in one fluid motion, the head of his dick hitting the spot deep down in me that will have me coming in minutes.
I let out a moan as he fucks me hard and deep, pumping into me mercilessly over and over again. With my hands pinned above my head, my back arches, my chest rising. Gio rains kisses along my neck then all over my breasts as he fucks me senseless. Our bodies are rubbing against each other, while he’s thrusting into me, heat spreading throughout my body, my clit being stimulated.
I scream out in pleasure as my climax hits me hard, my body bowing off the bed. My pussy clenches around his dick as he empties himself into me.
“Jesus, Aria.” His hands are still in mine as his head drops. He glance back up at me and I grace him with a lazy, sated smile.
“What? It’s not my fault you ordered strawberries.” I shrug and he chuckles lightly, shaking his head.
“Let’s go, woman. We have shit to do today. We need to shower and eat.” He gets off me and I get out of the bed, running to the shower. He reaches out and slaps my ass again like he did last night.
“Keep that up and we’re never going to leave this room,” I yell as I slam the bathroom door behind me. Of course, Gio follows me into the bathroom and by the time we are dressed in the clothes Gio had Johnny bring us, fed, and ready to go, it’s almost lunch time.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
GIOVANNI
“What are we doing today?” Aria asks for the millionth time since I made the mistake of using the word surprise. We’re riding down to the second floor in the elevator, and for the millionth time I tell her she has to wait and see. The elevator dings, letting us off and Aria lets out a loud gasp. “Wow! Gio, is this your casino?” I nod and take her hand, leading her to the entrance.