Acquiring Hearts

by S. Donahue

  “He was so unhappy with her. Sheila’s mother, who’s my best friend, practically forced her on Bradley. He basically tolerated her because of me. I never wanted to see him unhappy. When he told me he was going to break up with her, I told him it was his decision and that he shouldn’t stay with her for the wrong reasons. With you, he has a different look in his eye.”

  “I’m telling you this because I want you to know that I think there is something special between you two. When he called he told me he met someone.” A look of sadness came over her as she continued to speak. “Bradley has never gotten over his father’s death. You can help him heal, I know in my heart.”

  They gave each other an understanding smile.

  Just then Brad and Patrick walked into the room. “We didn’t want to keep you waiting”, Brad firmly stated. He reached over and kissed Gia on the cheek. “I missed you.”

  “We better get going.” Joanna didn’t need to see anything further. Gia had her blessings. She knew that Gia was perfect for Brad and Joanna could tell that he had feelings for Gia.

  “You don’t have to leave yet!” Gia exclaimed.

  “Yes, we do. Sorry. I have to go to the hospital and check on my patients. Joanna turned to Gia. “It was really great meeting you. When Bradley comes back, you both need to come over for dinner so we can catch up.

  “That sounds great. Thank you for the invite.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Bradley and Gia walked them to the door and said their goodbyes.

  Once they were gone Brad pulled her into his arms and gave her a long kiss. “Thank you so much for being a good sport about meeting them.” He knew how his mother could be sometimes and he didn’t want Gia to ever feel overwhelmed.

  “I had a great time. Your mother is really nice. She seems to care about you a lot.”

  Bradley rolled his eyes. “More about her own self that’s for sure. Don’t let her fool you.”

  Did he just roll his eyes at me?

  “I know it’s none of my business, but, why were you so tense during breakfast?

  “I guess I was just nervous about you meeting my mom.”

  “You seemed different.”

  “Sometimes it’s weird to see my mom with someone else. Patrick is a great guy and he treats my mom wonderfully but she married him after just a year after dad’s death. I wonder if she ever grieved his death. Brad looked so sad, he obviously needed to get it off his chest.

  “Everybody grieves differently. That doesn’t mean that she loved your dad any less. Maybe she didn’t want to be alone anymore. She seems very happy. It’s possible she felt she needed to just go on.”

  “I know. She’s been married for almost six years now but I still wish she would have waited.”

  He doesn’t want to talk about this anymore. It’s time to change the subject.

  “So, what do you want to do today, Honey?” She didn’t care what they did as long as they were spending time together.

  “It’s completely up to you. Whatever you want to do is fine by me.”

  “Let’s take a drive down to Atlantic City today. Then we can go out to dinner or something while we are down there.”

  Gia loved AC. Her family used to go there every summer when she was a kid. They would walk the boardwalk and go on amusement rides. Over the years, new attractions were added including an outdoor mall. She was looking forward to checking out the new shops.

  “Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.”

  “I’ll call and book a reservation at the Borgata. I’ll be right back.

  He’s going to steal my heart.

  “I’ll be out on the patio,” Gia called to Brad as she went. She wanted to call Maria, who had been calling her all morning. Brad kissed her and walked away.

  Maria answered on the first ring.

  “What’s going on that’s so important?” Gia asked with attitude in her voice.

  “Where are you?”

  “Brad’s house. I had breakfast with him and his parents. Why?”

  “Carson told me some crazy shit today about Tom.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know Carson’s friend, Mason?”

  “Yeah”

  “He told Carson that Tom has been saying that he’s going to do whatever it takes to make you his girlfriend and that you want him badly. He said that you wanted to have sex with him the night he dropped you off, but he had to turn you down because he didn’t want to take advantage of you.”

  Gia was in total shock. She couldn’t believe what Maria was telling her. “Is he fucking crazy? I’m going to ring that little twerp’s neck!” She yelled in anger.

  “Mason said to tell you to be careful because Tom’s not wrapped too tight.”

  Great!!! I have a psychotic nut and my boyfriend’s ex on my hands. I’m very popular lately.

  “First off, I can’t tell Brad because he’ll delay his trip and this means too much to him. Plus, he’ll crush Tom with his one hand.” Gia decided she would just deal with this on Monday if the subject came up. If not, then she knew people wouldn’t believe some craziness Tom was saying.

  Apparently Maria didn’t feel the same way. “I’d take Mason seriously.”

  “You’re so dramatic. I’m going to the Borgata tonight with Brad. He’ll keep me safe, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll call you tomorrow when I get home. I promise.”

  “Ok, don’t forget. Talk to you tomorrow.” Gia sat down on the lounge chair after she hung up the phone.

  I don’t think Tom would do anything to me. He seemed ok when I went out with him. I probably don’t have anything to worry about. I hope.

  Gia heard the door open and Brad came out onto the patio deck.

  “Is everything ok? I waited for you to hang up with your call. I didn’t want to disturb you,” Brad said respectfully.

  “Yeah, I’m ok. That was just Maria talking about office drama.”

  He sat down next to her on the lounge chair. Her heart started racing. “If you need anything let me know. I’m here for you.”

  He had a really big heart, and she knew he meant what he was saying.

  “We’re all set for tonight.”

  Gia was hoping that tonight was magical because they weren’t going to see each other for a while.

  He looked into her eyes. “I’d do anything for you, baby. I want you to know that I’m really going to miss you. Somehow even though we haven’t known each other that long, I feel like we’re destined to be together.”

  She knew in her heart that she was going to miss Brad a lot. She was getting attached to him. “I’m going to miss you too, Honey. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, we’ll see.”

  Chapter Eight

  Gary drove them to Atlantic City. Brad set Gary up in another room in the hotel. His girlfriend, Caroline, was going to drive down when she was finished work later that afternoon.

  Brad had reserved a suite for him and Gia and he scheduled a massage and premium spa services for Gia. He made dinner reservations for seven thirty that evening. Brad wanted this to be a special occasion so he had dessert and champagne delivered to the room for when they returned from dinner. She worked so hard every day and he wanted her to know how much he cared about her. He was hoping that tonight was going to be very special.

  Gia had such an amazing day at the spa. Brad knew how to spoil her.

  I could get use to this.

  When she entered the suite around 6 P.M., she found that Brad was not around. Brad left her a note on the bed saying:

  Hey Baby,

  I ‘m downstairs at the bar watching the Phillies game with Gary. I wanted to give you some space to get ready. I left you some packages on the bed. I hope you like them. Text me when you’re ready and I‘ll come pick you up for our date. P.S. I hope you had a relaxing day.

  Miss You, Bradley xoxo

  Could this guy get anymore dreamier? I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.
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  On the bed there were three packages. Gia started with the large package first. She tore off the big red bow. There was a beautiful black and gold spaghetti strap dress. In the middle sized box was a pair of black Manolo heels with gold straps that were just her style. The third box was a flat blue box from Tiffany’s. She nervously opened it. He bought her a gorgeous diamond necklace.

  Brad really out did himself on this one.

  He knows how to make me feel like a princess.

  Gia wasn’t used to this kind of attention. She usually bought her own clothes, shoes and jewelry. It actually felt nice to have someone else do things for her.

  Her hair and nails were already done so she only needed to get dressed and apply her makeup. She looked fantastic. When she was done, she sent Brad a text. Her stomach dropped to her feet. Even though they were becoming close, she still got butterflies.

  Maybe once I get wine in my system, I’ll calm down.

  About ten minutes later, Brad knocked softly on the door. When Gia opened the door, her heart melted. He looked so hot in his black Calvin Klein suit. He had a white shirt on unbuttoned at the collar. He was leaning against the door frame with a dozen red roses in his arm. “Will you do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight?”

  “Of course I will.” Her frigging heart was racing at the sight of him and his romantic gestures.

  “You look absolutely beautiful”, he said to her as she threw her arms around his neck.

  “Thank you for the necklace. I love it so much. You’re amazing and I’m so lucky to have you in my life.” Gia put the roses on the entryway table.

  “I’m the lucky one!” He offered her his hand and they exited the suite.

  The restaurant was exquisite. Gia had been in her fair share of restaurants, but, she liked the look and feel of this one. Brad had made reservations at Forneletto, an Italian restaurant. Since it was located in their hotel, they didn’t have far to go. He reserved the Prosecco Room for a private intimate dinner. He wanted to be alone with her without any interruptions.

  They sat across from each other gazing into each other’s eyes. He was playing with her fingers on the table. She started to get a tingling sensation between her legs.

  The waiter brought out the wine and poured two glasses.

  Gia said, “Thank you again for this sensational day. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble for me. It’s been like a fairytale.”

  Brad liked her independence. That was one of the things that turned him on. “It’s no trouble at all. I want to do everything for you. I would give you the world if I could. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”

  “You really know how to make a woman feel special.”

  “Only you”

  I want him so badly, it hurts… literally. She could feel her heart starting to take over. Was that really a good thing?

  Once they finished their delectable dinner, they decided to walk around the casino. Brad played a little bit of roulette. He said he wasn’t much of a gambler, but he knew what he was doing, which was more than she could say for herself. Gia cheered him on standing by his side.

  After cashing in his chips, Brad asked, “Do you want to head upstairs for a bit?”

  The room should have been set up by now according to his specifications.

  They made their way upstairs to the suite. When they opened the door, the sight was breathtaking. The room was dark but it was glowing from the candle light. Brad had asked Caroline, Gary’s girlfriend, to turn the room into a romantic setting while they were at dinner. She placed the roses in a vase and arranged them in the middle of the dining room table. She had set up the dessert on the table as well as the champagne, which was sitting in a bucket of ice.

  “Oh My God, Brad. How did you do this? This is unreal. You have officially thought of everything.”

  “We’re not finished yet. I haven’t had my dessert yet.”

  “Oh yeah, well that cheesecake looks mouthwatering.”

  “It doesn’t have anything on my dessert. Come here, baby,” Brad said, as he sat down on the dining room chair.

  Gia walked over to her hot stud of a man and straddled his lap. He picked up the fork and fed her a bite of the succulent cheesecake. She licked the fork longer than necessary. “Oh, that’s so good. I’m getting turned on.”

  I need him inside me right now!!!

  Brad took a sip of his champagne and kissed her relaying the hotness into her mouth. It was so erotic.

  “I’m aching for you, Brad.” Her breathing was increasing as she could feel his hardness pushing into her already wet panties.” Her skirt was raised from sitting on his lap. He licked her earlobe. She was throbbing down below.

  “Brad you have no idea how bad I want you right now.”

  He was becoming highly aroused, also. He pulled the spaghetti straps off of her shoulders. “Gia, I want you so fucking bad.” He kissed both of her shoulders and unzipped the back of her dress. The dress slid smoothly down her body to her waist. He was able to see how perfect her breasts were in the candle light. He took the perfection into his mouth and harassed them with his tongue causing her to moan in complete ecstasy.

  Gia dropped her hands to his rock hard erection and started gliding them up and down.

  “If you don’t stop, I am going to cum all over you”, Brad panted.

  “As arousing as that sounds, I want you inside of me.”

  Gia rose off of his lap. She wanted to take this to the bedroom. She grabbed Brad’s hand and led him down the hallway to the master bedroom. He followed behind her admiring her assets.

  Once they walked through the door, he grabbed her from behind and pulled her toward him and kissed her mouth with a hungered passion. He laid her down on the bed. She had already lost her dress on the way to the bedroom. She was laying there in just her panties. She looked so sexy.

  “I can’t stop looking at you. You’re so beautiful and exotic.” He tore off the rest of his clothes and pressed his body on top of hers.

  She reached up and put her hands on his face and pulled his head down to her. “Right now I feel like we are one. It is the best feeling ever. I don’t want it to ever end.”

  Knowing that she felt that way, Brad felt provoked to enter her. He moved in slow thrusts, teasing her center. As his heart rate increased, his motions became more intense. He was sending tremors into her body. They both became untamed and erupted into an orgasm that could probably be heard throughout the entire hotel. He collapsed and rolled off of her.

  “I have to actually go two months without you. I’m not going to survive”, Brad stated as his labored breathing was starting to decrease.

  Gia lay in Brad’s arms for a great while thinking about their time together. She didn’t expect something like this to happen to her, but it felt so right.

  “You ok, baby? You look so distant,” Brad asked.

  “Yes, I was just thinking about our time together so far.”

  “Maybe when I get back, we can talk about some long term things. Let’s see how it goes while I’m away.” He kissed her on the forehead and then started fondling her again.

  “Ooh, you’re ready for round two?”

  “You better believe I am.”

  They continued to make love for the rest of the evening into the early hours of the morning. They finally fell asleep together and both were content.

  Brad and Gia checked out at noon. They stopped off to grab something for lunch on the way home. The drive home seemed like forever since they were both exhausted. Gia lie in the back of the car nestled in Brad’s arms. This was a bittersweet moment for her because they could still spend time together at home, but it was getting closer to the time that Brad had to leave for Miami.

  As much as she wanted to spend the night tonight, she was thinking it would probably be best for her to go home. She had work tomorrow and barely got any sleep last night. It was going to be hard to do but it was probably for the best. When she brought up th
e subject with brad, he wasn’t too happy about it.

  “I thought that we would spend the night together and that you could leave for work from here.”

  “I thought that it would be easier. You could get some sleep, since we didn’t get much last night.”

  “Stop making excuses. I know you’re trying to avoid the goodbyes. Believe me, I don’t want it to happen either. I’d rather have you with me tonight than cut our time together shorter.”

  Gia knew he’d be able to see through her.