Love in the City, an erotic romance novel

by Hall, Heather

  She didn’t.

  He once again felt the sting of recent events. “And then after what Portia did to my brother, to me…which also almost cost me my relationship with you…I just don’t want any more bad surprises. I’m not sure how clearly I’m able to gauge things, to see what’s really going on with someone. I seem to be kind of blind to things sometimes.”

  She regarded him. She could hear the sincerity in his voice and he looked rather sad. “You have been through some incredibly awful things,” she said gently. “I can see how you would feel burned, cautious.”

  “Yes,” he said, pressing on, “and what worries me is that you’ve pushed me away quite a bit…other than sexually. It kind of scares me sometimes.”

  “What does exactly?”

  “That one day you’ll just be gone for good, even if we’ve just been intimate, and I won’t know what happened or won’t get a chance to fix it.” He felt exposed emotionally, but he needed to let her know his fears before things between them went any further. “I don’t know that I’m on real solid ground with you.”

  Her sympathy for him swelled as she listened to his explanation. “Oh, Giorgio, my beautiful Adonis,” she said, touching his chin. “I didn’t realize how much of an effect all of that had on you, but it’s in the past now.”

  His blue eyes were awash with emotion. “I just need to be sure before I end up getting my heart tossed into a meat grinder or something.”

  “But I’ve told you how I feel now. I’m still not sure why you’re doubting that.”

  He looked down again. He was trying to frame his thoughts so she would understand him. “Let me put it this way. You, my beautiful girl, have the power to really hurt me, with how I feel about you. Far more than anyone else ever has or ever could. I don’t know if you realize that.”

  Anabelle saw his hunched shoulders, his downcast eyes. Her heart nearly broke at his words. “Giorgio, I won’t do something like that again, I promise. We’ve become closer now and I trust you and I believe in you. I’m not going to push you away.” She squeezed his hand. “I meant it when I said that I’m in love with you.” She placed her palm on his chest over top of his heart. “You. All of you. Your heart, your mind, your body, your soul.”

  He looked back up at her with a vulnerable expression, his eyes watery. He managed a smile. “You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.” He let out a long sigh. “I’m head over heels in love with you, Anabelle Parker. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “Never. I love you, Giorgio Tsarkopolis. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Chapter 30

  They held each other for awhile, looking at the flames flickering in the gas fireplace, each lost in thought about their conversation tonight.

  Giorgio got up to make them some herbal tea.

  Anabelle sat staring out his large windows, marveling at the nighttime view. She felt like she was in a dream. But she wasn’t. This was real. He was real. And she loved him with all of her heart and soul.

  Giorgio came back with the tea and they stayed up talking for hours. The night was growing late and soon they grew quiet again.

  Finally, Giorgio had to ask a question. “It’s getting late. I don’t mean to pressure you or anything, but I wanted to let you know that you’re welcome to stay the night here. With me. If you wanted.”

  She looked at him. She wanted to, very badly, but part of her still felt slightly guarded. She hesitated to answer. “I, um, hadn’t planned to stay. I didn’t pack an overnight bag or anything.”

  He looked at her and nodded. “And I suppose, much of tonight’s conversation didn’t really leave you in the mood.”

  She bit her lip. “I don’t think anything bad about you, of course, but yeah, I mean, hearing about other women and stuff, and thinking about my own past experiences again…I just don’t know if I’m ready quite yet. It’s not that I don’t want to, I do, I really do…”

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. I understand. You know, you could still stay here, if you liked…in the spare room, I mean. Or, I can also call for a car service to take you home.”

  Anabelle was unsure of what to say. She really didn’t want to leave him just yet and his offer was all kinds of tempting. “I don’t want to put you out. I didn’t bring anything with me.”

  “Well, I do have t-shirts, toothpaste, toothbrushes, other toiletries, towels. No pressure, no funny stuff, seriously, just sleeping. You’d have your own room.” He paused. “I just don’t want to be so far away from you tonight.”

  She thought for a moment. She looked at him, waiting patiently for her answer. She knew he wouldn’t push. “To tell you the truth, I don’t want to be apart from you tonight either.”

  He smiled, his mood brightening. “Wonderful,” he said, and gave her a hug. “Will little Mr. Jasper be okay? I don’t want him to be mad at me.”

  “He has lots of dry food and water to keep him happy. He’ll forgive you.”

  “Then, it’s settled. I’ll go set your room up.” He kissed her and disappeared upstairs for awhile.

  Anabelle sat thinking while she waited.

  He came back downstairs not long after. “It’s all ready for you,” he said, “come, check it out.”

  She followed him upstairs. He led her down the long hall and to the spare bedroom. He had laid out a few different t-shirts, a fluffy towel set, some soaps and lotions, and other toiletries, along with a bathrobe. “Thank you,” she said, marveling at what he had done to make her feel comfortable. “This is so thoughtful of you.”

  He put his arms around her. “I just want you to feel at home.”

  “I do,” she said.

  “Remember, my room is at the end of the hall if you need anything, and the guest bathroom is right across the hall, there, ” he said pointing at it. He bent down to kiss her. “Help yourself to anything in the fridge or cupboards if you get hungry or thirsty.”

  “You are very thoughtful,” she said, wrapping her hands around his waist. “I’ve had a wonderful night. Really. This has been so special.”

  He brushed her hair away from her face and bent down to kiss her. “I’m happy you’ve had a nice time. I want you to feel at home here. This is your first visit, but I hope it’s just the start of many more.”

  “Me too,” she said. She took a deep breath. Part of her wanted to hang onto this moment. She hugged him, her head pressed against his chest. “Thanks for being so understanding and patient about this, with me staying in the spare room. It means a lot to me.”

  Giorgio rubbed her back. “Of course, there’s no rush. We’ll take however much time you need. I’m just happy to be with you.”

  Her heart swelled. “I’m glad.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I do love you.”

  She rubbed his lower back. “I love you, too.”

  Reluctantly he let her go. He didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable or pressured by prolonging things. He kissed her hand. “M’lady, goodnight and sweet dreams.”

  “You, too,” she said.

  He smiled, and then headed down the hall to his room, closing the door behind him.

  Anabelle closed the door to her room. She took a deep breath. She sat down on the bed. She liked that he was close by. She would’ve felt lonely being apart from him after this special evening.

  She took the toiletries, bathrobe, and towel set and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

  Afterwards, she quietly stepped out, dressed in the bathrobe, not wanting to wake him if he was already asleep. She noticed a soft light under his door.

  She went back to the spare room and closed the door. She hung up her clothes, donned one of his t-shirts and got into bed. She closed her eyes. She smiled, thinking of how much he had done to make her feel comfortable in his home. She turned over, planning to go to sleep. Half an hour later, she was still wide awake. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. She sat up. Her mind was racing. She felt so drawn to him. She got up, put the robe
on and went to the door. She opened it slowly and peered out. She didn’t hear any sounds, but the light was still on under his door. She bit her lip. She tiptoed down the hall.

  Chapter 31

  Anabelle hesitated, then turned back. She made it back to her doorway, then stopped. She placed a hand on the doorframe, not sure which way she should go. She felt a swell of emotion for the man behind the door at the end of the hall. She took a deep breath and padded down the hall to his door. She listened. She didn’t hear anything. She looked down. The light was still streaming through.

  “Here goes nothing,” she whispered to herself. She knocked on the door.

  No answer.

  She knocked again, this time a little louder. “Giorgio? Are you still up?”

  Still no answer.

  She was about to turn back around when she felt a swell of confidence. She knocked one more time. “Giorgio, can I come in?”

  Still nothing.

  She bit her lip. She placed a hand on the doorknob, then turned it. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest. She opened the door and peered inside.

  He was sitting up on the far side of his king-size bed, propped up against some pillows, his bedside lamp providing a soft diffused light. His hair was damp from a shower and all askew. He was bare-chested, a dark caramel-colored sheet and comforter pulled up to his waist, and a magazine was draped across his lap. His far leg was bent at the knee and tilted outwards. His head was drooped over to the side, away from her and his eyes were closed. She looked at his chest and saw the slow rise and fall of his breath. He was asleep. She watched him for a moment. He was beautiful. The most stunning man she had ever seen. And he loved her. She considered what to do.

  His bed was large. Plenty of room enough for two. She decided to curl up next to him. She tiptoed over. He was still asleep. She carefully pulled the comforter and sheet back and quietly slipped into bed, t-shirt, robe and all. As she pulled the covers up over her, he awoke, startled.

  “What the…?” he asked, his mind coming to from the fog of sleep. “Oh, hey there.” He rubbed his eyes, slowly smiling. “Sneaking into my bed, are we?”

  “I’m sorry I woke you,” she said, propping herself up on her elbow. “I couldn’t sleep. You know, strange house, and all.”

  “I see,” he replied, amused. “Afraid of the dark, are we?”

  “Well that, and I wanted to be close to you,” she said, blushing. “You were such a good cook and gracious host tonight. I felt…grateful.” She looked up at him, a sly smile spreading across her face.

  “Indeed? I’ll have to cook for you more often.”

  “Definitely,” she said, reaching her hand out. She took the magazine off of his lap and placed it on the bedside table nearest her. “Sleeping hazard,” she explained.

  “Ahh yes, very dangerous,” he replied, his blue eyes twinkling with curiosity.

  She looked at him, letting her gaze drop slowly to his chest, then to his stomach and waist, down the length of his long legs. His one knee was still angled out and he shifted slightly as she took her time admiring his form.

  He didn’t speak. He just waited, wondering what was on her mind.

  She reached out her hand and touched his chest, drawing her fingers across it.

  He shivered a little.

  “Cold?” she asked.

  “No, not cold. Not by a long shot.”

  She grinned mischievously. “You know, I didn’t get dessert earlier.”

  “You said you were full…”

  “But now I feel differently.”

  “Really?” he said. “A woman’s prerogative to change her mind, I gather?”

  “Exactly.”

  “Hmmm…tell me about that. How can I be of service to you, Ms. Parker? I can go downstairs and get you a…” he started to say as he made to get up.

  She placed her palm against his well-formed pec, holding him down. “You’re not going anywhere,” she said, feeling emboldened.

  “I see,” he said, reclining back against the pillow, her hand still pressed firmly against him. “It’s probably for the best.” He glanced down at his lap, then back up at her with a playful, shy expression. He exhaled slowly. “I’m not actually wearing anything.”

  He saw her blush as she peeked down at his lap.

  He grinned. “So, it seems that I’m at your mercy then, m’lady. Should I be worried?”

  “Maybe,” she said, slipping her hand off his chest, lightly touching his nipple as she slid closer to him. Her eyes fell to his full lips, which now parted slightly.

  His breathing became deeper. Still he waited, letting her guide things. Recalling the boundaries she had clearly spelled out for him, he didn’t want to push and end up spoiling what had been a memorable and meaningful night. He wasn’t going to do anything to damage her trust in him. Not now. Not after they had been through the fire and finally declared their feelings for one another.

  She circled her fingers on his chest, tracing the curves of his muscles, then around his nipples, and across his shoulder, and down his arm. She laced her fingers through his.

  He squeezed her hand gently. “Penny for your thoughts?” he asked.

  “I’m thinking that I’ve had the most wonderful night, that I don’t want it to end, that you’re absolutely gorgeous, and that I love you.”

  He gave her a broad smile as he leaned over, holding her face in his hand and kissed her. “I love you, too, Anabelle Parker, my beautiful girl. And I’m really glad you’re here.” He kissed her again deeply, searchingly, then caught himself. He gently pulled away.

  She bent her head down to kiss his bicep, and then ran her lips up to his shoulder. She leaned over his chest, letting her tongue dart out to taste him as she did.

  He inhaled and tilted his head back, closing his eyes. He felt his body respond, but he tried to keep himself in check. He still wasn’t sure where her feelings were at and what she wanted from him.

  She continued to kiss, then lick spots on his chest, blowing on the spots where she had left a wet kiss.

  He shuddered.

  She was enjoying the fact that he was letting her be in the driver’s seat. She found it titillating, he was so big and strong and masculine. She let her fingers caress his chest, then snake lower across his stomach.

  He opened his eyes, his lids heavy. He watched her hand trace seductive patterns across his torso, then slip to the edge of where the sheet draped over the comforter.

  She traced the edge of the fabric, then slipped her hand just underneath the edge of it. She lightly brushed her fingers across his body, moving from the top of one hip to the other, stopping to explore the area in the center where his hair became thicker. She gave him a knowing look.

  He licked his lips, which were now slightly swollen and deepening in color.

  She continued her teasing exploration, then leaned forward to kiss his stomach, planting soft kisses in a line down to the edge of the sheet.

  His body quivered and she heard him moan softly. Still, he let her be the aggressor.

  She loved the look of his dark hair against his smooth golden-hued skin, his physique so fit, so perfect.

  He watched her delicate exploration of his body. He tried to restrain his sexual responses, but it was getting harder to do. He wondered how far she wanted to take this and how long he could hold on before he found out.

  She now flattened her hand just under the sheet, softly brushing her palm against his skin, again from one side of the top of his hips to the other. She saw his hand grip the comforter and ball it up in a fist. She smiled to herself, reveling in the signs of arousal he was giving off. She applied a little more pressure as she now gripped his hip, his other knee still jutting out, his legs open, letting her thumb playfully tease up and down the angles of his hip, inching ever closer to his manhood, but not quite going there. She wanted to work him up into a frenzy, she loved watching how his body responded. It was so erotic for her. She pushed her hand down further undern
eath the covers, touching the inside of his naked thigh then caressing it up and down.

  Giorgio closed his eyes and let out a low moan. His hips started moving, ever-so-slightly, though he was trying not to give his body’s response completely away.

  The sheet was stretched out up over his knee, but Anabelle knew what was happening below it. His knee moved in and out just a little. She could see his breathing had grown heavier, his full lips parted more. She reached out to press against his raised knee, opening his legs even further.

  He gave a low sigh, as he let her position him however she wanted.

  She smiled. He was putty in her hands and she was going to play. She wanted to luxuriate in his raw sexuality. She was so turned on she could barely keep from ripping the comforter off and straddling him. The temptation and the heat it was generating were like a potent drug, delivering wave after wave of intense sexual desire in her. She wanted it to last as long as it could.

  She moved her hand back and ran her nails softly up his nearest thigh, then dug them gently into his hip. Next, she pulled the sheet and comforter down just a bit, exposing the top of his hip nearest to her. She bent down and licked his bare hip, then blew on it.

  He shuddered, now pressing his lips together.

  She could now see his arousal through the comforter, though he still tried to hide it with the edge pulled up over his knee. She wasn’t going to let him hide from her for much longer. She took the edge of the sheet and comforter and pulled it down further, exposing just a bit more of his strong-looking hip. She looked at his body, admiring his obvious masculine sexuality. She wanted to see more. She started to pull the coverings down even further.

  He slid his leg down, keeping his knee propped up just slightly as he opened his eyes. “Anabelle,” he said, his voice now deep and husky, “I…”

  “Shhh,” she said, placing a finger to his lips, “relax, just feel. I want to enjoy you.”

  His blue eyes searched her face.

  She pulled the sheet covering him lower down, until she exposed the dark, curly hair between his legs, but not quite far enough to expose all of him.