Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1)

by Tanya Vought

  She wipes her tears as Cassie still hugs her. “Guys, I’m sorry, but I too heard voices. I heard them in New Hope and so did Gio.” She removes her head from Cassie’s shoulder and watches her friends’ odd expressions. They are probably thinking she’s lost her marbles.

  “Whatever brought or took me there doesn’t matter now. I was destined to go there and I needed the trip.”

  Ben and Cassie’s eyes are filled with sympathy and pain. “We agree, Gracie. I agree. This trip was meant to be your Christmas miracle if you ask me. A real miracle…and it led you back to us.”

  Gracie wipes her face and knows… she’s back. The trip was a blessing and now she wants to know more about what’s going on with her two best friends.

  “Oh my gosh… a Christmas miracle! I’ll be right back!” she yells to her friends. She’s remembered her present she got for them at Anne’s shop. She runs to her car, happy she didn’t take the present out when she arrived home, and goes back inside to see what they will say.

  “Hey, guys. Sorry to run off like that. I had forgotten I purchased you a Christmas gift while I was away,” she tells her friends as she hands them their gift.

  Gracelynn watches as Cassie chuckles at their present. “Looks like someone got a ‘big present’ from Gracelynn this year.” She laughs and gives Gracelynn the most mischievous grin before showing the present to Ben.

  Ben looks at Gracelynn with a wicked look in his eyes, one she’s come to expect. “Well now, look at that! This is awesome, Gracie! Thank you. Now I will always know I’m your miracle and Cassie’s Big Ben.”

  “Ben!” Cassie exclaims as her face turns beet red.

  Gracelynn laughs at her friends. “Guys, no need to be secretive. I already, unfortunately, know that Ben is your ‘Big Ben’… something I don’t need to know anymore of… But yes, never the less you, Ben, were my Christmas miracle in a sense. So thank you both,” she exclaims as she hugs her friends and they thank her again for the precious souvenir she brought back from her trip.

  After giving them the present they discuss work, their engagement, and pregnancy and even ask her more about her trip and Gio.

  By the time she realizes it is eleven thirty, she decides to stay until the ball drops.

  She hopes that Anne, Kat and Gio are having a fabulous time. She drives home and just as she is about to get into bed she hears her phone go off. There’s a message from Gio, which makes her smile.

  Gio: Kat and Grandma send xoxox. They miss you as do Holly & I. Sweet dreams. Thinking of you. Xxx’s”

  She loves that his family likes her just as much as she does them. They’re all so loving. She loves being a part of whatever she has going on with Gio and decides to Facetime him by surprise.

  “Wow. You look amazing, doll.” He checks her out and it delights her.

  “Thanks, you look nice too.” She smiles back at him, enjoying his laid back attire.

  “Happy New Year. Here’s to a fabulous year filled with many happy memories.”

  “Thanks, Gio. I can’t agree more,” she yawns.

  “Let’s hit the hay and chat tomorrow,” he says, yawning himself.

  They end the conversation hoping the New Year will bring them amazing things.

  Chapter 41

  THE PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND FACETIME are amazing tools but it doesn’t help not being able to see one another. Gio is crazy busy with work and upset he’s not been able to see Gracelynn. He loves seeing her on his phone but it’s been two months since he saw her in the flesh and it’s driving him crazy.

  He decides he needs to ask Gracelynn if she’d mind meeting him half way possibly, maybe once or twice a month. That allows them to take everything still slow and allow them to spend time together before anything happens.

  He calls her when he gets home, hoping she’ll be home. She answers right away which makes him elated and worried. Seeing her on FaceTime is the highlight of his day. He loves seeing her in her element and seeing her in his shirt a lot of times. His possessive side is thrilled to know she’s wearing something of his.

  He lies back on the bed, smiling into the phone. “Hello, Gracelynn.”

  “Hi, Gio.” She smiles, showing off her amazing shoulders in his large shirt. But she’s noticed his strange demeanor. “What’s going on? You don’t look well.”

  “It’s nothing bad, don’t frown. I’m the one who’s scared here, so I’m just going to say it. I want to see you, in the flesh. I love our conversations and seeing you via Facetime, but I want more,” he says, finally letting out a breath.

  Gracelynn bites her lip and smiles. “I was thinking the same thing. I just didn’t want to sound needy.”

  “Needy? I wouldn’t mind you being needier.” He emphasizes needier. “I wouldn’t have minded two days after you left if you asked to see me. I slept so much better with you than I’ve slept in many years.”

  She smiles again, making him truly happy. “When would you like to meet?”

  He grins. “I’d like to meet you in two weeks? Would that work? It would be Valentine’s weekend and I would love to meet you half way.”

  She jumps on her bed and he enjoys seeing her excited. “I love that idea. Middleton would be half way between us. I would love to meet you. Where would we stay and do you mean all weekend?”

  He clears his throat. “I was thinking all weekend. Let’s meet for seven, go to dinner and movie, relax, do anything you would like,” he says, trying to get more comfortable on the bed.

  “That sounds amazing, Gio. I can’t wait until we can see one another again.”

  “I can’t wait either. You’ve no idea how excited I am,” he says. He hangs up, thrilled they will see one another again.

  * * *

  The next week and a half goes by quickly, but not fast enough for Gracelynn. She’s excited for today since it’s Friday and she’s to meet Gio later tonight. Ben and Cassie are excited for her and her new relationship with Gio. They’re happy she is smiling, doing her work and enjoying her life again.

  Before leaving for work today, she decides she’ll wear a dress to surprise Gio. He loved when she wore one when they were at the Christmas dance. She picks out one of her favorites. It’s an elegant, deep blue, waistline dress with black flats.

  Once she leaves the office, she immediately calls and lets him know she’s on her way. She arrives to the hotel with sweaty hands. She hasn’t seen him in months and is eager to see him again. When she finally sees him, she runs out of her car, gives him a hug, jumps up and wraps her legs around his body and kisses him square on the lips. She’s shocked by her behavior but at the same time, she doesn’t care because she missed him so much.

  “It’s good to see you too, Grace, but I think you best put your legs down before you give everyone a fabulous show of your bottom, when I’ve not seen it yet myself.” He tries to cover up her butt, which was almost visible since she forgot she wore a dress.

  “Oh my God. I completely forgot.” She’s mortified. “I was just so excited to see you, I forgot about the dress.”

  “I’m not complaining at all,” he says, staring at her. “You look fabulous and I love that you’re wearing a dress. However, I don’t want the parking attendants over there to get a glimpse of you.” He points to where a bunch of men pretend to look anywhere but in their direction.

  “Let’s get our luggage and head inside, shall we?” He holds out his arm for her to take. They let go of each other to grab their items. He takes her inside and to their room.

  Gracelynn gasps as she enters their suite. A king-sized bed sits directly against the wall with deep in laid purple fabrics, gold-leafed ceiling, a diamond chandelier hanging over the bed, a deep mahogany desk in the corner and a table off to the side where there are yellow tulips in a vase with a card attached with her name on it. She sets down her belongings and as she waits for Gio to return
from the powder room. She sniffs the flowers and reads the card.

  Gracelynn,

  Thank you for agreeing to meet me! You’ve made me the happiest man in the world. You may be wondering why I chose yellow tulips. They symbolize undying love and devotion.

  There won’t ever be enough ways to show you how much I care…..

  Xxx’s Gio

  She smiles at his warm, loving gesture. As she turns around she notices Gio standing against the wall, inspecting her. She bites her lips at his attire. He’s wearing a white dress down shirt, black blazer and black pants with a blue-gray tie. He looks simply delectable and gives her the devilish grin she’s come to enjoy.

  “Again, Gracelynn. I’ve told you time and time again about doing that. I can tell when you’re eating me alive with your eyes, like I know you’re doing now.” He stalks over to her, pushes her on the bed and starts ravaging her face. He stops and smirks at her, leaving her alone on the bed.

  “Let’s go, doll, or we’ll be late for our dinner date.” He lifts her off the bed and helps her into her coat and they exit the room and hotel. He doesn’t tell her where they are going but she’s excited for what he has in store for them.

  She can’t believe she’s with Gio again in the flesh. He’s amazing and when she realizes they’re pulling up to a small, intimate restaurant he tells her to not move. He gets out of the car, comes to her side, opens her door and escorts her into the restaurant. He tells the hostess his last name and waits for the blonde-haired beauty to stop drooling at him. He peers at Gracelynn and shakes his head no. She gets what he means and decides to allow the bimbo to stare since she isn’t going to be getting anything from her man. Wait, her man?

  She’s shocked once they arrive at their small, cozy table, in a separate location. There are yellow and purple tulips on the table and another card. Gio takes the card and places it in his pocket. She smiles, confused by him, but so amazed at the same time. He will stop at nothing to make her happy it seems. She likes it a lot. A whole lot, and she didn’t stop to think about Angelo in a while now.

  The dinner goes well and Gio has more surprises in store for her. After they’re done with dinner, he takes her flowers and card and walks her to the car, opens the door and hands her both items as he tells her she may read the card now.

  She reads it and is immediately giddy. She looks up to him after she’s read the words:

  I’m old fashioned. I would love to know if you’d officially be my girlfriend. Check yes or no.

  She smiles, noticing the worry lines grazing across his beautiful face.

  He makes her feel like she is a teenager, in love all over again. She finds her pen and checks ‘Yes.’ She waits for him to get back into the car.

  She hands him the card, he opens it and does a fist bump in the air. He hugs her tightly and yells, “Yes, yes, yes.”

  She smiles at his excitement and lets him embrace her again.

  “You’ve made me very happy today, Gracie.” He kisses her hand and informs her there’s another surprise awaiting her.

  They arrive to a movie theatre and Gio lets her pick the movie. They enjoy the movie and kiss and laugh and cuddle like teenagers. When the movie is over they drive back to the hotel in silence.

  Once they arrive at their room, Gio shuts the door and shoves her up against the wall. She wraps her legs around his body. She’s completely turned on. She’s never been pushed up against a door or wall before, let alone in a hotel. He kisses her with passion and lust. He sucks her lips, bites her lower lip and then sucks it again. They kiss until they’re both breathless.

  * * *

  They spend the rest of the weekend talking, going to different shops and restaurants and enjoying each other’s company.

  On Sunday, they’re both in bed, dressed and facing one another and Gio breaks the silence first. He moves his hand from hers and touches her cheek, looking mesmerized.

  “You’re so beautiful in the morning, Gracelynn. You’re beautiful with makeup but you’re stunning without it.”

  She blushes under his amazing compliments.

  He starts giving her a body massage which gives her goose bumps all over her body.

  “I love your fingers on my body,” she explains as she moans from his amazing touch.

  “I’m so glad you circled yes, Gracie. Now the gals are officially mine.”

  That remark gets him a smack across the arm.

  “Ouch, that hurt, Gracie. I’m calling room service for girlfriend abuse,” he chuckles but stops then when he realizes she is about to pounce on top of him.

  * * *

  She didn’t mean for it to happen but it did and now she’s going to explore as much as he’ll allow. She starts rubbing him like he did her. She enjoys hearing him moan in pleasure and she continues to torture him until he flips her over and starts tickling her.

  * * *

  They gather their items, check out of the hotel and head to their cars. As they get ready to go in separate directions again, Gracelynn is the first one to speak. “Thank you for the amazing weekend. I’ll miss you until I see you again.”

  “Same with me, Gracie.” I love you is on the tip of his tongue but he can’t say it yet. He feels it’s too soon and he doesn’t want to scare her away.

  They hug and say their goodbyes and promise to call one another later.

  Chapter 42

  GIO IS EXCITED. He’ll be seeing Gracelynn again. It’s been six months of going back and forth going to movies, restaurants, theaters, mini golfing, even going to the library and making out like teenagers until Ms. Newton, the librarian, caught them and made them leave.

  Today is their eight month anniversary and he wants to surprise her.

  He arrives at the hotel before her this time and is a ball of nerves. He has the staff prepare music, candles, champagne with daisies, red roses and yellow tulips placed all over the room. Neither of them have said I love you, but he knows she loves him. He can see it whenever she looks at him, the way she holds his hand, just everything about her body language screams love. He hopes she’ll accept his offer tonight.

  * * *

  Gracelynn is nervous. Gio has been acting odd. Ben and Cassie tell her to stop her worrying. They remind her Gio is a wonderful man who loves her and she should come out and tell him she loves him too.

  When she arrives at the hotel she sees him and as always, her mouth waters at the sight of him. She takes in his amazing body and smiles that he’s all hers.

  “I’m so happy to see you, Gracelynn,” he tells her as he happily swings her around which leaves them both laughing and kissing, uncaring if they’re making a spectacle of themselves. He steps back from her, grabs her luggage and leads them into the hotel.

  Before they’re about to enter their suite, he pulls out a handkerchief and wraps it quickly around her eyes, before she can protest. She gasps, but smiles and he hopes she’ll love this evening, just as much as he loves her.

  He opens the door and takes off her blindfold and watches her reaction. This is exactly what he was hoping for. The staff did exactly what he wanted. He takes her to the elaborate-looking table where their dinner awaits them.

  “Your chair, my lady.” He waits until she sits and pushes it in for her and then sits opposite of her.

  They each eat dinner while staring at one another like they would rather eat each other than the food.

  Gracelynn smiles, finishing her dinner. “This is amazing, Gio. Simply amazing.”

  She beams at him, the happiness now meeting her gorgeous eyes.

  He stands, leads her over to his side of the table and places her on his lap. He passionately kisses her and although he’s enjoying it, her moaning stops him. He needs to calm down to get through the rest of his plans.

  * * *

  Gracelynn whimpers and touches her swollen lips. Gio
’s made her more turned on that she’s been in a very long time. She watches as he backs up away from her and gets a drink of water and heads into the bathroom without saying a word.

  She’s upset and turned on. She doesn’t know what to do but decides since he’s going to change she’ll do so as well. She gets out of her dress and as she’s about to get on her Vicky’s sweatpants and a white t-shirt when he comes out from the bathroom and frowns.

  “Are you sick, Gio? You’ve been acting weird for the last several weeks. You’re not dumping me are you?” She chokes up, hoping he doesn’t notice her fear.

  “No, Gracelynn. That’s not it at all. I’ve been trying to figure out how to say ‘I love you’ to the most amazing woman without freaking her out,” he says as he sits on the sofa with his hands extended for her to grab them.

  She smiles as a few tears trickle from her face.

  He leans forward, wiping her tears and continues. “I love you so much, Gracelynn. I want to be with you more than anything. I want to be a part of your life and your future. “He takes her hand and brings her to his lap, finishing his thoughts. “The moment I met you I felt you were made for me. I know this may be fast and I promise you it’s not happening yet, but I wanted to know if you would marry me. I want to give you a promise ring.”

  She laughs but stops when she can see it hurt his feelings and that’s not what she meant to do when he just declared his love for her.

  “You find my promise ring and my love funny?” he whispers, looking down at their joined hands.

  “No, silly. I’m laughing because you’re so old-fashioned and I love it. I’ve loved you for months now. I love you and would love to wear your promise ring.”

  Just then, he pulls a ring out of his pocket, holds up her left ring finger and places the ring gently on her finger, kissing it in place. It fits perfectly. It’s an emerald stone with small intricate diamonds on the sides making it look like wings.