I woke up alone.
The other side of the bed was still warm, sheets messy, faint scent of Gio’s cologne lingering like he was still here. My chest tightened—why did him being gone make me feel some type of way already?
I found a brand-new toothbrush in his bathroom—still sealed. He bought this for me. The smallest things with him always catch me off guard. After brushing my teeth, I grabbed my phone before heading out. I still didn’t have his number. For someone who stayed in his bed, that was insane.
I searched the house for him—kitchen empty, living room quiet. Upstairs I checked a guest room, his office, and even a beautiful home theater. Empty. The last door I opened was a home gym—and that’s where I found him.
He was working out, shirtless, arms flexing with every rep, AirPods in. Sweat glistened across his chest and tattoos, muscles sharp under the lighting. God. He looked sinful.
I leaned on the doorframe and watched him. Just… watched him. Something in me softened and heated at the same time. When he finally noticed me, he dropped the weights and pulled out an AirPod.
“Good morning, baby,” he said with that slow, deep voice that already did things to me.
“Good morning, handsome,” I smiled as he walked toward me. He kissed me—lazy, soft, like he already owned my morning.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Pretty good.” I stood on my toes and wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him down to my level, stealing another kiss. One wasn’t enough. Our mouths moved together, tongues meeting, breaths mixing. He let out a low moan, and God, I felt that sound.
“Baby…” I whispered against his lips.
“Hm?” he mumbled, still kissing me like he didn’t want to stop.
“Fuck m—” I didn’t finish, because a phone rang. I froze. It was mine.
Javon.
Shit.
I declined the call fast. Gio was staring at me now—eyes darker, body tense, jaw tight. I glanced down—he was already hard.
He beat me to speaking. “Who was it?”
“No one,” I said quickly, trying to kiss him again, but he didn’t move.
His eyes searched mine, but I cut the tension. “I’m hungry.”
He didn’t push it—just nodded slowly, but I could feel it in the air. He didn’t believe me.
We walked downstairs together, and even sweaty from the gym, he still smelled too damn good. Too addictive.
“What do you want to eat?” he asked.
“That sandwich you said you knew how to make.”
He smirked. “I’ll make it for you.”
“Okay. I’m gonna take a shower,” I said. He kissed me once before I went upstairs.
The second I closed the bathroom door, I called Javon.
“What?” I answered.
“Oh, now you pick up,” he snapped.
“What the hell do you want? You called me three times.”
“You lied to me, Sierra.”
“What are you talking about?” I frowned.
“I saw you yesterday. On a date with that guy from the wedding. You know exactly who I’m talking about.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, and? You saw me with him. So what?”
“So you’re a fucking whore now, right? You go from one guy to another?”
My blood boiled. “Watch your fucking mouth. You don’t know shit about my life.”
“Oh, you’re whispering now? So he won’t hear you? Because when he finds out who you really are, he’ll leave you.”
I hung up.
Not doing that with him. I’m done trying with people who twist everything. He didn’t deserve an explanation—I didn’t owe him one.
I showered—cold water to calm my thoughts—got dressed in my clothes from yesterday, and went back downstairs.
“Hey, handsome,” I said, acting normal even though I was still pissed.
He looked up from the kitchen island and smiled. “Hey again, baby.”
“You done?” I sat down as he placed two plates in front of us.
I took a bite—my eyes widened. “This is… really good.”
He chuckled, taking a bite of his own.
“Where’d you learn to make this?”
“My grandma. In Italy. Before I moved here.”
I nodded. “Well… she did a hell of a job.”
“Thank you, princess,” he said, eyes softening just a little at the memory.
Then he asked, “Are you going home today?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Why can’t you stay here with me?” he asked, voice low, eyes searching.
Because if I stay, I’ll start falling. And that terrifies me.
“I have plans,” I said.
His jaw flexed. “What kind of plans?”
“Just shopping and eating with my friends.” I shrugged.
“What time you gotta be there? I’ll drop you off.”
“In a few. Once you’re ready.”
He nodded, but I could tell—he didn’t like it.
“I’m gonna shower,” he said, standing.
And just like that, tension hung between us again—quiet, but heavy.
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