As much as I wanted to answer his desire with my mouth, surrender to our passion, I gently pushed him away.
He sighed. “What’s wrong, princess?”
“I agree with you on Ru.”
“You do?” He moved his hands to my face and slipped his fingers through my curls.
I trembled against him and moved his hand away so that I could focus. “Yes, I do.”
“Then you’ll let me handle him?”
I cleared my throat. “That’s what I wanted to talk about.”
He said nothing.
“I’m going to handle it, Gio.”
He slipped his fingertips along my arm.
“But I think you’re right about Ru having some sort of fascination with me. One that isn’t healthy. And I think you’re right that I should get a new manager. I don’t feel comfortable working for a man that thinks it’s perfectly okay to fondle hard-working women that are only there to clean his room and take care of him while he stays. It’s disgusting and unforgivable. And I’m so sorry for them.”
“I plan to talk to them today,” Gio said. “If they want to file an action against him, I’ll pay for anything. And of course, I’m hoping I can help solve this for them too. What should I do? Money? Higher salary? Vacation? How do you make someone feel better after some asshole has unjustly made them feel uncomfortable?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask them.” I kissed him. “But it’s good that you’re going to be there for them. I think others would’ve shrugged it off as part of the job.”
“Not when they’re working for me.”
Silence bridged between us.
He caressed my arm. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Not that you asked for my permission, but I support your decision. If you want to handle Ru on your own, then I have your back.”
“Thank you. I didn’t want this to be a constant argument between us.”
“I’m used to getting my way.”
“I can tell.”
“But the best people in my life are the ones that never give me my way all the time. My parents. Jason. Midnight. And you, my princess.” He took me into his arms and devoured my mouth.
My phone rang. His body tensed against mine as he pulled back from our kiss. We both knew who it was. Ru had been the only one blowing up my phone each day.
I’m so tired of him interrupting my happiness with Gio.
I got out of Gio’s arms, checked my phone, and read Ru’s text.
RU: We need to talk. Now.
ME: We do. I’m coming to your room.
Anger rose inside of me.
Are you fucking kidding me? It’s six in the morning and you’re bossing me around? Enough is enough.
Pissed off, I rose from the bed and stuck my feet into my slippers. “I’m sorry, but I’ll be right back. Just hold that sexy thought and I’ll come back and finish what we started.”
Clearly, that wasn’t enough of an explanation for Gio.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m going to fire Ru.”
I turned on the lamp, found my robe, and put it on. I only wore a nightgown and panties underneath, but I didn’t even want to waste the time to dress. I just wanted to rush down there, curse him out, get rid of him, and return to Gio. As far as I was concerned, we could spend the rest of the day naked in bed.
“Would you like me to come down there with you? I won’t talk—”
“I’ve got it.”
He frowned and watched me tie my robe. “This must be love.”
I gazed at him. “What must be love?”
“I was just thinking how I must love the shit out of you because...I’m not forcing you to do it my way. Only people that I fiercely love have that effect on me. It makes me nervous.”
“Why?”
“Because sometimes I believe I can see that it’s a mistake before it happens. And it scares me. This is how it was with Jason, but...”
I walked over to him and sat on the bed. “But what?”
“I love you. I trust you. I’ve got you. And you’ve got this.”
I let out a long breath. “Thank you.”
And this was what it felt like to be around a positive person. I could breathe. Gio gave me love and support. He didn’t lie or try to tear me down. He didn’t make me feel bad about my decisions whether he agreed or not. And because of that, it made me even more ready to get rid of Ru.
“I’ll be right back.” I rose and headed to the door. “I feel good about this.”
“Me too.” Gio sat up in bed. The blanket fell from him, revealing hard muscle. The urge to jump back in bed with him almost ended my plan.
“Damn, you’re so sexy.”
He licked his lips. “Hurry back.”
“I will.” I shut the door, rushed down the stairs, and headed to the first level that easily connected the east and west wings.