On The Ropes (Tapped Out 3)
He inclined his head. “I can’t wait to see you in it. And in that.”
Carefully, I tugged the navy wrap dress out of the box. It was knee-length and made from a satiny fabric with a sheen that would draw stares. Though the style was modest, there was no doubt of its sexiness.
This was the kind of dress a high-society woman would wear when she was on the town with a man of distinction.
In other words, I’d never touched anything like it in my life.
“Oh Gio,” I whispered, awed. “How much did all this cost? I didn’t mean for you to break the bank. You could’ve replaced my panties and dress just by hitting a knockoff department store. These are…” I shook my head and tried to find the words. “You make me feel so special. Even with all of the insanity around us, and the other girls, and—”
“There are no other girls.” He tipped up my chin with a fingertip. “No matter who I talk to, or who comes around me, since it’s been you and me, it’s only been you and me.”
My chin trembled and he steadied it with that same fingertip. “I really want you to show me what you wish we could have.” I wet my lips and watched his expression change from caring to ravenous in a heartbeat. “If you still want to.”
“I do. So much.” He leaned forward, kissing me gently enough to make my eyes sting and my belly quiver.
I pushed aside the boxes and slid my hands into his hair, needing to be closer to him. I would’ve climbed right onto his lap if he hadn’t chuckled and eased away.
He dangled the La Perla set in front of me, his chuckle deepening. “Gotta take a shower first. I didn’t have time to take one after the fight, and I’m rank.”
I didn’t ask why he hadn’t taken the time to shower before heading to the club. I already knew. Me. He hadn’t wanted me out of his sight, not on a night I was dancing.
Warmth filled me as I took my treasured gift and buried my face in the lace cups. “Go shower. I’ll just be here making out with my new underwear.”
“Sure you don’t want to join me?”
Of course I did. But I wanted to set a mood too, and if we got under the water together, there would be nothing but fast, furious fucking.
Not that I had a single solitary problem with that.
“How about you let me go first? I’ll be super quick.” Before he could question me, I backed toward the bathroom. “Time it. Five minutes or less.”
I stripped and jumped into the shower. I half expected him to pull open the frosted door at any time, but that was Gio. Polite to a fault, except when he wasn’t.
Moving swiftly, I lathered up with his orange-scented shower gel. In under four minutes, I got out and faced myself in the steamy mirror to survey the hair damage.
Hello, out of control curls.
Sighing, I fingercombed them as best as I could and hooked the towel around my body. I was practically tingling at the thought of the lingerie sliding over my skin followed by Gio’s hands and mouth.
I opened the door to the darkened bedroom. The only light came from the candles that seemed to cover every surface.
And Gio stood naked and sheepish, as if he expected me to complain.
“Do you like them? If not, I’ll blow them out.”
“Don’t you dare.” Smiling, I rushed forward and placed my hands on his chest as I leaned up to give him a kiss. “Go on, get clean for me so I can get you dirty and sweaty all over again.”
“As you wish.” He groaned softly as I gave his cock a playful rub before he walked into the bathroom.
The man was already half hard. I loved him so.
Oh, shit. Do not think that way. Not even for a second, or in jest.
To distract myself, I rushed to the bed to pick up my cherished lingerie. No, I did not love him. I liked him plenty. Love was different. Love was reserved for a man I could have a long-term relationship with out in the open. No secrecy.
Which meant no Giovanni Costas.
I put on the bra and panties and looked around frantically for something to toss over them. I wanted a little pom