35

MILLIE
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the cityscape, Gio fulfilled his promise of an early return home. Anticipation and nervous energy coursed through me as I made the final preparations for the evening ahead. Carefully selecting a radiant yellow dress that flowed elegantly around me, I meticulously arranged the table on our enchanting roof terrace. The view was stunning, offering a panoramic sight of the city’s twinkling lights against the backdrop of the darkening sky.
When Gio finally appeared, his entrance was greeted with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Surprise danced across his features as he discovered me waiting for him outside, the table adorned with delectable offerings. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he took in the scene before him.
“I thought we could eat here?” I ventured, my voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.
His arms found their way around me, drawing me into an embrace that spoke of both longing and tenderness. Our lips met in a lingering kiss that sent a flurry of butterflies fluttering within the depths of my stomach. A soft shiver ran through me as his touch ignited a rush of emotions.
“I ordered Indian food,” I revealed, the words punctuated by the closeness of our bodies.
A mischievous glint danced in his eyes as he whispered, “I’m hungry for only one thing.”
The innuendo drew a mixture of bashfulness and excitement from me. Composing myself, I suggested, “Shall we begin?” An unspoken question lingered in the air: What if I were to tell Gio that my previous agreement had faltered? I took my place at the table, acutely aware of his intense gaze fixed upon me.
As if drawn by an invisible force, he settled into the chair opposite mine, the evening breeze playing with his hair and caressing his skin.
“You look absolutely captivating,” he uttered, his words charged with an unmistakable intensity.
With a playful smile, I began to partake in the feast before us, hoping to distract my thoughts from the uncertainty that clouded my mind. Amid bites of food and sips of wine, our conversation flowed. I recounted an excursion to the Metropolitan, a tale that seemed to amuse him.
Our dialogue shifted, as did the atmosphere. “And what of the restaurateur?” I inquired, the tension tightening my voice. “Did you manage to assure him of the Familia’s protection against the Russians?”
“Certainly,” Gio affirmed, exuding confidence. “He’s been under our safeguard for over a decade. There’s no reason to alter that arrangement.”
My response held a distracted quality, a veil that thinly shrouded my unease. The wine glass found its way to my lips, offering a fleeting respite.
Gio’s fork clinked against his plate, and he regarded me with an unwavering gaze. The weight of his stare bore into me, an unspoken inquiry lurking beneath his scrutiny.
“Millie?” His voice, tinged with a mixture of concern and assertion, broke through the silence.
I feigned casualness, nudging a piece of cauliflower with feigned interest, avoiding direct eye contact.
“Millie,” he repeated, his tone carrying a potency that sent a shiver down my spine. I raised my gaze to meet his, captivated by the intensity that emanated from him. Leaning back slightly, his arms crossed over his chest, he pierced through my defenses.
“You’re frightened,” he asserted with a knowing certainty.
Denial trembled at the tip of my tongue, but I knew he saw through the facade. “Not entirely,” I confessed, vulnerability seeping into my words. “Nervous, mostly.”
Pushing back from the table, he rose from his seat, his presence commanding the space around him. His steps carried him toward me, and he extended his hand, a silent invitation. Hesitation flickered within me before I succumbed, allowing his touch to draw me to my feet.
“Come on,” he coaxed, his voice gentle yet determined. “Let’s ease your nerves in the Jacuzzi.”
Doubts loomed in my mind. Would immersing myself in a hot tub with him, clad in nothing but swimwear, truly quell my anxiety? The unknown stretched before me, and fear tinged my uncertainty.
“Why don’t you fetch your bikini while I prepare the Jacuzzi?” he suggested, his reassurance painting a small glimmer of hope.
I nodded, retreating indoors. My fingers danced over the collection of swimsuits before settling on a white box bikini adorned with playful pink dots. With my hair secured in a ponytail, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the bathroom mirror. What was it about this situation that left me so apprehensive? The memory of Gio’s touch earlier in the day, igniting my senses, contrasted starkly with my current unease. He had vowed to honor my boundaries, but the uncertainty still gnawed at me.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the bedroom where Gio stood, clad in black shorts that showcased his formidable physique. His gaze traveled the length of me, his touch brushing against my hip. His voice, a low murmur, caressed my senses. “You are perfect.”
A gentle nudge urged me forward, and together we descended the stairs, venturing back onto the roof terrace. The chill of the evening air prickled against my skin, causing me to shiver despite the allure of the hot tub. Gio’s strong arms enveloped me, lifting me effortlessly, and a gasp escaped my lips as my hand found its place against the tattoo that marked his heart.
My heart raced like a thoroughbred, its galloping rhythm echoing in my chest. Seeking solace, I nestled my face into the curve of Gio’s neck, attempting to soothe the fluttering within me. In response, Gio’s embrace grew firmer, his arms cocooning me as he stepped into the Jacuzzi, the warm, bubbling water lapping around us. Positioned on his lap, I kept my visage hidden against his skin, finding refuge there. Gio’s touch traced a path up and down my spine, a gesture of reassurance amidst my inner turmoil. “There’s no reason for you to be scared,” he uttered softly.
A playful attempt formed on my lips, meant to be teasing, but as I voiced my thoughts, an unexpected tremor imbued my words. “Says the man who crushed a man’s throat with his bare hands.”
Gio’s response was both pragmatic and detached, “That’s got nothing to do with us, Millie. That’s business.”
Realizing my misstep, I murmured, “I know. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
His concern deepened, his gentle query probing the depths of my unease, “What’s really the problem?”
The truth found its way to my lips, carried by a current of vulnerability. “I’m nervous because I feel vulnerable, like I’m at your mercy because of the deal.”
“Millie, forget about the deal. Why don’t you try to relax and enjoy this?” His tender encouragement accompanied the gentle tilt of my chin, aligning our gazes in an intimate lock, our lips tantalizingly close.
“Promise you won’t force me to do something I don’t want to do,” I implored, my eyes veering downward to his chest. “Promise me that you won’t hurt me.”
Gio’s confusion was evident, his voice reflecting his genuine bewilderment, “Why would I hurt you? I told you I won’t sleep with you unless you want me to.”
A thread of apprehension remained, voiced with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, “So you will hurt me when we sleep together?”
A wry smile curved Gio’s lips, a mixture of amusement and sincerity playing in his eyes. “Not on purpose, no, but I don’t think there’s a way around it.” His lips descended, planting a tender kiss beneath my ear. “But tonight, I want to make you writhe in pleasure. Trust me.”
Yearning to trust, yet wary of the perilous realm we inhabited, I grappled with conflicting emotions. Part of me clung to the ember of resentment sparked by his involvement with Alyssa. Yet, a more profound part of me longed to ignore the coerced union and envision a love that transcended circumstance.
Sensations rippled as Gio’s tongue traced patterns along my throat, pausing where my pulse thudded with urgency. His lips embraced my skin, igniting shivers that traversed my spine. Despite the less-than-ideal seating arrangement, I cherished the closeness, the solidness of Gio’s body against mine-muscle and heat intertwining. A subtle shift followed, his desire pressing against my backside as his lips claimed my mouth in a kiss. While the touch set off electric sparks, my yearning extended beyond the physical; a desire to delve into the man bound to me.