Instead of releasing me, he pushed me towards him. My heart raced. I couldn’t keep my composure, especially as I got lost in Gio’s eyes. He gazed at my eyes for a moment before lowering his focus to my lips. Aware of his intense scrutiny, my lips naturally parted.
Gio softly muttered a curse before his lips suddenly met mine. My eyes widened in surprise at his sudden kiss. He thrust his tongue into my mouth, devouring me, staking his claim.
I whimpered and grasped his shirt, attempting to push him away, but I had no strength. Besides, I was also having second thoughts about whether I really wanted to push him away or not.
When he finally released me from his fiery kisses, both of us were left breathless. I clung to his clothing like a lifeline.
“Not enough. Kisses alone wouldn’t be enough to satisfy my hunger for you.”
He attacked me with another kiss, and this time, my will to resist left my body. I slowly closed my eyes and returned Gio’s kiss. He kissed my lower lip, causing my lips to part. Once again, he slid his tongue into my mouth, savoring every moment, determined not to miss a thing.
Feeling like I was floating in oblivion, I pulled my body away and realized what was happening.
I opened my eyes and pushed Gio away. Perhaps it was the alcohol affecting him, but I managed to push him back.
I bit my lip hard, nearly making it bleed. Why did I let him kiss me?
With a heavy sigh, I said, “You’re on your own now. I’m going to bed.” I quickly walked away and left Gio behind.
Even as I lay in bed, I couldn’t get Gio out of my mind. I couldn’t sleep, and my thoughts kept returning to him. I touched my lips; I could still feel his kiss. I closed my eyes. I buried myself in the pillow, but I couldn’t sleep, all because of Gio.
Millie, you’re too weak.
I want to shake myself for the shame of reciprocating his kiss as if my very breath depended on it.
I found myself sitting up; I couldn’t sleep at all. I walked quietly out of the room and peeked into the living room.
Gio was lying on the couch, but it was evident that he wasn’t comfortable there. He practically spilled over the edges of the small sofa, as I mentioned earlier.
I felt sorry for his position. Would he be able to sleep properly like that? He might wake up with a stiff neck or all his bones stiffened.
I pursed my lips, why was I concerned about him? Yes, I remember him clearly, and I also remember the pain caused by his words. However, before all of that, before he mentioned annulment, he protected me. Even when we were kids. Back when he took the blame for my crime of accidentally killing my own mother. Even though we can call it an accident, he still shouldered the guilt for me.
I bit my lip. Now, I was conflicted because of him. In the end, I sighed and walked closer to Gio.
I knelt in front of him, intending to wake him and transfer him to the bed. Unintentionally, I found myself staring at his face. He appeared peaceful and calm. It was entirely different when he was awake, and I could see his facial expressions. It was different when he was aware of what was happening, as if sleep was his only escape from all his emotions.
I get it, he’s not accustomed to feeling so much emotion, but I also want to make Gio understand that regardless of what kind of life he’s willing to give me, I’m ready and won’t let go. He can’t be selfish with me and push me away just for my safety. I don’t want that.
I gazed at his lips for a while, suddenly recalling what had happened earlier. I slapped myself to stop thinking about it.
I took a deep breath before mustering the courage to wake Gio.
He slowly opened his eyes, and I saw that sparkle in them once again.
“You should sleep in the bedroom. I’ll stay here on the sofa. It’s more comfortable for me here,” I suggested.
I realized I was standing quite close to him, so I decided to stand up to avoid him noticing the expression on my face.
Gio didn’t respond immediately. Perhaps it was because I had woken him up unexpectedly.
He got up and sat upright. “What is this? A change of heart?” He smiled, albeit subtly.
I bit my lip. I didn’t say anything and just waited for him to make a move.
“I’m not complaining. I’m fine here, Millie. You go back to your room.”
I clenched my fist, trying to suppress any scolding or any signs that I remembered.
“It’s obvious you won’t sleep well there. Maybe later, you’ll think I’m not a good homeowner for making you sleep on the sofa. Come back to the room.”
“Is this your way of telling me that you care?” His question caught me off guard, but I quickly regained my composure.
“I’ll stay here on the sofa. Don’t ask too many questions.”
Gio’s expression quickly turned serious. “No, I’ll stay here. I won’t let a lady sleep on the sofa just because she let me sleep in her room. I’ll stay here… or we can both sleep in your bed. We’re both adults, and we’re married. The only thing holding me back is your consent to sleep together.”
His words made my throat go dry. With my remaining strength, I swallowed hard. “I can’t even remember that we’re married. Stop arguing.”
“That’s the point, Millie. I can barge into your room and sleep there, but you won’t remember. You don’t remember that you’re married to me, so I’ll need your consent before I can do anything, including sleeping in one bed with you. Will you allow me, though? Because I won’t let you sleep on this sofa. Now, if you don’t want us to sleep in your room, I’ll stay here on the sofa.”
He caught me off guard. I swallowed again and eventually gave in. It’s not like he hadn’t kissed me earlier.
“Okay…fine. Don’t come near me. I’ll separate us with a pillow,” I said before turning away, not wanting to see his smile. I wanted to be irritated because he was smiling, but it wasn’t an annoying or teasing smile. It was genuine, as if he was genuinely happy with what I had said.
As planned, there was a pillow between us. It’s reassuring to think that this is how I am, given that I genuinely don’t remember anything. In reality, without this barrier between us, a mere touch could have broken my resolve. I was facing away from him, but I still couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were consumed by Gio.
A long silence enveloped us. At first, I thought Gio might have fallen asleep again. It was just me who was having trouble sleeping now.
I heard a muffled sound, as if someone was having a nightmare. I couldn’t resist turning to check if it was Gio, and it was indeed him. Unlike earlier, his forehead was now creased, and he seemed to be having a bad dream.
“M… Millie,” he murmured, his words difficult to discern because they were so soft. “Don’t… go.”
I froze upon hearing this while lying in my spot. He’s dreaming about me.
“Please… I’m sorry.”
His words weighed heavily on me.
“Don’t leave me…”
I couldn’t make out everything he was saying because it was mostly incoherent sounds and moans. I could tell he was having a distressing dream based on the furrowed expression on his face.
Instinctively, I removed the pillow that was separating us and reached out for Gio. I slowly embraced him, hoping that his bad dream would stop.
At first, it didn’t. But after a while, Gio’s sleep became peaceful.
I felt his hand wrapping around me, which surprised me, but I allowed it.
“Millie…” That was the last thing he said before he fell into a peaceful slumber.