More Than Once by Dominique Wolf
CHAPTER 15:
I
was hot.
I could feel myself sweating under the weight laid on top of me. I was so disoriented, it took me a while to finally get my eyes completely open. Giovanni's arm was draped across me and his head was on my pillow right next to my head. The memories of our conversation from very early this morning came back to me and I couldn't help but smile. I looked over at him and watched as he slept. His soft breaths were all I needed to hear right now. Strands of hair had fallen over his face so I slowly tucked it behind his ear. He didn't move, he was too deeply asleep and I figured it could be a while until he would be up. Judging by the alcohol I could smell on him last night, I was expecting a real hangover when he woke up. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and checked the time. It was just after seven in the morning and I had only bagged a few hours of sleep. I could feel I was exhausted but my mind was racing and I couldn't even attempt to go back to sleep. I decided I would head out for a morning run to try and release all this pent-up tension I had. If I had it my way, I would be doing another physical activity first thing in the morning but I knew that Giovanni needed the rest. I managed to slip out from under him without him waking up and went to get changed. I used to run every morning - it was always a great way for me to clear my mind and it had been a while since I had a chance to do that. I quickly got changed, reached for my running shoes, earphones and cell phone - I was ready to go. I couldn't run in silence. I always made sure I had my music with me. I gave Giovanni a kiss on the cheek and left a message on a little piece of paper by the bedside table letting him know where I was going. I didn't think he was going to wake up before I got back but just in case he did, he'd know where I went.
I made it downstairs and was greeted by the bright sun shining down on me. Autumn was upon us and I loved everything about it. The leaves were turning into so many shades of reds and oranges and although the sun was shining, there was a cold wind in the air. My long sleeve shirt was all I had to protect me from the fresh breeze but once I started running, the cold air wasn’t a problem anymore. I placed my earphones in and headed down the street in a light jog. Running always had calming effects on me. The burn in my chest that spread after running for a good amount of time made me feel like I could conquer anything.
As I ran I tried to go over everything in my mind again. I never expected Giovanni to end up at my apartment, especially not after what happened last night. I hated seeing him with Casey. At that moment I accepted that I was done with him and his games but when he told me everything I needed to hear, I had to admit to myself that I was already in too deep. I knew exactly the type of person he was when I first met him and yet, I still pursued him. I wasn't sure what I thought would happen but I certainly never expected to develop actual feelings for him. I was convinced that I could have a one-night stand. I was actually adamant about it but I never thought he was going to introduce me to a world of passion and pleasure the way he did. He had ways with my body and I could never back out now. I was hooked on him and addicted to how he made me feel. Both physically and emotionally. After our conversation, we both knew that there was more between us than just a physical connection. It excited me. He excited me.
After a couple of laps around my area, I made it back to my apartment building. Kat and Reyna were spending the day with their significant others so we had the apartment all to ourselves. I made it back upstairs and went straight for a bottle of water. I finished it all in one go - my breathing was still heavy from the intensity of the run. The apartment was still quiet so I figured Giovanni was still asleep. I placed my earphones and cellphone down on the kitchen counter and went to check on him.
He was still sleeping peacefully.
The sight of him in my bed made me smile. It was nice to have him here - it was nice to have him around again. I made sure I was quiet with my movements as I went to fetch my towel and hairbrush. I pulled my hair out of its ponytail and let it fall over my shoulder. It needed a good wash. I tiptoed to the bathroom and slipped inside, closing the door behind me. I placed the towel on the counter and brushed through my hair. I was feeling calm. Giovanni was here because he wanted something more and we were both on the same page now with that. We were both reluctant to jump into a relationship but we didn't need that right now. All I needed was the confirmation that I wasn't going crazy and that he was feeling this too.
And now I have it.
I smiled to myself and stepped into the shower. The hot water burned against my skin, a feeling of relaxation spreading over me. I felt like I was finally at a point where I was starting to get a handle on everything again. I knew at some point I was going to have to deal with my family and stop avoiding them the way I had been but that was not today's problem. I was focused on my life here in Barcelona. I didn't want to leave here. When I first joined Reyna here, she didn't even ask how long I was staying for. She let me move in and made it clear that this was my home now. I was incredibly lucky to have her - I honestly didn't know what I would have done if she wasn't in my life. She was always my knight in shining armour. There was nothing for me in London. This really was my home now.
I washed the last of the conditioner out of my hair and turned the water off. I reached for the towel as I stepped out of the shower. I wrapped it around my body and brushed the knots out of my hair once again. I strolled back into my room, headed straight for my underwear draw, slipped on a pair of underwear and clipped my bra in place, dropping the towel to the floor.
“Now that's a sight I could get used to,” Giovanni said from behind me.
I jumped. “Oh! I thought you were still asleep!”
“Nope,” he mused. “And I'm really glad I'm not.”
I blushed and turned to face him. He had his arms behind his head and was smiling up at me. He looked at ease and seeing him like that warmed my heart. I strolled over to the bed and sat down next to him.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Like I was hit by a ton of bricks,” he answered casually. “How did I end up here?”
I froze. “Do you not remember banging on my door at two in the morning?”
He shook his head.
Oh no.Did he not remember what we spoke about?
“Uh well, you showed up here this morning because you said we had a lot to talk about,” I explained slowly. “Which we did.”
“Oh?” he asked, “So what did we talk about?”
This was not happening!
Did he seriously not remember this morning? Did he not remember saying everything I needed to hear? Was he going to deny it all now? Oh no, the overthinking was back. He could clearly see the panic and confusion on my face because he suddenly burst out laughing.
“Oh, Isabella.” He pulled me closer to him. “I'm just messing with you. Of course, I remember what we spoke about.”
Oh, thank goodness!
I punched his arm lightly. “Don't do that to me!”
He chuckled. “But it's just way too much fun.”
He pulled himself closer and kissed me. He touched me and my body was suddenly open for business. I pulled myself onto his lap, intensifying the kiss. His hands ran up and down my back and I was thankful I didn't get around to putting clothes on. Now there wasn't much for him to remove. My tongue found his and the intensity of his kiss was driving my body crazy. I was ready for him and he didn't even have to do much. I was always ready for him. I ran my hand down his body and found the bottom of his shirt. I started pushing it up and he pulled it up and over his head.
He broke the kiss. “Don't you have roommates?”
“They're not going to be home anytime soon.”
His lips collided with mine again. I ran my fingers over his bare body, feeling every inch of him. His lips moved to my neck and I threw my head back, enjoying every kiss. It sent shock waves through my body. I couldn't control how his lips on my body made me feel. He consumed me. He lifted me up and laid me against the bed. He ran his hands down my body and reached my legs. He slowly spread them, watching my reaction the whole time. I held my breath. He was so close to me. He slowly slid my underwear down and started leaving kisses by my knee, slowly making his way closer to me. My breathing picked up, the tension was becoming too much and just the sight of him in between my legs was overwhelming me. He inched closer to me and I closed my eyes, anticipating the release. I felt his tongue flick over me and my body jerked.
My eyes flew open. “Giovanni, wait.”
He stopped and looked up at me. “What's wrong?” I was embarrassed. I had never had anyone do that to me before and as intrigued as I was in that moment, I was also apprehensive.
“I've never had anyone,” I mumbled shyly. “Do that to me.”
He smirked and his eyes lit up. “Oh, baby.” He positioned himself back down between my legs, still looking at me. I bit my lip, not knowing what I was in for.
“Just lie back, Isabella,” he murmured. “I got you.”
I instructed myself to calm down and lay back against the pillow. I watched him as he brought his tongue down on me again.
Oh my. He found his rhythm against me and I threw my head back, biting down hard on my lip. It was amazing. He was amazing. Whatever he was doing, my body was agreeing with and I couldn't even try to control it. He was driving my pleasure levels through the roof. My hand involuntarily found his hair and I pulled on it. Soft moans escaping my lips. I was so close now. I pushed my hips up against him. He slid a finger inside while flicking his tongue over me and I came undone. I couldn't hold back anymore.
“Giovanni,” I moaned. Closing my eyes and basking in the pleasure that consumed my entire body. He kissed the inside of each thigh one last time before moving himself from between my legs. My eyes were still closed but I could sense him next to me. I tried to get a handle on my breathing. I opened one eye to peep up at him and he was smiling down at me. I loved his smile.
“So?” he smirked.
I covered my face with my hands. “I don't even have the words.”
He chuckled.. “That's what I like to hear.” He jumped off the bed.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To make breakfast,” he replied. “I've just had dessert so...”
I threw a pillow at him, laughing. “Don't say stuff like that.” He dodged it and I could hear him laughing all the way to the kitchen. I smiled to myself. I was feeling pure bliss right now. There was something different about him today.He had a different energy about him. He was so care-free. There was nothing holding us back now and we were free to discover where this was going to lead us. I didn't know much about Giovanni's cooking skills so I jumped out of bed, got dressed and went to find him.
