Page 17 of Run

Five

Giovanna

I was dreaming. Dreaming of Vincent.

I’d done it enough that by now I could recognize the pattern, felt the pure happiness that filled me as he slipped into our bed. Happiness strong enough to push away any questions I had about where he’d been and what he’d had to do.

Next, he’d wrap his arms around me, cage my body with his, leaving me feeling protected and also strong. He did just as I expected, his skin so warm and alive against mine.

It was as I always dreamed, but also different.

The arms around me were his, but stronger, harder than I remembered, as was the long length of the muscled body now cradled against mine. I reached back to let my hands explore that new body, noting the differences. I sighed when I reached the hardness between his thighs, the familiarity of him making me sigh.

Still, something about this dream felt different, but I pushed that aside, let myself curl closer to his body and feel the relief that only came when I met him in my dreams. There wasn’t a day that his face didn’t appear the instant I closed my eyes. By now, I knew those memories and dreams kept me going, and tonight it was even more intense.

I shifted in his arms, breathed deep, inhaling the scent that was uniquely him. Guided by memories, by need, I moved closer, brushed my lips against his.

“Giovanna.”

The warm, low word was real, so real that I opened my eyes.

And met Vincent’s.

Vincent

As hard as I was, as much as I wanted to be with her, more than anything, I wanted to kiss her.

But I didn’t. Not even when she lifted her eyes to mine and I saw that deep, sparkling desire in them.

I had dreamed of this moment for years, had tried to remember every time we had been like this before, but my memories, the dreams I conjured were nothing compared to feeling her in my arms.

Finally, after all this time, Giovanna was with me again.

The urge to take her bit at me, demanded that I do something, but I fought it back.

I wanted her. Desperately, but not like this, so instead of giving in to that impulse, I cupped her cheek in my hand, stared into her eyes. The anger was still there, but it was nothing compared to the relief. Seeing her before had sapped most of it, and even when she had left, made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with me, I didn’t care, I still had this moment, this need to see her and be with her, and I would enjoy it.

“Gia,” I whispered.

There was so much to say, so many questions, but words I couldn’t speak now. I could barely do anything, think, focus, not with her again in my arms, finally, so close.

My body demanded I touch her, but my heart didn’t want to risk it.

I had never had a doubt, but if I had, it would have been gone now.

Giovanna Carmelli owned me mind, body, and soul, and all the years that had passed, all the anger in the world wouldn’t change that.

When I looked into Gia’s eyes, some part of me thought she might have felt the same, hoped for it, and then as she nestled deeper in my arms, slowly moved closer, I started to believe that maybe she did.

She brushed her lips against mine, the first touch gentle. Not tentative, or shy, because Gia was none of those things. The kiss was more wondrous, exploratory, like maybe she wasn’t entirely sure I was there, didn’t really believe that she was kissing me again.

I understood well the feeling.

My mind could scarcely fathom the thought that I was here with Gia again, holding her, that she was kissing me.

She brushed her lips against mine and then lifted her eyes to me.

“Vincent…”

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