Page 4 of Dario

I lift the phone by the elevator and press the button for Gemma’s apartment.

Her quiet voice answers. My heart thumps. “Gemma, it’s Dario. Can I come up? Please. I need to explain.”

“I know all about the birds and the bees, Dario.”

I grin at the cheeky response. “Let me up so we can have this conversation in private. I don’t think you would want a neighbor listening.”

“Ugh! Stairs or elevator?”

“Elevator, babe.”

She hangs up and I hear the mechanics of the elevator start up. Five minutes later, I step out on to her floor. She waits in thedoorway to her apartment looking gorgeous. Hair down around her shoulders and sweats and a tee on her curvy frame.

My eyes rove over the woman and I notice she does some looking of her own.

Inside the apartment has colorful decoration and it’s so Gemma.

“Do you want something to drink? Coffee, water, or soda?”

“Coffee would be good.” I can’t take my eyes off her as she moves about her small kitchen. I scrub a hand over my face wondering why I went and screwed up the night before. In the light of day, my recollection of the night before has come back to me. With relief I did not have sex with the girl. She didn’t even blow me. The fact that I couldn’t get hard for her, saved me. I was a dick though because the intention had been there.

Gemma passes me the freshly brewed coffee and then sits in the window seat. I sit on the sofa. She doesn’t look my way until I say, “I’m sorry.”

She swallows hard and gives me her gorgeous eyes. “I had no right getting hurt by you going off like that. We’re not dating. You don’t owe me anything. It’s none of my business.”

The brief sight of hurt in her gaze, tells me otherwise. “I didn’t fuck her, Gemma. Honestly,” I close my eyes and admit, “she did try to, um, blow me, but that didn’t work out.” I’m tempted to press the palms of my hands against my heated cheeks. “I was upset after leaving you because it’s you I wanted.” I place the coffee cup down and go on, “It all got on top of me, so I went out with Madden and shit happened. I’m sorry. I was an asshole.”

“Let’s just forget it, Dario. We’re both free to be with who we want.” She shrugs. “It’s just one of those things.”

“Damn!” I move to stand in front of the window beside where she sits. “It’s one of those things that I don’t want to be one of those things. I want you, Gemma!” I fist my hands, so I don’treach for her. “I only want you, but if I go after what I want, one or both of us will lose our jobs!” I wince. “Maybe you because my contract is difficult to get out of. I don’t want that, but I can’t stay away either.”

“I don’t know why you’re here. It would have been easier for me if you let me believe you were just passing time with me.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” I go to my knees in front of her and take her hands. “I can’t have you hurt, and I hurt you.” I brush a kiss across her knuckles. “Can we be friends. Maybe have coffee sometimes. Chat.”

Her eyes search mine. “I’m not good at that, but I appreciate you telling me what happened.”

Sadness seeps into me at the brush off. “Gemma,” I say softly.

“I can’t Dario. It will hurt too much. I’m sorry.”

Swallowing around the lump lodged in my throat, I head toward the door without another word. I frown though as I spot a slip of paper that has been shoved under the door. “You have a note,” I shout over my shoulder, and sense her behind me.

I pick the note up and pass it to her.

All color drains from her face when she opens it up.

“Gemma?” I cup her hands that hold the note and read it.

Are you a puck bunny now? Slut!

I quickly turn and open the door. No one is around. “It wasn’t there when I arrived. Are there cameras out in the hallways or foyer?”

“Foyer.” She swallows hard. “Dario.” Her watery eyes land on my face.

“Hey!” I go on instinct and tug her into my arms. “Don’t worry about this.” I brush a kiss atop her head.

Gemma doesn’t stay where I want her though as she pushes out of my arms and shakes her head. “Who would send something like this? And of course I’m going to worry. This is creepy. Someone obviously saw you here.”

---