Page 53 of Ruthless Touch

We fall silent because all I can think of is taking her from him, but finally Aria pulls me out of my thoughts. “Gideon, I’m worried he’s going to retaliate. I mean, I don’t think he loved me, and I didn’t love him, but he’s a possessive man. I don’t think he’s going to just let you take me away without trying to do something in return.”

She acts as if I didn’t pay him handsomely for taking her off his hands. There’s no reason for him to retaliate. I didn’t steal her away. I offered him money for her, and he took it. The transaction is complete. He got what he wanted, and I got what I wanted.

I caress her cheek hoping to find a smile for me, but still she remains worried. “Don’t worry. Trust me. Whatever he thinks he’s going to do isn’t going to happen. I won’t let it.”

Aria relaxes against my body and quietly asks, “Can I trust you, Gideon?”

Tilting her head back, I look deep into her eyes. “Yes. I swear you can trust me, Aria. Don’t ever think I’d let anything hurt you.”

That’s enough to make her smile. She can trust me. Whatever Franco has up his sleeve, he won’t hurt her again. That’s a promise I can keep.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Aria

After our time at his villa, all I can think is being back at the penthouse feels like a downgrade. Yes, it’s a gorgeous place with stunning views, but the villa has a warmer, more welcoming feeling to it that I like having around me.

It feels like a home.

My mind wanders as the thought of it being our home fills my head. I shouldn’t think like that. Yes, Gideon told me he loved me, but I’m still not sure he’s not seeing me and thinking of the love he had for Gia. I don’t want to let myself fall into the trap of thinking another man truly cares when he doesn’t.

For now, I just need to enjoy the fact that I have somewhere safe to stay far away from Franco and I’m with someone I like. That’s a lie, though. I don’t just like Gideon. How could I? He’s taken care of me and protected me just like he promised, and in return, he rocks my world in bed every time. I couldn’t just like him, even if I wanted to.

“Aria? Where are you?” he calls out from the bedroom.

I look back inside and yell back, “I’m out on the terrace.”

“Come in here! I want to tell you something.”

Ooooh, maybe he has another surprise for me.

I hurry inside to find him only half-dressed, even though it’s after eight in the morning already. Still naked from the waist up, he looks so sexy standing there next to the bed.

“What is it?” I ask, even as I can’t think of anything but how much I wish he didn’t have to get dressed and leave for work.

We could have a good time during the day too. I think today would be a perfect time to prove me right on that.

“I’d like you to do me a favor today,” he says with such sweet sincerity that I can’t help but smile.

“A favor? Like what?”

“I’d like you to go shopping. I think the villa needs something, a special touch that’s missing. Not that my designer didn’t do exactly what I wanted, but when we were there, all I could think was it needed something else.”

Confused, I ask, “Like what?”

Gideon shrugs as he reaches into the closet for a dress shirt to wear to work today. “A vase? Maybe something like that or something for the kitchen. It did feel a little sterile in there without much in the way of decoration. You decide. I want it to be something you like.”

“What would you like me to spend?”

While he slides into his shirt and begins buttoning it, he points toward the bed. I look down to see a credit card sitting there on top of the sheets.

“Use that card and price is no object. If it makes you happy, then it’s not too expensive.”

I repeat what he said, surprised to hear money doesn’t matter. “Price is no object? What if you don’t like what I buy? Then I bet price will be an issue.”

He grabs a tie and walks toward me as he slides it around his neck. Giving me a tiny kiss on the tip of my nose, he says, “No, it won’t be. Whatever you buy, I’ll be happy if you’re happy.”

“Even if I buy one of those long-faced boob pictures like in your gallery?” I tease.

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