Page 3 of Game On

Mr. Giovati nods his head in agreement. “Yes, indeed, that was good. Welcome to Italy. Try to get out and see the sights when you can.”

“Thank you. I will sure try.”

Our pizza comes, and Gaia and I sit in comfortable companionship, listening to all the conversations taking place while we eat and drink a few glasses of wine. We literally say nothing else to each other, yet we remain connected with the small touch of our thighs.

“Excuse me. I’ll be right back,” Gaia announces and moves back to leave before heading in the direction of the restrooms. I immediately miss the contact of her being close. The air around me is suddenly cold and unsettling.

It’s strange, but all of the sudden I’m antsy without her next to me. Surely it’s just my dick wanting to follow her. It’s probably the worst decision, yet I think now is a great time to use the facilities also. After quietly pushing my chair back, I hope not to call too much attention to myself as I walk toward the hallway I previously saw Gaia go down.

Just one step around the corner behind the wall to the restroom’s hall, I’m halted by a warm body. Out of instinct, my hands come up to her waist to catch her from falling as she stumbles back. With many apologies quietly spewing from her gorgeous lips, her eyes are squeezed closed in what is probably embarrassment.

“Shhh, Gaia. It’s me. I got you,” I coax in a soft tone. My hand rises gently to rub her back to calm the racing heart I can feel pressed against my chest, but really, I’m not sure if it’s hers or mine.

Her head tilts up to look at me, and the movement causes my hands to shift involuntary to the back of her neck, feeling the soft, exposed skin just under her ponytail. Those damn chocolate brown eyes of hers transfix me, I get lost, and before I know what is happening, the distance between us closes, and our lips lock. Passion, desire, want, need, it’s all there in one kiss, and I can’t - no, I won’t - pull away. Holding Gaia close, exploring her mouth and the way her body feels against mine is overwhelmingly powerful. The sheer force of it pulls me against her and pushes us both back to the wall for support. Though I need it, I physically can’t get any closer to her with all these fucking clothes on.

Somehow, I remember where we are, her parents are sitting less than twenty steps away. Frustrated that I can’t take this any further than right here and right now, I lighten up on the kiss. After giving her two last soft pecks on the lips and the cheek, I rest my forehead against hers. We are both breathing hard, but I pause here a moment, to just be with her and gather my bearings.

I thought the stadium was electric, but it doesn’t hold a candle to our electricity.

Chapter 3

Gaia

What the hell justhappened? How did that happen? Did that actually just happen?

I am more than confused right now, but I have no reason to protest with this man’s body pressed against mine. I probably should feel something, anything other than what I do, but my body is quite cozy here, forehead to forehead with Blaze.

There is a small movement from Blaze and another kiss pressed to my forehead before he takes one step backwards toward the bathroom. He didn’t say a word, he just left. Cold air replaces his warm body, making me feel lost without him in my space. I know I have to return to the table, but I pause as I mentally struggle to collect the rampaging thoughts in my head. I take a deep breath in and let another out, repeating this comforting exercise until my heartbeat returns to normal.

When I return to the table, no one is the wiser to the fact that their daughter and baby sister just made out with Blaze... or that I was on the verge of dry humping that ultra-fine specimen. As I say his name to myself again, he walks back into the room right behind me. We reach the table, and he pulls out my chair for me to sit.

Oh, chivalry is not dead.

This is not a romance novel, Gaia. Get that out of your head.

As before, we sit in silence, and his leg still presses against mine, almost like it’s there to reassure me that what just went down in the hall really did happen. Another hour passes, and it’s time to head back to Luca’s. We all say goodbye to Blaze as we walk out together, but split ways to head in two separate directions. I truly wish I was leaving with him so we can see where that hallway passion could possibly lead.

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