Page 16 of Gio

Arousal, white hot and pulsing, coursed through me.

“You haven’t heard a damn thing I said, have you?” There was nothing but amusement in his tone.

“Sorry, I was distracted.” I shook my head and blinked at the bedroom decorated in rich, dark colors. An oversized bed dominated most of the space and my heart kicked hard against my chest. “I need a shower,” I said and motioned to the blood splatter on my face, throat and dress.

“Shit, sorry.”

I shrugged. “I’m just glad he was wearing a helmet.”

Gio laughed and shook his head. “Come on, I’ll show you the bathroom.” He kept his hand pressed to mine as we stepped into his bedroom and then the attached bathroom. “Towels are here. Take your time.” Gio’s gaze lingered for a long moment before he finally left the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

I undressed quickly, eager to get the bloody clothes off my body. I cranked the water as hot as it would go and stepped under the spray with my eyes closed. Instead of the sight of the biker’s head exploding, my mind was full of images of Gio from tonight. Gio looking good enough to eat in that suit that hugged his muscles. The genuine smiles he sent my way. The heated touches that turned me on.

It was the perfect palate cleanser for the dramatic night, a sexy daydream about my brother’s best friend. It doesn’t have to be a daydream, my inner bad girl teased me.

I shook off those thoughts and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a big gray towel around my body before I grabbed another to dry my hair. I felt better, at least without someone else’s blood stuck to my skin, but I was still uneasy. On edge.

Uncomfortable.

I stepped out of the bathroom just as Gio entered the bedroom in nothing but a towel that hung low on his hips. My mouth watered instantly at the sight of him, all muscles and tattoos. One side was vibrant colors and rich detail and the other fine lines of black and gray art. He was even more beautiful than the art that adorned his body.

He looked up in surprise and then his gaze raked in every detail of my body that could be seen, which wasn’t much in the large towel. “Shit, Harp. Sorry I didn’t know you were still in there.”

The heat in his gaze was the answer I needed for my bold side to come out and play. “Don’t be. I’m not.”

His gaze flicked to mine. “What?”

I inhaled deeply and let it out slowly while I summoned all the courage I possessed. I wanted this, I wanted him. Badly. I told myself I could have what I wanted, and it would be average and then I’d go home with no regrets. Part of me knew I was lying, but I shoved that away and said, “I’m going back to California tomorrow.”

His dark brows dipped in confusion. “I’m aware.”

“I want you and I’m pretty sure you want me too.” At least I hoped so or else I was about to be really humiliated.

“I do,” he admitted easily, his gaze unwavering. “But we can’t.”

That wasn’t rejection, it was obligation. “Because of Cole.”

Gio nodded. “I promised him I wouldn’t.”

“Years ago,” I guessed. “Well I’m a grown woman and Cole isn’t the boss of me.” I reached for the top of my towel until my hand stopped shaking. “But if he’s the boss of you, that’s another story,” I teased him and loosened the towel to let it fall to my feet.

“Harper.” He groaned my name, an agonizing sound that told me this was hard for him.

Good. “No one has to know, Gio. Just you and me, and tonight. But if you’re not interested, say that.”

“I can’t say that.”

“Good.” I took one step forward and then another and another until I was close enough to touch his wet hair, his slightly damp back, hot and hard. “That’s all I wanted to know.” I placed my hands on both sides of his face and pressed my lips to his.

Gio was hesitant at first and I thought his promise to my brother might win out against his desire for me. But when my tongue swept across the seam of his lips, he opened up and took over the kiss. He speared his fingers through my hair and gripped it tight a few inches from the roots. The tender kiss was at odds with the possessive way he held me.

My toes curled and my belly clenched tight.

He deepened the kiss, flicking his tongue at mine until a moan escaped. The kiss grew hotter, all lips and tongue and teeth as he held me right where he wanted me to send me into another world. His hands left my hair and slid down to grip the back of my neck while the other hand slid down my spine, gripping my hip and pulling me right up against the towel covered monster hiding beneath.

“Gio,” I moaned when I pulled back, breathless and dizzy. That satisfied smile on his face was like a double shot of lust and my pussy clenched hard, flooded with desire.

“You sure about this, Harp?”

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