Page 26 of Under the Influence
Guilt weighs on me for being distracted during the party, but my time is limited. Although two choices are evident, I really can only pick one. Deep down, I know my heart too well for there to be any otheroption.
Heavy silence hangs between us. Making we wonder what worry lines his forehead. His fingers gripping the steering wheel with anxiety after he starts the ignition. Might as well jump into the fire now while his focus remains on the windshield. Easier than him looking atme.
"I know we made a mistake last night. But I’m not going to take Plan B. I'm sorry if you disagree, but I have to take responsibility for my actions." I hate the crack in my voice. Too many memories I can't ignore flood my mind. "It's not a baby'sfault."
Despite the strap wrapped taut across my torso, my shoulder slams into the window when the car jerks along with Gio's gaze jerks in my direction. Rage spreading scarlet up his throat and across his clenchedjaw.
"God damn it Chryseis. Why in the fuck would you think I'd want you to get rid of our child? Especially after what you wentthrough?"
"I didn't...Ijust..."
Heat flames my own cheeks. His unexpected fury steals my breath and my words. I don't know what I thought. I've never been so confused. About him. About me. Aboutus.
And now we're back to contentious quiet except for his deep sigh. Attempting to rein in his anger. Both of us muted with shock. A bit of relief too on my part too. That he agrees and understands. Recognizing I'll never fully recover from whathappened.
"If you're pregnant, I'll take care of you. Both of you. You knowthat."
Tears prick my eyes from the certainty in his tone. I do know that but his conviction – his sentiment – isn't enough. Not when I need so much more. "I don't want yourmoney."
No response from my comment. Just a sharp shake of his head and a string of curses whispered in his billowing breath. His body stiffening against the leather seat while I sink into mine. At least he doesn'tyell.
But he does drive into the parking garage under his building. So distracted by my apprehension, I missed him bypassing my transitional neighborhood and entering his upscale area. Towering skyscrapers of lofts and multi-level apartments. His penthouse the highest of course. Looking down on everyone and everything just like he loves. "What are youdoing?"
Nothing.
Silent as he parks the SUV between the Mercedes sedan and the Maserati convertible he said he bought for me. That I never officially accepted, but never refused to drive either. I might have been hesitant but I wasn't a fool. It was fun. With him. When we weretogether.
With jerky and quick movements, he shoves the door open and strides around to my side. Goosebumps sprinkle on my skin from the intensity darkening his features. Eyes boring into mine. Lips set in a hard line. Cheek twitching as his jaw grinds. He’s beyondangry.
He yanks the passenger handle and hauls me out. The tight grip on my arm mirroring his furor as he stands me on my feet and invades my space. Huge fingers cup my face. Sharing the same fog from our heavy breaths visible in the coldair.
"If you are pregnant, I will give you everything you and my baby need. I will go with you to every doctor's appointment. I will look at baby name books. I will buy toys and car seats and cribs and clothes. I will hold your hand in the delivery room. I will do it all. Every. Single. Fucking. Thing. And no one will stop me. Not even you. You gotme?"
Shivers engulf me. Grateful I wasn't wrong about what I suspected. I knew he would be like this. I hoped he would be like this. "I gotyou."
“Good." His grip softens from my whisper, and he actually smiles. So incredibly handsome in his happiness. Smooth black leather strokes over my cheek and down my hair to my hand. Heat radiates through my gloves from his fingers circling mine. "Let's get inside and warm youup."
My defenses are weak from his emotional outpouring. Jackhammering the already crumbling barricade I thought I built solid and secure around my heart. But I'm coherent enough to realize he's up to something. A knowing smirk brightens his face. Striding with a cocky posture. Humming with satisfaction as he hustles me across the expansive concrete and into the empty elevator. Leaving the bodyguards behind as the doors bounceclosed.
Vainly tugging against his grasp, I struggle to keep the exasperation out of my tone. "I can't. I have to study. I still have finals onMonday."
"No problem. Study all weekend. I won't bother you, except atnight."
Of course my treasonous body responds to the implication threaded through his words. Wet lips drag down the side of my throat while he pins me against the metal wall. Powerful yet unbelievable. He thinks he's going to seduceme.
Insistent fingers glide under my sweater. A single brush of his demanding touch against my skin, and I involuntarily arch against him. Making my eyes sink shut when his growl vibrates deep and guttural on my collar bone. Heisgoing to seduce me if I don't stop him. Stop myself before I let his temptation attempts go toofar.
I shove against his chest. Ineffective with his size and determination. "I'm serious. I need to gohome."
"You arehome."
I don’t have time for this. These tests are important. My last chance to recover from the massive dip in my GPA during the last two semesters. Too much drama impacting my grades. Jaded professors have little sympathy for broken hearts. “Please Gio, no more games. I really have to concentrate. They’re my toughest ones for French philosophy andliterature.”
He steps back. Standing up to his full height and peering down at me, his unblinking gaze meets mine. Without any hesitation ordoubt.
“No games. I've had all your stuff moved in and your utilities turned off. You live herenow.”
Ohno.
