Page 19 of Glass & Groundwork
He bobbed his head. “All right. Why don’t you get yourself situated and I’ll put something on. Any preference?”
“No. Not right now. Maybe no sad ballads or anything too serious.” I pushed the blanket down and crawled under it, leaning against the headboard in a half-reclined position.
Gio walked around the bed, while scrolling through his phone. He turned on the small radio on the bedside table, and connected the bluetooth to his phone. A moment later, the song that came on startled a laugh out of me.
“Is thisRage Against the Machine?”
His lips pursed together in a suppressed smile. “Felt appropriate.”
The man climbed into bed beside me, sitting on top of the blanket. He took his glasses off and set them on the table by the radio. His short silvery hair and trimmed beard looked incredibly sexy in this relaxed state. Not that it didn't regularly, but this was a different side to him than I'd seen before and I rather liked it. Somehow the band raging about no better time or place to start hit different now.
I scooted closer and slid down the bed a little until my head was on his thigh. With a glance up at Gio, asking permission, he gave a slight nod, and placed a hand on my shoulder. Perhaps it was because my family had never been great with showing physical affection, but when I was with someone, I tended to be clingy. Physical touch was something I craved. The warmth of Gio's leg beneath my cheek and his hand on my bare skin filled something in me.
After the song ended with the final chorus, Gio leaned over me and whispered, “Nothing can stop you.”
I smiled and let out a sigh. Okay, maybe I craved physical touchandwords of affirmation, because each positive thing Gio said seemed to push the darkness back a little more.
We remained in that position for a long time, both of us quiet as his playlist shuffled through nineties alternative rock. It was intimate, yes, but not sexual. Although it could have been if I thought about how close I was to his cock, but my thoughts were too occupied for that. His presence and the heat that radiated out of him made me feel safe. Safe enough to retreat into my head while knowing he wouldn't let me go. He was my lifeline to the surface and would pull me back up if I went too deep.
As his hand moved in light circles over my arm, I thought about the money. What could I do to get the rest of what I owed? I could sell all my clothes, except most of what I owned was from thrift stores. My most expensive suit had been drawn and quartered and was destined for cremation. It would have only been a drop in the bucket anyway. I had some glasswork pieces in storage that I had planned to use for display. The thought of parting with them, especially not knowing when I might be able to make more didn’t sit right.
Fuck! I was counting on my money.Mymoney. I understood that I hadn't earned it, but it had been promised to me. I needed to figure out how to pry it out of my parents’ grips. What would I have to do to gain control? I thought through all of the stipulations on the account and was struck with a realization.
“Holy shit!” I whispered.
Gio's hand stilled, and he asked, “Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?”
“Yes and no.”
His hand hovered over me, not quite touching me, as he said, “Uh, mixed signals. What do you want me to do?”
“Sorry. Yes, I'm okay, and no, don't stop.” I reached up and grabbed his hand, returning it to where it was. “I just need to think, but that helps.”
“Good.” Gio continued the rhythmic circles.
Was it even possible? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like it could work. There was onebigfactor, though. I couldn't do it alone.
The circles on my arm had stopped, his hand merely resting in place, and Gio's breathing had slowed, despite the music playing in the background.
“Gio?”
“Hmm?” He responded with a sleepy hum.
This was a big ask. The biggest. But… if I didn't ask, I would never know, and I had to try. “Would you marry me?”
“Sure.”
Surprised by the simple response, I turned onto my back, head still on his leg, and stared up at his face. Gio's head was leaning back against the headboard and his eyes were closed.
I had to smile at the sight of him falling asleep. I would have been happy to let him rest, except now there was no way I could, and I had to get this out.
Reaching up, I gave a light pat on his belly. “Gio.”
His eyes blinked open and he lowered his gaze to meet mine. “Hmm? Did you say something?”
He was handsome, kind, generous, and compassionate. It wouldn't be so bad with someone like him.
“Marry me, Gio?”
