Page 57 of Skin Deep

Chapter19

Harrison

The sun blazed through the many windows. It was hot on my face and must have been what woke me up. Because there was no noise. It was almost too quiet. I groaned when I rolled over. I hadn’t had so much sex in years. And even though my muscles needed to stretch, my body felt relieved for the change in pace. I was hard. I hadn’t even had a chance to think about her yet.

How her perfume lingered on the sheets and on the pillows. How soft her skin felt. How wet and warm she was.

It was the first time I’d felt the inside of a woman, nothing between us. No barriers. No holding back.

Why had I done it? Because I wanted to feel her deeper than I’d ever felt another woman. And I had. All night. Now her scent felt like it was tattooed on my skin, and she was in my bloodstream.

I sat in the silence, staring at the ceiling, thinking of how a week ago I was convinced I loved someone else, and in that week, Georgina Dolce had fucking wrecked all of my plans. She’d wrecked my dreams. She’d wrecked me. But I didn’t feel all that messed up. I’d never felt so straight.

Turning over, I went to reach for her, to tell her why I’d done it. Why I refused to share any part of her. Why I was willing to kill any man who disrespected her. Why I’d run all those motherfuckers out. Because none of them deserved to be close to her. But the bed was empty. I listened for the sound of running water in the bathroom. I listened for sounds from the kitchen. Any movement in the house.

Nothing.

She enjoyed going for swims, but usually not this early. She wasn’t outside either. I ran a hand through my hair, looking around, my heart racing. A man was outside, taking care of the yard. His eyes narrowed. I was naked. I went inside and put my clothes on, but when I tried to talk to him, he couldn’t understand me. I couldn’t understand him either.

The house was empty.

She was gone.

In the kitchen, I found a simple white vase with a sunflower in it. A note was tucked underneath.

Harrison,

Fear does not stop me, but somehow, these words scare me. Your rejection would be like a dagger to my heart. But I will give you the truth this time. It is not a list, but it is simple.

I lied because she doesn’t deserve you. I do. The moment I saw you, I knew.

Ti amo.

Georgina

Then she left a number at the bottom. I dialed it.

“Nicodemo,” he answered.

“Harrison,” I said. “I need a ride.”

It took him a few seconds to respond. “I will be there in an hour. Gigi has arranged for you to go back to New York on a private plane.”

I wasn’t sure who hung up first, him or me. I got my shit together, including her Dear John, stuffing it with the words the old man had given me, then took a seat outside. My knee bounced as I called my sister. I had no idea what time it was in New York.

“Harri—”

“Do you know where she lives?”

“Who?”

“Gi—”

Say my name.

“Georgina,” I said.

“Gigi? I don’t know where she lives,” she said. “I don’t like her. She’s catty to Mari.”

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