Page 104 of For Your Eyes Only

Does she not realize how fucking gorgeous she is with her sexy curves on full display, her long hair falling around her shoulders, and her feet bare? Closing my eyes, I meditate on cold showers, baseball, crying infants, and every other boner killer I can conjure. Last thing I need is an erection when I just assured her I wouldn’t touch her.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“You do need to take your antibiotic.” She reads the instructions on the bottle, and I gaze at her beauty.

Has it been six weeks since I’ve seen her? My eyes drink her in like water in the desert. How could I let those assholes spook me? I should’ve holed up in my apartment with a gun to protect her like a cowboy in the old west. Let them shoot us out.

No one’s ever separating me from my woman again… that is, if she’ll have me again.

“It says you should take one a day… Have you taken any yet?”

“I don’t remember. Just give me one.” I want to get better now.

Everything in me strains for health, for the ability to take her in my arms and prove to her how I’ll love her so well. I’ll never let her down again.

“I’ve got to go into town.” Michele is still frowning at me. “Text me if you need anything.”

He leaves, and Gia goes to the kitchen, digging around in the refrigerator. “Are you hungry? I have yogurt, eggs, toast…”

“I’m sorry to make you wait on me.”

“Nonsense, you’re injured. You’d do the same if it were me.” She has no idea. “What can I make for you?”

“Something easy. Yogurt?”

She glances at me, wrinkling her nose. “It’s probably better for you since you've had a shock, and you’re taking antibiotics. You’ll need something more substantial if you’re going to get your strength back.”

No shit.

She opens a small container of yogurt and carries it to me with a spoon. While I’m eating, she goes to the balcony, taking what looks like sewing materials and a shiny rainbow bundle.

“Is that what you’re doing now?” I’m sitting up in bed watching her. “Sewing?”

She nods, a little smile touching her full, kissable lips. “Before I started dancing, I used to dream of making and designing clothes.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “I don’t have any connections. My aunt said my designs were too daring.”

“Is that the same aunt who used to cut you down all the time?”

She blinks down to her lap, seeming embarrassed. “I told you about that?”

“You did.” Looking around the small apartment, I piece the clues together. “This must be your mother’s old place. What made you come here? You should have had enough money to go anywhere, start a whole new life.”

“I could’ve.” Her voice grows softer. “I wasn’t thinking that way at the time. I only wanted comfort. Memories of my mother were the only thing I had.”

Her words twist pain in my chest. “I’m sorry, Gia.”

She shakes her head firmly, turning to the bundle in her lap. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Silence falls between us. I look towards the open window, but from where I’m lying in the bed, I can’t see the ocean. Still, I can hear it. I can smell the fresh scent of the water and hear the seagulls crying.

I understand why she would love this little place, filled with the only happy memories she has of her childhood. My insides burn with longing for her, this beautiful girl who gave me everything. That surge of possessiveness is still so strong inside me, even now with her holding me at arm’s length, refusing to look at me, her pretty gaze focused on the item in her lap.

“Is that one of your daring designs?” I nod to the colorful bundle.

She holds up a rainbow pantsuit with two long strips of fabric extending from the waist. “It’s for Michele. He wants to wear it in his show in Florida.”

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