While they were playing, Giana got the chance to apologize to Julian for biting his head off. Thankfully, her brother wasn’t one for holding grudges and instantly put her in a headlock to show his appreciation, but after she gave him an affectionate punch in the stomach, he thought better of his actions and released her. In the end, her father’s team kicked their butts. She and Julian were no athletes, and bless his heart, Wynn couldn’t hold it down all by himself.
Dinner was a grand affair, complete with a large turkey with all the fixings: corn-bread dressing, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese, collard greens, green bean casserole, sweet potato pie, banana pudding and her mom’s famous caramel cake. Afterward, everyone was so full, they retired to the living room, where the men watched football and the ladies played Scrabble.
When they finally went up to bed, Giana and Wynn were exhausted, but it didn’t stop them from finding pleasure in each other’s arms until the sun rose.
In Giana’s opinion, it had been the perfect day.
Eighteen
Wynn enjoyed the long weekend with Giana’s family and told them so two days later when everyone was packing up their cars for the four-hour trek back to Atlanta.
“I want to thank you for the hospitality, Mr. and Mrs. Lockett,” Wynn said to Giana’s parents. “I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed the holidays so much.”
“You’re absolutely welcome.” Mrs. Lockett gathered him into a warm hug, which he returned. Giana’s mother was warm and caring, like a mom should be. “We enjoyed having you. Don’t be a stranger.”
Wynn glanced over at Giana, who was talking to her sisters-in-law, and smiled. “I won’t be.”
Mrs. Lockett practically beamed. “I’m so pleased.”
After he shook Josiah’s hand and everyone said their goodbyes, Wynn and Giana got on the road. They were both contemplative on the drive back to Atlanta. A lot had happened during their weekend in Tennessee. Although their relationship started off as a bet, he and Giana had laid their cards on the table and agreed they wanted a relationship that might lead to forever. The thought terrified Wynn, and he wanted an ear to listen to his troubles.
Luckily, Giana had a few errands to run upon their return to Atlanta, so after dropping her off at the Lockett guesthouse in Tuxedo Park, Wynn headed over to Silas’s penthouse.
“Welcome back.” Silas gave him a fist bump and led Wynn inside. “Janelle isn’t here. She’s off at a photo shoot.”
“Okay, cool. And thanks for letting me drop by.”
“You’re my boy—you can drop by anytime,” Silas said with a grin. “How was Christmas with Giana and the Locketts?”
“It was good.” When they reached the kitchen, Silas grabbed two Bud Lights from the fridge. He cracked one open and handed it to Wynn, who took a generous pull.
Silas chuckled. “You must have needed that.”
“Yeah, I did.” Wynn winced. “This weekend was eye-opening, to say the least.”
“How so?”
“Giana and I took our relationship to another level.”
Silas’s shocked expression said it all. “Oh yeah? Things are heating up?”
“They’ve already been heated,” Wynn said with a smirk. “And I’m not talking about sex. We discussed where our relationship was headed.”
“And who brought up this topic?” Silas asked, drinking some of his beer.
“It wasn’t Giana, if that’s what you’re thinking. It was her brothers and father. I went out shooting with them, and they wanted to know my intentions.”
“As they should. And you answered?”
“I answered as honestly as I could. I told them I wasn’t sure, but I was open to making a commitment to Giana.”
“Were you telling the truth?”
Wynn rolled his eyes at Silas. “Of course I was.”
“But now that you said it, you want to take it back?”
“A little. I wasn’t lying to them.” Wynn paced the floor and then glanced at Silas. “If I could have a future with anyone, it’s Giana. She’s an incredible lady.”
“But?”
Wynn took another long pull on his beer and set it on the counter. “Why does there have to be a ‘but’?”
“Because you left a supposedly great weekend and hightailed it over here, so, yeah, I would say something is up,” Silas responded.
“I don’t know. There was something in Giana’s eyes when we spoke. I wonder if she’s already there, ya know?”
“Meaning you think she’s in love with you?”
“Maybe.”
“Would that be a bad thing?”
“I don’t want to hurt her, Silas, especially if I’m not quite there yet,” Wynn replied.
“Are you sure?” Silas asked. “Because you haven’t dated anyone in years. Yet you agreed to a relationship with Giana. You spent the last few weeks with her nonstop, as well as Christmas. Admit it. You’re drawn to her like a moth to a flame.”
Silas was right. From the start, when he’d seen Giana standing in a sports bra and leggings at the gym, he’d been angry and aroused at the same time. “I was attracted to her.”
“Well, now you’re a lot more than just attracted to her.”
“True, but as you’ve said, I haven’t been with a woman for a long time. Maybe I’m making too much of this. Perhaps after such a prolonged celibacy, my brain is primed to mate with the first female who comes along.”
Silas cocked his head and stared at him. “Do you really believe that’s true, Wynn? Because you would be selling yourself and Giana short. You’re both smart people. No matter how good the sex is, I doubt you’d be so easily misled.”
“Are you saying you believe it could be real?”
“Doesn’t matter what I believe. It’s about what you believe, my friend. But I encourage you to not be afraid to pursue this, because if you push Giana away, you might never find another woman like her.”
“When did you become so wise?”
“Meeting Janelle changed by life, but I nearly lost her because I was pigheaded and set in my ways. I was so afraid of losing her that I pushed her away. I’m just glad that we’re back on the same page. She’s the one for me, Wynn. And I’m telling you the same thing could happen to you.”
Was Silas right? Was it as easy as giving in to his feelings for Giana? Wynn wasn’t sure he could do it; he’d been burned too badly by his last relationship. He would like to take it slow until he was absolutely certain and there were no surprises, but his heart was rushing full steam ahead.
* * *
“Daddy, what are you doing here?” Giana asked when she walked into her office Monday morning and found her father standing at the window. Most of their employees were off. It was mainly workaholics like her and Roman who worked during the short holiday week. “Did we have an appointment I forgot about?”
Her father spun around. “Not at all. I wanted to talk to you without your mother present.”
That sounded ominous.
“What’s going on?” Giana asked, walking toward her executive chair and taking a seat.
“I wanted to talk to you about this Wynn fellow.”
“I don’t like your tone, Daddy,” Giana responded, narrowing her eyes at her father. “I thought you liked him.”
“I do, but I also want to caution you about falling too fast, too soon.”
“What are you talking—”
“It’s obvious you’ve fallen for the young man, Gigi,” her father interrupted, “and I want you to be happy, I truly do. But Wynn has a lot of baggage. His ex-wife did a number on him. I don’t want you to get hurt if he’s not able to return your affection.”
“Daddy, I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“Maybe not.” He came toward her to sit on the edge of her desk. “But we’re in a business relat
ionship with him. What if it goes south and he pulls the contract with us?”
Giana’s head flicked upward. “Our contract is airtight. I helped draft it myself.” She had taken several law courses in college to ensure she understood contracts.
“Yes, but the exclusive contract is only with Curtis. I think it would be a good idea to have another sports drink company in our back pocket, so I’ve arranged a meeting with Blaine Smith.”
“Daddy, Smith International is one of Starks Inc.’s biggest competitors. I would prefer not to go into business with him. Wynn made it very clear that the contract would be exclusive with his company.”
“We aren’t agreeing to anything and it can’t hurt to take a meeting.”
“No.” Giana shook her head. “Absolutely not. I won’t do it.” And she meant it. It was the first time she had gone against her father’s wishes, but she was adamant on this point.
“Where’s your killer spirit, Giana? I thought your career was of utmost importance to you?”
“It still is,” Giana replied, “but it would mean a lot to Wynn if we didn’t pursue a deal with Smith International.”
“Very well.” Her father held up his hands in mock surrender. “If that’s how you want to go about this. But it shows me how deeply you’re invested in Wynn.”
“I am.” Saying it out loud only reinforced it.
Her father nodded and left her office. Giana stared at the door for a long time after he was gone. She couldn’t believe Josiah had sprung this on her, not after the amazing Christmas weekend she and Wynn had shared. Other than the one evening they hadn’t been on the same page, it had been bliss.
That’s how it was with Wynn—he drenched her days with laughter, passion and adventure. If they could only hold on to the special moment they’d shared in Gatlinburg, it would be perfect. But they were back in Atlanta. Could the magic they’d found in Tennessee last, or would the real world threaten it?
* * *
Later, when they were in bed watching the news, Giana brought up a topic she’d been thinking about. “Have you thought about New Year’s Eve?” It was only a few days away.
“Thought about it?” Wynn asked. “No, why?”
“Holidays are a big thing with my family. The Atlanta Cougars host an annual New Year’s Eve bash. Did you receive your invitation?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Well, I was hoping you would be my date.”
Wynn smiled. “Were you worried otherwise?”
She shrugged. “No, but you hadn’t exactly brought up the pending holiday.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Wynn replied. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to think about someone other than myself, but I promise I’ll get better at it.”
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” Giana said. “No pressure.” Even though she desperately wanted him to say he would ring in the new year with her. It would symbolize he was ready and willing to get serious about their relationship.
Wynn cupped her cheeks in his hands. “Yes, I want to, Giana. There’s no place I would rather be.”
Giana broke out in a smile. “That’s wonderful.”
“Now let’s go to bed,” he growled and tossed the covers over their heads. Giana knew this New Year’s was going to be the best one yet, because she was with the man she loved.
* * *
“You don’t have to come, Giana,” Wynn said when she insisted on joining him at the Boys & Girls Club to meet with his mentee Donnell.
“Yes, I do,” Giana responded. “I want to get to know you, all of you, and that means seeing all facets of you, including the young man who once needed the services of this organization and who now comes to give back.”
“Don’t make me out to be some sort of hero, Giana,” Wynn replied. “Because I’m not. I’m doing the right thing. There are many boys out there who need guidance, who need someone to care. And although I knew my father loved me, there were times I would have been lost growing up if it hadn’t been for Les in the Boys & Girls Club. Who knows what direction I might have gone?”
“But you are a hero, at least to me.”
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand once they were out of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. “I want you to meet Donnell Evans.”
A short while later, Giana was bowled over at seeing Wynn with his mentee. He had a way with the young man, who clearly looked up to Wynn.
“Donnell, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Giana Lockett,” Wynn said.
“Girlfriend?” Donnell’s eyes grew wide as saucers.
Giana’s heart fluttered in her chest, because Wynn hadn’t hesitated when he used the word. Girlfriend. He’d said it loud and clear.
Giana waved. “Hi, Donnell. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I came to bring you your Christmas gift,” Wynn said, producing a box from behind his back and giving it to Donnell. “Sorry I’m late, but I went with Giana’s family to the mountains.”
“Sounds cool, Mr. Starks, and it’s no problem at all. I know you always come through.” Donnell accepted the package.
And come through Wynn did. Donnell was shocked to unwrap the gift and find a brand-new PlayStation 5.
“This is awesome, Mr. Starks.” Donnell rushed toward Wynn and wrapped his arms around his middle. “Thank you so much. I can’t wait to play it.”
“You can’t without games,” Giana said, handing him a bag she’d been hiding behind her back. It contained several games for the PlayStation.
“Oh man, everyone is going to be so jealous,” Donnell said, smiling from ear to ear. “Can I go show Eric?”
“Of course,” Wynn said. “I’ll be right here.”
They both watched the young man rush out of the room and seconds later heard squeals of delight over his new Christmas gift.
“Do you think it was too extravagant?” Wynn asked, glancing in her direction.
Giana’s eyes misted, and she shook her head. “Not at all.”
Wynn appreciated that Giana was making the effort to get to know him and his passion for helping others. She was truly a remarkable woman. It surprised him to realize that he could see a future with Giana, just the two of them and a bunch of milk chocolate babies with her dimples. God help him, but he was in love with the woman.
Nineteen
“Roman, do you have any idea what this meeting is about?” Giana asked when they were both summoned to Tuxedo Park’s country club on Wednesday for lunch with their father.
Roman had graciously agreed to drive, and on the way over, they’d talked about the Christmas weekend and Wynn.
“No, I don’t, but on another topic, I’d like to admit, Giana, I was wrong about Wynn,” Roman said.
Giana turned to him. “How so?”
“I thought perhaps you were using him for business, but I can see what you two share is the real thing and he really cares about you.”
Giana felt a warm glow suffuse her cheeks, and she couldn’t resist smiling. “Thank you. I think Wynn and I both thought we were compatible in the bedroom, but we’ve discovered we can laugh, talk and have fun together. He brings out a freedom in me I hadn’t expected.”
“I thought after the incident at the gala, Wynn was not ready for love, but I’m happy to see I was wrong.”
Giana thought back to how she’d felt seeing Wynn with his ex-wife. She’d felt jealous and wanted to rip her eyes out, but instead she’d held her head up high. In the end, Giana was victorious, because she had Wynn, while Christine was left to sulk about what could have been.
They pulled into the country club parking lot, and Roman gave the valet the keys to his Maserati Levante. Together they walked to the host stand of the club’s restaurant and were greeted by the maître d’. “Mr. and Ms. Lockett, pleasure to see you both again. If you’ll follow me, your father is already s
eated.”
“Lead the way.” Roman allowed Giana to precede him to the table.
However, as they approached, Giana recognized the other occupant sitting next to her father. It was none other than Blaine Smith. Giana was furious. She’d told her father in no uncertain terms she wouldn’t speak to Blaine, let alone entertain a meeting with him, yet he’d gone behind her back and arranged this.
“Gigi!” Her father wore a large, gregarious grin, and she wanted to wipe it off his smug face. Now she understood why Roman and Julian had complained that he could be manipulative.
“Father.” Giana only used the word when she was angry with him, and his raised brow acknowledged that he knew it. “Blaine.”
Blaine was tall and lanky with short, dark blond hair and blue eyes. He wore a custom-made slate-gray Italian suit with a blue-striped tie. “It’s so good to see you, Giana. You’re looking well,” he said, rising to greet her and shake her hand.
“Thank you.” She’d met Blaine a few years ago.
“Roman.” Blaine nodded at her brother, who stood like a statue by her side. Roman understood what her father was doing: making a power play when as general manager Roman made all the decisions.
“Join us,” their father said, indicating for them to sit down.
Giana glanced at Roman, and she understood what his raised eyebrow meant. If she wanted to walk, he would support her. But she was a consummate professional, so she sat down at the table.
“Your father was telling me how well the Cougars are doing now that you’ve acquired Curtis.”
“Curtis is not an acquisition like the fancy Ferrari you drive, Blaine,” Roman retorted, and Giana appreciated her brother’s fervor. “He’s a human being.”
Blaine smiled wanly. “Of course. I merely meant he’s been a great addition to the team. Your winning record has improved.”
Her father jumped in. “Yes, it has. And it’s put us in the position to only accept the best offers for our players.”
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