Love by the Slice (Harbor Point Book 1)

by Heather Young-Nichols

  “How is that possible?” I asked.

  “I’ve been with women but it’s always more of a business transaction.” He cleared his throat making me think I missed something but I didn’t bother trying to hash it out.

  “Like hookers?” I asked before biting my lips together. I didn’t think he really meant hookers but I couldn’t pass up the chance to harass him.

  “Definitely not. I meant—” I couldn’t hold the giggles in and by the way his face relaxed when I started laughing, he had to know I was messing with him. “But you, I want more than sex. So, the other night … I stopped because I don’t want you to be like the others.” Gio looked like a boy instead of a man putting his heart out there for me. I wanted to squish his face in my hands and put him in my pocket.

  “So you don’t want me to be a hooker?”

  He groaned and lunged at me taking us both down until his body covered mine.

  “I’m being serious here,” he said.

  “I know you are. That’s what makes this easy.” Grinding his hips into mine a little harder, Gio lowered his lips to me kissing with a gentle tenderness. I spoke this language fluently so I caught the message he threw down. “Ok, you get to stay.”

  It was that easy. I figured I must have already known that if his apology came with any sort of sensible explanation, he’d get a pass. Looking at him, I could easily forgive his sins, which could definitely get me in trouble.

  After deciding on a night in watching a movie, I wanted to change my clothes first. I’d wanted to be myself with Gio and I wasn’t going to change just because he was spending the night so I pulled on shorts and a t-shirt. When I got back out to the living room Gio had also changed into pajama bottoms which hung dangerously low on his hips revealing not only a well-toned torso but also the ridiculous muscles starting to form a V then traveled to places I hadn’t been yet. He took me in as well, grinned widely then shook his head.

  “What?” I asked. He wet his lips then bit the bottom one between his teeth.

  “Nothing.”

  “Come on, Mr. Honesty. What?”

  He sighed long and hard. “You’re not wearing a bra. It’s a juvenile thing to notice, I know, but I’m a guy.”

  My arms folded over my chest Instead of verbally sparring, I slapped him playfully on the arm, plopped on the couch and cozied up to his side to watch the movie.

  Chapter Nine

  As we watched the romantic comedy—my choice—my stomach let me know it was a touch hungry. Not wanting to cook anything and only needing a little nibble, I went with a Popsicle. Gio didn’t want one when I offered. Back beside him, with my legs folded like a pretzel under me, I stayed upright as to not drip the sugary water all over him or my couch.

  At some point, while I sucked on the Popsicle, I had the feeling of being watched. The gut instinct where you know someone’s eyes are on you. I turned and met dark smoldering eyes on me.

  I pulled it from my mouth with a pop. “What?”

  “Nothing,” he smirked.

  “Come on. You’re not really watching the movie now are ya?”

  “I was thinking that I’ve never been jealous of a Popsicle before.”

  Even though I tried not to, my smile could only be partly contained. I shook my head and used the tip of my tongue to lick from the bottom of the Popsicle slowly to the top before sucking it almost all the way in my mouth again without blinking. Just because I hadn’t earned my nickname in college didn’t mean I couldn’t have.

  He leaned in and quietly said, “You’re mean.”

  I couldn’t help the loud laugh that erupted from my chest and landed right in his face. Until he came closer sucked half the thing into his mouth then kissed me fully with his cold lips and tongue effectively ending any humor of the situation. The whole thing made my stomach come alive with butterflies. Unfortunately, we were abiding by the whole “No Sex” thing and he quickly returned his focus to the TV. I could only think of his lips and tongue and body while trying to finish the movie, but honestly, I had no idea how it ended. Gio Diamati remained far too distracting.

  “So,” Gio said once we settled into my bed. It felt a bit awkward at first. I started out on my side then turned onto my back. I wasn’t sure where to put my hands so I laid them on my stomach, letting my fingers drum a slow beat. He was stiff as a board beside me, all tense muscles and rigid posture until I folded myself under his arm and pressed my entire body into his side. My feet barely fell past his knees. “Sleep, huh.” An arm tightened around me.

  “Yeah, sorry.” My head tilted back to find him gazing down at me.

  “And what’s the point of this?”

  Pushing myself up so we’d be face to face, the softness in his eyes almost made me want to reconsider, made me want to jump him then and there. The darkness exacerbated the heat between us making the desire and need palpable. One I couldn’t explain and didn’t understand completely.

  “You said you wanted more, right?” He nodded not taking his eyes off me. The weight of his gaze causing a warmth to pool in my stomach. “This is more. More intimate than sex…just more.”

  “Yeah, but by more I meant sex and other stuff. Not just other stuff.” Even without full light, I could see his cheeky grin making me want to slap it right off his face.

  Narrowing my eyes on him, I pretended to scowl as I pushed my fist into his stomach hard enough to make him grunt.

  “Don’t ruin this by being an ass.”

  All words died after that. His lips were screaming to be kissed. I pushed myself up until my face hovered above his and I paused. The moment before the kiss was almost as good as the kiss. The anticipation of what’s to come made the moment of contact that much better. While it started as a little good night thing, it progressed with him running his hands up my back under my shirt. His hot touch left a trail of warmth on my skin and turned my insides to complete mush. After pulling away, I gave him two or three more chaste pecks then nuzzled back down against his chest and fell asleep.

  ***

  When I opened my eyes, Gio was still asleep beside me, one hand laying across his chest and the other above his head, a tiny crease running down his cheek. Not a bad way to wake up. I let out a small sigh which was cut short. Something thumped the back of my head. Whatever hit me was small and not very hard. I flipped around ready to throw a punch at whoever was in my house. My jerky movements woke Gio.

  “Mom,” I jumped off the bed, “what the hell?”

  She grinned like a fool and popped a grape into her mouth. “Wanna go to the beach today?” Then her eyes jumped to Gio as he climbed out of bed. She got a front row seat to all his sexiness and the fair amount of skin covered in ink. Mom leaned a shoulder against the wall. “You know when I said to go easy on him this isn’t what I had in mind.” That’s my mom. Most people didn’t know how to take her. I sometimes still didn’t.

  Gio, however, crossed his arms over his chest looking more like a teenager who’d been caught making out in the back of a car than the grown man who spent the night with his…well, whatever I was. He didn’t try to say anything, try to explain to her that nothing happened which made me happy. As an adult, what I did or didn’t do wasn’t up for her to criticize. It’s an understanding we had for years.

  “You’re embarrassing him.”

  “Am not,” she scoffed. “I thought you were going to try to sleep the day away. I want to hang out on the beach. You know we don’t get this kind of day in Michigan.”

  “Fine. Fine. Just … beat it for now.” Mom gave me a look. One that said she thought she knew what we’d been up to. Like she’d been brought in on some secret. Only there was no secret. As she left the room I added, “And tell Gramps that if he can’t protect my key better I’m taking it back.”

  “There’s breakfast inside if you’re hungry.” The front door clicked shut.

  “So,” I said going around the bed to where he stood. I felt bad about the rude awakening and the fact that my mom could b
e a complete spaz and now she’d done it in front of him. She hadn’t said anything out of line, but it wasn’t ideal. “Sorry. Boundaries are just a theory to my parents.”

  “It’s fine,” Gio wrapped his arms around my waist. “I think the way you guys get along is great.” Another hint to an unharmonious family life from him. Eventually, he needed to tell me something about his family, what they were like, anything would do. “Actually, I’m more annoyed that that was the best night sleep I’ve had in a really long time.”

  “I am pretty comfy.” Gio brought his hands to cup my face, softly pressing his lips to mine without concern about morning breath. “Hungry?”

  “Yes. I could eat, too.”

  I buried a small laugh in his chest. Gio didn’t think anything about telling me he was hungry for me and food. I liked this other side of him he wasn’t hiding anything.

  Seeing Mom, Dad, and Gramps at the table had me rethinking having breakfast in the house. Gio strode in with an air of confidence I myself didn’t feel. I liked to act as if my family’s approval meant nothing and in the end, it didn’t. If I fell in love with Gio and they hated him, I wouldn’t care. But it sure would be easier if everyone got along. Shaking off any weird feelings, I plopped into a chair and Gio took the one next to me after greeting everyone.

  “Well, this is a surprise,” Dad said loading his plate with scrambled eggs. “Not exactly what I had in mind when I said you should go home to bed.” If my legs were longer, I would have kicked him in the shin to knock the smirk off his face. A girls’ scary dad wasn’t exactly the best thing to deal with first thing in the morning. Funny thing was dad was trying to bust our chops but I wasn’t sure Gio would see it the same way.

  “Dad,” sighing, I shook my head at him.

  “It’s not every day a boy you’re not dating joins us for breakfast.” Gramps shoved half a piece of toast in his mouth to hide the playful smile he sported. They loved throwing my own words right into my face.

  “You guys suck, you know that, right?” The three supposed grown-ups roared with laughter and even Gio, the trader, had a hard time controlling himself. “Shut up and eat your bacon before I rip it out of your hand,” I said to Gio but it brought on another round from them all.

  While Mom and Dad cleaned up, I walked Gio out, grateful to be away from their weirdness. As soon as we’d left the table, he took my hand and didn’t let go. I loved the feel of his skin against mine, even during chaste touching. I could become addicted to it.

  “Not how I imagined this morning going,” I said once I shut my door behind us. He needed to get the bag he left in my place before he left.

  “It was nice, though.”

  “Ha. That was nice?” I doubted he could be serious but he nodded. “Really? What’s your family like?” They’d have to be pretty messed up if thought the three comedians pretending to be my family were nice to hang out with.

  His shoulders slumped a little. Whenever I brought up his family, he reacted the same way which only made me more curious. Of course, he never told me much.

  “Nothing like yours. With them, it’s all business all the time.”

  “And you don’t like that?”

  “Honestly? I hate it. Even more, since I’ve been here. I feel like I don’t even know my sister and you guys know everything about everyone.” Gio, let his body fall back against the door. I slid in between his legs to stand as close to him as I could get.

  “That is not always a good thing, Gio. Trust me.”

  With his hands on my hips, he studied me like he was trying to remember every detail. As if we wouldn’t see each other the next day. Then he sighed and said, “I guess I should get going. You’ve got a day at the beach to get to.” But before he’d let me make a move, he kissed me. Gentle at first then a little rougher when his hand curled into the hair at the nape of my neck and tugged to take our kiss deeper. I wanted this to last. I could’ve kissed him all day.

  While I relaxed on the beach with my mom, Gio and I sent a flurry of texts about plans for the night. He wanted to pick me up at five-thirty. Which worked for me. I’d get to spend the rest of the day with my family and still get to see him. Especially because my parents went to my grandma’s grave with Gramps and I hated going. I couldn’t handle that level of sadness.

  And man if the guy wasn’t punctual. Right at five thirty, he knocked on my door. I wasn’t quite ready yet because we’d lost track of time in Gramps house that afternoon. I still needed to get dressed.

  “Come in,” I called from my bedroom door before closing it most of the way.

  “Do you always invite people in without checking to see who it is?” His deep voice sounded much closer than it was making me pause before pulling my shirt over my head, half tempted to go out there as I was.

  Chickening out, I called to him, “You were the only one I was expecting.”

  “You could still check.”

  “Uh, I’m naked so no, I couldn’t check.” Silence. He had no comeback but did groan quietly. I probably wasn’t meant to hear it, but it brought a smug smile to my face and pushed a little confidence through my veins. This was going to be a good night.

  Chapter Ten

  “Ok, ready.” I came out not five minutes later to find him sitting comfortably and relaxed on the couch. As I walked, I ran my fingers through my hair one more time. I’d left it naturally wavy because I didn’t want to take the time to straighten it but still pulled it back into a ponytail. Gio’s dark eyes took me in, head to toe before he hopped up and made the same noise he had earlier. “Problem?” I quickly looked down to make sure I hadn’t gotten my skirt stuck in my panties or something.

  “Nah.” He shrugged. “But you’re not naked.”

  “And I wasn’t before either. I had on a bra and panties when you got here.”

  “That might be worse.”

  Grabbing his hand to pull him toward the door, I said, “You’ve already seen some of that.”

  At my insistence, we walked. It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle the exercise. Actually, by the looks of him, he worked out with amazing regularity. He said he worried about me in the strappy sandals, which he also said he appreciated. And the look in his eye when he said it made me want to wear them every day.

  On the way to dinner, my hand found a home in his and stayed there until we were seated. Everything felt normal like we’d done this a million times. But I couldn’t tell anyone what the plot of the movie was. My focus was on him as always. Gio. Sitting next to me running his thumb across the back of my hand. Such a simple gesture but my mind couldn’t process anything else. Apparently, when Gio said he wanted more with me, he meant it and I could only focus on every spot our bodies touched. From our fingertips, up our arms and even the innocent way his knee rested against mine.

  When it ended and we were on the way back, Gio threw his arm around my shoulder. Then he stopped, tucked me in even closer, cupped my cheek with his hand and brought our lips together. Softly and gently his lips touched mine. But he wouldn’t take it any further even when I pushed him by offering access to my tongue. Instead, he broke the moment and led me to the ice cream parlor.

  We held hands again as we left the ice cream parlor. It seemed like he wanted to be touching me in some way tonight. I wasn’t complaining. There was something calming yet exciting about knowing Gio was trying really hard with me and I hadn’t had to ask. I would’ve been happy to be a one-time thing had we had sex that one night. Although I would admit the prospect of an actual relationship with him, I liked as well.

  “So…” he said standing outside my door.

  “Yeah, you’re coming in.” I pushed the door wide open.

  “Bianca, I want to but—”

  Sighing I went inside before he could finish his sentence. Figuring Gio was standing there arguing with himself, I waited until he finally gave in and entered my apartment, shutting the door tightly. Deciding right then, I knew that one day he’d have to tell me exactly what confli
cted him so much.

  “I’m not going to force you,” I said dropping my keys in the bowl beside the door. “I just … didn’t want to say goodnight under the watchful eyes of my parents.” Because if I knew them, and I did, if they heard us talking out there, they’d be peeking out the back window. They said how a boy said good night told them a lot of what they needed to know.

  “Hadn’t thought of that.”

  I listened to him drop onto the couch while kicking my shoes off, hitting the bathroom and checking to make sure my hair wasn’t falling out of my ponytail. At first, I was going to cuddle up next to him but then I thought better of it and decided to be bold. It had never been an issue before. I wasn’t going to let be it this time because I really liked the guy. I’d go after what I wanted.

  I walked back out toward Gio slowly, letting my hips sway from side to side until I stood in front of him. Gio watched as I climbed onto the couch to straddle him. His hands grabbed my hips squeezing his fingers into me with the most perfect amount of pressure.

  “Bianca.” My name came out like a groan. “What’re you doing?”

  “Kissing you goodnight.” His eyes danced with the desire I felt building underneath me.

  As soon as my lips touched his, he pulled me harder into his lap. I think it might have been an involuntary movement, but I wasn’t about to complain. Getting access inside those full lips didn’t take much coaxing and he sat back to let me take the lead. Moving gently, I made sure all the right places were rubbing together while my hands rested on the top of his shoulders and my lips became more demanding.

  “Jesus, if this is goodnight…” Gio said breaking and taking a breath. I needed one too but would’ve been content to let my head spin from lack of oxygen. He never did finish the sentence.

  I wanted to say something sexy, be the girl who knew exactly what to do in every situation, but I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I wanted him. Could feel he wanted me. The logical thing to do was pull my tank over my head. So I did. I fought the urge that ran through me to hurry. We had all night and I wanted us both to savor every moment. I tugged on the hem and at a frustratingly slow rate, pulled up until it was all the way off me and laying on the floor somewhere. There I sat in front of him, on him, in the cute pink bra I’d picked out in case we got to this point. But I couldn’t help the self-doubt nudging at the corners of my mind. Gio had turned me down once before and I didn’t know how my self-esteem would fare if it happened again.