“You are not—weare not—responsible for the horrific actions of others, nor could we have prepared for or prevented every threat. We’re only human, Gio. Even a man as extraordinary as you is only human. So, please, if you can, let go of your guilt and shame. It was never yours to carry. And Cara, she is just as much yours as she is Sophia and Alister’s. You deserve to grieve her too. And you deserve to move forward too.”
I give Gio’s hand another squeeze and then release it so that I can reposition myself on his lap. I stand and lower myself, straddling him. All the while, Gio watches me with blank eyes and parted lips. His body feels rigid as I sit on him and wrap my arms around his neck, so rigid I don’t pull him in for the hug I had planned. Does he not want me on him right now? Does he need space? Did I say something wrong? Confusion contorts my features as I examine him.
It’s then that his stoic expression cracks and more tears pour from him. Gio wraps his arms around me and pulls me so tightly against him our bodies seem to melt together. I’m not sure where he begins and I end, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Gio buries his face into the plush fabric of my robe while I nuzzle my head in the crook of his neck, fighting back my own tears at the sight of him breaking.
As emotion rips through him, tearing him from the inside out, he is quiet. Yet, I feel every slice of his pain in the way his body shakes against mine and in the cool sensation his tears leave on my skin, soaking through the fabric of my robe. Giving in to my own emotions, I rub his back softly. And the two of us hold each other in silence, shedding tears for those we love and those we’ve lost, even if only a version of ourselves.
Gio loosens his grip and lifts his head from my shoulder. “I thought you were going to run away. I thought once you saw the real me, this would all end.”
I shake my head and place my hand on Gio’s cheek, wiping away his tears as he’s done for me too many times to count. “I see you, Gio Moretti. And there is nowhere else I’d rather be.” I kiss him. Is this the first time I’ve initiated a kiss? Hmm, somehow that makes it taste sweeter. Pulling back, I say, “I said it once and I’ll say it again—I don’t want to leave. I do, however, want to show you something.”
In his expression and in his touch, I see Gio return to me, breaking free from his shadow. His lips lift into a smile and his eyes look like home as he nods and offers me his hand. I take it and it is warm. I lead him from the couch out into the garden until the lemon tree Delilah and I planted just this morning comes into view. Immediately upon seeing it, Gio squeezes my hand and lifts it to kiss my knuckles just as I did his.
We both know the significance of the tree. For Gio, it represents family and love, a tie to his childhood. Now, maybe itcan represent a new love and a fresh start for us both. Standing before it, I take Gio’s hands in mine and profess my vows. “I’ve never been in love, Gio. All I know of it is what I’ve learned from being a mother. By that definition, love is kind, supportive, nurturing, protective, unyielding, patient, and given without expectations. That is what I offer you. That, and a willingness to learn you and all that makes you feel the most loved.”
Gio closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as my words reach him. His body seems to relax and the wheels constantly spinning behind his eyes seem to stall. I step toward him. Instantly, we adjust so that his arms wrap around me. His hands rest on my lower back while I place mine on his chest. I’ve never felt safer than I do when I’m in his arms. With him is my favorite place to be. That acknowledgment has me, once again, fighting tears.
I often compare my life of late to a fairytale because it doesn’t feel real. It doesn’t feel real that only months ago I was living in constant fear and torment, hopeless, and held captive. Now, I have a man who loves me, protects me, and provides for me. I have a beautiful home, a safe place to raise my daughter, and a smile that grows by the day. I once loathed being indebted to Gio Moretti. From the beginning, he offered me things I could never repay. And, yet now, I offer him all the remaining days of my life and all the love I have left to give, not because I owe him, but because I love him.
As Gio opens his eyes, I complete my confession, my vow. “You once said you wanted to know my darkness. Well, I want to know yours too. And you said you want to take care of me. Well, you deserve to be taken care of too. So, let’s take care of each other. And, while we may still have moments of beautiful silence, there will be no more solitude or shame for either of us. I guess what I’m saying is, I’m ready to turn the page. I’m ready for our chapter.”
As soon as the words cross my lips, Gio crashes his into mine. With a kiss, our vows are sealed. And, though I’m wearing nothing but a white robe with a sexy surprise underneath, this moment feels more like a wedding than my actual one. This is real. This is right. This is love.
As Gio breaks our kiss, I look up at him, desperate for more. He then says, “Oh, it’s going to be more than one chapter, my angel. I want the rest of your story to be intertwined with mine. And, as far as love goes, I think you know more of it than you give yourself credit for.”
37
Gio leadsme along the lantern-lit walking trail through the forest until we reach an iron arch covered in climbing roses. As we stand before the arch, there is an excitement to Gio I’ve never seen before. And it makes me anticipate the surprise he promised me even more. He smiles warmly and, hand in hand, we walk through the arch. Just beyond it, we are met with the most beautiful garden I’ve ever seen. “Oh my!”I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand.
A circular, gravel clearing full of blush pink roses and sculptures of lovers in various poses waits for us. Lanterns surround the perimeter, offering us just enough light in the moonlit darkness. Just enough that I can see the gorgeous landscaping isn’t why Gio has brought me here. In the middle of the garden is a small stone cottage. It’s shaped almost like a gazebo—circular, with a domed roof. And, yet it is enclosed. I wonder what’s inside. Though, as Gio rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, I consider what’s behind the door might not be as important as the activities that will occur. Thoughts of finally continuing what we started in his shower leave my skin flushed and my heart fluttering with excitement.
“This has always been my favorite garden on the Amato estate. And, yet I always felt it was missing something. You made me realize just what it needed,” Gio says. I look at him, confused. He pulls me forward, guiding me toward the cottage. And it’s behind the glass door I find the small structure is much more than meets the eye. It’s a monument of Gio’s love for me, a reminder of how he listens to me, respects me, and seeks to make me happy.
“Gio,” I whisper, utterly breathless. It’s a library. He built me a library when my ex wouldn’t even buy me a book. The curved walls of the structure are adorned with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, which are completely packed with romance novels. String lights wrap around the tops of the bookcases, lighting the single-room space in a perfect glowy hue. They continue onto the wooden beams of the domed, milky-blue ceiling. They look like stars above us. And, to make the space more functional, he’s placed cozy looking furniture in different areas of the room. Most notably, there is a bed in the center. And, right now, it looks all too inviting.
“I wanted you to have a place of your own. Not somewhere you have to share, even with Delilah, even with me. This is yours, Darcy. My gift to you.”
I turn to Gio and bring my hand to his neck. His amber eyes are so welcoming I could lose myself in them forever. Knowing that I can, knowing that he’s my safe place, I ask, “But what if I want to share it?”
He smiles as I let my hand slide from his neck down his chest until it rests just above the waistband of his black sweatpants. “Then I will happily accept your invitation.” At that, Gio kisses me—soft and full of longing—as he brings his hand to the sash on my robe. As gently as he kisses me, he tugs the sash. My robe opens and I deepen our kiss. Moans escape me as Gio slips the fabric off my shoulders.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he whispers, pressing his forehead against mine. I nod and brush my nose against his. “No interruptions. I’m going to take my time with you. I’m going to kiss every inch of your beautiful body. I’m going toloveyou andfuckyou in a way that replaces all your unwanted memories. With kisses, touches, and thrusts, I’ll turn your mind into a safe place where love can live instead of fear.”
“I trust you,” I whisper. Gio moans as if those are the sweetest words he’s ever heard.
He takes a step back, finally noticing my outfit of choice. When Ana insisted I have a few lingerie items from her shop, I never dreamed I’d actually put them to use. But she’s impossible to saynoto, and now I’m grateful I didn’t.
My matching bustier and panty set is made of completely sheer fabric trimmed in black and adorned with black and blue lace, floral appliques. The tiny blue flowers with black vines offer me very little coverage. Standing before him, I am and feel naked. And yet, I do not shy away from his darkening gaze.
He looks me up and down, taking in my thick thighs and soft stomach. As he does, I remind myself of all the kind things he’s already said about my body—strong, soft, delicate, feminine, womanly, beautiful, delectable, perfect. His words allow me to feel more comfortable and confident under his gaze.
It’s then that the muscles in his neck contract and the veins in his arms appear to grow along with the bulge between his legs. “I take it you like it?” I ask.
“I love it. Though I prefer what’s underneath it.”
“Well, I could say the same thing.” As I note that he’s still fully clothed, Gio smirks and quickly disrobes. Even though I’ve already seen him naked, I’m still amazed by him. Hopefully, he’ll be just as pleased with me when my boobs sag and he gets a better look at the dimples on my ass and the backs of my thighs. There’s also the matter of my scars. The thought of them twistsmy stomach. Fighting against the memories of my past, I reach around and place my fingers on the clasp of my bra.
“Ah, ah,” Gio says, closing the space between us. Just as I think he’s going to kiss me, he spins me around. With one hand on my stomach, pulling me against him, and the other wrapped around my neck, he whispers, “Allow me.”
