1.

Gianna.

…and he thrust into her, pumping his membr until she could only feel the depths of him. A breathless moan escaped. Her hips rocked bringing him further into her until…

“We're home!" Vivian's shrill pulled me out from my book. With a sigh, I placed it in my bag and stepped out of the cab.

Vivian's house was a dream home.

Literally.

And I blame my mother for denying me the pleasure of calling something like this my own home.

Vivian's father had built it from a dream he had, or so he had told us when we were young girls. Looking at it now, I believed it. Little did I know that, in this house, all of my dreams would start to come true…

Years had gone by since the last time I came to Santa Monica. The mansion had tall, white, towering columns lining the porch, accenting the huge archways over the doors. The architecture was unique to Vivian's father's taste, which made sense since he had dreamed it up.

The difference now was the roof had been redone, and the landscaping was completely different, now with an Italian flare. Mr. Moretti had even added a marble fountain to the front yard that featured a goddess being worshiped. He had really outdone himself and based on the looks of the outside, I couldn't wait to see what he had changed inside. This was my home away from home.

"Oh, my god!" Vivian screamed excitedly. "Look at this place! Dad really did a number on the renovations, didn't he, Gianna?"

"Yeah, it looks to Vivian awesome," I replied, glancing towards Vivian, shaking my head. Thank god she has never been to my mother's house. Even when our parents were married, she preferred to stay with her Mom.

As much as I didn't want to think Vivian wouldn't judge the way I grew up… she is a stuck up brat, so she would. Prim and proper was Vivian's norm. These sorts of luxuries weren't possible for someone like me with a single parent.

I didn't come from mansions or luxury cars or tight security. My family didn't have yachts and butlers and maids. All of which seemed to tend to any need Vivian could possibly ever have. But it didn't matter to me in the end. I loved the life I lived, and I was grateful to have been able to take part in Vivian's as well.

"I'm starving. I wonder if Dad has a small spread ready for our arrival," she murmured as she grabbed her stuff and glanced at me. "Ready to get this party started?"

"Sure." Shaking my head with a smile, I watched her move with excitement towards the front door. Its mahogany finish gleamed in the Santa Monica sun. Beautiful. That's what it was.

Passing the threshold, it was as if being instantly transported to Italy. The decor embellished every inch of the Tuscan Valley, highlighting every aspect of the magical home.

The last time I had come here was when my Mom and her Dad got divorced. At that point in time, the home was still wildly styled to my mother's awful taste. So seeing her father's preference brought to life was refreshing sight.

"Daddy!" Vivian screamed, dropping all of her bags to the floor haphazardly as she moved towards the kitchen. "I’m home!"

I wasn't sure why Vivian continued to act like she was five, but at the same time, I was too entranced with the decor to care. Carefully, I sat done my things next to Vivian's while my eyes stared at the ceiling as I spun slowly in a circle, taking it all in. "Maybe he isn't here," I said as my eyes met hers once more.

"He is here. His car was in the drive, and he told me he had a long meeting. That's why he didn't meet us at the airport."

Rolling my eyes, the corner of my lip lifted into a smirk as I took a seat on one of the tall vintage barstools. There was only so much Vivian-drama l could deal with, and considering we hadn't even been here ten minutes, I would say this was a new record.

Regardless, I didn't want to partake in the conversation she was about to have with him. I already knew where it would go.

"Well," I shrugged, "maybe he took another car?" It's not like he is short on the money to afford it.

"This is bullshit!" Vivian screamed out in frustration. "He was supposed to greet me as soon as I got home."

Ah. There she is! Princess Vivian at her finest.

As my eyes cast towards the window in the kitchen, I caught sight of the Adonis-like figure walking about the balcony. There was no doubt in my mind who it was.

Because I already knew. Lorenzo Moretti.

Vivian's sex god of a father.

Since I was fourteen years old, I had fantasized about sneaking into his room and having him force me to submit, even if I barely understood what that meant at the time. The way his fingers would grip my throat as he told me I was his good girl. I knew it was wrong, but at the same time, it was a childish fantasy. One I never dared to share with Vivian.

Or anyone for that matter.

Not to mention her father would never dare take advantage of a young girl. Even if I had wanted to willingly give myself to him.

"Uh, it looks like he is still in that meeting," I breathed out, trying to divert my attention.

No matter how many times I tried to take my eyes off of him, I couldn't. He was far too breathtaking, and I couldn't help the drool.

Fuck me. Is he getting hotter the older he gets?

"What?" She gasped as she glanced in the direction I was looking. "Having a meeting instead of meeting me when I walked through the door?" The disdain in her voice snapped me out of my trance and caused me to roll my eyes.

"I don't understand what the big deal is, Vivian. Who cares? We are here now, and we have an entire summer to enjoy." She spun to face me, her gaze spoke volumes about her unhappiness.

"I know this."

"Soo?" I shrugged. "Then what's the big deal?"

Crossing her arms over her chest, she scoffed, "Because Daddy always greets me at the door. You don't think he has a new woman, do you?" Laughter escapes me as I stare at her in disbelief.

"Seriously? That's your go-to?"

"Well-" she shrugged in frustration, "I read online that when men change their patterns, it's usually because of a big change... like a new woman."

Should have seen that. It's what happened with Chase, I mentally noted with a sigh. I couldn't understand her reasoning. "Would that honestly be a bad thing?"

"Yes!" she shrieked. "Oh, my god, Gianna. That would be like the worst thing ever. If he wants a woman, he can get back with one of his exes, and I mean my mom, not yours. No offense." She added sheepishly.

Just as the words left her mouth, the sliding glass door opened, and the hottest man I had ever laid my eyes on stepped through the doorway.

The Italian Stallion has arrived. God, I want to kiss his abs. The dirty remark running through my mind caused me to bite my bottom lip as my eyes scanned his body up and down. No matter how much time passed, I still had the desire to climb him like a horse and ride him into the new year. Maybe run my tongue across his rock hard body even... hell, I'm not picky.

"Where were you?" Vivian snapped with disapproval, pulling me from my delicious thoughts. " I expected to see you, and you weren't there. I don't understand."

Confusion passed through his eyes as he stared at her with shock. "Sweetie, I didn't think your flight was supposed to be here for another hour."

"Uh-no," she quipped. "I sent you my flight info, and I texted you."

"You did?" he replied, quickly scrolling through his phone.

Standing impatiently, she stared at him. "Yeah, I did."

"I'm sorry, sweetie," he shrugged. "I guess it slipped my mind. I'll make it up to you."

Smart man. Smart man. When it came to Vivian, we both knew how to act. Because if Vivian didn't get her way, you would think World War 3 was breaking out. "It's okay," she sighed. "Gianna and I are hungry and tired. Can we order food?"

As his eyes slowly slid to me, he furrowed his brow in confusion, "Gianna?" Of course, he doesn't recognize me. It's been six years since the divorce and the marriage only lasted 3 months.

"Hey," I smiled, trying not to stare at him.

"You have grown up a lot, Gianna," Mr. Moretti replied, his dark, sultry gaze scanning up and down my body.

Shit. Was he checking me out?!

"Yeah." The breathlessness of my response caused me to clear my throat as I quickly averted my gaze, trying to look anywhere but at him.

"So..." he muttered, looking between the two of us. "What are the plans for summer?"

Before I could even get a word in, Vivian started rambling off about the parties and boating trips she wanted to take. Even though I was her guest, he was already accustomed to the fact we often did things apart.

"And you, Gianna?" he asked, bringing me back to the present. "Anything you would like to do?"

Yeah, let fuck me into oblivion.

"Um. I'm not quite sure yet. Had some rough shit happen a few weeks back, so kind of looking to relax and enjoy my summer? Then, it's back to school for my last year." I smiled, nodding my head as a glint of amusement crossed his eyes.

"Oh, very nice," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. "What was your degree again?"

"Nursing Science," I replied as I gazed down at my fidgeting hands.

"She's a nerd, Dad. You give her anything to do with numbers, and she is quick with a response. Book keeping and calculations and all that stuff. Kind of like

you. And to be honest, I don't know why she chose nursing Science." Vivian's response caused me to laugh before I cleared my throat, realizing I was finding amusement in her calling her dad a math nerd, basically.

"Something like that," His reply was followed by the upward turn of his mouth as my gaze met his once more. I didn't understand what was going through his head at that moment, but I was intrigued to find out.

Pulling out her phone, I watched as Vivian replied to whatever text she got while smacking on the bright pink bubble gum she had consumed at some point. "Shit. Gianna, we need to get unpacked. Jay wants us to meet for food."

"Oh-okay," I said, not really looking forward to it. "I thought we were going to eat here."

"I can order food," Mr. Moretti said happily as he glanced between Vivian and I.

"No, no," Vivian scoffed. "We are just going to go out," I felt bad about the situation overall. Mr. Moretti didn't know we were going to be here so soon, and Vivian was acting childish.

Even if I loved her dearly, the way she was acting was unacceptable. "Okay then," he smiled. "It's really nice to have you home, sweetie. I hope we can spend some time together while you're here."

The notion warmed my heart and made me miss my own father. But in true Vivian fashion, she didn't hold the same sweet sentiment I did.

"I'll fit something in," she replied as she made her way towards the stairs. "Can Rosa bring our things upstairs, please? I need to unpack and take a shower." As Vivian disappeared from sight, I shook my head, jumping off the barstool.

"Thanks for letting me stay for the summer, Mr. Moretti. I appreciate it."

His eyes drifted from where his daughter had disappeared to me, and as he looked at me, I couldn't help but feel small under his gaze. "There is no need to thank me, Gianna. Also, will you please call me Lorenzo?"

First name basis? Oh, shit... Gianna, stop, you're reading too much into it. "If that's what you would like... Lorenzo," I replied softly, fluttering my eyelashes in a flirtatious manner. "I better get going. I guess I'll see you around."

Raising a brow, his smile never faltered as he nodded, "Oh, you definitely will.”