3

Gianna.

The warm heat kissed my skin as I lay on a white lounge chair by the pool. As much as I wished I had this kind of comfort back at home, I didn't. It was more humid there than enjoyable,

Vivian had insisted on having a bunch of people over for a pool party, and as they milled around in the cool water laughing and drinking, I couldn't help but feel annoyed by that.

They seemed so carefree with their upscale lifestyles, able to come and go as they wanted. Never really having to work for anything, and having their parents hand them money whenever they wanted.

"Are you just going to lie there all day or come join us?" Vivian asked as her shadowed form peered down at me, blocking out the sunlight I had been enjoying.

"I am joining you, but just from this chair. The sun feels amazing, and I don't feel like swimming," I told her with honesty as I relaxed further into my seat.

"At least you're drinking," she smirked.

Holding up my margarita, I let the corner of my lips rise in a smile. "That I am. Tequila and sunshine my day couldn’t be better."

"With hot guys?"

"Uh-no," I laughed. "I can satisfy myself. Haven't you heard it's the twenty-first century? Women don't need men. We have each other and toys for our entertainment purposes."

"Well, that needs to change. I want you to meet someone," she replied, rolling her eyes.

My lips met tightly as I shook my head. "No, Vivian. I told you before. I'm not ready."

"Oh, my god. It's literally been almost a month, Gianna. You're wasting your time being no fun at all because Chase was fucking someone else."

What the actual fuck?!

Taken aback by her forward response, I looked at her in shock. "Wow. Thanks for that."

She may be my best friend, but she was a fucking bitch sometimes. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she sat down next to me, placing her chin in her hand. "You know what I mean. I- just want you to be happy again."

"Well, then maybe my boyfriend shouldn't have been fucking someone behind my back. Second of all, I am happy."

Groaning with frustration, she rolled her eyes again. "Let it go already. He isn't worth it."

"Oh, I am well aware of that," I scoffed. "Now, leave me alone. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. I don't know why you keep lying to yourself," she replied, causing me to shake my head. She had no idea what she was talking about.

"Why don't you stop worrying about trying to play matchmaker and find yourself someone to play with?" I urged her with a smile as I closed my eyes behind dark sunglasses and tried to get back to relaxing.

"I am really happy you came, Gianna," Vivian said after a moment of silence. "There is no telling where we will be next year, and I have missed spending my summers with you over the last few years."

Peaking open one of my eyes, I watched the sincere expression cross her face. She was being honest, but there was something about the way she acted lately that told me otherwise.

It was as if she was happy, but then also hiding something. Deciding not to press further, I let a smile crest my lips. "I'm glad I came too. But l'm still not letting you play matchmaker."

"No fun." She laughed hysterically. "Fine... do what you want."

"Oh, I will. Now, hurry and get back to that sexy redhead. He has been watching you with fuck-me eyes since the moment you left the pool and came over here."

Turning her head, she peered at him, pushing down her glasses slightly before giving him a small wave.

"He is cute, huh?"

"Yeah, he is," I replied. "But he is more your type, so you have fun. I will catch another man some other time. I am content for right now."

"Fine, fine," She smirked. "Don't say I didn't try.” Turning on her feet, she skipped over towards the red-haired man who pulled her into the pool. Her giggling voice echoed through the air as I settled back into the comforting zone l was in before she arrived.

However, without warning, another figure took her place, and it was that of a godly built man with a clear agenda on his mind. "Well, hello gorgeous."

Raising a brow, I let my eyes rack over him before a sigh escaped me. "No."

"No?"

"Yeah, no," I snorted. "Look, I don't know what Vivian has told you, but I'm not interested, honestly. I just want to do my own thing and lie by the pool, relaxing."

"She told me you played hard to get. I like that in a woman."

Oh, for fuck's sake. Is he stupid?

"No, I am not the kind of woman to lead a guy on. l am genuinely not interested... I'm sorry, I didn't get your name..."

"Bryant," he replied. "What might your name be?"

"My name?" The question followed with laughter as he nodded his head. "It's.. l'm not interested." I wasn't trying to be a bitch, but I also wasn't going to beat around the bush. I grew up with the philosophy that it was better to be forward and to the point. Bryant stared at me for a moment with disbelief as I tilted my head, curious about his response. But in shock, he simply smiled.

"I like it," he claimed as he tried to lean closer, my eyes widening as I quickly moved back and stood from my seat. Was he really trying to make a move on me?

"Excuse me, but I told you I wasn't interested," I snapped as I grabbed my things and quickly made my way inside.

To think Vivian had actually sent that guy to meet me. Disgusting.

"Gianna, what's wrong?" Vivian called from where she was in the pool. "Don't be like that."

Don't be like that. Was she fucking serious right now?

Without saying a word, I shut the door to the kitchen behind me. Taking off the wide sun hat I was wearing, and laying it down on the counter, I took a deep breath. "I can't believe-"

“Where are you going, beautiful?" Bryant said behind me while closing the door. Spinning on my feet, I watched as he stumbled his way towards me. It was clear now this guy had been drinking, and from the way he kept looking at me, he only wanted one thing.

"Look, I will say this slower for you, So you understand. I'm not interested, honestly."

Laughter left his lips as he walked towards me. "You don't have to lie."

"I can assure you I am not lying," I replied, backing away from him. "Now, please just leave me alone."

"Leave you alone?" He laughed again. “Women wish they could be in your shoes. I am one of the most eligible men in Santa Monica..."

"Please, stop!" I yelled at him as he backed me into the fridge. My heart raced, and my palms were clammy. The last thing I wanted was to be in this situation, but at the same time, I didn't want to attack the man. I just wanted him to leave me alone.

"I think you're just scared. I heard about your ex, and I promise I won't hurt you."

Was this man fucking serious?!

"How dare you?!" I screamed as I tried to move around him. "You don't even know me, and you have no right to say such things to me,"

Grabbing my arm, Bryant pushed me against the counter, pinning me with his body. I knew exactly what was going through his mind, but there was no way I was going to let that happen. Thinking fast, I brought my knee up and clocked him between his legs.

"You fucking bitch!" he roared as his hand came up, slapping me across the face. He had hit me, and my desperation in getting away became even more real.

"Let me go!" I yelled, hoping anyone would come to intervene. I didn't want to be the woman who was sexually assaulted at the party because no one noticed she was missing.

"Stop, stop."

He laughed as I struggled against him. "Stop fighting me, my love. Let me show you how to love again. I will forgive you for your actions just a moment ago."

"Get the fuck off me!" I screamed as his hand came over my mouth.

"Oh, baby come on-" he panted. "I know you want this."

"What the fuck is going on here?" Lorenzo snapped as he walked into the kitchen.

Bryant turned, looking over his shoulder, and scoffed. "Mind your business, old man."

It was obvious this kid didn't know who Lorenzo was, but with the way Lorenzo' eyes narrowed and his fists clenched, I could tell he was about to find out.

"Excuse me!?" Lorenzo sneered, "I think you need to leave... NOW!." I found myself wary about the way Lorenzo spoke, and I would have sworn that this guy would have as well. However, that wasn't the case.

"You heard me..."

Before Bryant could finish his sentence, Lorenzo grabbed him by the neck and brought him in close. "I am the owner of this house, and if you don't leave right now, I will make sure your future in Santa Monica is done. Do YOU understand ME?" Fear coursed through me as I watched the scene unfold.

Bryant was ripped from my body, and as he was, I fell to my knees on the floor, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. If Lorenzo had not stepped in, God knows what would have happened. Bryant was much bigger than me, and I was already having a hard time fighting him off.

The two men struggled in the kitchen until security arrived, and Lorenzo had him thrown from the house. He had been my rescuer when no one else was around. Vivian and I were seriously going to have words about this.

I couldn’t believe she thought this guy was the right fit for me. He was everything I despised in a man, and so much more.

"Are you okay?" Lorenzo asked, pulling me from my thoughts and from the floor. My eyes slowly met his as my breath caught in my throat. Through everything I had just gone through... He took my breath away and set my body on fire.

I didn't think twice, I rushed to him and kissed him as fierce as I could.