Chapter-11 Morning

Nico

My fucking hand still hurts and whatever painkiller that bloody doctor gave still made me groggy as I sat up and rubbed my face, cursing when I accidentally ended up using the injured hand. Last night was shit—well except for some parts.

Caelian had called just when I was starting to relax with Gianna on the dance floor after Amara pissed me off earlier, lecturing me about not messing up with Gianna for the hundredth time. And then watching her and Leonardo dance, that was like a fucking knife being twisted in my chest. Yes, it was Amara. I have been in love with Amara—Gianna’s beloved sister-in-law—for the last eighteen years.

That was a truth Gianna could never find out. It would not just destroy her but also the beautiful bond she had with Amara and God knows what else.

But that wasn’t it. Caelian had called with yet another devastating news. Someone had lit a fire in one of my warehouses and killed four of my men who were on guard. And again, there was that symbol painted in red left behind at the scene. I was so furious when I saw the mess that I couldn’t control my fury any longer, slamming my hand straight against the window of my car and shattering the glass into a million tiny pieces.

The rest was history. But I really hadn’t realized how bad it was until I saw it reflected on Gianna’s face. She was so shocked and terrified, I had forgotten my pain for a moment and wanted to console her. And it was clear blood made her uneasy. It made sense why Leo and Xavier tried so hard to keep her far away from this world of ours. She didn’t belong here, and that reminded me…

Where was she?

Did she sleep in the guest bedroom again? From some blurred glimpses of last night, I did remember her helping me get changed. And did I imagine it or did she get completely flustered when she spotted my hard-on? Maybe I did. Though I knew I affected her a lot more than she would like to admit. I have felt how her body comes alive at my touch. There was need and desire in her eyes. But there was also love.

And that changed everything.

The other side of my bed seemed to be slept on, so maybe she did sleep here last night. I decided to freshen up first and then look for her. I had to leave for the bloody Council meeting afterwards and then meet up with Xavier and Leonardo to discuss these attacks that have been happening. I hated Council meetings with a passion.

Grimacing, I dragged myself to the bathroom and scowled when I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. I looked like shit.

“Jesus…” I blinked, and my eyes widened as they met her perplexed ones in the mirror.

And oh damn…

Gianna Ammassari, in that stunning dress last night, was a sight to behold. But Gianna Ammassari wrapped just in a towel, water droplets trickling down her beautiful body, her dark eyes wide, face flushed…that surpassed everything.

Fuck.

She was gorgeous. And that was an understatement. I couldn’t stop myself as my eyes roamed down her body, my hands twitching to pull her closer, take that towel off, and take her right against this countertop, gazing into her eyes in the mirror as I took her from behind. She looked exquisite in the image that was forming in my head. Fuck, my cock ached with need and it was bloody painful. I must say I was proud of myself for my self-control.

“Wh…what are you doing here?” she croaked, holding the towel tightly against her chest.

I could still see the swell of her breasts regardless. And I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to taste them. Imagine wrapping my lips around her tender nipples and tugging roughly with my teeth. I could almost hear her moan my name…Nico.

Oh fucking god.

“This is my bathroom, Gianna,” I answered, trying to sound calm even if I felt anything but. I haven’t touched another woman in a long time. And if she kept this up, I don’t think I would be able to keep my hands to myself for long. “Sorry…our bathroom.”

“I…I…you were sleeping so…I…” Her struggle was real. It was almost funny. I was her husband, she didn’t need to be so hesitant. But then I have barely shown any husband-like traits, so. Inwardly shaking my head, I walked over to her, and she took a tentative step back, holding onto that flimsy towel for dear life.

“Breathe…Gianna,” I whispered, fighting the urge to kiss those water droplets off her neck.

She peeked up at me, and it baffled me how innocent she looked…and probably was. There was such a gentle softness to her, such warmth in her eyes, and this radiant glow that kind of pulled you in. I didn’t like it, but at the same time, it was a struggle to resist it.

“It’s okay,” I said, hating that my right hand was all covered up with bandages. I wanted to brush my fingers against her soft, flushed cheeks. “I will close my eyes…you can cover yourself up if this makes you uncomfortable.”

Or you could simply leave and give her space.

“Does it…?” Gianna asked, her voice feeling like a soft caress on my battered soul for some reason.

“Does it what?” I demanded.

“Make you uncomfortable…to see me like this?” I frowned, not expecting her to ask that.

Was I uncomfortable? Not in the sense she meant. But my cock wasn’t having the best time, that’s for sure. My sweatpants felt a size too short if anything.

“No…” I replied honestly, locking my eyes with hers. “Not in the way you are expecting. You are a sight to behold. I am a lucky man.” It almost took my breath away as her pink lips stretched into a bashful smile, and she lowered her gaze, reflexively chewing at her lips.

Fuck me. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to taste those lips and a lot more, and for once since last night, I was glad to feel the faint pain still rippling through my hand. It kept me a bit sane.

“Thank you,” Gianna murmured. “I…will you give me a moment?”

No.

“Sure,” I mumbled, rolling my eyes at myself as I turned away. I heard a shuffling sound and almost looked up into the mirror in the hopes of catching a glimpse of what lay under that towel. But it was wrong. Or was it? I wasn’t even sure myself.

“Okay, all good.” I turned around, and much to my dismay, she was now covered in a bathrobe. The crashing disappointment that I felt was startling.

“How are you feeling?” Gianna asked, looking worried again.

“Much better,” I said and blinked as she took my bandaged hand, examining the bandages thoroughly. Something fluttered in my chest, startling me a bit. What was that?

“Okay, good. There hasn’t been any more bleeding,” she murmured to herself. “I will dress it up later. Do you need help with freshening up?”

“I will manage,” I muttered, which was a lie.

“I don’t think you were doing a good job earlier,” she muttered, raising a brow. “Let me help, please?” I scowled in response but then, swallowing my pride, nodded slowly.

“Good, let’s start by brushing then?” she gave me an excited grin, and I was amused when she took my hand and dragged me to the vanity.

Grabbing my toothbrush, she squirted some toothpaste into it and handed it to me. And it was unnerving how she watched me as I brushed my teeth. It was absolutely weird because I was not used to having anyone in my space or taking care of me. I have never allowed a woman to spend a night here.

Yet this felt…different. In a good way.

But it was also somewhat uncomfortable. I didn’t deserve this. And I didn’t like the way she treated me. There was hope in her eyes that it might amount to something someday. But I knew better than that. Nothing will change. I was incapable of love or being the person she assumed me to be. All I could give her at most was physical pleasure, but of course, she didn’t want that.

She didn’t want to fuck. She wanted to make love.

There was an insurmountable difference between those two sentences.

Just like between me and her.

“Here,” Gianna handed me the towel, distracting me from my thoughts. Before I could grab it, she shook her head and took it back. “Let me.”

I didn’t get the chance to protest as she stood up on her tippytoes and gently wiped my face. Discomfort crawled up my chest instantly, and I reflexively held my breath when her sweet, sensual scent invaded my senses. This was so not right.

“There,” she smiled, moving back, looking pleased with her handiwork. I let out a breath and then shook my head, fighting the scowl that threatened.

“I just injured my hand. I am not paralyzed, Gianna,” I grimaced. “You don’t have to do all this.” She blinked at me, and I wanted to kick myself when her face fell.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. What was wrong with me?

“You're welcome,” she murmured. “I will leave it to you then.” She handed me the towel and started to walk out, but I grabbed her hand and halted her. All she was trying to do was help. But I had to go and pull a Nico again.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I…I didn’t mean to say that. It’s just…I am not used to anyone helping me out, that’s all.” The hurt in her eyes melted away immediately, and I didn’t like the look she gave me before letting out a sigh.

“Sometimes, it’s okay to ask for help, Nico,” she said. “That doesn’t make you any less of a man.”

“It’s not that…”

“I know what it is,” she said, cutting me off. “You have always been on your own, and I get it. But sometimes, it doesn’t kill to let someone else care for you. It’s not a weakness, and neither is it a threat to the walls you have built around yourself.”

“I have nothing to give you back for your kindness,” I said, looking away. “And if I don’t have anything to give, then I don’t deserve to take.” I heard her sigh again, and it made me feel like an errant child.

“Everything doesn’t have to be transactional,” Gianna said softly. “This isn’t your business, Nico. Sometimes, it’s okay to take if something has been given to you freely.” I turned my eyes to hers, and there it was again…that look. That unconditional love. I hated it.

“I am not what you think of me, Gianna,” I whispered. “I have said this before…and I will say it again…I will destroy you if you let me blur the lines I have drawn…” I almost expected her to cry or something, but instead, she stepped closer, dark determination dancing in her eyes as she gazed up at me.

“And I have said it before, and I will say it again…destroy me,” she said. “I am not scared of you.” Something about the way she said it—soft yet defiant—made something dark and reckless stir inside me. Made me want to break every last thread of restraint.

"Don't tempt me," I warned, my voice low, edged with hunger.

"Or what?" she challenged, tilting her chin up, her lips parting just slightly.

"Or I'll forget I'm supposed to be a gentleman… and show you exactly what happens when my wife begs for ruin."

Gianna’s breath hitched—just for a second—but I caught it. The way her pupils dilated, the slight tremor in her breath. She wanted to push me, to test how far she could go before I snapped. But she didn’t know who she was dealing with. I stepped closer, slow, deliberate. My fingers twitched at my sides, aching to touch her, to grab her.

"Is that a threat?" she murmured, her voice softer now but still laced with defiance. I exhaled sharply; my jaw clenching as I fought the urge that tightened inside me like a coil.

"No," I said, voice rough. "It's a warning….” I leaned in just enough for my lips to brush the shell of her ear. "Careful, cara mia." My voice was a whisper of heat against her skin.

Then, I stepped back.

And it was funny when her lips pressed into a thin line, disappointment written all over her face. She gave me a dirty look before stalking out, finally leaving me alone. It wasn’t that easy to break my resolve, unfortunately. And she might think I was joking when I said I would destroy her, but that was not the case.

I will destroy her if she tests me any longer.