Gigi tamped down on the wave of despair that suddenly assailed her. “Matias could look after the bar full time. There’s nothing stopping you from taking up your old life.” Not seeing him every day, maybe that would be for the best.
Nico considered his past, the good, the bad. Then he contemplated his future. Gigi featured front and centre in that vision. “To be truthful, I can’t imagine heading back out full time without my family, or crewing with a bunch of strangers. It sounds a lonely existence.”
Gigi’s emotions soared, so she’d still get to see Nico. Maybe they could be friends? But how were they supposed to turn off the nightly sex tap and just go back to the way things were before? It was going to be beyond difficult. But she needed to be an adult about it. “We should probably start discussing how we intend to end things.”
“What things?”
“This faux relationship of ours, and the additional benefits. Darcy will crack Qetesh any day now. Once the curse is nullified, you won’t have to stick to me like glue anymore.”
Nico stared into Gigi’s eyes intently, trying to read her motives in bringing this topic up. Was she tired of him? Breaking up with him? Or perhaps just being her usual imminently practical self, and wanting to establish a three stage plan of implementation so she could add the details to her to-do list. Probably noting it under the heading - dump Nico. Which was way unfair. Their relationship was fake, except it hadn’t felt fake in days, weeks even.
His emotions certainly weren’t fake. And that little pulsing beat that he associated with Gigi kept intensifying every day. Not increasing in sound, no, it was still a low level, barely-there pulse. But what it represented, Gigi, strength of will, determination, protection, comfort. She was a beacon in a safe harbour with a storm nipping at his heels; she was home. She was the ultimate treasure he’d spent his entire existence hunting for.
Of course all that was on him. Gigi had other plans. To establish her Chocolate and Cookie Emporiums in every major city, with the intention of becoming a respected, exclusive, worldwide brand. And she was on the cusp of making those plans a reality. But to so do would require a lot of her time and focus. And her dating history made it very clear that she valued her business goals as equally as she did her personal happiness and would not compromise. Say like taking a chance on a fixer upper guy who was only just starting to get an inkling of what love meant.
Gigi’s phone beeped, a text. Nico’s gut clenching, what if it was Darcy? What if he was a minute away from ending the golden love slave curse but losing Gigi in the same breath? He watched closely as she tapped the screen, read the message.
Glancing up, she smiled ruefully. “And they’ve circled back around to the theme of cars again. Honestly, I think I’m going to need you to hold me back from murdering Gaia in the verynear future. I won’t last another five months until Theo’s first birthday.”
“And just think of all the birthdays in his future. And knowing Gaia, I’m pretty sure she’ll be throwing in a few more celebrations when it comes to scholastic and athletic achievements.”
“Oh, Heavens, that’s going to be my life now, isn’t it? Baby showers and then never ending kiddie’s parties. The damn has broken. Serena and Locke with twins, and I’m expecting Riya and Marcus to make an announcement any moment.”
“And that’s why you hire more staff, delegate more responsibility, and have set cookie menus and charge shocking markups if the customers want any deviations or additions.”
“Set cookie menus? I’m liking the sound of that. And once the theme has been chosen, that’s it, no more changes, otherwise a hefty penalty will be invoked. You’re brilliant.” Gigi leaned over to clink her glass against Nico’s.
“That’s my only reward? A hearty pat on the head.”
“You were hoping for something a little more effusive?”
“Well.” Nico glanced up at the sky, the first night star was twinkling away as the sun sank below the horizon. “Technically it’s night time and you and I have a history of getting up to all kinds of interesting things when it gets dark.”
Gigi’s eyes sparkled, heat flaring to match what she saw reflected in his gaze. Nico wanted to play, did he? “Oh, you wanted something a little more personal…” Placing her glass down. Moving across to plunk herself down on Nico’s lap. She adored the warmth of him. The knowledge that she had touching and tasting privileges. Pushing back the edges of his white shirt, splaying a hand over Nico’s heart. Revelling in the steady soft thump, echoing and matching the one she now heard in her head. A beat that felt so right, so natural, it was like breathing,she didn’t consciously think about it, but both were vital to her very survival.
They should talk. She needed to plan a dignified exit from this, whatever this was between them.
They needed to end this farce, before she did or said anything irrevocable and Nico discovered that she’d fallen in love with him. She could just imagine how awkward he’d feel, having to let her down gently.
They really should end things, tomorrow, she promised herself they’d talk tomorrow. Tonight, under the stars, the boat rocking gently beneath them, this was for them. Leaning forward and kissing him, hard, pouring the passion, the love she felt for him into that kiss. She wished him happiness. Hoped he would one day find love and allow himself to be loved.
Nico clutched at Gigi as if she were smoke and might slip through his fingers. Every night, over and over they came together like this. Scalding heat between them. But never any words, no promises, no allowing emotions to spill out and ruin things between them. He didn’t want this, what was going on between them to ever end. But he was useless with words, and besides, Gigi had been very clear about what she expected from him, and reality wasn’t part of what she’d signed up for. Fear gnawing at his gut, sure any moment she was going to want to shake hands and walk away, on her merry way to world chocolate domination.
And all he could think to do to prevent that from happening was to distract her, and keep on distracting her. And the one thing that had proven very distracting for them both was sex.
Burying his fingers in her silken short hair, cradling her head, keeping her in close. He wanted to kiss Gigi forever. Until the sun burned out and the Earth dissolved into dust. Running a hand down her back, tracing her spine through the thin materialof her top. Questing fingers delving up and under the material to brush across her lower back.
Reluctantly he broke the kiss. “Lose the top.” The words coming out in all but a growl. Smiling fiercely as within a heartbeat, thanks to Gigi’s magic, the top was gone, and so was his. Leaning into her touch as her hands ran down over his ribs. Desperately he captured her lips again, afraid if he wasn’t kissing her he’d start babbling about how gorgeous and sexy she was. How she’d ruined him for other women. No, how she’d wiped the slate clean and saved him from the memory of Kristiah and her manipulative ways. How Gigi had taught him that sex, when it happened between two equals, when it involved heat and laughter, it was like a cleansing inferno. And damn, if he hadn’t become addicted to burning up each and every night with Gigi.
Tugging her bra straps down, exposing pert breasts to the air and his lips, as he kissed his way lower, past her velvety throat to capture a nipple. Circling it with his tongue. Teasing and revelling in the taste of her. Aware of Gigi’s nimble fingers unbuckling his belt, parting his trousers. Unsurprised when his pants went the way of his shirt and he was suddenly naked. Bloody Hell, he adored this woman’s casual use of her powers. Especially when it speedily aided them both in getting naked.
His hand travelling down her body swiftly, targeting her core. It was gratifying how hot, how ready she was, his finger pressing down on her clit before circling it, again and again, loving the way Gigi arched harder against him in response. A small, exceedingly sexy moan falling from her lips. What he wouldn’t give to hear his name breathed out in the same manner. Hands moving to Gigi’s hips, lifting her up slightly, sliding down the cushions so his tongue could replace his fingers. He knew from past experience she would taste like aged ambrosia with a hint of honey. Intoxicating. He was like an addict, unable to get enough.Swirling his tongue around her clit, using the tip to flick it every so often.
Gigi dug her fingers so deeply into Nico’s shoulders she would no doubt be leaving bruises. Good Goddess. The man had more than proved his stripes in bed when it came to pinpointing and exploiting her pleasure centres. Arching her back in reflex as he sucked on her clit, making her squirm, making her yearn for more. It was too much, but still not enough, and she prayed he wouldn’t cease his relentless campaign. Again and again he tapped her clit with his talented tongue, circling it, nipping at it and like the first firework rocket to burst across the night sky, Gigi’s orgasm ripped through her catching her by surprise, a wave of sensation causing her entire body to clench and ride a blissful wave.
Collapsing to the side, her breath coming in harsh pants for a minute before calming, looking over at Nico who was smugly smiling her way. Very pleased with himself.
“I thought I was the one who was supposed to be rewarding you.” His smile contagious, she was feeling rather happy and smug herself right now.
