Chapter Fifteen
Carly
Why did he have to be such a damn gentleman? That was the thought that kept going through my mind as I waited for the nurse tofinallygive me Eli's release papers so we could leave. When Gio's lips had touched my skin, I'd wanted to melt into him, but I couldn't in front of Eli. I would not, could not, put my son in a situation where he could get hurt, not even inadvertently. If he saw me getting close to Gio he might get the wrong idea.
I was quiet on the drive back to my apartment. Anytime I looked into the rear view mirror- from where I was sitting in the backseat with my son- Gio's eyes would lock with mine briefly and I'd have to look away. He did things to me that made me weak in the knees without even trying. I felt worn out by the time we pulled up in front of my apartment. Glancing at the time I groaned. It was nearly 4 am, no wonder I was so tired. “Thank you for tonight, Gio.” I kept my voice soft as I moved to get out of the car.
“There's nothing to thank me for,Bella.. I wanted to be there. Let me carry him up for you.”
The first time he'd offered it had annoyed me because I thought he assumed I wasn't strong enough to carry Eli down the stairs. Now I knew he was just being a gentleman. “Okay.” I moved ahead of him to get the door to the building open and once again when we reached my apartment.
“Which one is his room?”
The cocked brow and the look on his face did all sorts of things to my body. It should be a crime to be that sexy at 4 in the damn morning. “First door on the right.”
It wasn't until Eli was tucked into his bed that the late hour really hit me. I felt completely drained and it must have shown on my face.
“I should let you get some sleep,Bella. Don't worry about the bill, it's taken care of. Get some rest.”
Before I was able to process his words he pulled me into his arms and kissed me breathless. How did he have such an effect on me? “Gio, it's not your responsibility to cover my son's bill.”
“I never said it was. I'm still taking care of it. Goodnight,Bella. Rest well.”
He didn't give me the chance to argue any further. He just left. By the time I finally collapsed into bed, the sun was just lightening the sky outside my bedroom window.
Five hours later I sat at my kitchen table sipping coffee and trying desperately to wake up. Did I want to be up this early? No, but the apartment manager wasfinallygetting someone in to fix the leaky faucet in my bathroom. I'd been complaining about it for months now.
“He paid the hospital bill?”
Risa sat across from me looking as sleep deprived as I felt. “He did, despite me telling him twice he didn't need to do it.”
“Girl, if you don't snatch that man up I will. Any man who is willing to spend that kind of money has to be a good guy.”
“I don't know, Risa. I mean, where did he get all that money? Sure, he bought the club, but it's not exactly a lucrative business. Not right now. That asshole, Harry, was skimming off of everyone. How do I know Gio isn't the same way?”
“Do you really think that's how he makes his money? Does he seem like the type of man to do that sort of thing?”
I had to admit he didn't. “No. Not really.”
“So then why are you worried that's what he's doing? Carly, come on. How long has it been since you've dated? It's obvious he's got the hots for you.”
“Risa, he's my boss. What happens when the new wears off and he moves on to someone else? I can't risk my job by getting involved with my boss. It's not worth worrying about whether or not I'm going to lose it if things don't work out.”
“Carly. I don't want to see you push away something that could turn into a really good thing out of fear. You've been alone a long time and you deserve to be happy.”
“I didn't get enough sleep to deal with this right now.” Was it a cop out? Maybe, but Risa was hitting too close to home for my comfort.
“Suit yourself.”
Those words replayed through my mind all day. At least I wouldn't have to face Gio tonight. It was my night off. A small reprieve but a reprieve nonetheless.
