She’s still cussing me out when I climb behind the wheel and start the car up.
I wait until we’re out on the road, away from the construction site, and sure we’re not being followed before I speak. Gia has her arms folded and she’s pouting as she glares out the window. “What happened with Sorella was entirely one-sided. If you’d stayed you would’ve seen me pushing her away. She wasn’t invited. None of the women I used to fuck were invited because I didn’t want any of them there.”
Gia turns her head to face me. “Usedto fuck?”
“I haven’t fucked anyone in weeks.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think?”
“I wouldn’t have fucking asked if I knew!” She flaps her hands around, and I have to bite my tongue to trap my laughter.
“You’re adorable when you’re lying to yourself.” She flips me the bird, and this time, I can’t stop my laughter. She glowers at me, and my dick really loves it, jerking a few times behind my pants. “I haven’t fucked anyone because ofyou, Gia. Don’t pretend like you don’t know.”
“I thought I knew.” Her shoulders slump, and the look of anger on her face transforms to hurt. “But then I saw you smiling and laughing with her, and I don’t care what you say; you didn’t push her away immediately when she kissed you. I would have seen if you did.”
“I was trying to spare her feelings. I didn’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone.”
“What about my feelings?”
“I didn’t know you were there at the time.”
“And if you did?” Her expression challenges me.
“Then I would have immediately pushed her away because sparing your feelings is more important than sparing hers.”
She nibbles on her lip as a full-body shudder works its way through her. “Good answer,” she whispers. “I should probably feel bad for Sorella because she has more claim over you than me, but I can’t find it in myself to feel anything but contempt for that woman.”
I pull off the road onto the shoulder and kill the engine. I cup Gia’s face. “She has no claim on me. None of those women do. It was only ever sex.”
“Okay.” Her big eyes latch on to mine, and she looks so vulnerable.
I don’t fully understand why. Or why I feel the insurmountable urge to reach over and hug her, but I do. Her arms cling to my neck, and I feel her entire body shaking against me. I ease back a little, concern creasing my brow. “You’re shaking.”
“It’s the adrenaline. It’s been a pretty crazy night.”
My eyes skate over her body. “Are you hurt? Did?—”
“I’m fine.”
It’s a clear lie because she’s still trembling against me as she rests her head on my shoulder. I hold her for a few minutes before slipping out of our embrace. “Stay there,” I say, hopping out of the car and moving to the trunk. I pop it and grab the supplies I need before climbing back behind the wheel. I hand her the blanket and a bottle of Gatorade. “Put that on and drink that. It’ll help with the shock.”
“Thank you.” Tears well in her eyes, and my concern is growing.
“I’m sorry for shouting,” I truthfully admit when we’re back on the road. “I just panicked when I realized where you were. You can’t wander off without telling me, Gia. It’s too dangerous.”
“I would’ve used the alert button on my watch if I thought I was compromised.”
“That’s not good enough. The deal is you notify me when Liam has summoned you. You don’t take off by yourself without informing me.”
“I was mad at you,” she softly admits, huddled under the blanket, sipping the sugary drink.
“And that is why us starting something is not a good idea. You can’t endanger yourself or your safety because you’re jealous of another woman.”
“I know it wasn’t professional, but I can’t switch my feelings off where you’re concerned.”
“Is this because it was Sorella?”
