Untangle Me

Chapter 37

Giada

Andrea is staring at me with a look I'm not sure how to read. I just downed my drink in one go, the burn in my throat a welcome distraction from the headache building behind my temples and the dull sting in my chest.

Whoever said reaching for the bottle doesn't help you when you're down really didn't know what they were talking about.

"Well, that was that. Anything else we should talk about?" I ask, attempting to sound light-hearted though my performance sounds lame to my own ears.

"A lot, I think," Andrea says slowly.

"I think you're too uptight." I shrug and level him with a gaze. "As I see it, we did the apologies, we both know the other's side of the story and we each have our memories. Maybe this is where we stop focusing on the past and try to think about the future? At least for tonight. We can take detours when it's necessary, no?"

To be honest, there is still a lot of stuff we haven't talked about but this is getting depressing and I need a break. The better half of this evening was nice, though my mind was buzzing with questions. Now I got one answer, a rather disturbing one, and I wish I hadn't asked.

Since I can't take it back I'd at least like to move on.

"Okay, if that's what you want," the man opposite me agrees reluctantly. But then his glum expression turns into something more relaxed. The change does a lot to help my own mood.

"Food here's still as good as ever. I can see us coming back here, what about you?" he asks almost hopefully.

This is as close to him saying he'd like to take me on another date as we'll get.

"I'd like that," I agree.

Andrea smiles, his mouth only barely moving though his eyes are lighting up. "Great. So, are you ready to go home?"

Home, he said. It makes me feel warm all over, the type of warmth I've been missing for too long.

"Sure. And thanks for dinner. The next time will be on me," I tell him. Today, I let him pay but he knows damn well that's not a regular thing.

Back when we dated the first time we had a whole argument about how I insisted on taking turns paying for dinner but eventually, he gave in.

I hope he remembers that.

Judging by the sly smile playing on his lips, I'd say he does. Or more particularly, the way I got him to finally shut up about it.

On our way back to the skyscraper we talk about relatively mundane things. It's easier to talk to Andrea than I thought since I expected him to be closed off but he seems to be genuinely trying.

Maybe he misses the old us like I do. Either way, it's nice to see him put in an effort. I mean, all night he's been an exceptional date; holding open doors, giving me his jacket although I wouldn't have deserved it, and pretty much following my lead with our conversations.

He even answered my question about Luciano although I know he doesn't like the topic. And he tried to cheer me up after I couldn't stomach what I found out.

"What now? The night is still young," Andrea says once we've reached the elevator.

"What do you have in mind?" I ask him, trying not to sound too eager. I've been able to keep my thoughts mostly PG all night but I can't deny the way my heart is racing in anticipation.

"It's too cold for drinks on the rooftop but there's a bar on the top floor with a great panorama. Since I'm not hosting an event, no one will be up there so you can gape at the view all you want. I know you're a sucker for city lights," he answers, the corners of his lips twitching.

"Sounds good." My voice is a pitch higher than it should but Andrea kindly ignores it.

Don't blame me, he really knows just what to say to remind me of our good, old times. And the way he just casually said we'll be alone? Shit, but I don't think I'll have the strength to remind myself of all the reasons I shouldn't do anything reckless if it comes down to it.

I'm too desperate to go back to how things were, too curious about how it would be now that we've come to an agreement. But mostly, I just can't seem to get enough of Andrea and the way he makes me feel.

The elevator finally comes to a halt, the doors sliding open to reveal an endless sea of the starry night sky and the city I love below.

I gasp silently, forgetting about everything other than the extraordinary view. Without thinking, my feet move me closer to the wall of perfectly clean windows. There's no stain, nothing to taint the illusion of being only a step away from tumbling down to those busy streets below.

I watch the cars' lights as they snake through the different alleys, all about as big as ants. I take in the different lights painting other buildings' windows, completely mesmerized.

Even when a big hand settles on my lower back it takes me several seconds to tear my gaze away to look at Andrea.

"It's beautiful," I tell him, no doubt looking as enthralled as I feel. I am excited like a child on Christmas and don't even care.

Andrea studies me for a bit, his eyes as soft as his voice when he says, "You have no idea."

His hidden meaning isn't lost to me and suddenly, his gaze is too intense. My whole body burns up and my skin tingles with excitement.

My eyes go back to what lies ahead of me but my attention stays captivated by the man at my side. His hand rests on my back, seeming to sear through every layer of fabric between our skin as if they weren't there.

"Here," he says gently, showing me his other hand, which expertly holds two glasses filled with amber liquid. "I didn't do anything with them, of course, but you can get whatever else you want from the bar," he adds.

"No, that's fine. Thanks." I take one of the glasses, swallowing my nerves as I try to get my next words out. "I- I trust you," I tell him truthfully.

When he stays silent and perfectly still, I dare to look at him. He's staring once again, his eyes practically boring into me so intently I'm sure he can see straight into my soul.

The thing is, as he does so he reveals his own to me. In that moment, I can see how much my words mean to him. He seems conflicted but more than that, there's a desire burning behind those dark eyes that nearly makes me drop my drink.

Like everything with him, this moment is all-consuming, walking the line of being too much.

But it's so addictive I can't bring myself to mind. Not when it's making me feel more alive than anything else ever could.

My body acts on its own accord, slowly turning so the two of us are facing each other fully while our eyes stay locked together.

I don't dare to breathe. He's so close and it would be easy for us to touch more than just the hand he keeps on my back but neither of us moves.

Not until I think I can't take the heat any longer and Andrea finally mutters "Fuck it." He yanks me towards him, his free hand cupping my face while my hands brace themselves against his chest so I don't crash into him.

There are two distant crashes as our glasses hit the ground but I barely hear it. Not over the groan coming from Andrea as he claims my lips roughly.

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I'm sorry for all of u that have to wait for the next chapter but I'll make it worth it👀

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