Reputation's Play (Book 1)

Ch.26 Clouds

Chapter 26 Clouds

The buttery sheets were warm and soft between Gia's legs as she nestled closer into her pillow. The morning light teased her as she smiled in her sleep thinking about the night before. Her hands stretched out across the bed in search of Daniel but like the day before, her fingers turned up empty.

Opening her eyes, Gia slowly sat up and gathered the sheets around herself. The sun was a no-show outside. The gray clouds were heavy and broody. Gia sat on the bed staring at them for a while before she eventually climbed out and headed into the bathroom.

Inside the shower, Gia's eyes caught on her bikini top that was left on the floor as Daniel had carried her out of the bathroom the day before. Gia blushed thinking about how he had teased her in the shower and then devoured her on the bed. Her stomach clenched and goosebumps rose on her skin as she turned on the hot water and stood beneath it. The steam brought her skin to life as she relieved every kiss and every touch from the night before. Gia slowly ran her hands over her body, feeling brand new as she cleaned up and then turned the water off.

With just a new pair of pants and another t-shirt available, Gia dressed quickly and made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She could feel her cheeks burning as she thought about seeing Daniel in the daylight. Her heart raced and she wondered what she should say to him. Every time she thought about being near him, her spine tingled and she broke into a grin that lit up her face like a bright star.

Playing with her hair nervously, Gia walked into the kitchen and cleared her throat. She paused at the door and looked around to find the place empty. The cake box mix and the tub of frosting were still on the counter. Gia had completely forgotten about her plans to make Daniel a birthday cake. She walked farther into the kitchen and called out Daniel's name.

"Daniel?"

Turning on her heels, Gia headed to the backyard. She carefully slid the doors to the side and stepped out into the gray and windy yard.

"Daniel?"

Only the seagulls answered her back. Gia's eyes scanned the clouds with a deep frown on her face. She was hoping to go to the beach again and enjoy some more sand and sun. But it was looking as if she was going to have to spend the day indoors.

"Daniel?" Gia called out again as she walked into the house and headed up the stairs. "Where are you?"

One by one, Gia checked all the rooms upstairs. She began to lose her patience when she circled the house twice and ended up in the kitchen once more. Frustrated, she sank down into one of the chairs and pulled her legs up to her chest. She placed her chin on her knees and read the directions on the cake mix. Her mind barely registered any of the directions as her thought started to go down a very troublesome path.

Luca, Gia thought. She slowly lowered her feet to the ground and swallowed the lump in her throat. Her eyes scanned the room until she found the house phone mounted to one of the kitchen walls. Rising from her seat, Gia walked over to the phone and dialed Daniel's number.

Her hands shook and her leg bounced impatiently as she heard the line ring without any answer. After two minutes of ringing, Gia hung up and dialed the same number again. Her luck didn't change as she stood by the wall listening to the phone ring over and over again.

In that moment, a ping of uneasiness began to grow in the pit of Gia's stomach. She chewed on the inside of her cheeks as she hung up the phone and made her way to the front of the house. Her head was beginning to spin as she took in a deep breath and opened the main door.

Outside, the gravel driveway matched the gray skies. Even the flowers seemed to have lost their vibrant colors. Gia wrapped her arms around herself as she stepped outside and looked around. Her teeth began to clatter from the chilly air as she realized Daniel's car was not in the driveway.