No Strings Attached

Chapter Nine

"Oh."

A dragged-out exhale escapes my lips while my hand swipes back the hair glued to my damp face. My heaving chest rises and falls violently as Giovanni drops down beside me on the untidy sheets.

After that last orgasm, I went numb. I can't feel my fingertips, my mouth, my toes. All I can do is lie here and stare at the ceiling in disbelief.

I hear him regaining his oxygen beside me.

A grin spreads across my face slowly. "I didn't even know someone could do it that many times."

"If I'm being honest, this was a first for me," he answers with a chuckle.

"Yeah?"

He nods, running his hands through his hair. My eyes drink in the sight of him, sprawled out and fully naked beside me, with appreciation. I've never seen someone so proportioned, not even in movies. There isn't a flaw on him. No scars. No blemishes.

It's hard to believe he's real.

It comes upon me fast then, a rush of hesitance. It's suddenly crystal clear that I need to get up and leave... and I need to do it first.

My spine aches when I sit up, sifting my fingers through my tangled hair. I catch him moving up onto his elbows as I scoot to the edge of the bed, biting down on my lip, immediately regretting clamping down on a sore mouth.

"This was really great," I get out mechanically, hardly looking his way.

Great? That's the word you choose to describe this encounter? Really?

Flushing a deep red, I remember my dress is out in the living room.

I stand up, my heart beating rapidly, knowing he's watching me as I walk away from him. I move swiftly through his halls, having missed how large this place actually is in my lust-filled passion.

The silk rests where he dropped it, ripples of fabric against the sleek floor. I reach down, picking it up.

"The dress is our secret, all right?"

I smile softly to myself, pulling the material over my head. As I pull it down over my curves, able to see again, I feel a shiver go through my spine, feeling him behind me. He grabs the zipper on the side, pulling it up.

"Our secret," I agree, bending down to retrieve the pin that held my hair up. I definitely need it now. I turn towards him as I attempt to put my hair up.

He's smirking slightly, now in a pair of briefs. "You good?"

I nod, surprised that I actually believe it. "I'm good... a little uncomfortable. I've never done this before."

"Done what?"

"Left right after."

"It's what you want."

"I know. I know it is. It's just a change from my usually, um, conservative encounters with men."

His hand rests against my hip as I tuck whatever missed hairs I find into my up-do. "I'm glad I'm not in that category."

I can't help but smile. "So am I."

I grab my clutch from the counter on my way out, clicking on the button for the elevator. I turn, looking up at him.

"Do you need a ride, or are you good?"

"I'm good. I don't live far from here."

"Just wait a moment. I'll tell Henri to call a taxi."

I begin to argue about it but he's not listening. He lifts the phone by the elevator.

"Hi, Henri... I need a taxi to take someone to—" His eyes meet mine.