No Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I wake to the sound of the door buzzer, loathing the device. My body aches as I force myself up off the ground, glancing down at Giovanni, who shifts drowsily at the persistent noise, hugging the couch pillow.

Holding the cover to my body, I press the call button, squinting in the brightness.

"Rog?"

"Miss Bardot, I hope you had a Merry Christmas. I wanted to inform you that your ex-husband just attempted to enter the premises, but don't worry. I told him he was not welcome in this building. He left."

I glance to the window, wide eyed. "Oh, okay. Thank you, Rog."

My finger leaves the button, my gaze shifting back to Giovanni, who is now sitting upright, cautious eyes on me.

"He's here?"

I shake my head, clueless as I approach the window. I hear Giovanni moving behind me. Before I even get to the window, he's beside me, looking out over my head.

I'm full of relief when Dixon is nowhere to be found.

"He's probably just pissed I didn't pick him up from the hospital."

"I mean, is that something you normally would have done? You are divorced."

I shake my head, running my hands through my messy hair. "No, I wouldn't have. Deep down, he knows that."

"It's not looking like he does."

Giovanni lifts my buzzing cell from the coffee table. An uneasy pit conjures up in my stomach when he shows me the screen... the unknown number calling. He looks down when it stops buzzing.

"You have three missed calls from UNKNOWN in the last five minutes, Scarlett."

"I blocked him. He can't call me on his cell anymore."

Giovanni looks at me expectantly. "Well that's a start."

I sense disapproving judgment in his tone. I turn, walking towards the room, preparing to take a shower. I'm glad he doesn't follow me. I don't want to argue.

Last night was so good... I don't want to come back to reality yet. I just want to stay inside this apartment, with Giovanni for the rest of the day.

However, I know that isn't possible. I have things to do, so does he probably.

I let the warm water rain over me, trying to breathe evenly, trying to not let Dixon get to me. As I climb out, quite some time later after grooming and contemplating my entire life, I step out, grabbing a towel and a brush.

When I open the bathroom door, combing through my short waves, Giovanni is sitting on my bed. I smile uncomfortably at him, walking to my closet.

I reach out, my fingers hovering over my new sleek wardrobe, unsure how any of it goes together.

"I'm staying in town for a few more days... working from the studio here," he announces suddenly. I turn to him, brows high. His long arms are extended, his hands pressed into the mattress. He looks utterly fuck-able with his wild hair and sweatpants that hang just low enough. I never thought I'd see the day where Giovanni was wearing sweats, but here I am.

"You are?" I cannot conceal my smile. He looks pleased by my reaction, although I can tell he's still thinking of Dixon.

"Yes. I'd like to stay here, if you would like that too. If not, I can go to a hotel."

My eyes remain on his face, but my hands drop down, realizing. "Are you saying this because of Dixon? Because if you are, I'll be fine, really. I've dealt with this on my own for a long time."