Chapter 3

Gianna's POV

The warm heat kissed my skin as I lay on a white lounge chair by the pool. As much as I wished I had this kind of comfort back at home, I didn't. It was more humid there than enjoyable,

Vivian had insisted on having a bunch of people over for a pool party, and as they milled around in the cool water laughing and drinking, I couldn't help but feel annoyed by that.

They seemed so carefree with their upscale lifestyles, able to come and go as they wanted. Never really having to work for anything, and having their parents hand them money whenever they wanted.

"Are you just going to lie there all day or come join us?" Vivian asked as her shadowed form peered down at me, blocking out the sunlight I had been enjoying.

"I am joining you, but just from this chair. The sun feels amazing, and I don't feel like swimming," I told her with honesty as I relaxed further into my seat.

"At least you're drinking," she smirked.

Holding up my margarita, I let the corner of my lips rise in a smile. "That I am. Tequila and sunshine my day couldn't be better."

"With hot guys?"

"Uh-no," I laughed. "I can satisfy myself. Haven't you heard it's the twenty-first century? Women don't need men. We have each other and toys for our entertainment purposes."

"Well, that needs to change. I want you to meet someone," she replied, rolling her eyes.

My lips met tightly as I shook my head. "No, Vivian. I told you before. I'm not ready."

"Oh, my god. It's literally been almost a month, Gianna. You're wasting your time being no fun at all because Chase was fucking someone else."

What the actual fuck?!

Taken aback by her forward response, I looked at her in shock. "Wow. Thanks for that."

She may be my best friend, but she was a fucking bitch sometimes. Letting out an exasperated sigh, she sat down next to me, placing her chin in her hand. "You know what I mean. I- just want you to be happy again."

"Well, then maybe my boyfriend shouldn't have been fucking someone behind my back. Second of all, I am happy."

Groaning with frustration, she rolled her eyes again. "Let it go already. He isn't worth it."

"Oh, I am well aware of that," I scoffed. "Now, leave me alone. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. I don't know why you keep lying to yourself," she replied, causing me to shake my head. She had no idea what she was talking about.

"Why don't you stop worrying about trying to play matchmaker and find yourself someone to play with?" I urged her with a smile as I closed my eyes behind dark sunglasses and tried to get back to relaxing.

"I am really happy you came, Gianna," Vivian said after a moment of silence. "There is no telling where we will be next year, and I have missed spending my summers with you over the last few years."

Peaking open one of my eyes, I watched the sincere expression cross her face. She was being honest, but there was something about the way she acted lately that told me otherwise.

It was as if she was happy, but then also hiding something. Deciding not to press further, I let a smile crest my lips. "I'm glad I came too. But l'm still not letting you play matchmaker."

"No fun." She laughed hysterically. "Fine... do what you want."

"Oh, I will. Now, hurry and get back to that sexy redhead. He has been watching you with fuck-me eyes since the moment you left the pool and came over here."

Turning her head, she peered at him, pushing down her glasses slightly before giving him a small wave.

"He is cute, huh?"

"Yeah, he is," I replied. "But he is more your type, so you have fun. I will catch another man some other time. I am content for right now."

"Fine, fine," She smirked. "Don't say I didn't try." Turning on her feet, she skipped over towards the red-haired man who pulled her into the pool. Her giggling voice echoed through the air as I settled back into the comforting zone l was in before she arrived.

However, without warning, another figure took her place, and it was that of a godly built man with a clear agenda on his mind. "Well, hello gorgeous."

Raising a brow, I let my eyes rack over him before a sigh escaped me. "No."

"No?"

"Yeah, no," I snorted. "Look, I don't know what Vivian has told you, but I'm not interested, honestly. I just want to do my own thing and lie by the pool, relaxing."

"She told me you played hard to get. I like that in a woman."

Oh, for fuck's sake. Is he stupid?

"No, I am not the kind of woman to lead a guy on. l am genuinely not interested... I'm sorry, I didn't get your name..."

"Bryant," he replied. "What might your name be?"

"My name?" The question followed with laughter as he nodded his head. "It's.. l'm not interested." I wasn't trying to be a bitch, but I also wasn't going to beat around the bush. I grew up with the philosophy that it was better to be forward and to the point. Bryant stared at me for a moment with disbelief as I tilted my head, curious about his response. But in shock, he simply smiled.

"I like it," he claimed as he tried to lean closer, my eyes widening as I quickly moved back and stood from my seat. Was he really trying to make a move on me?

"Excuse me, but I told you I wasn't interested," I snapped as I grabbed my things and quickly made my way inside.

To think Vivian had actually sent that guy to meet me. Disgusting.

"Gianna, what's wrong?" Vivian called from where she was in the pool. "Don't be like that."

Don't be like that. Was she fucking serious right now?

Without saying a word, I shut the door to the kitchen behind me. Taking off the wide sun hat I was wearing, and laying it down on the counter, I took a deep breath. "I can't believe-"

"Where are you going, beautiful?" Bryant said behind me while closing the door. Spinning on my feet, I watched as he stumbled his way towards me. It was clear now this guy had been drinking, and from the way he kept looking at me, he only wanted one thing.

"Look, I will say this slower for you, So you understand. I'm not interested, honestly."

Laughter left his lips as he walked towards me. "You don't have to lie."

"I can assure you I am not lying," I replied, backing away from him. "Now, please just leave me alone."

"Leave you alone?" He laughed again. "Women wish they could be in your shoes. I am one of the most eligible men in Santa Monica..."

"Please, stop!" I yelled at him as he backed me into the fridge. My heart raced, and my palms were clammy. The last thing I wanted was to be in this situation, but at the same time, I didn't want to attack the man. I just wanted him to leave me alone.

"I think you're just scared. I heard about your ex, and I promise I won't hurt you."

Was this man fucking serious?!

"How dare you?!" I screamed as I tried to move around him. "You don't even know me, and you have no right to say such things to me,"

Grabbing my arm, Bryant pushed me against the counter, pinning me with his body. I knew exactly what was going through his mind, but there was no way I was going to let that happen. Thinking fast, I brought my knee up and clocked him between his legs.

"You fucking bitch!" he roared as his hand came up, slapping me across the face. He had hit me, and my desperation in getting away became even more real.

"Let me go!" I yelled, hoping anyone would come to intervene. I didn't want to be the woman who was sexually assaulted at the party because no one noticed she was missing.

"Stop, stop."

He laughed as I struggled against him. "Stop fighting me, my love. Let me show you how to love again. I will forgive you for your actions just a moment ago."

"Get the fuck off me!" I screamed as his hand came over my mouth.

"Oh, baby come on-" he panted. "I know you want this."

"What the fuck is going on here?" Lorenzo snapped as he walked into the kitchen.

Bryant turned, looking over his shoulder, and scoffed. "Mind your business, old man."

It was obvious this kid didn't know who Lorenzo was, but with the way Lorenzo' eyes narrowed and his fists clenched, I could tell he was about to find out.

"Excuse me!?" Lorenzo sneered, "I think you need to leave... NOW!." I found myself wary about the way Lorenzo spoke, and I would have sworn that this guy would have as well. However, that wasn't the case.

"You heard me..."

Before Bryant could finish his sentence, Lorenzo grabbed him by the neck and brought him in close. "I am the owner of this house, and if you don't leave right now, I will make sure your future in Santa Monica is done. Do YOU understand ME?" Fear coursed through me as I watched the scene unfold.

Bryant was ripped from my body, and as he was, I fell to my knees on the floor, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. If Lorenzo had not stepped in, God knows what would have happened. Bryant was much bigger than me, and I was already having a hard time fighting him off.

The two men struggled in the kitchen until security arrived, and Lorenzo had him thrown from the house. He had been my rescuer when no one else was around. Vivian and I were seriously going to have words about this.

I couldn't believe she thought this guy was the right fit for me. He was everything I despised in a man, and so much more.

"Are you okay?" Lorenzo asked, pulling me from my thoughts and from the floor. My eyes slowly met his as my breath caught in my throat. Through everything I had just gone through... He took my breath away and set my body on fire.

I didn't think twice, I rushed to him and kissed him as fierce as I could.

Chapter 4

Gianna's POV

Four days.

For four whole days, I had avoided him, and I was becoming more nervous every day. I didn't know how to face him after what had happened to me the other day. The altercations with Bryant had been traumatic in a sense, yes, but I was more embarrassed Lorenzo had seen it.

The memory of how he had wrapped me into his embrace sent a warm sensation through my body. The smell of his earthy cologne stuck in my mind as he had brushed his fingers against my skin. Every bit I loved, and yet, I knew I couldn't have him.

The sound of the front door opening drew me from my thoughts, and as I looked out the window, I watched Lorenzo walking to his car. His dark hair was styled to perfection as the three-piece suit clung to his body, showing off the sculpted muscles he hid

Fuck, he's gorgeous.

As if he could hear my thoughts, his sunglass-covered eyes looked towards me, and a smile crested his lip as he slowly turned and climbed into his car. Seeing him go was a disappointment, but a breath of relief.

As a heavy breath escaped my lips, I closed my eyes, relishing in the fact I had escaped another morning with him. Another morning where awkward silence would fill the space between us, and I would reel over a thousand words I wanted to say but didn't have the courage to.

Then again, perhaps that was what he wanted. The entire situation was more than confusing, and I had to figure a way to resolve my conflicts.

"Gianna?" Vivian's voice called from my closed door, pulling me back to the present. My eyes drifted towards the door.

"Uh-yeah!" I called back. "Come in, I'm just getting motivated."

The last thing I wanted was for her to know I had been eye fucking her father. Even if that thought made me sort of excited.

God, what the fuck is wrong with me lately? As the door opened, I smiled, trying to act casual.

Vivian's brow raised slightly as she stared at me with a hint of amusement at the corner of her lips. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, why?" I quickly replied, not trying to seem obvious.

"Because you look like a kid who got caught doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing. I mean, I haven't seen you look like that since summer camp."

Rolling my eyes, I groaned, knowing exactly what she was talking about, but not wanting to relive that memory. I was still pissed at her. "I said nothing. What did you want?"

"Uh-huh." She sighed, shaking her head. "So, I was thinking we could head down to the beach today."

Is she being serious? After the other day...

"I don't know. l'm still not happy with you about the other day." Staring at her, I saw the guilt in her eyes.

She hadn't meant for Bryant to act like that towards me, and when she found out the truth, she couldn't stop apologizing. "I told you I was sorry, Gianna. Please don't let this come between us."

"Dude, he tried to sexually assault me. Thank God your dad was there to stop him." I scoffed as I moved around the room, picking up the clothing I had scattered about.

"I know, and I'm sorry," she pleaded. "He didn't assault you though... so, that's a good thing, right?"

"Vivian!" I snapped. "It doesn't matter if he did or didn't. It was the principle of the fact. You disregarded what I told you and tried to push him on me anyways. That right there was messed up."

"You're being over dramatic-" Stopping in my tracks, I stared at her with shock.

"Are you fucking serious right now?"

"Gianna-"

"No!" I snapped again. "Are you being fucking serious right now with that comment? Because the girl I used to know would never act like that. Ever since your parents divorced again, you have become another person."

Mouth parted and eyes wide, she stared at me, speechless. She knew I was right. There was no arguing what I was saying, because she had changed.

As her eyes filled with tears, I felt the guilt eat at my heart. "How can you say that?"

"Vivian, you know it's true."

"It's not," she sobbed. "I'm still the same person l always have been. Why do you think I have changed?"

"Uh, because you have," I scoffed as I crossed my arms over my chest. "You literally have become another person." Her father had tried to get her to go see a counselor for years, but pride be damned, she refused not wanting to taint her high society image.

Shaking her head, she refused to believe me, "No, I haven't. Please let me prove that to you."

Taking a deep breath, I tried to get past her denial. Perhaps we were talking about it now. I would be able to help fix her. "So, the beach?"

A smile fell across her lips as she nodded. "Yeah, will you forgive me and come?" Taking a moment to think about it, I sighed with a nod as I went against my better judgment.

"Fine. We can go." I had a feeling might regret it later, but then my decisions were never very smart when it came to this girl. I was seriously going to have to learn to say no to her.

Squealing with delight over my response, she quickly threw her arms around me and smiled. "Yes! Get your ass ready. We're leaving in ten."

Before I could protest on how long before we were leaving, she was out of my bedroom to get ready herself, while | was left to ponder the conversation in my mind. Perhaps coming back to Santa Monica for the summer wasn't the best of ideas.

On one hand, I was dealing with Vivian and her lack of common sense, and on the other hand, I was dealing with her father Lorenzo, and the sinful things I wanted him to do to me.

If I wasn't careful, I was going to fall down the rabbit hole just like Alice in wonderland.

***

Four hours later, and lots of drinks on the sand, Vivian and I stumbled through the front door, laughing at the things we had seen through the day. It was nice to spend time like this with Vivian, considering the difference we encountered over the past few years.

Especially after the argument she and I had earlier that morning.

"So, Catherine wants to go shopping after and get a coffee. Are you down to go?"

Vivian stopped at the top of the stairs and stared at me as she swung her car keys around her finger. She didn't need to be driving if she was drinking, but she would not listen to anyone but her father.

Unfortunately, he wasn't here.

"Uh-" I hesitated, thinking about it, "I think I will pass honestly. I want to call my dad and take a shower. You go, though, and have fun."

Her eyes seemed to gloss over me for a moment before she shrugged her shoulders, and pulled out her phone. "Alright then."

I couldn't help but wonder if she had actually been interested in me coming, but as she walked to her room and changed her clothes, I accepted the fact this was just who Vivian was.

So much for trying to help her. My stomach rumbled with hunger as I stepped into my room. I hadn't eaten dinner, and the cook, Lorenzo, was long gone.

"Take out, it is then," I said to myself as I pulled my phone from my pocket and ordered delivery before making my way towards my dresser in search of more comfortable clothing.

"Alright, I'm heading out!" Vivian called to me a few moments later as she walked down the stairs. "Call me if you change your mind!"

"Will do." I laughed, rolling my eyes at her behavior. There was no way I was going out anytime soon.

The only thing I wanted to do was to let the hot water run across my skin and try to take my mind off of everything that had happened over the past few days.

Especially Lorenzo.

Stepping into the shower, I tried to push away the thoughts he created. However, it wasn't as easy as l expected. The thought of his rugged, well-cut body pressing up against me sent sensations to

my core that I couldn't handle. My fingers gently brushed over the sensitive nub between my legs, and with every stroke, it brought me closer to the edge.

"Lorenzo " I moaned softly as I slowly came undone over my fingers.

His plump lips against my own had been enticing. My mind dreamed about his long thick erection pressing through my folds as he dominated me and thrust relentlessly.

There was no stopping the images when they started, and the pleasure that grew in the pit of my stomach grew like a raging fire until I exploded in a cry of pleasure. The hot water washing away the traces of the deed from my skin as a smile lined my lips. I wanted him, and I knew it was taboo, but I didn't care.

At least I didn't think l cared. By the time I was done exploring myself, the water ran cold. Grabbing the white fluffy towel from the rack, I wrapped it around my body and checked my phone for the food delivery I was expecting.

I only had five minutes until it would arrive, and the thought had my stomach rumbling with anticipation. I was starving. Throwing on a black nightie, I ran the brush through my hair just in time to hear the doorbell ring. Shutting off the bathroom light, I skipped down the stairs and froze in place.

A face I hadn't been expecting stood at the bottom, holding my takeout bag. Lorenzo. Oh, shit.

"Hungry?" he smirked, holding up the bag.

"Um-" nodding, I took the last few steps down. "Yeah... a bit."

Hesitation flowed between us as he slowly held out the bag for me to take. But as my fingers reached out, his own brushed against me and a chill ran down my spine.

"You've been avoiding me, Gianna." His words bring me back to reality.

"I-I wasn't." I was trying to avoid him, but I didn't want him to think that. Our situation was already awkward, because as much as I wanted to avoid him. I also wanted him to bend me over these stairs and fuck me till I couldn't stand.

Both decisions were equally confusing, but if I wasn't careful, lust would get the upper hand.

"Yes, you were," he laughed. "Every time I tried to catch you... you were gone. But, I really wanna talk about that kiss." He took a step closer to me, and I couldn't help but step back. The subtle way his body moved enticed me, and it was more than evident if I didn't check myself, I would become nothing but ridiculous in his presence.

"I don't want to. What do you want?" I whispered, my eyes scanning over him as I watched his white smile brighten the shadowed staircase.

"Nothing, I was just going to take care of this." Reaching up, he pulled something from a strand of hair hanging by the side of my face before carefully tucking the strand behind my ear. "There we go."

My breath caught in my throat at the simple action. It was sweet, and yet, I felt like he was holding back on something.

"Thank you." The whispered reply left my lips as his fingers gently lifted my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

"You never have to thank me, Gianna. Anytime you need something.. all you have to do is ask. You know where my office is. I will help you in any way you want."

The statement felt so sinful, but I felt like I was reading too much into it. He was just being nice, he didn't actually want me.

Or does he?

Chapter 5

Lorenzo's POV

When I married Gianna's mother, it was the right thing at the time, well, until it wasn't. I don't regret the divorce though.

When Gianna stood speechless in front of me, staring. The way her teeth bit at her plump bottom lip had my cock going hard in my pants. wanted to bite her bottom lip more than anything, and have thought about it since the moment I laid my eyes on her.

"Let me know if you need anything, anything at all." I said, making sure to maintain eye contact, hoping she would catch onto my subtlety.

"l will let you know if I need anything," she finally said as she looked down. "Thank you for getting my food."

The sweet tenderness of her voice captivated me every time she spoke, but I knew well, deep down, she was more spice than sweet.

"Again, you don't have to thank me. I will be in my office if you need me." I had to get away from her. The longer she stood there in the black nightie she wore, the more I was likely to lose my self-control.

The way her breasts pebbled under the silk tantalized me in ways I hadn't experienced in years. The urge to grab her by her throat and bend her over the stairs was tempting. What I wouldn't do to see her perfect, peach shaped ass bare for me, the glistening juices of her arousal dripping past her slit as I pushed in with all my might.

It took everything in me to turn away from her. Deciding not to waste another moment, I headed down towards my office, looking to escape the desire to gorge on her. The feeling became stronger and stronger every time I was alone around her.

It was one thing to have these thoughts about her, but to act upon them? That was something else entirely.

Running my fingers through my hair in frustration, I groaned before letting my hand slide down my face.

I have got to stay away from her. She has no idea what she does to me. Since the moment she had gotten here, I had been toying with her. Testing her to see where her mind was. It may have been wrong, but something about her drove my internal desires crazy. The primal creature in my soul cried out to claim the prize he sought.

From the soft plump look of her lips down to the large dip of her breasts, I wanted to taste her. I wanted to have her thick thighs wrapped around my face as I devoured the very essence of her being. She was everything I desired in a woman, and | swore the gods had sent her before me to taunt me.

To get me to break my oath and prove to me l am not the dominant man I so thought I could be. She may have not realized it, but without even touching me sexually, she was wrapping me around her slowly. A feeling I hadn't allowed to happen in so very long. Yet, there was no way to stop it.

Standing in the middle of my office, I looked at my desk, taking in the amount of paperwork I needed to get done but didn't have the drive to do.

All I could do was think about her. Taking a deep breath, I left my office, heading towards my bedroom.

A cold shower and a stiff drink were what I needed to calm my racing mind. Yet, as I got to the top of the stairs, I could see her bedroom door partially cracked. She was lying on her bed, and damn, did she look more than appetizing?

Taking a moment to admire her, I forced myself to continue walking until I was in the bathroom, and the sound of water running echoed around me.

What the fuck is wrong with me?