Chapter 1
The day I met Giovanni Marino, was the day all the pieces of my life's puzzle came together.
The only problem was; I was already engaged to another man, and six months away from our wedding.....
Aurora's POV
I walked to the back of the store clock out for the day with my head hung. It's been an exhausting day, and yet I don't want to go home.
Truth is I could've left an hour ago, I just kept making excuses to keep working instead of leaving. As physically exhausting as this job can be; the situation waiting for me at home is even worse.
Like most days, I was avoiding my fiancés calls all afternoon. I've learned to just turn my cell ringer off; as I leave the house. Unfortunately now he just calls the store directly, asking for me.
He hasn't always been this overbearing. I've tried to figure out when it all started? I've wracked my brain, but there was no specific day, or reason that I can recall. It was like one day I called him in the morning and at lunch, and the next it wasn't enough contact; and he was blowing up my phone four or five times a day.
John, and I have been together for almost five years. He's sweet, and caring. He's always done little sweet things for me like gassing my car up for me when I'm getting ready for work. Brings me lunch when it's raining out so I won't have to. Always has my coffee ready in the morning before I leave. Never forgets a birthday or anniversary.
For the longest time, I loved it. I loved him. Now, I'm not so sure how I feel?
No, that's a lie. I do know how I feel. Nobody, including John believes how I really feel. They all just tell me it's because I'm tired, and need a vacation.
Yeah, a vacation from John.
The thing is, there's something missing. It's been missing for a long time. Around year three; all passion, and attraction went out the window for me. Whether it's because he cant keep a job, or never wants the leave the house. Maybe it's because I feel smothered all the time, even when I'm alone.
I keep trying to end it. Every time I think it'll finally be over he guilt's me into staying with him. And if its not him, it's my mother manipulating me into staying with him as well.
How can I marry someone because it's what everyone else wants? What about my wants? What about my needs?
I punch out quickly, and turn to leave. Directing my eyes down at the floor and fail to see someone is right behind me.
It's not until I run head first into a thick muscular chest; that I'm aware of someone else's presence and stumble back.
Rubbing my nose, I look up ready to apologize, but the words get caught in my throat as I look into Deep dark eyes staring down into mine.
It's the same dark eyes that hold my attention every time I see them. They're like a black whole that suck's me in and wont let me go.
Looking at him now, my mouth is suddenly dry, and I'm unable to find my voice.
Swallowing hard, helps me find it again. "I-I'm so sorry." Taking a breath in, I'm consumed by his cologne.
My breathing becomes erratic as he takes a step closer. Being so close to him, has my heart rate racing. I look down between us feeling the weight of his stare. His long fingers find their way under my chin, and force me to look back up.
"No need to apologize Babygirl. I wasn't paying attention to my own surroundings." He says with a lopsided smile.
My cheeks burn when I squeeze my thighs together; trying to fight off the feelings this man arouses in me.
I try to look away and hide it when I feel a slight squeeze on my arm. That's when I realize both of his hands had been on me. He caught me as I stumbled back before.
I take a step back to give him room, but also to take more of him in. He's covered in tattoos which I find very attractive. Blonde hair styled to perfection with a gentlemen's part. The rose on his throat caught my attention months ago.
And until tonight, I've never spoken to him.
"Well, I'll get out of your way so you can punch out for the night. Sorry again." I nod trying step away. But I don't get very far. His long tattooed fingers gently wrap around my hand holding me in place.
"Can I walk you to your car?" he asks with raised brows walking closer to me. I look up from his hand into his big brown eyes and nod my head.
"Yeah sure. Just punch out first." I motion to the time clock with my head. I smirk when he realizes he hasn't punch out yet. He laughs turning to punching his numbers and then follows me back to the main aisle again.
As we start to walk he clears his throat. "We've never been properly introduced, I'm -" I smile cutting him off.
"Giovanni, yeah I know." I say looking up at him, "Department head, I have to know everyone's name for coverage." I shrug.
He smiles. "I didn't think you knew who I was? We've never really spoken." He says walking a little closer to my side than I should allow; as we make our way to the front door.
I get a few looks from the cashiers as we pass by them. They all know I'm engaged. And all the girls in the building have been eyeing Giovanni since his first day.
He stops and extends his hand for me to walk out first. I smile and walk out slowing my steps till he's beside me again. We walk in a comfortable silence until my curiosity gets the better of me.
"Why did you wait so long to talk to me anyway? I've seen you a few times in the aisles, and you just walk past." I ask stopping at my car. He just so happens to be parked next to me today, and leans against his car. Seeing how he's leaning I'm guess we aren't ending the conversation any time soon and do the same against my car.
"I wanted to, but I was told by some of the cashiers to stay away from you since you were engaged." I smirk raising a brow.
"I still am." He smiles, hanging his face and looks up at me through his thick lashes. "What's different now?" I ask crossing my arms over my chest.
"I guess, I just figured before the actual deed is done I should talk to you. I still have time to change your mind." He says crossing his arms over his chest, making his biceps flex. I quickly look away from them back to his face to see he's smirking again. He did that on purpose.
"Change my mind?" I stand a little straight and clasp my hands behind me as I lean, forcing my chest out further.
Two can play that game.
And sure enough his eyes lock on my breasts. I cough to clear my throat, breaking his stare.
"Change your mind about getting married." He says pushing off of his car, taking a step forward.
"Why would I need to change my mind? To give you a chance?" I ask tilting my head.
"That, and" he steps up right in front of me forcing me to crane my neck to look up at him. "Marriage will suck the life out of you. Nobody should get married." He says placing his hands on my hips. I keep my eyes focused on his not letting him know that his touch affects me. Until his thumbs push under the hem of my shirt and brush back on forth on my skin. Goosebumps raise over my skin.
"You don't believe in marriage?" I ask fighting the urge to moan. He shakes his tilted head watching me like a hawk. "That's a shame. You'll never know what it feels like to be in love then." I say dropping my eyes from his and focus on the rose on his throat.
"That may be true, but I can't miss what I've never had. You on the other hand," he snakes his hand around to my lower back. "will get married never experiencing me." I cant help the laugh that slips past my lips at his line. He gives me a sexy half smile in return.
"I'm sorry, is that a line you give to all the engaged girls you want to sleep with?" I ask raising my brows trying not to continue my laugh.
"I've never tried to sleep with someone who was engaged before." He says shaking his head. I purse my lips not believing him.
"You don't have to lie to me. I wouldn't judge you either way." I search his eyes as his bounce between mine.
"I'm not lying, Aurora. I never lie. No point to lying. People always get caught anyway." If he is lying I cant tell. The weight of his eyes on me has me feeling shy. I drop my head looking between us as I think of the lie I'll have to tell John about why I'm home late.
A tattooed hand comes under my chin to raise my face back up. The warmth of his hand feels nice against my skin.
When my eyes reach his, his brows furrow searching my eyes again.
"You're not happy, Aurora." He states, it's not a question. I furrow my brows.
"Why would you think that?" my voice is hushed as I tilt my head.
"If you were, you wouldn't let me this close to you." he says bring his face closer to mine. "And you definitely wouldn't let me do this." He presses his soft lips to mine. The scent of his cologne consumes me along with a warmth that spreads from our met lips, and travels over my whole body.
Instead of pushing him away, my hands rest on his arms. His hands at my lower back pull me closer. Surprised by the sudden movement I gasp, and he takes full advantage of my parted lips; dipping his tongue into my mouth. When our tongues meet I tilt my head allowing him to deepen the kiss.
Our lip move in sync, like we've been kissing each other for years. His hands roam my back, one pressed to my shoulder blade and the other travels lower to my ass keeping me flushed to his body.
Feeling my breasts pressed to his chest, he groans in my mouth.
I feel my panties dampen as my arousal pools. Something that hasn't happened in a very long time.
When I feel his hardness twitch against my stomach, it's like a cold bucket of water has been poured over me, clearing the fog in my brain and I pull away panting like I just ran a mile. My hand flies to my swollen lips in shock.
I look up at him unable to process what just happened?
That was the best kiss I have ever had; and I can't understand how that's possible. He didn't have any tongue tricks or whatever to make it any different than any kiss I've ever had before his.
And then reality hits.
I just fucked up royally.
Taking a step back, I look up at Giovanni's red face. He has the same shocked look as me. Except when I step back he steps forward. His eyes searching mine like there's an answer to whatever he's feeling buried inside. Without saying a word he bends down, and lifts me up off my feet and turns pressing my back to his car. My legs automatically wrap around his hips as his mouth attacks mine again. It's rougher this time, hungry even.
My stupid body reacts on his own, wrapping my arms around his neck instead of pushing him away.
He presses his cock against my center, making me moan into his mouth. I don't know what's gotten into me. This isn't me. I don't cheat. I don't go around letting strangers kiss and dry hump me against a car.
Feeling the guilt sit in my stomach like a rock I press my hands to his chest and gently push him away. Opening my eyes I look into his as they open.
"I-I can't do this, Gio. I'm not that type of girl. I shouldn't have let it get this far. I'm sorry." He frowns slightly taking a step back as I straighten my legs. Loosening his grip, he lets me slide down his body to my feet.
"I'm sorry, Babygirl. I don't know what came over me? I don't usually make people cheat." He slowly shakes his head as he speaks. His eyes dropping down to my lips. I simply nod, and step around him. "Life's too short, Aurora." I stop hearing his words just holding onto the door handle. I don't say anything as I feel him tower over me. I look up seeing him watch me through the reflection in the window. "It's too short to marry someone you aren't happy with." I sigh, hanging my head. Slowly I turn back to him fiddling with my keys.
"Gio." He groans hearing me say his name. The sound only makes the ache between my legs worse.
"Get a drink with me." He blurts out. My eyes shoot up to his hearing his request.
"Gio, you know I can't do that." I say tilting my head. He takes a step closer, holding my hips again.
"Go home, end things with him. And then get a drink with me. If you enjoy yourself, we'll get dinner." I smirk up at him.
"And if dinner goes well? What, we have sex?" He smirks dropping his head. He looks back up through his lashes.
"No, Babygirl." He looks back down between us. "Not this time." He looks back up at me, as my cheeks burn at his insinuation. Nicely I pull his hands from my hips to step away.
"I am going to be ending things, but I still won't be having a drink or dinner, or sex with you." He frowns at my words."
"Why not?" he asks sounding genuinely disappointed.
"Why would I? Why would you want to waist your time on someone who believes in love, and marriage when you don't? Why should I?" I ask really wanting to hear his answer.
"Because there is something about you, Aurora. My mind has been filled with nothing but you for months. I stayed away, doing my own thing out of respect to you and your soon to be ex. I thought I'd get over the infatuation with time, but I didn't. And then I thought I just needed to get you out of my system. I broke my rule about kissing taken women thinking once I kissed you it would end when you weren't anything special." I cross my arms popping my hip feeling angry when he says I'm nothing special. He quickly pulls me flush with his body, "But that's not what just happened, Aurora. There is something special about you. I don't know what it is, but I don't want to let you get away, and I know you felt it too." I look down at his chest, not wanting to admit that I did feel it. "Please look at me." he whispers. Reluctantly I do. "Just one drink. No strings attached. Just something casual. No need to even change. Go do what you need to. When you're done text me." He takes my phone hanging out the top of my bag and brings it to my face to open it. He types in his number, and I hear his phone go off as he puts it back in my bag.
I sigh taking a step back. "Fine, one drink. But I doubt it'll be tonight. John isn't going to give up easily. Truth be told, I've been trying to end things for months and it hasn't gotten me anywhere." I look down at the keys in my hand, he curls his hand around them.
"I don't have any plans in the near future, so when ever you call I'll be waiting." I look up at him with a lopsided grin. He leans forward pressing a final kiss to my lips before standing back to lean on his car again as I get in mine. As I back out of the space he gives me a little wave and a wink, making me smile from ear to ear.
Pulling out of the parking lot my phone starts going off. It's Johns ring tone. The light feeling I've had for the past 20 minutes is gone, just like that.
