Page 32 of Family Secrets

Chapter Thirteen

Elizabeth ran her fingers over the blue satin dress Gino had gifted her. The fabric felt both soft and sensual at the same time, however, the price tag dangling from the sleeve forced her to return it to the garment bag, choosing a pair of clean slacks and matching sweater instead.

She’d promised him dinner, an opportunity to get to know one another better. While she would love to know this mysterious man, she found it hard to accept the truckload of gifts he’d given.

Elizabeth didn’t miss the hushed conversations about how upset Lisa would be when she learned of Gino’s interest in her. She’d tried all afternoon to call her, reaching her voicemail instead. She’d gladly give everything back and suffer Gino’s wrath if his kindness jeopardized their friendship.

Sliding her foot into her shoes, the new phone Gino gave her dinged with an incoming message, no doubt from him as no one else had the number.

I’m downstairs, waiting…not so patiently.

Elizabeth rolledher eyes as she shoved the phone in her purse, the notion of what her granny would have thought about Gino’s lack of coming to her door.

Entering the lobby, Elizabeth was stunned stupid as she took in the man across the room, his head lowered and phone to his left ear. Even in this ordinary position, his charisma captured the attention of every warm-blooded woman in the room. When his eyes found hers, the memory of the day he fell from the treadmill flashed in her memory, eliciting a smile on her lips and a blush to her face. She had lost count of the number of times she’d climaxed to the image of the tattooed body under his pressed suit.

Gino ended his call unceremoniously, Elizabeth’s smile stirring something deep inside him. Perusing her clothing, he hid his disappointment in her choice of wearing the clothing she arrived with. He’d give her time to adjust to his world, easing her into all the luxurious things he’d purchased already.

“You look beautiful,” Gino stepped toward her, his eyes remaining on her beautiful lips and the smile which told him of more than her joy in seeing him, but of a secret she held.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth looked down at her feet. “I would have worn one of the beautiful dresses you gave me, but—"

“Next time,” Gino interrupted, placing his hand on the center of her back, gently leading her in the direction of his waiting car. “For now, I have something else to show you.”

Elizabeth felt an odd sense of comfort walking beside Gino. It was more than his tall stature which towered over her or the confident way he carried himself.

Gino wrapped his arm around Elizabeth as the automatic doors slid open, allowing the freezing wind to send a shiver down her body. Chivalry was a useless act in Gino’s opinion, a term better left in the dictionary. Being with Elizabeth made him rethink his opinion, wanting to do everything he could to keep her close.

Halting in her steps, Elizabeth took in the sleek car idling against the curb. The silver, iconic cat perched on the hood as if ready to pounce. “Wow, new car?”

Gino smiled as he opened the door, “Yes, do you like it?”

Elizabeth briefly studied his face, she could be honest with him and say the one he drove this morning looked fine to her, or she could skirt the parameters and tell him yes. “It’s nice, congratulations.”

Gino rounded the front of the car, sliding into the driver’s seat and pulling into traffic. “I’m glad you like it,” he paused, the anticipation of her reaction eating at him since he’d purchased it. “Because it’s yours.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught in her throat, her hand gripping the seat belt across her chest. “Mine?”

“I told the guys not to give you a loaner anymore. I’d prefer you to have a more reliable car.” The lie felt heavy on his tongue. He had no qualms with any of the other girls going to jail if they were pulled over by the cops, he couldn’t stomach the same thought of Elizabeth.

At a loss for words, knowing the rules gave no room for argument, Elizabeth smiled and said the only thing she could. “Thank you.”

Elizabeth tried not to feel overwhelmed as she walked down the aisle of the restaurant with Gino. He’d taken her hand as she climbed from the car, leading her past the hostess stand and toward a roped-off table she assumed was reserved for celebrities.

“I’ve taken the liberty to order for you. The Pasta Fagioli here is some of the best I’ve ever tasted, and Lisa mentioned you have a fondness for it.”

Elizabeth loved the Italian soup. She and her granny made a batch every Christmas with the little holiday bonus she was given from the Co-op, eating like kings for days off the heavenly meal.

“She’s right, I do love Pasta Fagioli.” Elizabeth agreed, her nerves making their appearance as she opened her mouth to clear the air. “Speaking of Lisa,” Elizabeth paused, clearing her throat. “I overheard the girls talking today, they mentioned how upset Lisa will be when she finds out you’re paying attention to me.” Readying herself to leave the table, hoping like hell she would still have a job if she got up and left. “She’s my friend—"

“Lisa knows the rules better than anyone,” Gino interrupted. “I spoke with her this afternoon when I picked up your car. My brother had the same concern, but I reminded her of the limitations of our relationship.”

Nodding, Elizabeth remained silent, understanding why her repeated calls went to voicemail. While she loved the take-charge and protectiveness Gino’s alpha persona dictated, he was clueless to how much in love with him Lisa was.

Gino leaned his arms on the edge of the table. “Tell me something about yourself, Elizabeth. Something no one else knows.”

Caught off guard by his question, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “After my granny died, I found a box full of baby pictures.” Reaching for the chain around her neck, pulling the delicate piece of jewelry from inside her sweater. “And this ring.”

Gino reached across the small table, “May I?”

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