Page 36 of Giovanni the Savage

The elevator doors ping and light up before the ash steel doors open to a vast space. I get in, face the doors, and press a button as the doors slowly begin to close. Just an inch to them closing completely, a hand shoots out between them, causing them to open again.

My eyes kick on the hand between the doors, and I don't need a soothsayer to tell me who it is. However, I have to feed my eyes.

I trace my eyes up the big hand and forearm before getting to his face. His hair is tousled, and he's speaking into his phone while waiting for the doors to open.

It feels like time slows every time he's around me. The doors open completely, and he strides inside like a lion hunting down his prey. His hooded eyes are locked on mine, but he's still focused on the call. I almost panic when the doors start to close again.

A shaky breath leaves my lips at the ping, and the elevator begins its descent from the twenty-first floor, trapping me in an embrace of his woodsy scent with an underlying citrus tone to it. The smell wafts through my nostrils like an antidote, and I want to move closer to get more of it.

"I'll be expecting you tomorrow to go over it more thoroughly."

His voice sounds closer than ever, and the vibration sends shivers down my spine and runs south. I can hear every echo of his baritone voice, making me wish it was directed at me.

"I'll send you an email," he concludes, bringing the phone down from his ear.

The silence has heightened the tension; it's so thick that it can't be sliced into. My heart is pounding rapidly in my chest. We ride in silence for a few seconds before he speaks up.

"Luna," he breathes.

Something about the way he calls my name makes me stiffen. I only answer with a nod, and he looks down at me, towering over me, and takes a step closer. I want to step back, but I'm trapped between his body and the wall.

"Luna," he calls again like he's trying to confirm something.

His eyes scan my face as he takes in my features.

My eyes are glued to his expectant face. "Giovanni," I whisper back.

I don't know what gave me the boldness, but something tells me that, at this moment, he's not my boss. He's Giovanni, and I'm Luna. Just two adults.

If only life was that easy.

His eyes squeeze shut when I mention his name, and he tips his head back and braces his hands on the wall beside me.

"It's you," he whispers in confirmation.

I tip my head down to escape the intensity of his gaze, but he fixes his finger on my chin and tilts it back up.

"Why did you leave?"

His fingers traverse my chin and cheek, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

"I didn't think you were going to come back," I answer truthfully.

"I did," he responds, his eyes flitting to my lips. "And so did you."

He steps closer, and my chest rises when his eyes stay glued to my lips. His head lowers an inch to mine, and his hooded eyes glance up and lock with mine.

I don't know what he sees there. Perhaps desire because his head resumes its slow descent to my level. My free hand moves out of my own accord and clutches the soft fabric of his shirt. Heat rushes down, and I can feel liquid already pooling in my underwear.

This has to be a superpower. That, or I've been celibate for way too long.

His tongue darts out and wets his bottom lip, and the small scar on his lip glistens, making me want to run my tongue on it.

My head tilts up slightly, and my eyes glitter shut, awaiting the soft graze of his lips on mine. He exhales on my lips, and his minty breath with a slight whiff of coffee makes me more needy, and I part my lips.

In this instant, I don't think of the mob or the intel I'm supposed to be getting or how much danger my life is in. The only thing running through my mind is desire. So much desire; all I can feel and smell and touch is Giovanni.

A loud ping makes my eyes snap open. The elevator lights up, and his eyes reflect longing before he steps back, just as the doors open.

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