Page 61 of And Everything In Between

She missed how there was never a rush with him. No ego. Only love delivered through every stroke of his tongue, focused, and insistent. His hands gripped her thighs, saying he needed her tostay right here.

She moaned his name, soft at first. Then louder when his pace changed and picked up.

“Giovanni... ouuu, baby.”

“Cum for me, Paige,” he hummed, his voice rumbling against her skin, sending a shiver straight through her core. Her legs shook, nerves firing, breath short. Euphoria washed over her as she thought about how she’d been tripping, denying herself this type of life.

He lifted up, eyes locked on hers as he nipped at her chin.

“I’m on your ass all weekend, you hear me? Ain’t no breaks.”

She nodded and slammed his mouth into hers. He could tell by her heartbeat that she was close to tipping over the edge. His fingers worked softly forcing her to combust. He stood back and admired his handiwork, shaking and gasping, lip between her teeth. He could watch her unravel all day; it was his pleasure.

He grinned, kissed her shoulder, and let his mouth brush her skin.

“Now I’m ready to eat.”

Neither of them bothered with clothes afterward. What was the point? They’d only be coming off again. Giovanni pulled on a pair of boxers just long enough for her to cook. Periodically, they’d make eye contact while he watched the game, and she cooked. She had the muthafuckin house smelling like food made with love. He was in heaven. He loved a homecooked meal.

“Stop.”

“Stop what?” she asked, confused.

“Tryna figure out how you can have my babies. I can feel you staring. You gotta marry me first, not finna turn me into a baby daddy.”

“Boy please.” A laugh bubbled up as she threw a rag at him. But she also said a small prayer for God’s will. The thought of becoming his wife, the mother of his children, and closest confidante, was heavy on her heart.

Within an hour, they sat in his man cave, moisturized, hair wrapped, durag managing waves, and naked again. Tangled up, they fed each other fried pork chops, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Lo-fi played in the background while she read Fate of our Future by Briann Danae to him out loud.

“Nah, hang on. Amira on bullshit. Ain’t it?”

The novel followed Amira and Saleem, lovers reunited after years apart. When Paige read the line where Saleem basically told Amira, she saved her heart in order to break his. She couldn’t help glancing over at Giovanni, who was watchingher with an intensity that made her freeze in time. With no words, they both silently vowed to drop their guard.

“Shh, let me keep reading,” she said, pulling him back into her chest. He reclined back and let her keep reading. She smiled behind him. He was tuned in, and she was happy she could share something with him like he shared his passion. She could get used to this.

Chapter 16

Sunday morning brought the scent of shea butter and incense, birds chirping outside as Paige stirred against Giovanni's chest. They'd been inseparable for nearly forty-eight hours now, the room quiet except for the ceiling fan's gentle whir and the faint hum of the TV they'd forgotten to turn off.

They hadn't left the house since Friday night, no phones, no visitors unless they were delivering takeout. Only soft kisses, long talks, full plates, and the kind of lovemaking that untangled things and had a girl making promises she hoped she could keep. A shiver worked its way down her spine, remembering the moments that had her agreeing to all kinds of shit—from five big head kids to possibly moving in. She hadn’t smiled this much in years, nor slept this peacefully either. She’d agree to it all over again.

Giovanni’s voice broke through, vibrating through her where they touched. “How you feeling baby?”

“I’m amazing.”

He stretched, pulled her tighter, and placed kisses all over the side of her face. It was wild, this peace. Unfamiliar but not unwelcome. She’d spent years dodging anything that looked like forever — and here she was, building one.

“Thank you for this weekend. I don’t want it to end.”

“Please. I should be thanking you. I’m a homebody these days, so this? It was perfect. Thoughtful. Food for my soul. And it let me give back to you what you’ve been giving me.”

Paige meant she had an amazing weekend from the bottom of her heart and didn’t want it to end either. If she wasn’t apurse first,ass lasttype of woman, she’d call out sick tomorrow.

“You better quit being sweet to me before I kidnap you. I’ll get you new books and tacos, Milk Duds every day, hell, I’ll bring the authors too, if that’s what I gotta do.”

“You think that’s a threat?” she laughed, already rolling over to get out of bed.

He grabbed her by the wrist and stopped her, eyes serious now, “Two things.”

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