Page 29 of Secret Match
“I’m sure she will. She has a business mind, like our father.” Gio hugged her waist, picking her up. “She’s to be my partner, though she’s more the voice on women’s lines as I’ll run the men’s line.”
Perfect, Kiwi thought. She and Gio might work together for years to come. She wrapped her arms around his neck and asked, “So you’re signing the merger?”
“I’m leaning toward yes, but I will wait the two weeks.” She could feel his heartbeat near her own before he settled her on her feet.
Everything might just fall into place. She’d have a family, a great guy, and work on things she loved. Seriously, life seemed impossibly beautiful and attainable now. “Then we live and work together?”
“I’m glad you are open to staying here, with me.” He lightly kissed her mouth that ached for far more.
Once she found her voice to speak, she let his neck go and tugged his hand toward the door. “I want us to work as a team. I’ve never liked anyone as much as I like being with you. It’s scary to me, Gio, but we have to try.”
Instead of walking with her, he pulled her backward. She turned as he went down on one knee. From his back pocket Gio pulled out a diamond bigger than even the one her best friend had, not that she’d ever been jealous. Serenity’s had wowed her and Kiwi had no idea diamonds came even bigger. The weight alone would prevent her from drawing. “And when you’re ready, we’ll marry.”
Her heart beat faster. Was all this possible? She wasn’t sure. “Don’t push, Gio.” She didn’t need to be married.
He stood and put the diamond in the palm of her hand. “Keep the ring.” He then closed her fingers around it and leaned closer to her. “When you’re ready, you’ll let me know.”
If she was a normal girl, she’d have immediately said yes. Part of her wanted to. If there was anyone who was perfect for her, it was Gio. But her heart stilled and whispered she needed time. Everything was so new that she didn’t need to rock the boat. She poised on her tiptoes and kissed his cheeks. “I will. Gio, I just want us to be happy.”
He traced her body, cupping her hip and backside. “Let’s get back to the house.”
Now that was exactly what she had in mind though the weight of the ring in her hand pressed into her skin. She ignored it and tugged him toward the door. “Why so slow, Gio?”
The sun set around them, coloring the sky. He gently pulled her to walk beside him and said, “Once we check on our guests, we’ll head to our room.”
Our. Gio. Her. His. Their baby. A family was possible. She nodded and took a deep breath before she said, “Then we’ll celebrate our family.”
“Absolutely.” He quickly kissed her cheek again.
Tonight she’d be with Gio. The ring meant he possibly wanted it all too and was serious about her. Every inch of her body was filled with hope that love was possible now.
Chapter 11
Waking up next to Gio, this man who made her body crave more of him every time he touched her, drove her crazy and excited all at the same time.
The sun was already high outside the window, so they’d slept away the morning.
Gio sat up first and kissed her forehead. He must have thought she was still sleeping as he headed to the bathroom where a moment later she heard the shower.
Kiwi sat up and stared outside the window.
Birds sang near the grapevines and she heard people laughing below the open window.
Happiness was clearly catchable—she let out a sigh.
All of this could be hers, always. She picked up the ring and tried it on her finger.
The sparkling diamond was in a class all by itself. The shower turned off and she tugged her ring off and set it back on the dresser. Gio came out wrapped in a navy blue towel tied at his waist as he walked toward his closet. He gave her a wicked smile. “Kiwi, did you talk to Victoria about your idea yet?”
Not touching her phone to text the idea was an instantaneous hardship but she’d let it go. She stood and didn’t care that he stared at her completely in the buff as she headed to the bathroom and answered, “No. I was with you the whole time.”
Once she closed the door, she sped through her morning shower routine, and chose a lime green knee-length dress that hugged her curves and then flared out from the hips to her knees to greet the day.
Gio stood tall as she came out of the dressing room and hung up his phone, tucking it in his pocket. “I’m meeting with my sister to talk about the merger this morning. Can you give me an hour?”
An hour felt too long and left her slightly aching for him though that was silly. She was an adult capable of taking care of herself so she nodded and said, “Of course. Come find me when you’re done?”
“Absolutely.” He held the door open for her.
