Page 38 of Secret Match
“I believe you.” The last thing she needed was his family involving themselves in her personal life with Gio. From now on, she just needed to care about Gio and no one else.
He studied her for the truth. “You do?”
“Yes.” She dug her spoon into her dessert.
Once she put the sweet cream into her mouth, she licked her lips. This was somehow lighter, but less whipped than anything she’d ever had before. Whoever his cook was deserved a raise.
Gio said, “Okay good.”
As she finished her dessert in three more scoops, she yearned for more.
However as Gio’s muscles were near her, she also wanted more than sweets—they connected without words so well in bed.
“After we chat a little more,” Caro finished her plate and tugged on her husband’s arm. “Luke and I were going to take a drive around the countryside and try some local wines.”
Victoria put her napkin down and also stood. “Colt is joining me on a factory tour in Milan.”
Serenity rose and tugged her husband’s arm to get him up. “And Damien and I spoke to your staff about showing us how they make wine here.”
Gio jumped to stand and held his hand to his heart. “Everyone, please feel free to stay at my villa as long as you wish. I’m hoping our families grow closer. There are few people who understand the dangers of being a Morgan. Enjoy the evening.”
The company split into groups and when they were gone, Gio led her inside the house, his hand on her lower back. Her skin became alert and aware and she wanted more. She pointed toward the library and they entered the room. Gio quickly closed the door behind them.
His brown eyes seemed distant. Her heart beat faster as she forced herself to ask, “Why did you let Piper tape you?”
Gio came closer but she stepped back as he said, “I didn’t. I never saw any video cameras. She must have wired her room.”
The ten seconds of video hadn’t seemed high quality—but what did she know? Kiwi chose to believe him. She pressed her finger to her temple. “My mother could see that. She’s addicted to the news and right now, the reporters are comparing you to porn stars.”
“I’m sorry.” He seemed uncertain. “I’ll find out what happened and let you know.”
“Gio, I just want us to be the only two people in the world that matters to each other. I don’t want to think about your family, or my family, but I don’t want to be embarrassed.” She framed his face with the palms of her hands. “Can you promise me we’ll never let anyone outside of the two of us interfere with raising our child, together?”
He nodded. She dropped her hands and kissed him like this might be the last time. Hopefully it wasn’t and they would work through the past that shouldn’t matter. They were going to have a baby and their future should be together. She needed to cling to hope and not wonder when the next disaster might strike.
Chapter 14
Of all his brothers, Gio Morgan never once thought he’d be the star of a sex tape. Sure, he’d dated models, actresses, singers, writers and creative women, but none of them had tricked him with secretly videotaping their relationship as far as he knew. The end of the relationship with Piper was like he survived the shockwave of a bomb explosion.
His mind raced. Piper hadn’t been a healthy choice. But then he’d transitioned to Kiwi, who stared at him with those big brown eyes that both judged him and made him feel like a child, when he certainly wasn’t. As if he’d disappointed her somehow.
Somehow he needed to fix this situation before it got worse.
He took her hands. “I’m glad you believe me, Kiwi. It means a lot.”
For a long moment the silence was larger than both of them. He didn’t breathe in case she backed away from him again, but she held his hands too. She stared at their joined hands and shattered the silence. “You said Piper was last year and you’ve not seen her since. But why is the tape out, now?”
Good question. He hadn’t expected for Piper to suddenly call. He’d thought she’d moved on. He certainly had. Beautiful Kiwi’s raw talent was pure creative magic. He pulled her closer and held her hips. She didn’t object. “I don’t know, but I hope you’ll accept my proposal so we can issue a statement together.”
This time she swatted him backward. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” His palms tingled for her to be in his arms again.
She bravely met his gaze and said, “Because we’re not in love. If I get married it should be because I love you and you love me.”
Her words were like bullets that pierced through his skin, leaving him to die on the street, alone. It wasn’t exactly the words but the icy stare that accompanied them. This timehetook a step back. Love? “I see.”
Now she came toward him and asked, “Do you? Do you really? Or are you just saying that to patronize me.”
