Page 28 of Corrupted Memories
She walks ahead of me, eyes narrowed, and stands in front of the only door in the corridor until I unlock it.
I hold it open for her, and she squares her shoulders before walking inside and stopping short at the foyer. It opens straight into the living room with a windowed wall that leads to a balcony overlooking the city and lake. During the day, it’s a stunning view, but at night you can still see the flickering lights of buildings before the endless dark of the water in the distance.
“It’s beautiful,” she says, and I know she hates herself for admitting it.
I hum. “I designed it with you in mind.”
She shudders, wrapping her arms around herself. “I’m tired.”
Sighing, I lead her to our bedroom and show her the closet. Her eyes study the large walk-in, everything she stated she wanted when we were younger. She walks to the middle island, tracing the vanity inlet with her fingertips.
I take off my shoes and jacket, leaving her to explore while I brush my teeth before coming back into the room, finding her standing aimlessly in front of the bed.
“I packed the closet with those pajamas you used to like,” I tell her, yanking my shirt off as I watch her expressions.
She glances at the closet door, worrying her bottom lip. “The cotton tank top and shorts? The matching ribbed ones?”
“Yes. I grabbed every color they had.” I toss my shirt onto the floor and undo my belt and pants. When my eyes lift, I catch her studying my body as I shove them off and stand in my tight black boxers. Gianna swallows, and glances back to the closet.
“Thank you,” she mutters under her breath before hurrying over and pulling out a soft blue color. Her fingers pet them slowly with a wistful smile on her face. “I do love these.”
Idon’t say anything, but given her reaction I can connect the dots that she hasn’t worn them since the night she left me cuffed to her dorm room bed. My cock hardens when she practically skips out of the closet, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she moves to the bathroom next. She’s filled out over the years; the shorts hug her ass while showing off a small sliver of her cheeks. The tank top is snug to her chest; her firm breasts and hard nipples are prominent in the thin material. It stops a few inches above her belly button, showing off her toned stomach. I reach down, arranging myself before lying down in bed so it’s not so obvious how she affects me.
Gianna looks up, her big eyes taking me in as her breathing becomes a little erratic. Her attention falls to the tattoo on my chest more than once, but she doesn’t say anything. She knows it’s about her, a butterfly she always carried and a name only I called her scribbled underneath.
“Thinking about the last time we were in bed together?” My voice is more husky than I intended and she shudders.
“I—no.” Her cheeks flush, but I can’t tell if it’s because of embarrassment or arousal. What I wouldn’t give to slide my hands between her thighs and check.
Patting the empty spot next to me, I watch with a raised brow as she stays frozen across the room. If she thinks she’s sleeping anywhere but next to me, she’s severely mistaken. Gianna wraps her arms around herself, showing off more of her stomach as her breasts press up.
“I’d like to sleep in a guest room or something,” she says, her eyes cast to the floor.
I sigh, rubbing my forehead before getting off the bed and walking toward her. She tenses but doesn’t move away from me. When we’re a few steps apart and I can feel the heat of her body, I pause and wait until she tilts her head to look up at me.
“How long did I wait to touch you when we got together?”
Her throat bobs with a harsh swallow. “I d-don’t remember.” The small twitch of her right nostril gives away her lie.
“Try again, Gianna. How long?”
“Nine months. You didn’t even push past a kiss.” She looks at me with a low ember burning in her eyes, as if she is conceding the battle but not the war.
“So what makes you think I’d touch you now if you don’t want to be touched?”
Gianna sighs, climbing into bed without another word. I reach over and turn off thelamp before lying down too. My hands ache to grab and pull her into my chest.
“I didn’t think you would force yourself upon me,” she says, breaking the tense silence.
“Then why another room?” I ask, turning onto my side. My fingers brush against her back and she shivers before pulling the blanket over her shoulder and I retreat.
“Because… because it took me too long to get used to sleeping without you the first time.”
Chapter 11
Gianna
Sebastian is gonewhen I wake up. I didn’t even hear him get up and that bothers me because I can’t remember the last time I slept that deeply. Well, I do… but I refuse to admit it.
