Rex stood in the room the entire time Gianna was being assessed. He had his arms crossed and sat in the chair in the corner. Now and then, Gianna would look at him with her bright, sensual eyes, and she’d give him a sweet little wink.
A part of Rex was loving the power she had over him. Even more so was the fact that she knew she had that power. He got so much pleasure from worshiping her. It amazed him how selfless he felt he had become.
When the doctor finished, he made sure Gianna settled back into bed. The doctor spoke to them both, informing them that her injuries were minor and that she would only need a few stitches behind her ear.
Rex felt relief wash over him despite already having the feeling that she would be okay. But even the threat of her being hurt, even just a little, made him want to scorch the Earth with his rage.
The doctor instructed Gianna to rest and drink lots of water. When he left, ready to return within the hour to stitch the area behind her ear, Rex remained in the corner, silently watching her with his leg bouncing up and down.
Gianna was sitting up, her beautiful raven hair streaming down her shoulders to her bone-white silk pajama shirt. Her blue eyes bore into him, shining like gems upon a solemn dark sky.
Her smile grew upon her lovely lips. They were thinned out and dry from the attack, but Rex still wanted them. He wanted to feel their softness upon him at all times.
He felt like she was reading his mind because her tongue slipped out, running gently over her mouth in an appetizing swirl.
Rex gave her a confused grimace.
“What?” he said from across the room.
She raised her eyebrows, still grinning.
“What, what?” she replied.
Rex couldn’t help the smirk that curled up on his mouth. He felt the glow return inside him, replacing the thick oily sensation of loss that threatened to devour him.
“You can stay here as long as you like,” he said very formally. “I’ve got an attendant picking up your stuff from the hotel. It should be here soon.”
Gianna let out a sigh, then patted the empty side of the bed.
“You’re so far away,” she said softly. “Get over here.”
Rex went to her like he was attached to a leash. He tried to keep himself looking serious, but he honestly felt like a dog willing to please and follow his master wherever she went.
It was both invigorating and embarrassing to admit.
He sat next to her, her apple blossom fragrance shooting up his nostrils like a pleasant wind. He could sense her heartbeat increasing as he shuffled next to her, then placed a hand on her leg.
Gianna leaned close to him, her half-smirk lighting up her exhausted face.
“That’s better,” she whispered.
Rex wanted to fall deep into her and never come back up. But there was serious business to tend to first.
He cast his eyes down and away from her, attempting to avoid her hypnotic gaze.
“I’ve got to leave town for a few days,” he confessed. “I'm scheduled to meet with Voren at Costa DeLuca tomorrow.”
Gianna leaned away from him, her warm disposition tucked away for the time being.
“Do you think that’s the best idea right now?” she asked.
Rex flicked his eyes back to hers. They were wide with fear, a look he wasn’t fond of.
“They aren’t going to do anything more, especially to me,” he said. “They can’t move forward without my money.”
Gianna breathed in deeply, and Rex knew what that translated to. She crossed her arms in front of her like a bothered child.
“I know what you’re up to, Rex,” she said confidently. “I saw the look in your eyes when you were driving.”
Rex raised his eyebrows.
“I had a look?” he asked, a hint of sarcasm peppering his voice.
“Yes,” she said, leaning forward again. “You were so angry. You are going to let that anger get the best of you.”
Rex could no longer resist. He reached out and stroked a piece of stray hair from Gianna’s forehead, then let the rest of his fingers run through her soft locks. She closed her eyes as he landed on her bare neck, stroking her skin with the utmost tenderness.
“I don’t know what I would have done if anything happened to you,” Rex confessed, his voice suddenly scratchy. “They can’t continue believing that was okay to do.”
Gianna was calmer, letting her crossed arms fall gently to the side. She looked at Rex with adoration, and he could feel the icicles in his heart freely melting away.
“But I’m okay,” Gianna whispered, inching closer to him. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
Rex was pulled in by her inhuman allure, wanting to open his mouth and completely consume her. The doctor returned quickly, barging into the room and startling them both.
“I had the proper instruments in my car,” he said. “I can start stitching now if that’s all right?”
Rex let his hand fall to her thigh, and he squeezed it before standing. The doctor took his spot and hastily repaired Gianna’s wound, her face distorting in a cringe now and then as he patched her skin back together.
He left the room as fast as he entered, seemingly interpreting that he had interrupted something. Rex returned to her side, tracing his fingers around her stitching.
His heart sank at the sheer sight of her smallest pain. Gianna turned her head to his hand and placed a warm kiss on it. She moved her mouth over his knuckles as she dropped a bomb on him.
“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly. “Tomorrow. There is no other way.”
Rex removed his hand from her mouth abruptly. He was angry again, in a way that also made him feel frightened.
“Do you not remember what just happened to you?” he spouted. “You could have been killed, Gianna!”
She did not flinch. She merely crossed her arms again and raised a single eyebrow at him.
“But I wasn’t, Rex,” she said confidently again. “I’m not going to miss out on another chance at a scoop like that. Plus, you just said yourself that they aren’t going to try anything while the money is at stake.”
Rex stood from the bed, fuming. He went to the window and placed his hands aggressively upon his waist.
“What are you trying to do to me, Gianna?” he asked her loudly.
“Do to you?”
“Yes,” he said, turning back to face her. “This isn’t good for either of us.”
Gianna cocked her eyebrow again at him and pursed her lips.
“Rex, I am not your prisoner,” she began. “I appreciate all of the extra comforts. Trust me, they are glorious, but I don’t have to stay here.”
Rex didn’t appreciate her mocking tone, but she wasn’t wrong. Having her there would make it easier for him to know exactly where she was and what she was doing.
He felt even more attracted to her as he stomped away, feigning extreme anger, and left the room to make the arrangements.