I take in a breath and go to him. When I stop in front of him, he stands. I tip my head back and look into his eyes. Oh my God, oh my God. He’s so much taller and his body is so built.
He tugs me into a hug, and I melt into him like he’s home. It’s so different from the hugs I get from Jace. Jace’s hugs are filled with love and affection. Gio’s hugs are filled with possession and passion.
I feel like I can’t breathe, but I don’t want to if it means he’s going to let me go. He pulls away slightly and looks me in the eyes. Next thing I know, his lips are on mine and my legs are around his waist. He kisses me so deeply, I swear it reaches into the depths of my heart and starts to put all the pieces back together.
“I’ve missed you so much, baby,” he groans when he breaks the kiss and just inhales me.
“You were on the plane, I thought I saw something.”
“I wanted to give you your birthday gift in person. Happy birthday, Ny.”
“Thank you. You’re the best present ever.”
He scoffs. “But I’m not the present.”
He places me on my feet and reaches for his jacket from the chair he has just stood from. “Here, put this on and grab some shorts.”
I poke my tongue out at him for being so bossy. My face hurts from smiling so hard as I run to get a pair of shorts to throw on.
Wrapped in his jacket, I take the hand he offers me and follow him through the house into the garage. Sitting in the middle of Elijah’s classic cars is a brand-new black Benz Coupe. I freeze and cover my mouth as Gio wraps his arms around my waist from behind.
He kisses the top of my head. “Do you like it? Check the right pocket of my jacket. The keys are in there.”
“You got me a car?”
“Yes. I know you think I don’t think about you. I do. All the time. I still love you, Ny. I promise I do.
“That’s why I have to stay away. I don’t know how to hide the way I feel about you. You’re my greatest weakness. If anyone figures that out, I could lose you.”
“I would never allow that to happen.”
“But I can’t take that chance.”
I turn in his arms and look up at him. “Thank you. For the car and for being here. I’ve missed you so much it hurts.”
He leans in and kisses me. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight. He kisses me breathless as he backs me toward the car. When the backs of my legs hit the cool surface, I gasp into his mouth.
He groans and deepens the kiss. His cologne surrounds me and brings so much comfort, while driving me crazy. I’ve missed him so much.
“I have one more gift for you,” he says against my lips.
I pull away and look at him curiously, but I get his meaning as he slips his hand into my shorts. It hits me then that it’s my eighteenth birthday, the birthday he promised he’d take my virginity on.
“Gio,” I cry out as he gives me my first-ever orgasm against the car he just gave me for my birthday.
As I shake against the car, he kisses my forehead and pulls his hand out of my shorts to stick his fingers in his mouth. I look into his hazel eyes, and I see the war there. I know before he says anything this is as far as this will go. I almost burst into tears.
“Come on. I’ll spend the night. Let me hold you for your birthday.”
“But Gio—”
“No, Nyla. It’s not right. It isn’t time yet.”
“But I’m eighteen.”
“I know, but I’m not that strong. If I have you, I’m not going to let go. Give me time. I need to do this my way.
“I won’t take that from you and then leave. You would hate me. Let me do this one thing right.”
I nod. I get it. I may not like it, but I get it.
We return to my room. I take off his jacket and climb into my bed. He kicks off his shoes and takes off his pants.
He looks at me after placing his watch and cuff links on my desk and smiles. When he takes off his shirt, my mouth drops open. Not only is he chiseled out, but he also has tats.
“When did you get those?”
“Earlier this year,” he says as he climbs under the covers and pulls me into his arms. “Happy birthday, baby.”
I wiggle free and reach for my CD player on the nightstand. “I want to play something for you.”
“What is it?”
I shrug. “A reminder for us both.”
I hand him the headphones and press play. I’d been listening to this song all week, hoping I’d see him for my birthday. It’s SWV’s “Here for You.” He has a hold on me I can’t forget, even if he’s forgotten about me.