Chapter 87 To be Better
GIOVANNI’S POV
The first thing I registered when I woke up was Arya was curled against my side, her dark hair spilled across my chest with one hand resting over my heart.
She looked peaceful in her sleep and my chest squeezed in response.
Mine.
The thought came, and I didn't try to push it away this time.
She was mine. I had marked her and made her mine in every way that mattered. And unlike yesterday morning when I fled like a coward, today I had no intention of going anywhere.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead, careful not to wake her, then slowly extracted myself from her embrace.
She made a small noise of protest in her sleep, reaching for me, and something in my chest tightened.
I pulled on my discarded pants and padded downstairs, my mind already working through what I wanted to do.
Maria looked up in surprise when I entered the kitchen. "Mr. De Santis! Good morning, do you need anything?”
"Good morning, Maria." I moved to the refrigerator, pulling out eggs, milk, and flour. "I'm making breakfast."
She didn’t say anything for a long moment. "You're... making breakfast? Sir, I can do that for you.”
"I've got it." I set the ingredients on the counter, then paused, turning to face her. "Actually, Maria, could you take the morning off? I would like some privacy."
Understanding dawned on her face, followed by a smile that was far too knowing. "Of course, sir. I'll be in the garden if you need anything."
Once she was gone, I got to work. I mixed the batter carefully, and as I worked, I found myself smiling.
Giovanni De Santis, making pancakes for the girl sleeping in my bed.
The girl who had been a virgin until last night. The girl who had given herself to me, that even now the memory made my chest ache.
I plated the pancakes, added fresh berries and maple syrup, poured orange juice, and arranged everything on a tray.
Then I headed back upstairs, my heart doing something strange in my chest.
Arya was just waking up when I entered, her eyes fluttering open.
She looked disoriented for a moment, then her gaze found mine and her cheeks flushed pink.
"Good morning," I said, setting the tray on the bedside table.
"Morning," she murmured, pulling the sheet up higher. The shy gesture made me want to kiss her senseless.
So I did.
I leaned down, capturing her mouth in a slow kiss that made her sigh against my lips. When I pulled back, her eyes were still closed and her lips curved in a small smile.
"I made you breakfast," I said, unable to keep the satisfaction out of my voice.
Her eyes flew open. "You... made breakfast?"
"Don't sound so shocked. I'm capable of more than murder and intimidation."
She laughed in a way that lit up her whole face. "I'm just surprised. This is..."
"Sweet?" i finished for her, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Romantic?"
"I was going to say unexpected." But she was smiling, and that was enough.
I handed her a fork, watching as she took her first bite. The little hum of appreciation she made went straight to my groin.
"This is amazing," she said. "You’re really a good cook, Giovanni. Have I told you that before?”
I grinned. “Well, not enough time.” I reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling?"
Her blush deepened. "I'm... a little sore."
I tried to fight the urge of feeling satisfied and lost. "Come on. Let me take care of you."
I helped her out of bed, steadying her when she wobbled slightly. She was wearing my shirt from last night, and the sight of her in my clothes did things to me.
In the bathroom, I started filling the tub, testing the temperature until it was perfectly warm.
When I turned back, Arya was standing by the door, clutching the shirt around herself, looking uncertain.
"Get in," I said gently. "It'll help with the soreness."
She shook her head. "I can manage myself."
"I know you can." i walked over to her, tilting her chin up. "But you don't have to. Let me take care of you, Arya."
She nodded, and I helped her out of the shirt, trying to be platonic about it even as my body responded to the sight of her bare skin.
I guided her into the tub, and she sighed as she sank into the warm water. Then I started stripping off my own pants.
"What are you doing?" Arya's voice was high, her eyes wide.
"Joining you." I stepped into the tub behind her, pulling her back against my chest. "Relax."
"I can't relax when you're naked!” She gestured helplessly.
I laughed, pressing a kiss to her temple. "We're not doing anything except bathing. I promise."
Slowly, she relaxed against me, her head falling back onto his shoulder. I took my time, running a washcloth gently over her skin, massaging the tension from her muscles.
She made soft sounds of contentment that were almost as intoxicating as her moans from last night.
"This is nice," she murmured.
"Yeah?" My hands skimmed up her sides, careful to keep my touch soothing rather than seductive.
"Yeah." She turned her head, pressing a kiss to my jaw. "Thank you."
I captured her mouth, the kiss deepening as she turned in my arms. Her hands came up to my chest, fingers tracing the lines of my tattoos, and I groaned.
"Arya," he warned.
"I know. We're just bathing." But her smile was wicked, and when her hand dipped lower under the water, I had to grab her wrist.
"You're supposed to be resting."
"I feel very rested."
God, she was going to kill him. "Later," I promised, kissing her hard. "When you're not sore."
After the bath, I dried her off , then carried her back to bed despite her protests that she could walk.
I settled her against the pillows and picked up the breakfast tray again.
"Open," he commanded, holding up a forkful of pancake.
She obeyed, her eyes never leaving mine as I fed her.
"Giovanni?" Her voice was tentative. "What does this mean? For us?"
I set down the fork, studying her face. She looked scared and a sigh left my throat.
After everything I had done to her… it was well deserved.
"It means," I said carefully, "that I marked you last night. You're mine now, Arya."
Her breath caught. "I'm yours?"
"Yes." He leaned in, kissing her softly. "And I don't share."
"So this marriage isn't fake anymore?"
"It stopped being fake the moment I saw you." The admission came easier than I expected. "I was just too stubborn to admit it."
Her smile was radiant. "So what now?"
"Now?" I picked up the fork again, holding it to her lips. "Now you eat your breakfast. And then we figure out the rest."
"Oh, I almost forgot." I said. “Matteo's coming back today. Which means if you want to leave the house, you're free to.”
Her face lit up in a way that made my chest tight. "Really? I can go out?"
"Within reason." I couldn't help but smile at her excitement. "But yes."
"That's... thank you." She threw her arms around my neck, and I caught her, holding her close.
Looking at her now, I made a decision. I had spent too long running from this, and afraid of what it might mean.
But Arya was stubborn and brave and surprisingly perfect for me in all the ways that mattered.
Maybe this could work.
Besides, I thought with a smirk, I definitely wanted to keep having sex with her.
"Why are you smiling?" Arya asked, pulling back to look at me suspiciously.
"No reason." He picked up the fork again, still grinning. "Open."
She did, watching him with those beautiful eyes, and i felt something I hadn't felt in years.