33. Gianni

Chapter thirty-three

Gianni

Saturday, March 29, 2025

M y chest heaves, panting as I work to calm my ragged breath. “How does it get better every time?” Lark whispers.

“Practice makes perfect,” I joke.

“Yeah, well, that was enough practice for tonight. I swear, you’re going to break me.”

“And that would be a bad thing?” I tease.

“No,” is all she says.

Well, alright then.

I roll out of her bed, gathering everything I need to clean her up. When I’m done, she’s lying on her back, eyes closed, with a content smile spread across her swollen lips.

“Alright, you start,” she says.

“Start what?” I ask in confusion.

“Pick a question. ”

The fact that she wants to get to know me further thrills me and worries me all at once, but I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. “Favorite animal?”

“That’s fucked up, Gianni,” she says in outrage. “I’m a veterinarian . I can’t pick just one!”

“Yes,” I say with a chuckle, “you can. No skipping questions.”

“This is really cruel,” she mumbles. I hear her hum thoughtfully before finally answering, “Dogs. I know, I know, so boring, but they’re just so unique. So many sizes, color variations, unique features, and personality traits. They express themselves in such interesting ways, and I just adore how unconditionally they give their affection. If more people were like them, the world would be a better place.”

“That’s a solid answer, actually. I’ll accept dogs,” I tell her with a nod of approval.

“Your turn.”

“For pets, dogs are my favorite. But for wildlife, I think the titi monkey is pretty cool. They’re super loving but also display jealousy, and they mate for life. Something about that just seems so simple and easy to understand.”

She snorts. “There’s also the fact that their name sounds like titties. That alone makes them pretty great.”

“Agreed.” I chuckle.

“Okay, what about your family? Tell me something about your siblings.”

I allow the question, assuming she won’t make me speak too much about this. “I’m the second youngest of five. My oldest brother is Alessandro, Dante and Luca are the same age, and then my sister, Charlie, is the youngest. ”

“You said you’re adopted, right?”

I swallow around the lump forming in my throat and keep this short and sweet, attempting to avoid further questioning. “Yep. Dante, Charlie, and I were adopted when I was two. Our parents passed away in a motor vehicle accident.” I decide to provide this detail, knowing if I don’t, she’ll probably ask eventually, anyway.

Her hand snakes out, wrapping around mine and squeezing gently.

“I’m sorry,” she tells me softly.

We lie in silence for a few moments, the weight of the conversation settling over me.

She speaks first. “My mom left when I was twelve, so it’s just my dad and me. He’s the best, though, and I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

Pulling her hand up to my mouth, I press kisses over her knuckles.

“Favorite hobby?” I ask her.

She perks up at this, rolling over on her side and twining her leg between mine. “I like to read, as you already know. Oh, and I paint sometimes. I haven’t in a while, mostly because I haven’t really had time, but also…” She bites her bottom lip, hesitating.

“Also, what?”

“He who shall not be named… He didn’t like my art supplies being out, so I didn’t have anywhere to set it up, and since I’ve moved in, I just haven’t had the time yet.”

Understanding dawns on me. It wasn’t just sexual exploration and orgasms that he was withholding and unwilling to compromise with. It was everything . The most important, seemingly insignificant parts of her that brought her joy. He didn’t want any of it. He thought it was clutter. A nuisance to him. I’m so damn glad they broke up. She deserves someone who can make her feel comfortable being her most authentic self and who encourages her, even if it messes with their neat and tidy space.

It’s the annoyance building inside me that makes the next words slip out. “My mom was a painter.”

“Gloria?”

“My biological mom, Antonella.”

She spares me yet again. “We should paint together sometime.” She smiles up at me.

Tilting my chin, I press a kiss to her temple. “Anytime you want.”

She doesn’t let the silence last long. “Okay, last one and then I’m gonna need you to do that thing with your tongue again,” she says, giggling and nipping at my jaw.

I groan, desperate to do anything she wants me to. “Okay, your turn.”

“You never told me your hobbies, but I’ll let it go.” She grins. “Favorite TV show?”

“Oh, that’s easy. You can’t laugh, though, okay?” I ask her, though I don’t really care if she laughs. I love the sound.

“I pinky promise,” she says, sticking out her little finger for me. I clasp mine with hers and tell her, “ Jane the Virgin .”

“Really?” She smiles wide.

“Yep. I love Gina Rodriguez. She’s hilarious, and that show has so many twists and turns, you can’t get bored. Besides, the whole premise is fucking incredible.”

“Alright, then it’s settled. We’re watching Jane the Virgin tonight. Assuming you’re staying over again? ”

I nod, kissing the top of her head. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Okay, but once we finish that show, we’re moving on to Gilmore Girls . It’s my comfort show.”

“You realize there are over a hundred episodes, right?”

She gives me a small smirk, and her next words make my heart flutter in my chest. “I think we’ve got time,” she tells me in a soft tone before widening her smirk. “ Now, how about that tongue?”