CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

GIANNA

W hen I realize where Braxton is taking us, my mouth falls open. I stare at him as he parks the car and try to find the words.

The Hartsdale Duck Pond.

I don't know if I can do this.

Instead of asking what I think, he climbs out and circles the car. Of course he doesn't. He's Braxton Rossi.

This man takes and takes and takes.

And I let him. Because being with him is one of the happiest things I've ever done in my life.

I feel safe.

I feel desired.

I feel wanted.

The door opens, and he extends his hand. I take it and climb out as he closes the door behind me.

Then he kisses me again.

Damn I could kiss this man forever and not miss oxygen.

"I know you'll hate me for this one day, but I'm not sorry, Gianna. I want you to have a place you can come to and remember how we were for one night."

Before I can react, he takes my hand and leads me down the path, through the green leafed trees toward the pond.

"I'm not going to forget you," I say, as if it needs to be said. Because maybe he doesn't realize how I feel and if he did, he might not leave.

I shake my head, knowing it makes no difference.

My fate is already decided.

What if my father's mind could be changed? What if he could see value in Braxton if their business dealings go well?

Talk about grasping at straws.

As the pond comes into view, I smile. Tonight, I'm the woman being led, hand in hand, by a man she is in love with at Hartsdale Duck Pond. It might be late and there might not be any witnesses, but I still get to experience it.

This amazing man has made a little girl's dream come true.

For one night.

We walk to the edge and stare out across the dark water.

Braxton pulls me into his arms, and I melt into the hardness of his muscular body and close my eyes.

Safe.

That's what I feel.

Cherished.

"Gianna," he rasps softly as my eyes lift to his, opening. "I will never get enough of you."

His lips press to mine as his fingers thread through my hair, and I loop my arms around his neck.

"What is this, Brax?"

Glossy blue eyes roam my face as if seeking the answer for a long moment, and then he shakes his head.

"Something I never expected." His rasp rougher this time. Then his mouth covers mine and we open to one another, our tongues tangling together eagerly, as we press our bodies as close as possible.

His hand snakes through the high split of my dress and finds his way under my panties.

I moan against his mouth.

"This place is ours now," Braxton says, circling my clit as my legs wobble. "I want all of you, Gia. Your pussy, your heart, your soul."

"Oh, god." I cry, every part of me falling into this man.

I want him to have all of me.

Not just for one night.

But forever.

"I want your juices on my tongue," he says, dropping to his knees and flicking my dress over him as he parts my legs. Then his mouth is on my pussy, my panties tugged to the side, and I hang on to his head to stop from collapsing.

"Brax, oh fuck."

How can I live without him?

Not just the pleasure, but the way he is all I have ever wanted in a man.

His magic tongue flicks and laps at me, my legs trembling as this man totally consumes me.

"Come." I hear him demand and my body obeys.

My orgasm crashes through me as his fingers spear my entrance and his mouth clamps onto my clit.

He doesn't stop.

He drinks all of me.

When he stands, his mouth is glossy with my liquid pleasure. Like a predator, his hungry eyes hold mine as he licks his lips.

Jesus Christ.

I'm lost to this man.

He unzips his pants and leads me to a park table, lifting me onto the edge. Sliding off my panties, he pockets them, then slides into me in one swell thrust.

"Mine. Forever," Braxton rasps, but we both know it's a lie.

As his cock slides in and out of me and he gazes down at me like I'm the moon and the stars and the sun, three words slip out of me which I know I'll regret.

But right now, I can't.

"I love you," I whisper.

Braxton's eyes flare and his forehead drops to rest on mine. He slams in harder and harder until he fills me. We both cry out, our fingers digging into one another as our climaxes peak and roll through us.

"Gia," he whispers into my hair.

My arms wrap around him, holding him, because I know this is goodbye. I don't know when, but this is the end. Then again, we were never even meant to have a beginning.

I feel like I stole him.

Stole this time from him and my own time has been borrowed.

Soon we will be living very different lives.

Apart.

"What do you dream? For your life," he asks me after settling us on the bench and cradling me in his arms.

I let out a sigh and my eyes drift out over the pond. "Happiness. Freedom."

His fingers press into my body as if he's scared I'll slip away.

"Those are good things to wish for."

"They come with a price," I say, turning my gaze back to his as I study his beautiful face.

"Everything is a choice, Gia." Braxton replies, our eyes locked so powerfully I feel like he's trying to send me words through our invisible connection. "And some prices are worth paying."

"I wish it was clear. And not such a heavy price." I lean my head against his shoulder.

Are we talking about the same thing? I'm unsure, but I'm too scared to ask.

Braxton has given me the greatest gift tonight here at my pond. To feel free and loved by a man of my choosing, even if it's just for an hour.

Even if I never have this again.

At least I loved and lost...I get it now. I finally understand.

An hour later, we drive through the gates, and James is behind us. Braxton is holding my hand and I swear if someone tried to take me from him, he would kill them.

We walk into the house and up the stairs.

We don't speak as we undress and climb into bed.

Then he holds me all night, kissing my neck, my shoulders, my face.

When I feel him fall asleep, I cry silently.

He never said he loved me back.

I will always wonder if I was imagining how I felt. I don't want to second guess this magical night.

Braxton asked me about my dreams. I will never have what I want, but I can want this—for him to tell me that he loves me before leaving forever.

I need to know.