11. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Gabo Godoy

T his week, I barely had time to do anything with Bella other than have dinner and hang out afterward. I need Dom to take a few responsibilities off of my plate so I can spend a couple of hours during the day exploring my favorite places with her while we're here.

I'm thinking about what to do tomorrow in town with Bella when I hear a noise coming from her room. Her headboard is against the same wall as mine, so technically, if she twists and turns in her bed, I'll hear. I should have thought this through better because the more I listen, the more I realize that the sound is coming from a vibrator.

Fuck. My. Life.

I try to take deep breaths and not think about what's going on in Bella's room, but it's simply impossible. It doesn't really help when she starts making little noises, moaning as she pleasures herself with a damn vibrator. My dick is at full mast just by hearing her moan, and I can't help but think that it should be me making her scream.

My hand finds my dick, and I start moving it up and down, using a bead of precum to spread over my length. Bella increases her pace—I know because I can hear her rapid breathing—and I know she's getting close because now her moans are unintelligible. I think I'm going to jump off the proverbial cliff with her when I hear her moan, "Oh, G. That's it. That's how I like it, G."

My hand immediately releases my dick, and I freeze. Does she call me G in her head? Or is she thinking about someone else? Fuck, what if she's picturing that kid Giacomo from uni? I thought she said he was just a friend. She hasn't mentioned him lately, but that doesn't mean anything. They've been hanging out every day at school. Fuck if I'm going to let a kid take Bella away from me.

By the time Bella screams in ecstasy, my erection is gone. Fuck, I guess I have my work cut out for me tomorrow. It's time to see if Bella is as into me as I am into her. I've been restraining myself from making a move on her out of respect for Luca and Gio, but I just can't deny the chemistry between us.

I couldn't sleep all fucking night, twisting and turning, thinking about Bella's orgasms being for someone who isn't me. Fuck that.

Around five in the morning, I finally give up on the idea of sleeping and fire off a text to Dom, letting him know I wouldn't be available under any circumstances the entire weekend.

I go for a run to clear my head, but my thoughts just go back to her as I pick up the pace. I know Gio saw me wrapping my arm around Bella's waist. Instead of giving me a murderous look or making a comment, he just gave me a look as if to say, "I see you." Maybe he's okay with me dating her. I know Gio, being the oldest of the Bianchi's, is more mature than Luca.

But Luca is another story; he's been determined to keep Bella under his supervision like a dictator. It's weird because I remember when he reached out to me before he went to Chile after Karina. I told him I'd be watching but never interfered in his plan. And I sure hope they both know I'd never just have a fling with Bella. If I pursue things with her, it would be a genuine effort, not just to scratch an itch or, as my brother so bluntly put it, to get my dick wet. Bella is an amazing woman, talented, driven, passionate, not to mention gorgeous and funny. She's the whole package.

Maybe I should talk to Luca… but then that feels like I'm validating his stance, and Bella doesn't deserve that. She deserves to be treated like the adult she is. Yes, she might be younger than me, but she's an adult. And more importantly, she's worth any headaches that Luca might give me because of this. I finish my run exhausted but with renewed determination.

"Morning, Gabo," Bella says from the breakfast nook in the kitchen. She's a fucking vision in one of those running sets women wear—little shorts and a sports bra. Her sky-blue outfit looks stunning, perfectly matching her eyes and making them pop. She has her hair in a braid, and my first thought is to tug it hard so she can look me in the eyes and tell me I'm the only man she sees when she's using her vibrator.

"Gabo?" she asks, and I clear my throat.

"Yes, hi. Sorry. Good morning," I say and her eyes grow big, curiosity evident in her gaze.

"I'm okay. I just couldn't sleep very well. I kept hearing weird noises."

The moment her brain registers my words, her cheeks turn beet red. I turn around and get busy making a plate of food so she doesn't see the grin I'm sporting.

"Hmm, weird. I actually slept really well. I was able to relax after a hot shower," she says. I look her in the eyes, and she's the picture of innocence. This woman drives me crazy.

"Well, I'm glad at least one of us could sleep. Anything in particular you want to do today?" I ask her, effectively changing the topic.

"Well, I was hoping to go for a hike around your property and then maybe go to town for lunch. I'm not sure yet."

"That sounds like a nice plan. Are you in need of a tour guide?" I ask her, and she starts playing with her braid. I need to look away because the ideas in my brain are making my dick hard, and I can't be sporting an erection in running shorts; it'd leave nothing to the imagination. I don't want her to think I only want sex with her. I need to woo her, not scare her away like a perv.

"Of course. I thought you were busy, so I was planning on asking Rocco to run with me." The smug smile I had on my face a couple of moments ago is replaced with an icy glare, and her laugh only makes me glare harder.

"Oh, you think you're funny?" I ask.

"Hilarious," she replies, and I just know in my veins that this woman was made for me. It doesn't matter how much older I am or who her family is—this woman is mine.

My body gets a mind of its own, and I close the space between us. She walks backward until she's against the counter, and I cage her in, placing my arms on each side of her body. Bella's eyes grow big, expecting my next move. I see her swallow, and all I want to do is kiss her, make her mine in this kitchen right now, throw caution to the wind, and deal with the consequences later. But all I do is lean down ever so slowly, my lips caressing her cheek. She closes her eyes and parts those pouty lips, ready for a kiss. I take a deep breath and step back, standing up straight. Her shoulders sag.

Is she disappointed I didn't kiss her? Good. That's good. I'm going to make it worth your wait, Bella. You'll see.

"Okay, eat up so we can go for a hike, little miss funny." I toss my napkins on the counter, making her chuckle at the nickname, but she continues to eat her fruit.

"Wow, and all this land is yours?" Bella asks as we get to the top of a hill that oversees all my property.

"Yes, I've been adding land over the years. When I first bought the villa, it was just a small parcel. But the thought of adding more land seemed right," I answer her honestly.

"And do you have a special goal for all this land? Or is it just for pleasure?"

"I have no plans to develop this land; it would take away from the charm of the town. I just don't want others to ruin it for the townsfolk, you know?"

"That's very chivalrous of you. I hope people appreciate it."

"They do. They weren't sure of my intentions at first, but with time, they have come to know me. They accept that while I might be a billionaire, I'm not a greedy person. I actually enjoy the laid-back atmosphere the town provides me, and I sponsor a lot of the things the town needs. I also provide scholarships for kids who don't have the resources to go to uni but do have the grades. They have taken me into their fold, and I like to repay the favor however I can."

"That's pretty amazing, Gabo. You are amazing," she tells me, and her eyes shine brightly. I've never felt more proud of my actions than right this moment.

"You are the amazing one here." I boop her nose, and she twitches it. I would give away all my money if it meant I could kiss the living daylights out of her right now.

The sun is shining bright but isn't too hot since it's still early morning. There's a light breeze that's dancing with the trees and the bushes, creating a beautiful tune just for the two of us. I need to know for certain that she really wants this, that I'm not making things up.

Somehow, our bodies are flushed together; my arms are around her waist, and hers are against my chest.

"Gabo?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to kiss me?"

"I want to."

"But?"

"I want to do this right, you know? I want to get to know you before I undress you. I want to make you fall in love with me so when we are finally together, there's no doubt in your mind who you belong with," I tell her honestly. I need her to understand that it's not that I don't want her; it's that I want her for a long time.

Her smile falters, and now it's my turn to frown and be confused. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not wrong. There's nothing more I want than to be with you and have a great summer with you, but the moment you start talking about a long time together, I will start to retreat," she tells me with a smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"But why? You must know I would never hurt you, at least not on purpose. Right?"

"You're a good man, Gabo, but I don't believe in love. Attraction, lust, desire, passion. Absolutely. But love? No, I don't believe in that," she tells me in a serious tone.

I know there's way more behind her words, but I need to tread carefully here—she's opening up to me, and I need to make her feel safe enough to tell me why she doesn't believe in love.

"I'll tell you what—let's head back to the villa, freshen up, and head to the town for lunch. Maybe, afterward, if you're in the mood, we can talk some more about this ‘love is not my thing' deal." This time, her smile is blinding like the sun, and right now, that's enough for me.

When we get to town, we find the traditional farmers market in the town's plaza. Bella does a little happy dance, and I raise my eyebrows at her.

"I'm just excited. This place is magical. I mean, look at all the little stands. The fruit looks so fresh and delicious. You think they'll let me buy only one peach?" I smile at her enthusiasm as I pull her to my side. Once she's in close proximity, I place my hand on the small of her back, dangerously close to her ass. She doesn't move my hand. Instead, she puts her hand inside my jeans pocket and squeezes my ass. Damn, two peas in a pod.