Shocked, I asked, “He’s here?”
“Yes.”
I moved the covers. “Oh, I should—”
“No, he’ll be at dinner. We’ll eat in the dining room.” He rose, stalked off toward double doors at the right of the room, and opened them. A small room full of clothes and shoes appeared. It was about half the size of my bedroom with full length mirrors. Next to them were hanging items. On the other side were shelves of polished shoes and folded ties and socks. He remained in the doorway with his back to me. “Dr. Phillips will be here in an hour to check your body’s temperature and everything else. I’m sure you’re recovered, but it doesn’t hurt to check.”
Since he wasn’t facing me, I took a glance at his muscled ass, loving the fullness of it. I wasn’t a butt girl, but there were times when a nice masculine bottom made me smile. Gio had that sort of ass that made me want to cup it while I kissed him. Warmth swirled within my core.
I cleared my throat. “Thanks again for taking care of me.”
“Always.” He disappeared into the closet. “I’m going to dress and shower if that’s okay with you.”
“That’s fine. It is your room.”
Feel free to get completely naked. I can help you undress, if necessary. I don’t want to do anything, but I wouldn’t mind seeing what you look like naked.
He peeked out of the doorway. “Did you hear me?”
I pushed the thoughts out of my head. “Huh?”
“I was saying that after Dr. Phillip’s positive assessment and dinner with Ru, we should check out the studio and play around with some tracks before heading to bed.”
“That sounds good.” I looked at my luggage, wondering when I would be in my new bedroom.
He disappeared again. “You’re okay with my watching over you tonight?”
“Yes. Although I don’t think it’s necessary. You should be comfortable when you’re asleep. This is your house.”
“I’m fine. Trust me.”
A perfect gentleman, he never flashed me any muscle or smooth flesh. He took his clothes into his big bathroom, bathed, and dressed. My eyelids hung low as I waited. Eventually, I scooted down to my pillow, struggling to stay awake.
But sleep won.
In New York, I’d barely slept. Here in his home, I was constantly taking naps. My dreams scattered in and out of clarity and darkness—light twirling and dancing around shadows as faces and moments appeared.
Then, I swam in a sea of people. There was no water, just men, women, and children waving around me, pushing me forward. A zombie-like hunger decorated their dirty faces. They opened their mouths and drool spilled out of some of them as they reached for me.
A dark sky hovered over us. Lightning zigzagged through the blackness. Thunder roared and rumbled off in the distance. The wet air announced a storm was coming.
“Come,” some of the people said. “Come, Simone.”
“No!” Screaming, I paddled forward, pushing off huge arms and tiny legs, rolling away from scratched backs, and tumbling over pointy breasts. A few kissed my legs. Others bit at my arms and hands, not hurting me, but freaking me the fuck out. “Get away from me! Get away!”
A large cliff appeared several feet in front of me. Gio stood out there with no shirt. Muscles layered his chest and stomach. He wore low hanging pants that showed off that lush V of muscle at his lower abdomen. A cool wind blew through his hair, never letting that lovely long black hair settle around his shoulders. He looked like a hero on one of those old romance novels—the hulky guy holding a big-bosomed woman in his arms as she leans back in damsel distress, her bodice ripping with each breath.
“I’ll save you,” he roared, “but, first you have to swim. Come!”
“I’m trying.” I swam to him, screaming as I struggled. With each movement, I advanced and was yanked back.
He yelled at me. “Stand up!”
“I can’t.”
He spread out his arms to welcome me forward. “You can.”
I stopped tumbling and rolling off the hungry people. A redhead snapped at my fingers. I slapped her and climbed onto a tall man’s shoulders. A gray-haired woman kissed my knees as she whispered a prayer and then tried to bite me. I jumped forward and ran over all their heads, never letting my feet stay on a person too long before propelling to the next foot.
“You got this!” Gio waved his hands, cheering me on. “You got this!”
I focused on him; to look down at any of the crazy people would’ve been my death. And I was so close, so close to him. In my heart, I knew that in his arms was the only place I wanted to be.
When I got close enough, he grabbed me, pulling me away from the sea of people and into his arms.
“You are amazing,” he whispered as he held me against his warm chest.