Finding Beauty in the Darkness - Nikki Ash Page 0,31

several classes of Italian. I just can’t understand it when spoken so quickly.

“Or I can just drag you with me. You can be my personal tour guide,” I joke, and it shocks me that I just insinuated I’d welcome this man to join me on a trip to Italy.

“Your own personal tour guide to where?”

I turn to see where the feminine voice is coming from, and find the most exquisite woman gliding up the stairs from the first floor. From her ivory white dress that shows her perfect curves, to the high heels with the signature red sole, she screams class. She reaches us on the landing and up close, she’s even prettier. She has midnight black hair that’s pin straight, not a single hair out of place, and her makeup is done to perfection. She smiles at Giovanni, ignoring my presence. Her lips are full and plump, but look natural. The Kardashians have nothing on this woman’s lips.

She and Giovanni seem to be having a silent conversation, and the longer they stare, the more fake her smile seems to get, like it’s being forced.

“Hi! I’m Aria…you are?” I put my hand out to shake hers, trying to be polite and break the tension that seems to be building by the second. She looks down at my hand, not taking it, then slowly assesses me. I can feel the judgement pouring off this woman. Okay, then….

I make a mental note not to turn around so she can’t see the words Love Pink across the back. For some reason, I don’t think this woman has any pajamas with writing across the ass.

“Giovanni, where will you be guiding her?” Huh? Oh, right! The tour guide comment.

“To Italy,” I answer her, since Giovanni has apparently gone mute. He sucks in his bottom lip, as if he’s attempting to hold back a smile.

“Cecilia, this is Aria. She’s my guest. Aria, this is Cecilia—” Great! How nice of him to join in.

“His girlfriend,” Cecilia cuts him off. Oh, shit. His girlfriend? I’ve been sleeping in his bed—mentally undressing him—and he has a girlfriend. I mean, it’s not like anything was going to happen. After what happened with Weston and all those assholes, I have no intention of having sex any time soon, plus there’s the fact that he’s holding me here against my will and I might still have a boyfriend, although it’s been nine months since I’ve seen him. But there’s no harm in looking, right? Especially when it’s looking at that sexy-as-sin man. Shit! I’m doing it again. I can’t be thinking about someone else’s boyfriend like that.

That reminds me…I need to call Antonio. I’m assuming after almost a year of me being gone, he’s no longer my boyfriend, but I should still call him to let him know I’m okay. He and Amber must be worried. I wonder what happened to my dorm room, my classes? Did anyone report me missing?

“Hey, you okay?” Giovanni lifts my chin and rubs his thumb down my cheek. For a brief second, I allow my face to nuzzle his hand, then I remember he has a girlfriend and is holding me captive.

Moving back too quickly, I bump into the railing, hitting my side on the wood. “Oww!” I grab my ribs and close my eyes, trying to will the pain to stop. The throbbing is so severe, I’m nearly brought to my knees.

I feel a pair of hands holding me up and my eyes open. “I’m okay, you can let go of me. I got it.”

Giovanni looks at me confused, but doesn’t let go of me. “I think you should lie down. I can show you downstairs once you’ve rested for a bit.”

I look at Cecilia, and if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under. “I know my way back to the room. I can go myself. I’m sure you have Rome or whoever else following me around anyway.” I wave my arms around. “Stay here with your girlfriend.”

“I’m sure you can, and you’re right, they are around. But I’d rather make sure you get there myself.” Without saying a single word to Cecilia, Giovanni takes my arms and helps me back up the stairs to his room.

“Does Cecilia live here?” I ask once I’m back in his bed.

“Yes.” Giovanni sits on the bed next to me. It’s the first time he hasn’t sat in the chair.

“I can sleep in one of the rooms on the second floor. I feel bad taking over your room.