Giorgio (Vigilance #1) - Silvia Violet Page 0,32

some was left here.”

“Of course you take your coffee black. How manly of you.”

“I don’t tie my masculinity to my coffee choice, but yes, I do take mine black.”

“‘I’m stuck here with you being an ass in a cabin that’s falling down around us with no space to get my work done. I can’t do this without real coffee.”

Everything crashed in on me then—the reality of the trouble Alan was causing me, the fact I could be in real danger, and the reality of being stuck in the middle of nowhere for God knew how long with a man who refused to acknowledge the chemistry between us.

I had to get the pieces done for my showing, which meant I was going to have to move the broken couch aside and set up in the tiny living room while Giorgio watched me, or I’d have to tell him to fuck off and risk my life in my apartment alone. I was suddenly so angry I wanted to tear everything apart, and I didn’t mind starting with Giorgio.

“You can’t make me stay here. I’m not a fucking prisoner.”

“You are my responsibility. I am not letting anything happen to you.”

“Do you only care because it’s your fucking job? Or is there more to it?”

Giorgio stared at me. I couldn’t read him. How could he be so fucking cold after the previous night?

I couldn’t take it anymore. I yanked open the front door and ran. I heard Giorgio behind me, and that only made me run faster. I had no idea where I was going. It wasn’t like I could run all the way back to my apartment. I didn’t even have my keys. I didn’t have anything, but I couldn’t stay in that cabin with Giorgio for one more minute.

I didn’t think there was any way I could outrun him. I didn’t even know if I wanted to, but I couldn’t make myself stop. He caught me halfway down the driveway, grabbed hold of my arm, and spun me around.

As I stared at him, my breath hitched. I slapped a hand over my mouth as a sob escaped. I struggled, trying to make him let go, but he wouldn’t. I was angry, sad, and embarrassed. I didn’t know what to do, and my emotions overwhelmed me. I dropped to my knees in the dirt and let myself cry.

I thought Giorgio would yell at me or drag me back to my feet and force me to go back to the cabin, but he didn’t do any of that. He sat down beside me and laid a hand on my back. I leaned into his touch, and he wrapped his arms around me, letting me cry on his shoulder. When the tears stopped, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to look at him. I didn’t want to talk. I was way too embarrassed.

Finally I pulled away and wiped my eyes. I shivered and realized I was freezing. All I had on were sleep pants and slippers. Giorgio was also shirtless, but his body had been warm as I’d clung to him. Maybe he was impervious to the weather.

He touched my arm gently. “Come back inside. Work on getting your art set up, and I’ll make some breakfast.”

I glanced at him quickly before dropping my gaze back to the ground. I couldn’t stay out here, and while it was true Giorgio couldn’t force me to remain with him, I also couldn’t leave without packing and arranging a ride. I’d been crazy to just take off running.

I should apologize for being such a fucking mess, but I didn’t. I pushed to my feet and started walking toward the cabin.

I went straight to the bedroom where I closed the door behind me and dressed in an outfit that made me feel good—tight, hot-pink skinny jeans and a white t-shirt with a pink rhinestone heart. Giorgio would probably laugh at it, and I would have to change before I did any painting, but I needed to feel good. I styled my hair and put on some lip gloss and a touch of eyeshadow. When I was satisfied, I stepped out of the bedroom, ready to face unpacking my art supplies.

Giorgio looked up when I left the bedroom. His eyes went wide, and the wooden spoon he was holding clattered to the floor.

At least I could still affect him.

“Are those your painting clothes?”

I glared at him. “No. I like this outfit, so I’m wearing it while I