Granted Wishes (The Granted Series Book 1) (9 page)

She’s obviously lying about being okay, but Gio doesn’t want to push the issue and make her upset all over again. “Okay, sounds good. I know this is going to sound weird, but can I have your phone number? So I can call you tomorrow and let you know when to expect Holly.”

“Are you always this forward with the ladies, Gio?” She chuckles and grabs her phone.

“Come on, Gio. I’m only teasing you. Geez lighten up some, would ya? Sometimes it seems like you don’t have a sense of humor at all.”

He doesn’t know what to say. Sometimes he’s ready to laugh and joke with her and at other times, he’s angry with her because of a joke she cracks. He turned from funny and humorous to brooding because he worries for her safety. But he’s also not fond of her jokes either, how she constantly mentions him flirting with everyone, or hanging out with other girls. Did Angelo flirt with other women in front of her? Was that what made her so insecure about herself? It seemed like the worst thing to ever do. Especially when being together with a woman as beautiful and kind-hearted as Gracelynn. You don’t look at anyone else when she’s around, and even when she’s not around. She’s beautiful and the real deal if you would ever get to have her in your life.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get angry. Why does ‘sorry’ seem to be our favorite word together?” He lets out a dry laugh. “I guess I’m just worried that you aren’t safe at that motel. I can tell you tried to hide your fear, but it didn’t work. If you don’t feel safe, let me know. I don’t know what I would do if you got hurt especially if I wasn’t around to protect you.” Exposing his feelings makes him feel vulnerable.

Gracelynn looks at him, eyes filled with sincerity when she reaches up, cupping his face. He closes his eyes and she leans into him and kisses him like he’s her lifeline. He enjoys the way her lips taste and feel. He grazes his tongue along his lips, hoping that she’ll open her mouth to let him in.

She opens up her mouth and tries to take charge, but Gio takes control instead, placing his hand behind her head, pulling her closer and kissing her like she’s the last woman alive. Both end the kiss, out of breath, exhausted.

He leans forward to kiss her forehead and once on the nose. “Whoa,” he says breathlessly. “That was by far the best kiss I’ve ever had.” He hopes to God she doesn’t look down at him right now.

Gracelynn is speechless. She looks at him with hunger burning in her eyes, like she could eat him alive. “Whoa. That’s definitely the only response to that kiss, Gio. I think I need to leave the car now. Thank you for the ride back to the café, dinner and everything else you’ve done for me. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then?” She raises her eyebrows, hope and fear mixing in her eyes, like she’s afraid he won’t call like he promised.

“I’ll call you, I promise. Let me help get your bag into the car, doll.” He opens his door, gathers her items and helps placing them in her car. “Can I have a hug?” he asks when he’s done.

“Of course.” The two of them share a hug.

“I feel different when I’m around you,” he confesses. “I hope that this isn’t too forward, but I like spending time with you. Could we get to know each other better when I get back from my trip?”

She reaches up and brushes her hand across his face rubbing his beard. Something he likes.

“I would love to get to know you better, Gio. Talk to you tomorrow.” She lets go of him and he immediately wishes she didn’t have to leave to go to that rat-infested motel.

THE RIDE
OVER TO THE MOTEL
was uneventful. Gracelynn should’ve taken Giovanni’s advice to stay somewhere else, but she didn’t want to seem destitute. She wants to do this all on her own. However, when she gets back to the motel Xavier is at the front desk, gaping at her which freaks her out. Just the way he looks at her like he would devour her gives her the chills.

She tries to move out of the lobby as fast as she can, and head to the stairwell before he has a chance to talk to her, but that doesn’t happen. He walks toward her, faster than she thought possible. “Do you need help with your bags?” he asks.

“That’s very nice of you to offer, but I can handle myself.”

“You look real pretty,” Xavier says, his voice low, as if he’s trying to sound sexy – which he doesn’t sound like at all. ”Did you get your hair done? I like it a lot that way.”

“Yes, thanks,” she says, growing more uncomfortable by the minute. “I did get my hair done. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be heading to my room.” She walks around him but he grabs her bag. She freaks out and slaps his hand. “Please, just leave me and my stuff alone! Now go!”

He stammers, about to say something but then he seems to change his mind, and runs off.

Gracelynn runs as fast as she can to her room and double-locks the door. She takes off her coat like she did the night before, to put as a barrier between herself and the disgusting bed because there’s no way she is laying on that nasty bed without it.

She has to use the bathroom. She knows she should get a shower, but decides to forego any showering until the last possible resort though. No way is she getting into that infected shower stall if she has another choice. When she gets out of the bathroom, trying not to touch anything more than necessary, she hears her phone go off. She glances at the phone and notices multiple text messages coming through from Gio.

“Did you make it back to that rat-infested motel?”

“Please text me back to let me know you’re safe.”

She smiles at the thought of Gio being worried about her. She picks up her phone and rather than text him back, she calls him. The phone rings and it instantly makes her nervous, like she shouldn’t have called.

He picks up, sounding out of breath.

“Hi, Gio. It’s Gracelynn.”

“Hi, Grace. Did you get my texts?”

“Yes, I did…sorry to make you worry.” She’s glad he was worried about her though.

“No worries, I just wanted to make sure you were safe. Especially after what you told me tonight.”

“Thank you for your care and concern, Gio. I know you mean well and I love that.” She hopes she doesn’t sound too needy. “And by the way, you sound really out of breath.”

“I just got back inside from taking Holly out, and I ran to get the phone.”

“Ah, I see.” She lets out a small chuckle. “No worries. Thanks again for everything. I’m really exhausted, so I’ll get some sleep now. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

“Night, Gracelynn. Sleep well, angel.”

“Night, Gio. Sweet dreams.”

* * *

After hanging up the phone, Gracelynn is excited and sad at the same time. Excited that tomorrow brings her another day to see this gorgeous man she met and Holly, but sad she won’t get to see him for a few days after that. She’s happy Holly will be here though, and help make her feel more secure and safe in this rat hole. She gets into bed with her pajamas on, wraps her coat around herself on the bed and dreams of happiness, angels, her lost love Angelo, and then finally, Gio with his warm smile.

* * *

After hanging up with Gracelynn, Giovanni is frustrated. With himself, his dead brother, and most importantly, frustrated he won’t be around for two days to interact and talk with Gracelynn. Knowing Holly will be with her gives him some peace of mind at least. He thinks of the nasty motel Gracelynn is staying in, wondering what he has to do to get that woman out of that nasty place. He gets into his giant bed with Holly and wishes he could have one more person beside him tonight.

THE NEXT
MORNING
, Gracelynn awakes to her phone going off. She leans over the bed to answer the phone. “Hello?” She rubs her hand over her eyes trying to wake up from the wonderful dream she was having.

“Good morning, doll.”

When Gracelynn hears Gio’s voice, she opens her eyes and smiles. “Good Morning, handsome,” she tries to flirt a little. Good thing he isn’t there right now, or he’d see the horrible red blush creeping up her cheeks.

“Doll, did you just call me handsome?” Gio chuckles. “I’m more than handsome, I’m irresistible.”

She bursts out laughing. “Oh yeah, how could I forget that?
Gals
and all… I’m sure they all think you are irresistible, but
I
however, think you’re handsome.”

He laughs out loud this time, obviously enjoying her joke.

“Glad we got that all out of the way. What can I do for you, fine sir?” she says in her sexiest voice.

“Could you go to the door and open it please?”

“Open the door?” She raises her eyebrows, wondering what the heck he’s up to now. “Um, sure. Give me a second to get up.” She crawls out of bed, realizing she’s only wearing a bed shirt that has seen better days, her hair is messed up like a rat’s nest and her feet are stuck in her favorite fuzzy socks. Good thing no one is around to see her funny attire.

She goes to the door, opens it and clasps her mouth in surprise because Gio and Holly stand outside her door.

She can’t believe what she sees. Giovanni is looking delectable wearing a black coat, black shirt, dark jeans that look yummy on him and matching dress shoes. He has a hat on today that makes him look even more irresistible. He holds breakfast and coffee in hand. She’s speechless and when she looks to Holly, she grins even more. Holly sits on the floor with a doggie bag in her mouth, wagging her tail.

“Excuse me, Gracelynn. Do you think you could wipe the drool off your face now and let us in or would you rather I let the other rats here see you in the morning with your beautiful pajamas?”

With that comment, she allows them in, grabs a few items of clothing and runs into the nasty bathroom to change without saying a word to Gio.

* * *

Wow. That went better than Gio expected. Gracelynn was so surprised that he and Holly were outside her door. He can’t believe how sexy she looked with that interesting bed ensemble she was wearing and those pink, fuzzy socks. She looks beautiful first thing in the morning, even with her crazy bed hair.

He laughs, wondering why ladies always take things so literally. “Gracelynn, come on sweetheart!” he yells. “I was just teasing you. You know that I’d never let anyone see you almost naked… or naked for that matter. Please come out and enjoy breakfast with Holly and I before it gets cold. Oh by the way, the breakfast is from Kat. She told me what you liked and so all this amazing food is from her.” He hopes this will get her out of the bathroom, at least.

She doesn’t reply, so he gets up and stands outside the bathroom door.

“Gracelynn, I loved the pajamas and the pink socks. Don’t feel like you need to change on my account.” He laughs, trying to let her know he’s not serious. When he still doesn’t get a reply, he goes over to the disgusting table where he placed their food.

“Come on, Holly. Let’s get you some breakfast since Miss Prissy Pants isn’t going to eat with us, so guess we’ll just start without her.” Giovanni starts feeding Holly when Gracelynn appears out of the bathroom. She’s wearing a beautiful white-collared sweater with three brown buttons at the top that fold over, nice jeans and those pink fuzzy socks, which makes him smile. Her hair is still a bit crazy but he likes it regardless.

She walks towards him, places her hand on his shoulder and tingles radiate down his arm.

“I’m sorry. I was so embarrassed you saw me in my old ratty pajamas. I’m glad you brought me breakfast but I freaked out a bit when I realized where I was, afraid someone would see me. I shouldn’t doubt you. I know you wouldn’t let anyone see me that way. You make me feel safe… which manages to scare me for some weird reason.” She looks defeated, placing her arms on the table and dropping her head on her arms. “I don’t know you but at the same time it feels like I’ve known you forever. You seem real to me, just like Angelo did and it scares me so much.”

Giovanni doesn’t know what to say. He’s shocked by her words and yet at the same time, he completely gets what she’s saying. He too feels like he has known her longer than only a few days. To think it was just a few days ago that he rescued her. He leans towards her. “I would never let anyone see you in a compromising situation, ever. I would never let anyone hurt or disrespect you either. You deserve to be treated with love, kindness and respect, just like the angel you are.”

That comment gets her to look up at him with sadness in her eyes, a look that is completely vulnerable.

He hands her a few breakfast items and a coffee and sets them in front of her.

She smiles while eating the food placed in front of her.

She’s a truly remarkable woman. One he never expected to meet. “These last few days have been wonderful,” he says to her. “Despite all the weird situations and the news we discovered, I enjoy your company, and so does Holly. Don’t you, girl?” Upon hearing her name, Holly comes over and sits next to Giovanni, waiting for him to give her a bit of his blueberry muffin that Kat packed for them. “No begging, girl. I just gave you your breakfast. Go lay down.” Holly leaves and drops down right in front of the motel door. She looks like she’s protecting the two most precious people in her life.

“I enjoy your company too, Gio,” Gracelynn says while eating her breakfast. “By the way, where did you find Holly? She’s a wonderful dog.”

Giovanni smiles, remembering the day he found Holly. He came home from work and when he came back, found a little puppy on his porch. He put an ad out in the paper and on the streets with the dog’s picture and info. No one responded back to the ads and he didn’t want to put her in SPCA. So he kept her but he didn’t know what to call her and then Holly just came to him. She brought much happiness to his life after his loss and Lizzie’s deception.

“Are you still with me?” Gracelynn shakes his shoulder while Holly barks at him, disrupting him from his thoughts.

He looks at the two of them, who both look worried. “Girls, I’m okay. I was remembering when I first found Holly and all the stuff that happened after that. To answer your question, Holly was on my doorstep one day and I put an ad in the paper about her, but no one came forward to claim her and she’s been my baby ever since.”

They continue to have small talk until Giovanni realizes what time it is. He doesn’t want to go, but he has to. He looks around this disgusting motel room and hates that Gracelynn wants to stay here. He’s glad Holly will be here to protect her though. He stands up and pushes his chair under the table. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” He goes to Holly and rubs her belly. He tells Gracelynn how much food to give her and then asks if he can give her a hug before leaving.

“Please be careful. I don’t like you staying here,” he whispers while he hugs her. “I loathe this place. Besides, the people running it out front when I came in didn’t look too delightful.”

She smiles and hugs him back. “Holly will be here the whole time and will protect me if anything should happen, which I’m sure it won’t.” She let’s go of him and he immediately misses her arms around him. Her being in his arms feels like home.

He grabs the pink carnation and hands her a little note. He goes to the door and tells Holly to protect Gracelynn and to stay guard at her door. As he is about to leave he smiles at Gracelynn.

“See you in two days. I look forward to getting to know you better when I return. Thank you for taking care of my girl until I get back.” He winks at them and leaves the room without a backwards glance knowing that if he does, he’ll want to stay, but work calls and he needs to do something other than fantasize about being with Gracelynn day and night.

* * *

Gracelynn watches him leave and feels sad. How can this man, who she’s known for less than a week, make her feel so safe? Maybe it’s because he rescued her in the snow and provided for her and protected her when she needed him? Or maybe it’s because he’s Angelo’s brother and despite them not being able to grow up together, they both know how to treat and respect a lady? Whatever it is, she’s so happy that despite everything that happened and the upsetting news she and Giovanni learned about Angelo, she still wants to know more about Gio. They could become good friends, even when she has to go back home. She sniffs the carnation and smiles. He’s such a nice man. Then she glances at the note.

Gracelynn,

I can’t say thank you enough for watching Holly. In this short time we’ve known you, you’ve become someone special to both Holly and I. I hope that in the two days I’m gone she’ll be a good girl for you. I can’t wait to get back and for us to talk and get to know one another better. I don’t want to replace Angelo. I don’t. I just want to be someone in your life now and hope that you can call us friends.

If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll leave you my work phone number and the direct line to the hotel should you need me. Again, call me anytime you need me.

Giovanni

Wow. She can’t believe he wrote her the sweetest little note. He really is a kind man…but not seeing him for two days will do her some good. She can’t just go and fall for the first guy she meets. And maybe she’ll have some time to look around this wonderful town.

She’s happy Ben and Cassie made her go on this trip. Already, it’s been a trip she’ll never forget.

She yawns and decides she should try to get some more sleep after her abrupt awakening this morning. She calls Holly over, and they both fall fast asleep.

* * *

Giovanni is distraught that he had to leave Holly and Gracelynn in that gruesome place they call a motel. He didn’t like the way the two men in the front of the motel were acting. Something about them seemed off when he asked for Gracelynn’s room. He hopes they stay clear of his girls or they’ll pay when he gets back. He wanted to give her a carnation and wanted to leave her a little note behind to let her know that he was thankful, truly thankful that she is now in his and Holly’s life. She’s obviously not up for a relationship right now, and he wasn’t either, but now he can see more than a friendship with her. She seems like the real deal, a woman with kindness, compassion, spunk, sass and probably a real sexy gal when you got to know her. He wants to pursue a relationship with her. They should be friends first though. He knows that may be hard but knowing that Angelo was her husband and his brother will probably most likely keep it that way, despite the way he feels when she’s near or when she looks at him or when she touches him. It’s a feeling that he’s never experienced before. He wants to protect her, because of what Angelo asked, but also for himself.

He drives back to the office, grabs his items and calls for a taxi to drive him to the airport. He can’t wait to get these conferences over with and come back home and see more of Gracelynn.