Page 29 of And Everything In Between (Love By Any Means #3)

Before she could even answer she took big steps and jumped into his arms, and murmured, “Maybe I do believe in dreams.”

“Is that right, baby?” he chuckled putting her back down on her feet.

“I missed you.” The words slipped out, soft and unfiltered, before she stepped back slightly, heat rushing over her skin.

Just seeing him—home early, safe, waiting—sent a ripple through her.

Her senses lit up before her mind could catch up.

She was already aching in the places only he touched, already softening at the thought of his hands, his mouth, his everything.

“That’s how you feel?” he asked, knowing why she backed up; he knew her cues.

He reached for her, drawing her into his arms, needing to feel that closeness again. It was how he knew he was on the right path. He placed a slow kiss on her lips. “I missed you, too. You gotta come with me next time. You may be the only thing to make that place better.”

He kissed her again, tilting her chin up with his thumb, his eyes searching hers with an intensity that made her close her eyes and swallow.

“You mine for the weekend or what?” The possessiveness in his voice sent heat spiraling through her. Dare she say she was ready to crown him ruler of her heart.

“All yours. Can I cook for you?”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “My little thug misses wanna cook for me now?”

“Shut up, Vanni.” She pushed his chest playfully. “But yes, I do. You just got in off the road. I wanna thank you for my books and thought and work. I love it. So yes, let me do that for you.” Her hands slid up his arms, feeling the tension still held in his muscles. “But first, a shower.”

“I’d love that,” he said, his voice dropping to that tone that always made her stomach flip. “And I can’t wait to watch you move around my kitchen.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him upstairs, both of them taking the steps two at a time.

Inside his massive bathroom, with its marble countertops and rainfall shower, she stood before him and began to undress him with tender, maybe love, and care.

First , his shirt, her fingers skimming his skin as she lifted it over his head.

Then his joggers, her knuckles brushing against his hips as she pushed them down.

He allowed her to care for him this way, standing still beneath her touch, vulnerable in a way he rarely allowed himself to be.

The realization hit him suddenly, powerfully, no woman who wasn’t related to him had ever loved him like this.

Not with this kind of tenderness that asked for nothing in return.

Not with this unguarded care that existed outside of desire, though desire was certainly there too.

“This makes me feel some type of way, Paige,” he admitted, his voice rough with emotion.

“Why?”

He didn’t answer at first. Just looked at her. In awe that she was here, doing this. Choosing him.

She glanced up at him, water running down his chest, her hands still on his waist. She knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from him.

She knew much like her; he hadn’t experienced unconditional love.

Those with the biggest hearts sometimes took the most losses.

She understood and it was exactly why she wanted to do it.

“This is the first time anyone ever cared for me like this, and it not be a lie or a scheme. Sometimes I wonder if you’re real.”

His voice was low, he was saying something he hadn’t said out loud before.

“It’s okay. This is a first for me also. I’m here with you, too.”

She kissed his chest, right over his heart. His chest rose and fell as he fought his own emotions.

“I don’t want anything from you, Giovanni. I want you to feel safe, wanted, and appreciated too. You deserve that, especially after this week.”

“I know, that’s why I fuck with you. You solid.”

“Thank you for allowing me in your space. You should be at ease in your home. You’ve allowed me in, so I plan to honor that.”

He wrapped his arms around her again, tight.

He was afraid she might disappear if he didn’t hold on.

They stood there like that for a long minute, steam rising, skin flushed, the sound of the shower the only thing between them and the rest of the world.

She reached for the soap, carefully washing his body, her touch both practical and reverent.

He did the same for her, his hands gentle across her shoulders, down her back.

This wasn’t about sex. It was about care.

She’d had a day too, but seeing him made her stress melt away. He wasn’t even due back until tomorrow; his early return was the best surprise she’d gotten in ages.

He reeled her back in with a smirk, bare chest pressed to her back. “Aye, hold up. Where you running off to?”

“To cook, remember.” She smiled against his chest, looking up at him.

“Oh yeah, but I ain’t hungry for that.”

She pulled back giving him a side eye and grinned. “You got all weekend to wear me out, but tonight I want you fed and relaxed.”

He kissed her again, this time slower. When he finished, he looked at her through hooded eyes, the eyes she couldn’t resist and said, “Let me eat you first.”

“Vanni,” she whined ready to give in.

“Vanni what?” he smirked, invading her space some more. His voice giving Barry White and his brown eyes had voice her weak in the knees. “You could be screaming my name right now. Quit stallin’.”

She opened her mouth to say something slick, but he lifted her by the waist up on the sink and dropped to his knees, stealing her breath and words.

His hands slid up the backs of her thighs, slow and unhurried.

“You take care of me,” he murmured, kissing the inside of her knee, “I take care of you. We can do this shit all weekend.”

Her hands found the edge of the sink, knuckles tight as she tried to steady herself. He stepped in, closing the space between them, his breath tickling her skin. And when his mouth finally found her other set of lips, Paige saw stars. She missed him so much.

She missed how there was never a rush with him. No ego. Only love delivered through every stroke of his tongue, focused, and insistent. His hands gripped her thighs, saying he needed her to stay right here .

She moaned his name, soft at first. Then louder when his pace changed and picked up. “Giovanni... ouuu, baby.”

“Cum for me, Paige,” he hummed, his voice rumbling against her skin, sending a shiver straight through her core. Her legs shook, nerves firing, breath short. Euphoria washed over her as she thought about how she’d been tripping, denying herself this type of life.

He lifted up, eyes locked on hers as he nipped at her chin.

“I’m on your ass all weekend, you hear me? Ain’t no breaks.”

She nodded and slammed his mouth into hers.

He could tell by her heartbeat that she was close to tipping over the edge.

His fingers worked softly forcing her to combust. He stood back and admired his handiwork, shaking and gasping, lip between her teeth.

He could watch her unravel all day; it was his pleasure.

He grinned, kissed her shoulder, and let his mouth brush her skin.

“Now I’m ready to eat.”

Neither of them bothered with clothes afterward.

What was the point? They’d only be coming off again.

Giovanni pulled on a pair of boxers just long enough for her to cook.

Periodically, they’d make eye contact while he watched the game, and she cooked.

She had the muthafuckin house smelling like food made with love.

He was in heaven. He loved a homecooked meal.

“Stop.”

“Stop what?” she asked, confused.

“Tryna figure out how you can have my babies. I can feel you staring. You gotta marry me first, not finna turn me into a baby daddy.”

“Boy please.” A laugh bubbled up as she threw a rag at him. But she also said a small prayer for God’s will. The thought of becoming his wife, the mother of his children, and closest confidante, was heavy on her heart.

Within an hour, they sat in his man cave, moisturized, hair wrapped, durag managing waves, and naked again. Tangled up, they fed each other fried pork chops, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Lo-fi played in the background while she read Fate of our Future by Briann Danae to him out loud.

“Nah, hang on. Amira on bullshit. Ain’t it?”

The novel followed Amira and Saleem, lovers reunited after years apart.

When Paige read the line where Saleem basically told Amira, she saved her heart in order to break his.

She couldn’t help glancing over at Giovanni, who was watching her with an intensity that made her freeze in time.

With no words, they both silently vowed to drop their guard.

“Shh, let me keep reading,” she said, pulling him back into her chest. He reclined back and let her keep reading. She smiled behind him. He was tuned in, and she was happy she could share something with him like he shared his passion. She could get used to this.