“The entire compound is full of security cameras.” She glanced back at the car. “I have no idea if he has cameras in the cars.”

The thought was not one that panicked Gio immediately. Felix had talked to him about the security measures he’d taken when they’d spoken of the paparazzi last week but he didn’t mention cameras in the car. He did, however, mention the amount of cameras on the property and he was glad Bianca had reminded him of it because he was already having visions of taking her in his arms the moment they got inside.

He frowned, knowing that any thoughts of cozying up with her anywhere on the compound were now all shot to hell. There was no way without it instantly getting back to Felix, Gio did worry that their kiss in the car might have been captured by one of the cameras on the property. Felix had told him he could check the video even when he wasn’t there. “We talked about the security system last week and he never mentioned cameras in the car.” This was going to be tough and he wondered again, why on earth he was taking such a gamble. Was doing this worth the risk of getting caught and possibly losing a friendship he’d had since he was a kid—losing the respect from his friends and Jack when the news got back to them?

Their hands caressed as they reached the door and instinctively he took her hand instantly, feeling the fire scorch through him from just her touch. He dropped her hand remembering the cameras and their eyes met again.

Gio had wondered about something for days. There was something he saw in those eyes during moments like these when Bianca seemed caught in his and he’d finally figured it out. It was as if he was seeing himself in her eyes. Because she was feeling that same unexplainable fixation that he was feeling. It was plain as day now.

The wait to get her somewhere where he could hold her was going to be excruciating and just like that, he had his answer. Maybe if it was anyone else. Someone he didn’t have this strange yet fascinating connection with it wouldn’t be worth taking such a risk.

He smiled as he observed the very moment she was finally able to pull away from his gaze. Yep, the answer was as palpable as the blood thrumming in his ears now in anticipation to the rest of this day. Bianca was hands down abso-fucking-lutely worth the risk.

CHAPTER 15

The angora scarf Bianca wrapped around her neck should have brought on a little guilt. She’d purchased it just a few weeks ago with thoughts of Felix caressing the soft fabric. Now all she could think of was that she’d soon be snuggling up next to Gio in it.

She’d been tempted to call Toni while she was in the bedroom changing. A very small voice in her head wanted Toni to talk her out of this. Tell her she was making a huge mistake. But the much louder, more compelling voice all but snuffed out the little one. It screamed what she really wanted to do and that was to be with Gio all day. Have him hold her and kiss her like he had on the lift when she’d nearly melted into one huge puddle. As dangerous as she knew this could be, Bianca could hardly wait for it to happen again.

On the ride to the movies, Bianca struggled to concentrate on what she was saying as she looked into Gio’s eyes. “There’s this really nice hiking trail we can check out after the movies. It’s well kept for wintertime hikers and on the easy side.” She lifted her fingers to air quote. “Kid friendly,” she smiled, feeling her insides warm as Gio’s eyes traveled down to her lips again. “It um…,” she licked her lips noticing his eyes widen and hoped he didn’t think she’d done that on purpose, “leads into a meadow where families with young kids can take them for snowball fights and build snowmen.”

Bianca paused to inhale deeply. She had to. The way he was looking at her did something to her that left her in need of catching her breath. “It’s really beautiful but the best thing is it’s kind of a local secret. So it’s never crowded and the times I’ve gone out there during the week I usually have the whole place to myself.”

“Why do you go by yourself?”

Her eyes were immediately on his lips at the sight of them moving. “I um… just love the trail. You’ll have to see it to understand. Even when it’s not wintertime. I went up there a lot when I was deciding whether I was going to stay up here or move back down to Los Angeles. It’s a great place to think.”

She licked her lips again. “Stop doing that,” he whispered, closing his eyes.

They reached the theater and the driver got out. Just like all the other times Gio’s lips were instantly on hers. She loved the way he kissed her with such need. A need she could barely fathom. This guy could have any girl he wanted. Evelyn had obviously been ready and willing to do it in the men’s bathroom with him after knowing him for only an hour and he’d passed it up—passed her up. He’d never even called her. If all he needed was one thing, Evelyn was a phone call away. Yet here he was needing Bianca as if she were his last fighting breath. She’d never felt anything like it but it completely captivated her.

The door opened and Bianca could feel the enormous effort it took Gio to pull himself away from her. Getting it together or at least trying to after every limb in her body had gone flaccid, she struggled to compose herself as she climbed out of the car. The driver had to use a little extra strength as she held his hand to get out.

They bought popcorn and soda though Bianca got the distinct feeling they weren’t going to be doing much eating or even watching of the movie. The theater was as empty as she expected it to be. It was the first showing of the day on a weekday. They were literally the only ones in the theater. No sooner had they sat than Gio’s big arm was around her and she let her head fall back onto it as he dove in. She was rewarded with one of the longest, deepest kisses he’d given her yet.