No Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Damn," I hiss, closing my eyes tightly.

"So, were you going to even say goodbye then?"

I turn fast, finding Giovanni leaning against the door in a black robe, his arms crossed over his chest. I'm thankful there is an amused look on his face. I refuse to focus on the way the robe hangs loosely at his chest, showcasing the dark trim hair dusted across his wide pecks.

I chuckle slightly, preoccupied. I throw him my phone, and he catches it, looking up at me.

"Look at what I got this morning."

He swipes the screen, his expression transforming from curiosity to surprise.

"Damn, those girls really didn't like you."

I glare at him without malice. "This isn't funny."

He holds up the phone, smiling slightly. "At least I wasn't grimacing at you. That would have been really bad."

"No, gawking is much better," I reply sarcastically.

"I don't know if gawking is the right word."

I straighten, brows raised. "No?"

His smile escalates into a stunningly bright grin. "But it's close."

I roll my eyes, grabbing the phone from his hands, skirting past him out the doorway. "I need to diffuse this."

"And you need to go back to New York to do that?"

"Yes."

"I see."

I turn around. "I mean it. I need to go back."

"And this isn't about last night?"

"What about last night?"

He stares at me, his lips pursing and relaxing within seconds. He exhales, running a hand through his wild hair. "Nothing."

I can tell there is something he wants to say. I know better than to stay to hear it.

"I need to go."

"If those pictures have gone viral, my gate is no doubt swarmed with reporters."

I sigh, closing my eyes. "Well, is there any way out of here somewhere else?"

"As a matter of fact, I have a back entrance. The gate is draped in vegetation. It conceals it well."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I should drive you. A taxi driver would talk. Give me five minutes."

I stand in the middle of his house, my purse in my arms until he comes back in jeans and a gray t-shirt. Never did I expect to see the day.

"A tee? Really?" I ask in surprise.

"I just woke up. Give me a break," he mutters, resting his hand on my back. He guides me towards the back and we exit onto the lawn, headed towards a driveway on the far end. I grow suspicious as he opens the door to an Audi convertible.

"Use this entrance a lot, do you?"

He simply looks at me, smirking as he shuts the door. He climbs into the driver's seat, staring the car.

"Jealous, are you?" he finally questions. I look at him, shaking my head nonchalantly.

"Not in the slightest. Just curious."

"I see."

"Don't say that."

"Say what?"

"I see."