Tangled In Strings

Chapter One

Holy shit.

Just as the air nearly suffocates us all, I hear Giovanni speak up.

"So... it's looking like Jimmy might need a raise."

The tension dissipates into pieces.

My mouth curves just as Jimmy's does, his light eyes flickering back to us through the rearview mirror. Laughter bubbles within me, escaping as I drop my head into my hands exhaustedly.

"I swear, one of these days, I'm going to punch one of those idiots," Jimmy jokes, shaking his head as his chest shakes with amusement.

Giovanni lifts my hand until his mouth presses to my overturned palm. "I'm with you on that."

My insides warm as his eyes meet my own, dazzlingly clear of constraint.

"I'll bail you out."

...

"Thanks, Jimmy."

With a wave, my driver, who indeed needs a raise, departs home, leaving us on the sidewalk of Giovanni's building. I peer up at the impressive high rise for the second time, recalling the last time I stood here. It was nearly eight months ago. I entered in a gown made by the very man I was going to see. The man with me now.

We climb the steps towards the doors, and I'm relieved there are no paparazzi waiting. They are probably camped out at my building since that's where we've taken refuge these past few days. We enter the lobby together, and ever watchful, I scan over the tenants, hovering and curious as their gazes follow our bodies to the elevator.

Even as we ascend the stories of the skyscraper, I still don't manage to feel alone with him. An uneasy feeling goes through me at the sight of the red light on the camera in the corner of the four walls.

Finally, the sliding doors part, giving us full view of Giovanni's apartment. A place he only uses when he's in town. The massive space has an aura of abandonment, eerily tidy. We enter together, and I delight in remembrance, picturing the sight of us together against the floor-to-ceiling windows, a satin blindfold shielding my vision.

It seems like ages ago. The life-shattering first time.

The elevator door shuts, leaving us illuminated only by the surrounding buildings until Giovanni flicks on the overhead light.

I watch him walk to the living room, shedding his linen suit jacket with intrigue and caution. I wasn't stupid enough to believe that the moment we decided to go public, all of our problems would simply disappear.

The past six months happened.

A lot happened to me.

A lot happened to him.

And I know nothing. We've said everything else we possibly could, subjecting our dinners, our bedside manner to mindless dribble. A few kisses here and there, a few scorching looks but nothing more. There are words to be said before I hop into bed with him. Before I decide to forget the pain and disappointment I felt for what seemed like years without him.

I'm pretty sure he's aware of it, which is why he hasn't tried to so much as cop a feel. I set down my purse on the couch, and he throws his jacket onto the loveseat, reaching for the crystal decanter of scotch.

"Can I get you a glass?"

I nod, stepping down into the main room, slipping out of my shoes. I take the glass from him and raise it to my lips, taking a quick gulp for courage as I sit down.

From my place on the cushion, Giovanni stands like the man I've always known him to be. A daring, bold, beautifully brazen celebrity. With one hand holding his own drink, the other tucked into dress slacks, a pristine watch wrapped around his wrist, I'm transfixed by his effortless allure.