Whisper of Blood

Giovanna

Why was I constantly finding myself in compromising positions with him? I am such a stupid klutz. A super naked, super stupid klutz. Here I was in all my glory, not that he hadn't seen it before, but still I was sprawled out on top of him. My body dripping water all over him because I couldn't even get out of the shower without tripping and almost dying. 

"I'm sorry." I muttered the words throughly embarrassed with myself as I rolled off of him. I clambered around on the floor for a moment desperately trying to locate my rouge towel. His hand found my face, it was a habit of his I was learning to love. Cupping my chin softly he started to stand but stopped as he reached my eye level.

"Don't apologize. I'm glad I was here to catch you. Do you think you can manage the rest without me and without killing yourself? I need to shower and change. I also have some business to attend to and my computer and phone are in my room." He smiled that devilish grin and for once it reached his eyes. If I wasn't already starting to fall for him, well I was free falling now. 

"Go, please I don't want to keep you from your work any longer. When uhm exactly are we leaving today? I just have a few more things to pack." I put on my biggest smile to prove to him I was competent enough to be left to myself for a little while. 

He kissed me again before turning to leave. I wanted tot grab his hand and beg him to stay but I didn't. My heart skipped a beat when he stopped at the door hoping he decided to sit with me. Instead he just looked at me and answered my question, "We leave in three hours. Is that enough time?" I nod back to him, it would be more than enough time. I didn't want to have a messy goodbye with anyone. The longer we stayed today the messier the goodbye would be.

"I'll be in my room if you need me for anything, and I do mean anything." Once again he hit me with that grin and I felt my knees go weak. He walked out the door closing it quietly. I cursed myself as soon as he was gone. Why the hell did I want him so bad? I just met him for Christ's sake. I looked like a love sick puppy. Who was this Giovanna? What happened to the ruthless b***h I normally was? Closed off to everyone but the twins, not needed another soul in the world. I was not this needy sappy b***h that Rafael was turning me into. 

I let out a short quick breath as I looked at myself in the mirror. f**k it all I had to make a good impression on these damn people. It was the most important thing, meeting the family. It was important this went perfect, not was crucial. If his family didn't like me than who knows what means for my future. Everything had to be perfect including me. 

I wrapped my long, thick, dark hair in a towel and got to work on my face. Makeup had been something that always brought me peace in the crazy times. It was my creative outlet, and honestly I was really good at it. After my face was primed, foundation, countered, baked, and blushed I stared at myself again. It was probably best to do a more subtle look today; and subtle is exactly what I did on my eyes. A soft natural smokey eye with a light brow, dark liner with a slight wing, and my favorite pair of false lashes. I added highlighter and a nude lip before setting my final work. Now it was onto my hair, it was a more daunting and less relaxing task to me. Usually I let it hang natural and slightly wavy down my back or pulled into two Dutch braids, but neither of those were "meet the parents" nice enough. I unwrapped my still wet hair and dug out my blowdryer and curling iron. What felt like an eternity later I was completely satisfied with how my curls framed my face and had the right amount of bounce. I sprayed them throughly with spray. Finding my Louis Vuitton weekender bag I stuffed all my getting ready things into it and put it with the large stack of bags by my bedroom door. 

I walked to my basically empty closet and pulled my favorite black pencil skirt and white crop top combo. It showed just enough leg and the tiniest strip of my belly, I paired it with my favorite black Red Bottoms. I checked my phone for the time. f**k I only had an hour left, I forgot how long it takes me to actually get ready. 

I wanted desperately to go to Jacobella and Julianna's room and be with them, but that would only make things harder. Instead I decided to be to doting wife I soon would be and go annoy my husband. I walked to my bedroom door and stopped to look around, it was mostly empty now. All my belongings in a pile by the door, whatever was left the twins could fight over. Sighing I flicked off the light and walked into the hallway, closing the door behind me. A single tear fell to my cheek and I quickly wiped it away. 

Shaking my head at myself I walked down the hall to the stairs in search of Rafael. It did't take me long to find him once I got down the flight of stairs. His door was shut but I quietly let myself in without knocking. Seeing that he was crammed into this small desk in the corner make me have to stifle a laugh. I opened my mouth to give him a snide remark but quickly closed it when I noticed he was on the phone. 

With his back still to me I walked quickly to him until I was right behind him. I slowly bend down and kissed his cheek. Feeling him smile under my lips me the butterflies in my stomach go wild. The sensation made me giggle softly. 

"Ok Elio, just get it done. BEFORE I get home. I mean it. Yeah. Yeah. Bye brother." He ended his call and turned to look at me. He grabbed my face with both hands and kissed me passionately and fiercely as I let myself slip into his lap. A small fit of laughter made me break the kiss. 

"What pray tell he is so funny?" his lips still against my skin. 

"So uhh you have a brother? I honestly know nothing about you." It sounded so strange coming from my mouth. Hey husband I think I love you but by the way what's your middle name? Oh and do you have any siblings? I was daft. 

He smiles lightly before answering, " I actually have three brothers, well technically I have five. And two sisters. four of my siblings are by birth and my parents adopted my cousins five years ago after their parents died." He cleared his throat, " I'll tell you all about them on our drive home, I promise. We really should be going if you are all set."  He kissed me again. 

Five brothers, FIVE, and two sisters. Thats seven people I had to impress not including the most important people; his mom and dad. He must have seen the panic cross my face because he kissed me again gently and whispered against my lips, "Stop worrying, they will love you. Honestly what's not tot love?" At his words I melted into him. He held me tightly to his  chest as if he knew, in that moment I just needed comfort and affection. Just maybe loving Rafael wouldn't be so hard. 

I felt him shift under me and I knew he wanted to stand but wasn't sure how to move me. I however, was't ready to move yet so I clung to him tighter. His lips found my neck and he murmured against my sensitive skin, "We have to get going now. Your new life is waiting. I just got word the car is ready. Your family is also waiting on us. Let's go say goodbye. The sooner we get home and settled the sooner we can have your sisters visit. I know you guys are really close." As he spoke he gave me no choice but to get up, he just stood letting me slide down his chest until my feet found the floor. 

I was anything but ready to say goodbye, no matter how much I lied to myself. I fixed my disheveled skirt and tucked a stray curl behind my ear before looking over at Rafael. He has showered since I seen him last, he had also changed. He was stunning in his black suit with black dress shirt underneath, top two buttons undone. The sight of him was enough to make me weak and leave me wanting. Giovanna get it together, now was not the time. Instead I reached out my handed took his in mine. I met his gaze and pulled him slightly so he would step into me. 

"Let's get this over with. As strange as it sounds I'm very excited to see our new home." I kissed his cheek and lead him out the door. We walked hand in hand without saying a word as I lead him through the maze that was my childhood home. It seemed like forever before we finally walked into the grande entrance to the estate. It still didn't even seem real that I was actually leaving. Alessandro, along with my entire family was already their waiting for us. I untangled my hand from his and walked to where my sisters and mother were standing, they were near but not next to my father and brother.

I took my time saying goodbye to each one of my sisters, promising that I would see them too. I moved on to my mother who reminded me to stay strong no matter what. And that I could always come home if I needed to. I kissed her cheek and held her tightly before wiping away a stray tear of hers. I took two steps toward the door and turned to face my father and brother. Once again the sight of them filled me with rage. 

"Goodbye father, brother. I'll see you in hell." I continued walking tot the door reaching for Raf's outstretched hand. We walked out the door and I was greeted by a convoy of black SUV's waiting to take us home. Rafael lead me to the second one and helped me climb into the backseat before sliding in next to me. He leaned over buckling me in and kissing my cheek before taking my hand in his and setting them in his lap. The door closed and the car started to move. 

"You are so very sexy, strong, and smart. I can't wait until you are officially mine forever." He laughed and kissed me again, on the mouth this time making me moan into his lips.