Angie and Gio Ch. 02

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"So, why are you so magnificently dressed up?" he asked, setting his arms on the table.

"Um...it was my best friend's wedding today."

"So where's your date then?" he asked, a cheeky smile lighting up his face again. He had a wonderful smile. It made me want to smile too.

"I don't have one," I replied, breaking eye-contact. His gaze made me self-conscious.

"You're telling me you went by yourself to your best friend's wedding, looking like this? I don't believe you."

"Well, believe it," I said flatly, fiddling with my straw.

It was strange. Just like the first time I saw him, I knew that I should be more cautious, more guarded, more afraid...but I wasn't. I couldn't consolidate the image of an armed robber with the man who was sitting in front of me. He looked tough for sure but there was so much more in those green eyes of his. I still wasn't quite sure what it was but it definitely wasn't something that made me scared. I was intrigued by him and by God if he wasn't the hottest man I'd ever seen.

And he thought I was beautiful! He actually said that to me. Nobody had ever said that to me. I was so used to living in Stacey's shadow when it came to men that I couldn't help but get a little excited. A man actually being attracted to me, sexually or otherwise was just the most foreign concept in the world to me. It felt like something that could never happen.

My guard went up. It could just be in my head. Maybe this is just what he was like. A sweet-talker who used his charm to get whatever he wanted out of people. He couldn't see anything in me. He didn't even know me. I felt like I needed to get away.

"Look, I should go. I'm tired and I still need to drive home," I said, getting up.

His brow furrowed in concern. Why, I thought? He doesn't even know me. Why does he care about what happens to me?

"Are you okay?" he asked, standing up too.

"Yeah," I mumbled. "Like I said, I'm just tired."

He looked disappointed and I felt bad again. I wanted to like him, I really did but I just couldn't.

"Can I at least walk you to your car?" he asked somewhat hopefully. I nodded.

"Holy shit, that's yours?" he asked in surprise when I opened my BMW. "Way to make a man feel like a slacker!"

I smiled grimly, not having enough energy to say anything back. We stood in silence for a few moments before he spoke again.

"So this is goodbye then?" Gio asked, looking down at me. Even when I was in my heels, he still towered over me.

I nodded again.

"Why?" he said quietly.

"What do you mean why?"

"You want to see me again. I can see it. Don't even try to deny it."

I looked away, avoiding his gaze again. He was right. I did want to see him again but I was scared. I was scared because I didn't know him, I didn't know who he was, where he came from, what he'd actually done to get to the point he was right now in his life. I scared because I was feeling something. For the first time in years, I was feeling something for somebody and I didn't know what to do about it.

I didn't want to jump the gun. It could be nothing. I mean the man was hot as hell. Maybe that was it. Maybe it was my lust taking over and screwing my brain up. I'd been rejected so many times before that I didn't even want to try with this. I felt like I could take anything except the pain of being rejected again. The insecure, overweight teenager in me returned with full force and took over my thoughts forcefully.

I felt small and worthless and all I wanted to do was get out of his sight. Just the thought of his eyes on me made me want to cringe. I didn't want him looking at my body. I unconsciously wrapped my arms around myself. I felt his hand gently tip my face up so that I was staring right into those green orbs.

"Listen, I like to, well, used to like to, get a coffee in at the shop across the road before work every morning. I think I'm going to get right back into that again. So if you ever want to hang out again or something, you know where to find me."

He kissed me softly on the forehead before giving me one last smile and walking away. I wanted to call him back. I barely knew him but I was already missing his company. It could have been my imagination but it felt like he knew what was going on in my head. It was as if he knew that I wasn't ready, not yet. I hoped I would be. He seemed like a good guy and I didn't want to miss out on it just because I was insecure. Regardless, I still couldn't gather the courage to call him back so I got into my car and drove myself home.

*****

I couldn't think of anything but Gio after that night. Whether I was at work, at home or with Stacey, his face would always pop back into my mind. I'd keep thinking of the way he kissed me and the way he'd stare right into my soul with those green eyes of his. After Stacey came back from her honeymoon, she noticed that I was acting strangely but I didn't want to tell her about it. I knew she'd flip out and I wasn't even sure what I wanted to do yet. I was till busy sorting out my own feelings. What would happen if I decided to cave and go see him? Would something even happen between us? Lord knows I wanted it to.

As nice as he seemed, I could tell that he was used to getting what he wanted and looking like that, women probably threw themselves at him wherever he went. Somehow I felt I couldn't compete with that. I couldn't possibly be as hot as the women he was used to. Regardless of all this, I couldn't help myself. I had my first day off in weeks and when I woke up; I decided to go get that coffee.

I'd never been more nervous in my life. It was a beautiful but hot day so I was wearing a yellow, knee-length summer dress and I had my hair tied up in a loose bun. I'd managed to get a table outside so I had a clear view of the street and the people walking by. I tugged at my dress, feeling uncomfortable about its length. I'd bought it at Stacey's insistence I usually just wore jeans and t-shirts but she was dead set on making me over.

It was way too hot for make-up so I opted for just a little lip gloss instead and my sensitive eyes were shielded by sunglasses as I sipped at my iced coffee. The anticipation was killing me. I was actually excited to see Gio again. I smiled to myself. That was when I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see that gorgeous, familiar smile.

"Aw, let me in on the joke too will you," said Gio playfully, his deep voice sending excitement coursing through me. "I thought I'd never see you again. Am I allowed to hug you?"

"Hey!" I said breathlessly. I was caught completely off-guard.

He was wearing the same worn out jeans I last saw him in but this time his flannel shirt was blue. I stood up and he immediately scooped me up into a tight embrace. I could feel every ridge of his muscled chest against mine and his stubble grazed my neck, sending a warm shudder through me. Man he felt good.

I let go rather reluctantly and motioned for him to sit down. I couldn't help but admire how handsome he was again. His skin had a wonderful bronze hue to it and his hair was buzzed short again. He'd let his beard grow out all scruffy, which turned me on to no end and his shoulders were positively bulging against his clothes.

"So how are you?" he asked cheerfully. "You look beautiful, by the way."

His words made me shy but they also made my stomach flutter, so I chose to look at my drink instead.

"I'm good, thank you," I replied eventually. "How have you been?"

He shrugged his shoulders and beckoned a waiter to order a cappuccino to go.

"Oh, you know. Just trying to get back on my feet. It's going okay so far. I can finally afford to pay my own rent now, which is great. I hate depending on people."

"That's great," I said sincerely, glad that things were working out for him. "What are you doing at the moment?"

"My uncle managed to organise a job for me at a construction site. Hence the fancy garb," he said, gesturing at his clothes. I was glad I had an excuse to roam my eyes over his body again.

"And you?"

It took me a moment to realise that he was talking to me.

"Sorry, what?" I asked.

He chuckled softly and shook his head.

"I was asking about you. You never told me what you do."

"Oh! I work at an engineering firm. But I'm a junior so I'm basically just a glorified clerk."

"Oh my goodness, that's fantastic!" he exclaimed. "Smart and pretty. Is there anything you can't do?" Gio asked, winking at me.

I snorted out a laugh. "You'd be surprised."

We were interrupted by the waiter bringing Gio his cappuccino and I felt his leg graze mine underneath the table. At first, I thought it was an accident but he didn't move it. The warmth of his thigh felt good against mine and I started to feel a tingle in my belly. Gio was looking innocently back at me but I knew exactly what he was doing. I would've been lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.

"Angie?"

I don't remember telling him that he could call me that but the endearment rolled off his tongue like he'd been using it for years. It just felt right when he said it. I wanted him to say it again.

"Yes?" I said softly, my throat suddenly feeling very dry.

"What made you come and see me? It's been weeks. I mean, I'm happy to see you, I was just wondering what made you decide I was worth a go?"

It was my turn to shrug my shoulders.

"I really don't know," I mumbled.

"Yes you do," he said, leaning in and pressing his leg closer to mine. My heart began to race. The effect he had on me was ridiculous.

"I...I just thought you'd be cool to hang out with. That's all."

"That's all? So you aren't curious about how I became a felon to begin with?"

His response caught me off guard and I couldn't think of anything to say.

"Angie, I don't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just want to be upfront with you. I know you're scared because of my past and all that but I'm going to be honest here. I like you and I'll tell you anything you need to know if that will make you feel better. It's time I took responsibility for the shit I did and I hope you don't think badly of me because of it because I really want to see you again."

"You do?"

"Yeah, like I said. I like you. I think you like me too."

I smiled, shy, and looked away again.

"See. You totally like me! But listen, I have to get to work. So, what I'm going to do is ask you on an official date. How does tomorrow evening at eight sound?"

Well, this is it, I thought. He's actually asking me out. For the first time in my life I was being asked out on a date. I could barely believe it.

"It sounds good," I said, grinning widely.

He returned my smile, showing off a set of completely straight teeth. I noticed how endearing I found his laugh lines. They added friendliness to his face that just made me feel at ease. Good grief, what was happening to me?

"Can I have your number? So we can sort out the details."

I wrote my number on a napkin and handed it to him. He stood up to leave and I wished he could stay longer.

"So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then! I swear I won't look this scruffy," said Gio.

"You look just fine to me," I said bashfully.

"Thank you, Angie. Have a good day."

Before I could protest, he leaned in and kissed my forehead before winking at me and walking away. I took the opportunity to admire his tight ass in his work jeans. The way they fit was absolutely sinful. Shit, I thought to myself. I was in trouble.