Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 259 -

*Olivia*

"How do I look?" Dahlia twirled in place wearing the dress she had borrowed from me. It was shorter and simpler than her usual style but as always, it fit her like a glove. From her waist to her bust, every asset was perfectly showcased just

enough

to be enticing but still classy.

I whistled appreciatively.

"Another date with Lorenzo?" I asked with a grin.

"He's taking me out to dinner." She blushed, gazing into the mirror as she checked every inch of her reflection for blemishes. Dahlia had always been kind of a perfectionist when it came to her image.

I watched her in the mirror for a minute. Something was missing. Even with the beautiful earrings she had chosen, I still felt like there was something more she needed to complete the look.

"It needs something," I got to my feet, searching through the contents of the suitcase I hadn't bothered to put away yet. "Aha!"

I pulled out a necklace I had bought a while ago but hadn't yet worn. It was a simple teardrop of aquamarine, just big enough to be noticeable but not clunky enough to get in the way. "Here we go," I said, stepping up behind her.

She pulled her hair to the side as I put the necklace around her and clasped it. It settled just above her clavicle, a perfect teardrop of shiny blue, the perfect color to make her eyes pop. "It's beautiful," Dahlia grinned. "When did you get this?"

"A while ago. It's not really my style. It's too dainty, so I always feel like I'm going to break it." I shrugged. "I'm not sure why I packed it, but I'm glad I did now. You can have it." "Aw, Olive," Dahlia smiled, her eyes misty as she grabbed me in a hug.

I laughed, squeezing her back. She looked beautiful tonight, and she was going to knock Lorenzo off his feet. "Come on, you'll ruin your hair," I flipped one of her perfectly curled rings with a smile, and Dahlia gasped.

"Oh, you're right." She let go immediately, turning to the mirror as she checked her hair for any messed-up ringlets.

"So where do you think he's taking you?" I asked curiously.

"I don't know," Dahlia shrugged. "He said it was a surprise, but I'm sure it's going to be nice. He told me to dress up."

"And after dinner? Is he taking you back here or to his place?" I sent her a knowing look. "Should I be expecting you home tonight, Miss Dolly?"

"I don't know, but I'm not counting that out." Dahlia winked at me through the mirror, and I laughed. "Okay, what do you think?"

She turned around to face me, beaming like a bride on her wedding day.

"Magnifica," I said brightly. "You're sure to knock him off his feet."

"I hope so," she said, with a hint of nervousness I didn't usually see in her.

Before she had time to check herself over for the millionth time, though, we both heard the knocking on the door from downstairs.

"He's here!" Dahlia said excitedly. "Where are my shoes?"

"Here and here," I set them on the floor. I was already on my feet and ready as she snapped them on.

Dahlia took a deep breath and I smiled, linking my arm with hers.

I could hear low voices coming from downstairs, one that I recognized easily.

Giovani.

The other was probably Lorenzo. For a moment, I wondered what they were talking about. My heart raced as Dahlia and I headed down the stairs together.

Lorenzo and Giovani were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, but they both turned to stare at us as we came down. I could feel Giovani's eyes on me, and I blushed despite myself. I wasn't even dressed up, but I still felt like I was beautiful under his stare.

When we got to the bottom, I glanced at Lorenzo's face. He couldn't take his eyes off Dahlia. I was invisible once again as he stepped forward to gently grab her hand and lay a kiss upon it.

"You look beautiful, Carina," Lorenzo smiled, smoothly.

Dahlia blushed, giggling as she looked over Lorenzo's suit. "You don't look so bad yourself."

I dropped my arm, allowing her to take Lorenzo's offered one. She linked her arm around his and turned to leave.

There was one problem. Giovani was in their way.

He smiled politely, but there was an intimidating look in his eye as he stared down at Lorenzo.

"I trust you'll take care of my baby cousin, Lorenzo," Giovani said firmly, a weird glint in his eyes, "or I'm afraid you'll have me to deal with."

Lorenzo laughed, clearly not intimidated as Dahlia rolled her eyes.

"Lay off, Gio," she huffed, one hand on her hip. "I can take care of myself without you making weird threats."

"Just making sure he knows what he's in for." Giovani crossed his arms. "We protect family around here."

"Gio!" Dahlia said, pouting. "Don't scare him away."

"I appreciate the warning, sir," Lorenzo said, playfully. "I'll be the perfect gentleman, I swear."

It was clear that neither of them had taken him seriously. Something prevented me from laughing with them, however.

The calculating, almost intimidating look in Giovani's eyes made me think that he wasn't joking in the slightest. There was something dangerous about the way he looked right now. Luckily, he didn't hold them up anymore. Lorenzo and Dahlia left with bright smiles on their faces, leaving only me and Giovani standing in the foyer.

I shuffled on my feet awkwardly, glancing over at Giovani, only to see his eyes were already on me. His heated gaze sent a shiver down my spine, reminding me of our previous encounter.

I bit my bottom lip, remembering the feeling of his lips on mine. I watched as his eyes trailed directly to my lips, staring at where my teeth had made an imprint.

I swirled my tongue over the mark, enjoying the way his eyes darkened as he continued to stare at me silently.

"Do you have any plans for the night, Olivia?" Giovani took a step forward, a smile on his lips as he tilted his head.

"Nothing much," I said honestly. "I was just going to read and relax, maybe take a bath."

I saw the way his eyes locked on mine, the reminder of what had happened between us last time I had taken a bath lingering in the air.

"And you?" I asked. "Any plans?"

"Maybe," Giovani said softly.

Silence fell between us, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

I took a step back, still a bit awkward and unsure.

"I guess I'll just-" I gestured upstairs, turning to leave, but Giovani was faster.

He took a step in front of the stairs, preventing my getaway.

"Would you mind talking to me in my office for a bit?" Giovani asked in that low, sultry voice that sent a pang straight to my core.

"Uh, no, I don't mind," I breathed, my eyes locked onto his form as he gestured for me to follow him. I would've followed him anywhere if he kept using that voice on me.

I ignored the feeling of anticipation building in my stomach as I followed him through the mansion. What did he have in store for me?

Talk? Or maybe more?

I suppressed the grin on my face as I trailed after him. He opened his office door and gestured for me to enter before him. That smile on his face gave nothing away, not a single hint of what he wanted with me.

I stepped inside anyway, feeling like I had entered the lion's den. The office was just as expensive-looking as the rest of the house, but in a different way.

It was just as I expected-simple but packed with so much detail. Books and chairs and papers piled up on his desk. The leather loveseat caught my eye. The office smelled of smoke, like somebody had been smoking a cigar. "It's warm here. Did you-" I said as I turned around.

The words caught in my throat as I noticed how close Giovani was to me. A mere breath away, he was so close I could feel his body heat. There was no denying the lust in his eyes as he stared at me. Entranced by his gaze, I took a step forward. "Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked, breathily.

He licked his lips, and I followed his tongue, feeling hotter by the second. Then, without another word, he grabbed my waist and pulled me so I crashed into him. My hands fell on his chest as our lips met in a frenzied hunger. He wasn't patient, or soft. He bit hard on my bottom lip, kissing the breath right out of me. His arms tightened around my waist, so tight that I couldn't move away even if I wanted to.

But I didn't want to.

My hands dug into his curly locks, tugging hard, and his tongue met mine in a dance. Desire pooled in every inch of me as I pushed myself harder against his body, needing the heat and friction in a way I couldn't express.

I kissed him back just as fervently as he grabbed my thigh, pulling my leg around his body, and I jumped onto his waist, clinging to him. His arms supported my butt as we moved backward until my back hit the wall.

We broke apart as I gasped. Trapped between him and the wall, I could feel him breathing just as hard as I was as he gazed at me hungrily.

"I... I've been thinking about that," I confessed, "ever since you saved me from falling in the bathroom."

He chuckled, leaning closer until our lips were just close enough to touch. His breath on my mouth was teasing, and I wanted so badly to have his lips on mine again.

"So have I, Amore."

His hand slid up my shirt, trailing along my spine, and I shivered, leaning into his touch. The calluses on his hands felt rough but so good on my heated skin. I bit my bottom lip, a low moan escaping my throat as he unhooked my bra with the skill only an experienced man like him commanded.

For a moment, a shot of fear went through me. Was I really ready for this? Did I really want to take this last step?

But the regret of watching him walk away last time was more powerful than any fear I was feeling. I clenched my hands around his back, pressing myself closer as I relinquished myself to his exploring hands.

"I can't believe this is happening," I whispered, looking at him in awe. This wasn't just a dream like before.

This was real.

And he proved it to me by kissing me again.