Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 262 -

*Olivia*

I groaned as I blinked into consciousness. The white ceiling above me was the same as yesterday, but something was off. Something wasn't like it usually was.

It was still dark, barely any light streaming through the window, but I knew it had to be morning by the chirping birds outside, ready for the day.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand, unplugging it from the charger. The phone lit up, and I blinked a few times, readjusting to the sudden bright light.

The time, 5:37, screamed out at me next to the one-hundred percent battery sign. I groaned, throwing my hand onto the bed.

It was early. Very early.

I could go back to sleep, but I knew that was a pointless venture. My brain had already started blaring thoughts at super-sonic speed. I was up for the day whether I liked it or not.

I moved to sit up and winced at the sudden ache in my lower body. My lower back burned with the movement and I gasped in pain.

What the fuck?

Memories of last night poured over me and I flushed, remembering how Giovani had fucked me on the floor of his study. I thought I was fine last night, but I guess there were more consequences than I thought. I groaned as I lifted myself out of bed, the ache of my screaming muscles protesting my every movement.

Damn it.

I sighed as I got to my feet. Luckily, the ache was fading the more I moved. I glanced at the dark window outside, the sun just barely peeking over the city. It was still dark, but I knew what I needed to do.

I grabbed my clothes, quickly changing into a sports bra, tank top, and shorts. It was time for a run.

I slipped out of my room, my tennis shoes in my hand as I didn't want to wake Giovani. Luckily, his door was shut. The wooden floors were easy to navigate, even in the dark house.

I passed by Dahlia's room, the door wide open. She hadn't come home last night.

I smiled, happy she was able to meet a guy she liked so much. I was certain she would tell me all the details once she got home.

I slipped down the stairs and opened the front door. The crisp cool air kissing my skin was refreshing. I shut the door behind me and breathed in the fresh air.

As soon as my shoes were tied on my feet, I didn't wait any longer. I burst into a run down the street. I had missed running-the fresh air in my lungs, the pounding of my heart in my ears, and the sights and sounds of the world around me. I always used to run whenever I needed to clear my mind, and there was no better time than now.

The city was startlingly quiet. Normally, it was full of life-cars passing by on their way to work and people strolling down the streets, tourists galore, and vendors offering their wares.

I admired the beautiful ancient city as I ran past the historical buildings and noticed the intricate details on every pillar, every rock. It was fun to imagine just how many people had followed these same paths.

As I passed by the Baptistery, I made the round way to head back home. The sun was already shining, illuminating the streets I ran down as the city began to wake. The buses were already active, and vendors were setting up their shops.

My skin glistened with sweat, the sticky feeling welcome as the temperature heated up. It was going to be a hot day today again.

I stopped at the fountain to catch my breath, the square already beginning to fill with tourists taking photos. I collapsed onto the fountain edge, breathing heavily from the run.

I took a moment to gaze up at the fountain. There were statues on every corner, but the main attraction was the one of Neptune. The sunlight barely grazed him, illuminating every detail on his body.

It reminded me of Giovani, the way his strong arms had held himself above me, that teasing grin on his face as he let me take what I wanted... the way his eyes had held mine as I kissed me. His body had spoken to me more than his mouth did.

I felt like I was wanted, like he really truly wanted me. It was a good feeling, an addicting one, but I couldn't help but wonder how long it would last.

I liked him a lot more than I'd first thought. Last night was certainly more than sex for me, and I was sure he felt the same, but doubts weren't easy to escape.

I wouldn't be able to stop myself from chasing after him. I didn't even want to. He was everything I envisioned in a partner, a sex god in human skin.

But how long could we keep this quiet?

Dahlia was many things, but she wasn't stupid. She was bound to figure it out sooner or later, and when she did....

I sighed, leaning my palms back onto the hard stone. I wished everything could be easier, like it was when it was just us together.

It was easy to talk to Giovani, easy to pour my heart out without even realizing it. It was easy to fall into his arms, into the pleasure he gave me with every kiss. It had even been easy to give myself to him, to let go of my fears and just be there with him.

At that moment, I hadn't been thinking of Dahlia or his age or what other people would think. I had just been thinking of his eyes and his body and how much I wanted this.

I smiled softly to myself. I had already known what I was going to do before I even came out here to think.

I wasn't going to stop whatever we had. I was going to see it through to the end, wherever it took me.

But I did hope I could keep this quiet a little longer.

Dahlia would understand eventually, I hoped, if it was a real connection like I thought it was. I would just have to trust that Dahlia would put my happiness over the complications, like she always said she wanted for me.

For now, though, it was still too early to tell. I liked him, and I was sure it was more than just sex, but a real relationship seemed farther away than I liked.

It was time to go home, though. I glanced up at the statue of Neptune one last time, taking the time to appreciate every carved muscle of stone. He really did remind me of Giovani.

I glanced at the lower man part with a smirk. Giovani was certainly more well-endowed, though.

With a laugh, I took off running back to the house, feeling lighter than when I had started. Luckily, my muscles weren't as stiff as when I had first woken up this morning. I would probably ache for a few days but was nothing I couldn't handle. It was so worth it.

The compound came into sight, just as the sunlight passed over the house. I came to a halt in front of the door, unlocking it and stepping inside. I took a minute to peel my shoes off, leaving me in my socks.

My heart raced, and I could feel it thumping out of my chest from the run. I grinned, releasing my hair from the ponytail I'd pulled it into as I headed straight for the kitchen. I placed my shoes on one of the stools and grabbed a water from the fridge.

The cool liquid poured down my throat in a much needed relief. I sighed, leaning against the counter as I took out my phone.

I scrolled through the latest social media, sipping my water as I waited for my heart to calm down.

That is, until I heard the door opening quietly. I looked up just in time to see a shadow slinking towards the stairs.

"Dolly?" I called out, recognizing the red pumps in her hands.

Dahlia jumped a foot in the air, turning to face me with wide eyes.

"You scared me to death, Olive!" Dahlia laid a hand over her chest, breathing in deeply. "I almost shit my pants."

"Sorry," I laughed as Dahlia joined me in the kitchen. Her hair was a mess, and her dress was halfway to being indecent. There were all kinds of red marks blossoming along her neck and chest, and I laughed openly at her.

"Did you at least leave him a note?" I giggled, imagining the face of Lorenzo when he woke up and was left all alone.

"Oh," Dahlia paused for a second and then shrugged, "I'll send him a text. I had to get back before Giovani wakes up. Imagine I walked in, and he was here instead of you."

She shuddered as she headed straight for the fridge. She grabbed a water as well, opening the cap skillfully with one hand before she downed it like a woman who hadn't seen water in a week.

"I imagine he'd lecture you pretty good," I said, the thought bringing a smile to my face. I wasn't willing to test it, though. "Did you walk all the way back home?"

"What?" Dahlia looked at me like I was crazy. "Hell no. Gabriele was passing by and picked me up. I made him promise not to tell Giovani though."

"Really? Gabriele just happened to be passing by?" I smirked, not believing it at all. "Seems pretty convenient."

"Oh, please. He was checking out somebody nearby. I'd know if Gio had him following me. It wouldn't be the first time," Dahlia rolled her eyes, finishing off her water in record time. "Whatever you say," I grinned.

The more I learned of Giovani, the more mysterious he became. He seemed to be very protective of those around him, but I never really understood why. It was like there was danger around every corner, and he was the only one who could stop it.

I wondered, not the first time, what it was Giovani did for a living... what any of Dahlia's family did for a living.

But like always, the thought was passing.

Dahlia yawned into her hand, and I knew I had a short window before she crashed. There was something about the look in her eye that made me pause, however. She seemed almost content in a way, like she was finally satisfied.

For as long as I had known Dahlia, she had always been a little greedy, always wanting more and more. That's just the way she grew up, getting everything her heart desired. But now, it seemed like the opposite. She was content.

"Alright, time to spill," I said, loudly. "Tell me every lavacious detail. What happened on this date?"

Dahlia grinned at me.