Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 357 -

*Olivia*

I stared silently out the window, daydreaming about what exactly Gio had planned for us later. Dahlia was apparently in a sugar rush from the sangria as she continued to bounce in her seat and mumble about food. When she accidentally elbowed me in the side, I decided I needed to distract her enough to get her to be still.

"Where are we going?" I asked Gio.

My plan worked. Dahlia stopped bouncing and turned to him, waiting to hear his response.

"Oh, you'll see," he smiled and leaned back, closing his eyes.

I couldn't help it; worry flooded me as I saw just how tired he really was. He was amazing at putting up a front, but I could see now, in the way his face didn't fully relax even with his head back and his eyes closed, that he was exhausted. I chewed on my lip and studied him for a moment longer before Dahlia dug her fingers into my side, causing me to yelp and jump away.

"No sad faces!" she declared.

"You are quite the dictator tonight," I told her, but she was right. There was no point in dwelling on my worries right now; there was nothing I could do to change anything. Giovani wanted me here in Italy, and part of me being here with him meant that he was going to have to spend extra time thinking about my safety on top of all the other duties he had as the Don.

Finally, the car rolled to a stop in front of a little sandwich shop with small tables on the sidewalk out front. It was adorable, and I couldn't wait to go inside. When I had imagined myself being a university student in Italy, this was the exact kind of spot where I had pictured eating lunch or grabbing a coffee while I studied. It was remarkable that in spite of everything, Gio somehow managed to give me exactly what I needed, when I needed it.

We had to wait in the car while the guards in the car behind us piled out. There were at least ten of them just following us, and I had no idea how many were staying in the shadows, keeping us safe from a distance. It felt absurd to walk around with more armed guards than the president of the United States, but Giovani had to constantly watch his back.

Once the guards had our car surrounded, we were able to hop out and walk into the shop. They followed us in a loose formation, staying far enough back to give us a semblance of privacy, but they never more than a few steps away. The sandwich shop was just as I had hoped it would be. The smell of fresh bread wafted through the air, and an older couple manned the counter. They spoke in quick Italian to each other, gesticulating wildly in a way that made it clear they had been together for a long time and hardly needed words to know what they meant.

Giovani stepped forward, and they both exclaimed over him, saying he looked too thin and hadn't been coming by nearly often enough. I smiled as I realized that they must have known him since he was much younger.

It was rare for me to meet people who knew what he was like as a young man. He turned to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, encouraging me to step forward so they could get a good look at me. "This is my love, Olivia," he told them in Italian. His words sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine.

"Nice to meet you," I said shyly.

"Olivia, this is Bianca and Francesco. They make the best paninis in the whole town. I've been coming here for years."

"Not often enough these past few months, although I see what has distracted you!" Francesco said with a grin. I felt myself blush.

Dahlia stepped forward and introduced herself as Giovani's cousin. I was surprised that she hadn't been here before, but I wondered if Gio had kept this spot to himself on purpose. It was probably nice to be able to get away from it all sometimes. Even I could feel my stress melting away in the peaceful shop.

"We'll make you your usual, Giovani," Bianca said. "And it's on the house. Do not even try to leave money!"

Gio laughed and said, "I wouldn't dream of it."

"And for you beautiful ladies, what would you like?"

Dahlia stepped forward and ordered with confidence. I had no idea how she could be so comfortable in every situation, but I hoped I could get to that point someday.

When it was my turn to order, I simply asked if I could have the same thing that Gio normally got.

"Great choice," Francesco said, winking at me.

We sat at a small table in the corner, and Gio quietly informed Dahlia and me of how he had met Bianca and Francisco years ago when he was helping gain control of this block for his organization. The pair had been forced into paying astronomical "protection fees" to the old group who'd had control, which really just meant that they paid to keep the old group from coming in and destroying their shop. It had been Giovani himself who had put an end to it and ensured that nobody would dare come threaten Bianca and Francisco ever again. Ever since, he would drop by at least once a month to eat and check in on them, and they had quickly grown fond of him.

When our sandwiches arrived, I could tell why Gio had brought us here. He was right; it was by far the best panini I'd had in my life. Dahlia moaned loudly as she took her first bite, sending me into a fit of giggles. Gio smiled at me, amused by the fact that I was definitely still a little buzzed from the sangria. He'd been right to get some food in us. We weren't drunk yet, but another hour under the sun sipping on the delicious drink, and we would've been delirious.

We finished our food quickly, Bianca hovering and ensuring that we wanted for nothing. When we stood to leave, she enveloped Gio in a tight hug.

"Don't go so long in between your visits," she scolded him.

"It was lovely to meet you ladies! Please come again!" Francisco called as we walked out the door.

Before we could start walking to the car, Dahlia spotted a gelato shop next door. Her eyes lit up, and she grabbed me and pulled me toward it. I could never say no to gelato, and Gio could never say no to me, so all three of us walked over, the bodyguards following closely behind.

Once we had our gelato in hand, I was ready to start heading home. Gio's promise of what was going to happen this evening made me eager to get back. We rode in silence, my anticipation growing with every passing mile. I caught Giovani looking at me and licked my gelato seductively, a grin playing at the corner of my mouth.

Before long, we were back. Dahlia excused herself to go study, and I was grateful that I didn't need to come up with an excuse to get her to leave us alone. My gelato was half gone, so I brought it to the bedroom with me, thinking it could provide an interesting element to whatever Gio had planned. Giovani followed close behind without a word. I could practically feel the sparks flying between us. The air crackled with electric need.

As soon as we were inside, Gio shut the door behind him. His eyes were dark with desire, and I stared up at him, just waiting to see what he planned to do to me.

"Clothes off," he said gruffly.

I shivered and handed him my gelato then immediately tore off my sweatshirt and stepped out of my jeans. It had to be some kind of record for stripping down. His eyes roved my body, his desire written all over his face as I stood in front of him in nothing but my bra and panties.

"All the way off, carino," he said, a dangerous edge to his voice that only emphasized his sexiness.

I reached behind me to unclasp my bra and let it fall slowly forward to release my breasts. I watched his face as they came free. I would never get tired of the way his eyes slightly unfocused whenever he saw me naked. He was normally so controlled, so calculating in his every move as a Don. It drove me wild to see the way his desire for me made him reckless.

I let my bra drop to the floor, then hooked my thumbs on the sides of my underwear and slowly pulled them down my thighs. Once I had stepped out of them, I stood back up, gazing at Gio as he stood before me fully dressed. The vulnerability of being naked in front of him while he wore several layers of clothing only sharpened my need.

Without warning, he scooped up my remaining gelato with his thumb and wiped it over my breasts. The sudden cold had my nipples peaking so hard I gasped. He dropped the gelato bowl into the trash can and licked his thumb to get it clean.

"Mmm, chocolate's my favorite," he said, his voice rough with pleasure.

The gelato on my breasts began to melt, I could feel little drips running down my torso. Gio stared at them for a moment, taking in the mess he had made before diving down to lick me clean. He held my hips firmly to keep me in place. The heat of his mouth was searing next to the cold of the gelato. I moaned, unable to hold in my pleasure any longer. He licked and sucked his way from my stomach up to my breasts, giving special attention to my nipples. Within seconds, I was gasping and moaning, unable to hold myself up. Gio's grasp on my hips was the only thing keeping me from collapsing into a puddle of need.

Just when I thought I couldn't take any more, he finished licking the gelato and picked me up, walking toward the bed. He laid me on the edge with my legs dangling over the side and kneeled between my thighs, putting my knees over his shoulders. I waited in anticipation, knowing my release was coming soon. I could feel his hot breath as he came closer and closer to my pussy. He was moving slowly, too slowly, but I knew better than to try to rush him.

Suddenly, his mouth was on me and he was sucking hard on my clit. The sudden sensation had me whimpering with pleasure. He didn't let up, just adjusted so that he could press a finger inside of me. The combination of sensations had me on the brink of orgasm within seconds. It never failed to amaze me how easily he could get me to come.

"Gio, I'm-I'm going to-" I gasped, unable to even get the words out.

He didn't stop, just nodded to let me know it was okay. His nod was all I needed. My orgasm was hard and fast. Giovani kept his mouth on me but slowed his movements, helping me enjoy the aftershocks. When I was spent, he kissed my right thigh, then stood up and undressed himself. I stared at him, enjoying the way his muscles rippled with every movement.

Once he was undressed, he climbed on top of me and helped me scoot back so that I was fully on the bed. I felt him pressed against every inch of me and relished in the skin-to-skin contact. I would never get tired of the way he felt pressed against me.

I opened my legs for him, and he slowly pressed the length of his cock into me. He punctuated his movement with soft kisses to my neck. I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer and closer.

"I love you," he whispered in my ear.

"I love you, too," I responded, holding back tears as I was overwhelmed with emotion.

The combination of his slow, gentle thrusts and his heartfelt declaration made me feel incredibly cherished. I knew he really meant it when he said he loved me.

He started moving faster as he got closer to his own orgasm, and I ground my hips against him to help him along. His entire body shuddered against me as he came, and he grunted a deep moan. After a few seconds, he rolled off of me and pulled me close to him.

I snuggled against his chest, feeling more relaxed than I had since I had found the note in my backpack. Yet, in spite of the safety that being wrapped in Gio's arms made me feel, I couldn't shake the feeling of fear that seemed to have permanently settled deep into my mind.