No Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"This is not a good idea," I whisper as Giovanni's hand pulls me down the sidewalk. Near the residencies, there is next to no one outside of their homes, not wanting to trench through the deep snow. Still, I'm nervous. "This is not a good idea. We should just go back inside."

"Where is your sense of adventure?"

"Back in the bedroom," I reply, grinning. He looks back at me, his lips pursed in amazement.

"Touché, Bardot."

"Where are we going anyway?"

"We're almost there. I saw it on my way here."

We turn the corner and the famous New York wind nearly slices straight through us.

"There are people over there," I whisper, noticing people on the other side of the sidewalk by a Christmas tree stand.

He looks around us, brows curved together. "I could have sworn it was around here... give me a second. I'm going to ask where it is."

I nod as he crosses the street, looking completely at ease here. I feel myself sink into my thoughts the longer he's gone, fanaticizing about the hours we spent inside the apartment. The feel of his skin, the undeniable energy between us that made it impossible to stop until we were literally too sore to continue.

I press my hand to my mouth, rubbing as the worry also sets in.

I've never experienced anything like this.

I was married for years and I didn't feel this.

I've known Gio for a month. A goddamn month.

I don't know how to get ahold of myself. I don't know how to set boundaries, boundaries that need to be set. I'm breaking rules that could quite literally destroy my life... and yet, I don't dare utter the words to him.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I dig into my pocket, sniffling as I answer.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Scarlett Bardot?"

"It is."

"I am Doctor Sahil. I'm currently treating your ex-husband Dixon Routh. I wanted to make you aware that he's being released today. He hasn't arranged transportation home. He listed you as his preferred contact."

My eyes close in frustration. "I am not on good terms with my ex-husband, Dr. Sahil. I'm sure the police have informed you that he tried to harm himself in my place of work."

"I did. I spoke to the patient and he assured me he'd been in contact with you. I'm sorry, I was lead to believe you were coming to get him today."

"No, I'm sorry. I cannot do that... I have to go." I hang up abruptly, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

Good fucking terms? He's insane.

God, when will this end? When will he just go away?

I kick my boots into the snow, chewing on my lip, hating that I'm scared. Dixon is spiraling fast. Too fast.

"Hey!"

I look up, hearing Giovanni's voice. I gape slowly.

He's dragging a fucking Christmas tree.

I feel my mouth break into a grin, Dixon fading quickly away into the background. Giovanni's smile stuns me as he reaches me across the street.

"What the hell are you doing?"

He removes a recycled bag from his shoulder, handing it to me. I look into it, seeing ornaments. I gape again. "Wha—"

"I took their display tree."