Barnes
It sounds crazy, but after the fight I had with Gianna, I felt like our relationship was stronger than ever before. It was the first time we’d really bared our souls to each other…and the first time I truly realized Gianna was every bit as strong as she acted.
Months passed. It was strange – in Boston, the weather would have changed. The leaves would have turned from green to brown and golden and red. Snow would have fallen from the sky. But in Los Angeles, it almost felt like living inside of a snow globe, except a snow globe where it never actually snowed.
Heaven Cove was going well. It was even nominated for a few daytime television awards, although Eric and I were both confident that it wouldn’t win. Gianna’s career was really taking off, and soon she had to start wearing sunglasses everywhere just so pictures wouldn’t appear in the papers. But my happiness felt like something that was larger than the sum of its parts. I’d gone from being miserable in Boston to have a perfect life.
A year ago, it wouldn’t have seemed possible.
“Barnes,” Gianna called. “We’re going to be late for the set!” She walked into the living room wearing a stunning minidress that showed off her long, tanned legs. LA had been good to Gianna. Her red hair now had natural blonde highlights from the sun, and her limbs were golden-brown from constant time poolside.
I grinned. “I don’t care,” I said. “Besides, I’m not sure I should let you out of the house looking like that.”
Gianna flushed. “I don’t want to lose my job,” she said, tossing her long hair over one shoulder. “And neither do you.”
I shrugged. “I always have the office in Boston.”
“God, I wish you’d just hire someone, or start delegating, or something,” Gianna said. She yawned. “It seems like that’s the only thing that really stresses you out nowadays.”
I frowned. Even though she was right, I wasn’t ready to give up my firm. At least, not yet.
“Someday,” I said, pulling Gianna close and kissing her. She melted in my arms.
“I love you,” Gianna said. She pulled away and batted her eyelashes at me.
“I’ve been thinking,” I said slowly, taking Gianna’s hand and leading her over to the couch.
“There’s something we should talk about.”
“Baby, we’re going to be late,” Gianna said. She pursed her lips. “Is it important?”
I nodded. “It’s very important,” I said. “I was thinking that we should get married.”
Gianna flushed. “You’re not serious,” she said.
“I am,” I replied. “I love you – and I know you love me. And we’re already living together, and we know we’ll be together for the rest of our lives. And I could protect you if you were my wife. Don’t you understand how much easier that would make things for us?”
“You’re really serious?” Gianna’s eyes were wide, and I watched them fill with tears. Dropping to one knee, I took Gianna’s hand in mine.
“Gianna DiFaba, I love you. Will you be my wife?”
“This is such a surprise,” Gianna said. “How long have you been thinking about this?”
“Since the day I met you,” I said honestly. “But I thought it would be better to wait,” I smirked. “You know. I had to let you know that I wasn’t a massive creep or anything.”
“Yes,” Gianna said. A tear rolled down her cheek, and I reached forward to wipe it away. “I’ll marry you, Barnes.” She leaned down and kissed me deeply, nibbling on my lower lip until I purred. When she pulled away, she grinned.
“Are you going to tell everyone on set that you’re marrying the director?” I raised an eyebrow.
Gianna laughed. “Only if that means you can put me in more scenes.”
I chuckled. “We’ll see what we can do.”
“Do you want a big wedding?”
“I want whatever you want,” I replied. “What do you want?”
Gianna frowned. “I want a big party,” she said slowly. “But maybe you’re right – maybe if we get married sooner, it’ll be better. That way, if anything happens to me, you can—“
I put my hand over her mouth. “No more talking about things like that,” I said firmly. “Now that we’re getting married, you’ll be my wife, and I’ll truly be able to keep you safe.”
Gianna swallowed. “I hope so,” she said. “I really do, Barnes.”
The next week, I took Gianna to a luxury jewelry store and let her pick out an engagement ring and a wedding band. As much as I tried to contain my excitement, I couldn’t. When it came to thinking about marrying Gianna, all I could do was think about how much I wanted her to be mine forever.
“I’m sorry this isn’t very romantic,” I told Gianna as we arrived at the county courthouse. Looking around at the bleak wooden panels and windowless rooms, I wondered if maybe we shouldn’t have planned a real wedding after all. But Gianna’s radiant smile was all I needed to convince me that I’d made the right decision.
“This is perfect,” Gianna said. She leaned in close and kissed me on the cheek. “Barnes, I couldn’t be happier to be marrying you.”
I grinned. “You’re going to make my ego even bigger,” I told her.
Gianna rolled her eyes. “God help me,” she replied.
We followed a solemn-faced judge into a dull room and stood by a table while he cleared his throat and opened a book. The vows were simple – there was nothing flowery or religious about them, but somehow that made them all the more special. After all, despite our unusual relationship and age difference, I knew that we were getting married for all the right reasons.
“Barnes Harrington, do you take this woman to be your wife? To have, to hold, through sickness and health?”
I looked at Gianna. She was smiling, and she looked like she was on the verge of what she called ‘happy tears.’ I’d never understood why women cried so much, but suddenly, I didn’t care.
“I do,” I said.
“Gianna DiFaba, do you take this man to be your husband? To have, to hold, through sickness and health?”
“I do,” Gianna said. She squeezed my hand.
“Then I pronounce you husband and wife,” the judge said. His stern expression disappeared, and he smiled. “You may kiss the bride.”
I slipped a diamond eternity band onto Gianna’s finger and leaned in close to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I pressed my body against her.
“Let’s get out of here,” Gianna whispered in my ear when she broke the kiss. I grinned.
“My pleasure,” I said. I reached for Gianna’s hand and lifted it to my mouth, kissing her palm with my lips. Gianna flushed. As we walked out of the courthouse, I was grinning like an idiot. The most beautiful woman in the world had just married me, and I felt like I was walking on air.
As eager as I was to be alone with Gianna, I’d booked surprise reservations at the city’s most exclusive restaurant, and I couldn’t wait to see the expression on her face when we arrived.
“So,” Gianna asked playfully. “Are we going home? Or did you book a hotel?”
I grinned. “A surprise,” I said. I offered her my arm as we descended the courthouse steps to the street, where my driver Max was waiting for us. Ever since the night Gianna had gone down on me in the back of my limo, I had a feeling he didn’t care for her much. But he smiled today.
“Congratulations, Mr. Barnes and Ms. Gianna,” he said. “I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
Wrapping my arm around Gianna’s shoulders, I pulled her in for a kiss. “I’m sure we’ll have it,” I said. “But thank you.”
When we arrived at the restaurant, Gianna grinned. “How did you get a table here?” She asked, unable to control her glee. “I can’t believe it!”
I smirked. “I told them I was bringing Gianna DiFaba.”
Gianna playfully hit me in the shoulder with her clutch. “No, you didn’t,” she said. She peered over my shoulder where a silken ivory banner printed with “Congratulations, Barnes and Gianna!” written on it. “You planned a party!”
“I did,” I said, shrugging modestly. “And we can stay as long as we want,” I said, leaning in close. “That is, until I decide I have to drag you back to the hotel and make passionate love to my new wife.”
Gianna flushed. She kissed me on the cheek, and everyone in the restaurant clapped and cheered. “Thank you,” Gianna said. “This is really something.”
I’d invited everyone from Heaven Cove, as well as my best friend Jack and his wife, Adele.
“Gianna, I’d like you to meet my best friend,” I said, putting an arm around her shoulders and guiding her through the restaurant to where Jack and Adele stood. “This is Jack.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Gianna said. She held out her hand and gave Jack the same confident smile she’d given me. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Jack snickered. “All good, I hope. And trust me, not nearly as much as I’ve heard about you,” he replied. “I’m glad Barnes finally snagged himself a good woman.”
“Jack,” Adele said. “You make it sound like marriage is a contest!”
Jack winked. “Isn’t it?” He grinned and kissed her on the cheek. “Barnes, this is amazing. I’m starting to rethink leaving the country.”
“Yeah,” I said. “As much as I hate myself for saying this, I’ve come to really love it here.”
“I have, too,” Gianna chimed in. “I could never go back to Boston now.” She shuddered. “The only downside is now I don’t get to wear all of my fabulous coats.”
Adele rolled her eyes, but Jack and I laughed.
“Fine with me,” I said. “I don’t like seeing you covered up, anyway.”
Gianna flushed hotly. “You’re terrible,” she said in a coy voice. “I love it.”
I smirked. “I know you do,” I said with a grin. “That’s why I married you.”
Music started to play, and I took Gianna’s hand, leading her out to the dance floor and enfolding her in my arms. Soon, the floor was filled with other couples, whirling around and smiling.
“Are you sad your family isn’t here?” I asked Gianna as we rocked back and forth to the slow rhythm of a jazz song I’d requested specifically for my new wife.
“No,” Gianna said. She rested her head on my shoulder. “Well, maybe Diane.” She swallowed. “But it’s too risky. Since we still don’t know who’s trying to frighten me, I think it’s maybe for the best that she couldn’t come. I mean, I didn’t tell her – I didn’t want her to run away like I did and cause a huge problem.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Well, we’ll see her soon. Maybe we can fly her out when we get back from our honeymoon.”
Gianna grinned. “Where are we going?”
“Well,” I said, stroking her hair. “That’s a surprise, too. But it’s close – so you won’t miss any time shooting Heaven Cove.”
“Someday, I want to take a real trip,” Gianna said. “You know – to Europe or something. I’ve always wanted to see Venice. Oh, and Rome! I want to go there.”
“Anything you want,” I told her as I leaned in for a kiss. Gianna and I kept dancing slowly as our kiss grew more intense. I slipped my tongue into her mouth and sucked her lower lip as I moved my hands over her slender curves. She was wearing a thin silk dress that made her feel practically naked in my arms, and after just a few seconds of passionately kissing, my cock was throbbing in my trousers. I wanted to get Gianna away from the crowd.
“I think we should get out of here,” I whispered as I pulled away. “Or else I’m going to rip your dress off and take you right here.”
Gianna pretended to look scandalized, but there was a clear look of lust in her eyes. “Oh, Barnes,” she said seductively. “You wouldn’t!”
I grinned. “I would,” I said. “And I will, so we should leave.”
Gianna glanced over her shoulder. The rest of the guests were still eating, drinking, and dancing.
“Nah,” she said. She winked at me. “We wouldn’t want to interrupt, would we?”
“Indeed not,” I said archly.
The ride back to the hotel where I’d booked the honeymoon suite was torture. Gianna kept running her hand over my leg, squeezing my thigh and eyeing me. She licked her lips and tossed her hair, pressing her breasts together with her arms until deep cleavage appeared.
“You’re such a tease,” I groaned. “You’re going to give me a heart attack on my wedding night.”
Gianna gave me an evil grin. “That’s the idea,” she said.
When we got to the hotel, I scooped Gianna in my arms and carried her through the lobby. As soon as we were in the elevator, I kissed her hungrily. Gianna moaned and pressed her breasts against my body. She bit my lower lip, then broke the kiss and sucked on my neck, tearing at the buttons of my shirt like she couldn’t wait to get me naked. I groaned as my cock throbbed in my pants. My balls were aching, and I couldn’t wait to plunge inside of Gianna’s tight, waiting body and come harder than I’d ever come in my life.
The elevator doors dinged open, and I carried Gianna down the hall without breaking our kiss. Fumbling in the pocket of my pants, I pulled out a keycard and swiped the door unlocked. The giant bed inside was spread with rose petals, and I pushed them to the side as I lay Gianna down on the fluffy white duvet. She looked at me with lust in her eyes.
“Oh, Barnes,” Gianna moaned. “I want you so badly.”
I crawled on the bed and ripped my shirt off, throwing to the side. Locking eyes with Gianna, I fumbled with my belt and the zipper of my trousers, sliding them down my thighs and crawling on the bed. I pushed Gianna’s thighs apart and buried my face in her inner thighs, inhaling her womanly musk until I thought my throbbing cock would explode.
“Take your dress off,” I growled.
Gianna sat up on the bed and licked her lips. She reached behind herself and unzipped her dress, sliding it off her body. I grabbed the silk material and threw it to the floor before pouncing on her and kissing her desperately. Gianna moaned into my mouth and pressed her body to mine. Now that she was clad only in a pair of thin panties, I couldn’t wait any longer.
I reached between our bodies and pushed the crotch of her panties to the side, sliding a finger inside her wetness. Gianna moaned and thrust her hips toward me, clearly wanting more. I grinned as I rubbed gentle circle around her clit with my thumb, making her gasp and squeal with pleasure. Gianna clawed and grabbed at me, pulling me on top of her. As soon as my cock touched the soft skin of her inner thighs, I knew I had to take her.
“I want you,” Gianna purred. She closed her eyes and threw her head back, spreading her legs.
With one hand, I ripped her panties off and threw the ruined material to the side. Crawling between her thighs, I steadied myself with a hand on her hip and plunged deep inside.
Gianna moaned loudly. She shivered and shook and wrapped her lean legs around my waist as I began thrusting back and forth. I buried my cock deep inside her and groaned. She felt amazing – hot and wet and tight, all ready for me.
As we moved together in a passionate frenzy, I pinched and rolled Gianna’s nipples in my fingers. Her response was immediate, and as she began thrusting her hips against my body, I reached down with my free hand and started rubbing her clit. Gianna bucked and gasped, leaning into the sensation.
“God, I love you,” I groaned, leaning over her body and burying my face in her neck. I could feel my balls aching and straining, and before I knew it, I was coming hard inside Gianna’s waiting body. My orgasm seemed to set Gianna off, and after only a few seconds, she moaned and shook and quivered. I felt her tight wetness clench around my cock, over and over, until her massive orgasm had passed.
Covered in sweat, I pulled out of Gianna and flopped onto the bed. She immediately curled up on my chest, running her fingers over my skin.
“That was amazing,” Gianna purred. She yawned and closed her eyes. “I love you, Mr. Harrington.”
I kissed her forehead and brought her face close to mine. “And I love you, Mrs. Harrington,” I replied, pushing her red hair away from her forehead.
Gianna giggled. “That’s assuming I change my name,” she said with a touch of her old arrogance. “If I change my name, no one will recognize it.”
I laughed. “Such the prima donna,” I said in a teasing voice.
“I know,” Gianna said. She gave me a mischievous grin. “But would you have me any other way?”
“No,” I said honestly. “I wouldn’t.”