Lodged (Kinsmen Billionaires #2)

35. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Gio Bianchi

T he Apple Festival is just a few weeks away, and everything is going as planned. Miles has been working hard to get all the rides in place, even hiring a larger company from Charlotte. But I’m happy everything is moving toward having the fairgrounds ready for the festival.

It was one of the things Ruin paid the most attention to while coming up with our bucket list. Even though I know there’s no certainty, I hope this will help trigger her memories. I know she’s been having more and more vivid dreams lately.

Right now, I’m working on another item on our bucket list; I can’t wait to surprise her. This one is one I’m particularly excited about.

“Hey, Penny. How’s it going?” I ask my friend as her image comes up on my phone.

“Gio!” she shouts, way too excited for so early in the morning. But she looks like she’s on her exercise bike.

“I see you’re busy, so I won’t take too much of your time. I just wanted to confirm that everything is set as we discussed?” She gives me a pointed look, and I wince. Sometimes I forget how dedicated Penny is to her job, whether it is growing my fortune or helping me surprise Ruin.

“Yes, boss. Everything is good to go. I hope you have an unforgettable night with your girl.” Penny winks at me as she disconnects the call, and I smile, heading off to get everything for my date with Ruin today.

“Hey there, Gio,” Ruin’s mom says as she opens the door for me.

“Hello, Ms. MacAllister.”

She hugs me as I step inside. She pats me on my chest. “Please, call me Jossie.”

I nod and smile as I look around to see if Granny is up so I can also say hello.

“Ruin will be out in a minute; she’s still deciding what to wear for your date today.” Jossie chuckles. I can hear Ruin shushing her mom from her room, and I chuckle. Does Ruin have bionic hearing?

“Hi, Gio. I’m sorry I made you wait.” Ruin comes out wearing a dark pair of yoga pants, a dark green Henley, and a pair of tennis shoes. She looks comfortable and beautiful.

“It’s no bother, I was just making small chat with your mom.” I grin, and Ruin rolls her eyes playfully.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’d love to know all my embarrassing details, but that’ll have to be saved for another day. I cannot wait to see what you planned for us today.” Ruin places her hands together as she gives me a bright smile.

“Let’s go then. I can’t wait for our date to start either.” We say goodbye to Jossie, and I hold Ruin’s hand, guiding her toward the door.

When I’m about to help her inside my car, Granny comes out to the porch and shouts, “Have fun, lovebirds! And remember, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She cackles, and Ruin and I share a chuckle as we get into my car, and I start driving.

“Okay, can I please know where we're going now?” Ruin practically begs as she bats her eyelashes at me.

“Well, since the weather is changing, I thought it’d be fun to go for a hike. We could see the early foliage colors and have a nice picnic surrounded by nature.” I share my plan, hoping she’ll be as excited as I am. But Ruin doesn’t make a peep; she’s just staring out the window.

“We can do something else if you prefer,” I say, wondering if I fucked up with this idea and hoping she’ll say she wants to do this, knowing damn well I’ll do whatever she wants.

“No, no. That sounds fun. It’s just that...” She trails off with a deep sigh. I grab her hand and give it a squeeze, letting her know I’m listening. “It’s just that I haven’t hiked since before the accident, and I’m nervous. What if my ankle breaks again, or what if I can’t handle the hike and we get stranded in the middle of the forest?” Her voice turns low as she speaks, and I hate that my smart, strong girl doubts herself.

“Sweetheart, do you trust me?”

“I do,” she answers immediately, no hesitation. I give her a wink, and she blushes. That’s my girl.

“I made sure the path we’ll be walking is easy and has some of the best views in the area. I also packed an emergency backpack with food, first aid items, and even a satellite radio in case we need professional help.” I glance at her briefly since I’m driving, and her face has gone from worried to happy. The lines on her forehead vanish.

“Thank you, Gio. Seriously, I’m so thankful we met.” She pulls my hand to her lips and kisses the top.

“Trust me, I’m the lucky one here.” She smiles at me as we continue to drive to our destination. Hopefully, we can make it to the spot I’ve planned for the night—and she likes the surprise I have for her.

“Oh, Gio. I know this place. Did you know I love this trail?” I shake my head but don’t meet her gaze. We’re at the Mount Mitchell visitor center, and after doing some research, I learned about the different trails that lead to the summit, and one that leads to a beautiful clearing. Of course, I made some calls and some generous donations, and voilá—we have exclusive access to the trail and clearing for the next twenty-four hours.

I help her out of the car, and after grabbing my backpack and something for Ruin to use on the hike, I lock my car and walk toward her.

“What’s that?” she asks, a frown marring her forehead.

“A cane. I thought you could use one to help support your body while we walk.” I asked around town for a woodcrafter, and they directed me to Mr. Gilbert. He handmade this one especially for her. He knew her height and assured me this would be great for her. By the look on her face, I’m not so sure anymore.

“Did I overstep? I’m sorry. I thought I was doing something helpful. Here, let me take it back to the car.” I smile at her, letting her know I’m not upset. I just want to make her happy. When I grab the cane, she doesn't let it go.

“No. Don’t take it back. I actually think it’s a great idea.” Relief washes over me, knowing I didn’t mess up our date.

“I was just in shock because it’s been eight months since the accident, and my family and everyone in town think I’m back to normal. Thanks to the extra physical therapy sessions, I think I am getting close, but I still don’t feel completely like myself. Somehow, you see that, you see me. Thank you.” She closes her eyes. I’m trying hard not to cry, and I close the distance between us, holding her close to me.

“I love you, Ruin. You’ll always be my number one priority.” She looks up at me, and her green eyes shine with love. She doesn’t need to say it; I can feel it. I grab her chin between my thumb and forefinger, and she parts her lips—all the invitation I need to kiss her. This isn’t how I was planning to tell her I’m in love with her, but I guess not everything can go according to plan. She tastes like sweet apples and completely mine. I could get lost in this kiss forever and die a happy man, but I have big plans for us today. Reluctantly, I break the kiss, and Ruin whimpers. Fuck, how have I missed those little noises she makes.

“This way, sweetheart.” I guide her toward the start of the trail. The path is clear of debris, thanks to the town’s Boy Scouts. I promised them tickets for the rides at the Apple Festival, and they were happy to earn them by doing a good deed.

She walks a couple of steps ahead of me, and I see her give the cane a try. The more comfortable she feels using it, the more speed she gains. After ten minutes of walking, she’s at a pretty good pace. I catch up with her after snapping a couple of pictures of her walking surrounded by trees, rocks, and the changing leaves; it’s a beautiful sight.

“How are you feeling?” I ask as soon as I’m walking by her side. Her face shines with perspiration, and her breathing is somewhat fast, but her smile is big, and her eyes are so bright they could light up the entire mountain.

“I’m feeling incredible. Thank you for doing this, Gio.” She reaches closer and gives me a quick peck on the lips. I chuckle at her excitement. I feel like the best boyfriend in the world right now. I put that smile on her face.

We reach a small creek with a picnic area big enough for us to sit down for a moment. I pull a blanket out of my backpack and help Ruin sit down. Once I know she’s comfortable, I grab two water bottles and two granola bars.

“Can we really be this in sync? These are my favorite bars, and I don’t think I’ve had them since before…” She trails off, and I know what she means. I hate that the accident is still a sore topic for her. Maybe she needs to see someone to talk things through. I make a mental note to revisit that topic at a later time.

We enjoy the snack in comfortable silence, relishing the sounds of nature—the water running down the mountain, birds chirping in the distance, twigs falling from the trees. The first hints of the changing leaves appear on the trees—yellows and some oranges are the most prominent now. The colors will be in full swing in a couple of weeks, just in time for the Apple Festival.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Ruin asks with a pleasant smile on her face.

“It truly is,” I answer honestly. Even though I wasn’t born here, I’ve come to love this area.

“Do you see yourself setting down roots here?” she asks, a hint of nervousness in her tone. I know exactly where she’s going with this.

“I do. There’s no other place I’d rather be.”

“You do?” She opens her eyes as wide as saucers, and I chuckle.

“Why do you look so surprised?” I answer her with another question, something I don’t usually do, but I want to know what’s on her mind.

“Well, you bought everything new for the farmhouse.” I nod for her to continue, but she readjusts her position and starts playing with a strand of her hair.

After a moment, she continues. “I thought you were going to move your stuff here, but maybe you kept your other place because you want to move back at some point.” She shrugs and lowers her gaze, and I immediately kneel in front of her—my sweet Ruin.

“Sweetheart, look at me.” Her gorgeous green eyes find mine in an instant.

“There are many things we haven’t discussed yet since our relationship is new, and I want to think we have all the time in the world to get to know each other, but the reason I kept my other house is because I want to have a place in case we need to go to the city. I have many other properties, and I’d love to take you to all of them at some point, but the place where I want to settle is right here, beside you.” She smiles and drops her head to my chest. My arms instinctively wrap around her, drawing soothing circles on her back.

“Thank you for always saying what I need to hear,” she says, and I hug her tighter. “I’m not sure what I did to deserve you, but I’ll be thankful for you every single day of my life,” she tells me, her voice thick with emotion.

We stay like this—I’m not sure how long—but I’ve never felt more at home than when I’m holding Ruin close.

We continue the hike as the sun sets, and Ruin throws me a curious look.

“Shouldn’t we be returning to the parking lot? I’m not sure it’s safe to hike in the dark.” I smile at her as I reach for her hand.

“I have one more surprise before our date ends. If you don’t like it, we’ll head back to the car. I promise.” She nods and smiles as we continue to walk. If everything is set as I requested, we should be at our glamping spot in about five minutes.

When we reach the clearing, I hear Ruin’s gasp, and a grin parts my lips.

“Oh my goodness, Gio. Is this what I think it is?” She practically squeals in excitement.

“Maybe. What did you have in mind?” I ask nonchalantly.

“Are we spending the night here?” I nod at her, and her squeal can be heard all over Appalachia. I throw my head back in laughter, and she smacks me gently on my abdomen.

“Ouch!” I fake cry, and she rolls her eyes at me.

“I didn’t hurt you. I’m just so excited,” she says as she rubs my abs gently. Before my dick can notice, she picks up the pace, and I need to speed up to keep up with her.

I asked Penny to find an old Volkswagen van, and I had it remodeled as a tiny mobile house. The final product is even cooler than I envisioned. String lights are strung around the van, and when I press the fob, the van purrs to life.

When I open the door for Ruin, we step inside to find a kitchenette and a seating area that can be transformed into a queen-size bed. The best part is that we can stargaze from the comfort of the bed.

“This is fantastic; I’m so excited for this little adventure.” Ruin brings her hands to her chest as she grins from ear to ear. I give her a chaste kiss, but she gets a hold of my lips, and the kiss turns heated in two seconds. Ruin explores my back with her hands, and I let mine roam down to grab her ass. I press her close to me, and my dick makes its presence known. She moans at the contact, and my dick jerks in reaction. I know I need to let her dictate the pace, but I want to bury myself deep inside her, so I can feel the way her pussy pulses against my cock again. It’s been a long damn time.

We continue to kiss for a while until I pull back. Ruin pouts, and I kiss the pout off her gorgeous lips, which are swollen from our makeout session.

A faint noise comes from the driver’s seat, and Ruin freezes.

“We’re alone, right?” I nod as I try my hardest not to smile.

“Okay, so what was that sound?” There’s a little whimper again. “That! Did you hear it? Please tell me I’m not crazy.” Ruin looks at me frantically. I can’t wait for her to find out.

“I think it came from the front. Do you want to go take a look?” Her horrified expression makes it really hard for me not to lose my composure and laugh, but after a couple of breaths, I’m back to my nonchalant self.

“What kind of boyfriend are you? Why are you telling me to check for noises instead of protecting me?” I can’t hold it any longer; she’s cute even when scared.

“Sweetheart, please, just go and see.” She squints her eyes at me but then decides to check for herself. She moves slowly from our seats to the front of the van. I stay in my seat but take my phone out so I can take a video.

“Gio, is this a present?” she asks as she tries to pick up the box, but it’s a little heavy, so she just decides to leave it there.

“I think you need to open it.” My grin is wide, and now she’s grinning too.

“Oh, I love surprises,” she says as she removes the top of the box, only to be greeted with a lick on her face. I got her a Siberian husky.

“Oh my goodness, Gio. How long did you have this handsome boy here waiting?” She pouts as she helps the dog out of the box and immediately hugs him.

“Not long at all. Someone delivered him when we were minutes away.” Her eyes mist over, and she happily hugs the dog as he peppers her with kisses. Now that I think about it, maybe it wasn’t my brightest idea to get her a dog the first night we’d be spending alone since the holidays.

“How did you know I love huskies?” she asks as she sits back next to me, the dog following her obediently.

“A little bird might have told me,” I confess, and she stares at me.

“What? I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to screw it up, so I asked your siblings.” I raise my hands, and she sighs.

“See? You’re the best.” She straddles me and my hands slide to the small of her back. When she leans down to kiss me, the dog starts nudging my hands off Ruin with its nose. Ruin looks around, giggling, just as I let out a groan.

“I’ll name him Cobalt. I have a plush animal, and it’s also a husky. I don’t know who gave it to me or why I have it, but I hold it close to me every night when I go to bed. For some reason, it makes me feel at peace.” My throat clogs with emotion. Even though we were apart and she doesn’t remember our time together, I feel, in a way, like I’ve been with her all this time, giving her comfort through Cobalt.

“I think I need to get on with prepping dinner before it gets too dark,” I say as I kiss her.

“Sounds good,” she says, grabbing her can and heading outside the van with Cobalt. “I’m going to walk with Cobalt for a few minutes. Is that okay, or do you want me to rest?” She glances up at me through her eyelashes, and I chuckle.

“You know me well. I’d like for you to rest, but I know you want to take care of Cobalt, so maybe after your walk, you and him can lie down for a bit?” She nods, and after a quick kiss, I get to work washing my hands.

I grab the steak from the mini fridge I had Penny order for us— skirt steak marinated in chimichurri sauce. I also prepare two huge potatoes to bake on the grill. After setting up the portable grill outside the van, I get it going and place the steaks and potatoes on it. Once everything is cooking, I prepare a quick salad and leave it in the fridge.

“Do you want some water? Or maybe tea?” I ask Ruin as she returns to the van with a happy Cobalt. Maybe he did need to pee or something.

“I’d love some tea, it’s starting to cool down.” I smile and nod as I get warm water for her tea.

“I didn’t realize you liked reading romance,” she says as she waves a book. I have no idea where it came from.

“I don’t. I mean, I have nothing against it, but that book isn’t mine.”

“Hmm, funny. I wonder how it got here?” Ruin asks, and an idea forms in my head. Penny is an amazing friend, but she can be a little too in your face when she wants something to happen.

“I’ll be right back; I’m going to check on the steaks,” I tell her as I pass her the cup of tea, and she smiles appreciatively.

Once I plate dinner, I take out a bottle of wine, and Ruin claps excitedly. I love how excited she is about the little things. “Oh, this is the wine I loved back at the winery we went to,” she says when she sees the label, and I kiss the top of her head. “Thank you, Gio. Somehow, each date with you is better than the last.”

“Let’s make a toast,” I say as I sit across from her on the small table. She raises her glass, and her eyes shine bright with anticipation.

“To a lifetime of dates, each better than the last.” Her grin is wide as we click our glasses. She takes a sip of the wine and closes her eyes as she lets the flavor invade her senses.

“Perfect ending to a perfect day. Thank you so much again, Gio. I know I sound like a broken record, but I’m so thankful for you and everything I get to experience with you.” I lean in and give her a soft kiss, not being able to form words to tell her everything I have on my chest. Cobalt enjoys his dinner, as well, and once he’s done, he comes to sit quietly next to Ruin.

After dinner, I clean up and tie the trash securely in the kitchenette. Then I set up the portable potty outside the van, and Ruin’s sigh of relief makes me chuckle.

“As much as I enjoy camping, I was starting to think that we needed to head back to use the restroom. I don’t want to do my business in the bushes when it’s dark.” She turns an adorable shade of pink after her comment and makes a quick exit from the van. I shake my head in amusement.

We lie down on the bed, the moonroof giving us a perfect view of the clear sky studded with bright stars.

“This is so peaceful. I love it here,” Ruin says, rubbing small circles on my chest.

“Maybe this is something we can do in my three seasons porch at home?”

“I love the idea,” she says as she lowers her hand down my chest and starts toying with the band of my boxers.

“Sweetheart, you know where I stand on the matter.” I chuckle at my lame joke about being hard all the time when she’s around. “But don’t feel like something has to happen tonight. I’m happy as I can be just holding you tight all night.” I pull her closer to me and inhale deeply as she releases a breath.

“I don’t want you to think I don’t want to be with you, but I’d like to wait a little longer to go all the way. Do you know what I mean?” she asks quietly, and I help her settle on top of me.

“How about you lead the way tonight. We’ll do as much or as little as you want.” She smiles and pulls my bottom lip with her teeth. Cobalt raises his head from the bed, and I chuckle.

“Maybe I got you a dog that’s a little too protective. He’s even trying to protect you from me.” Ruin chuckles but then tells Cobalt to go to sleep in a serious tone, and somehow he follows her command.

“I love that you got him for me. Where did you find such a well-behaved dog, anyway?”

I move in place as I make myself comfortable; the kissing session is going to have to wait a little bit longer.

“Once I knew you wanted a husky, I started looking around and found a rehoming place for adult dogs. Their owner didn’t want him anymore because he sheds like crazy.”

“What? That’s stupid. Why would they get him in the first place? Didn’t they do their research on huskies before they got him?” She huffs a frustrated sigh and then suddenly covers her mouth with her hands. “Oh my goodness, he had owners, and I just decided to call him Cobalt. What’s his real name?”

Before I can even answer, Cobalt is next to us, trying to nuzzle his way onto the bed. “I think he responds to the name just fine.” I chuckle. Ruin gives him a peck on his head and takes him back to his bed.

When she comes back, she removes her clothes and leaves on her bra and panties. She’s wearing a simple black cotton set, but she still manages to look breathtaking. I make quick work of removing my clothes as well, and we spend all night kissing and exploring each other’s bodies under the stars.

I wake up in the middle of the night when Ruin starts talking in her sleep. At first, I can’t quite make out what she’s saying, but as I listen closely, my heart skips a beat.

“I love you so much, Blue. You and only you, forever.”

Could it be that she remembers who I am? Did Cobalt trigger more memories? We’ll see if she calls me Blue in the morning.

“I love you too, baby girl. You and only you,” I whisper against her hair as I drift off to sleep with a big smile.