“A second cousin,” I told her with a straight face.
Gianna took in the lustful look the girl gave Ian. “Ew!”
I chuckled at her disgusted demeanor. “I’m surprised your mom didn’t come with you to visit me.”
“Ha, ha,” she replied, a grin curling her pretty pink lips. “Actually, you remember my friend Gage I told you about on the phone last weekend?”
“Yes,” I confirmed slowly.
“He gave me a ride. He’s parked outside, waiting for me.”
Waiting for her. I hated the sound of that. I was the one waiting for her. Waiting for the freedom to kiss her anytime I chose. Waiting for the feel of her naked body against mine. Waiting to be inside her again.
I couldn’t completely hate this Gage guy. After all, he did bring my girl to me. “He touches you, I kick in his face the minute I’m out of here.”
Fidgeting nervously, Gianna whispered, “Caleb, he’s just a friend.”
“Tell me you love me,” I ordered her.
Her face relaxed, features softening. “I love you, Caleb.”
I leaned in so our foreheads touched. “I’m glad you came, pretty girl.”
“Really?”
I didn’t like the surprise on her face.
Scanning the room to make sure the guards weren’t paying attention, I tilted her chin up to steal a quick kiss. “Of course. I’ve missed you. Six more months and we won’t have to be apart ever again.”
“Really?” she repeated, tears glistening, making her eyes shine like aquamarines.
Screw the guards.
Gianna tensed as my lips met hers, parting her mouth at my coaxing. The kiss went deeper as I got lost in everything Gianna. A guard tapping my shoulder brought me back to reality and I reluctantly pulled away. Breathing hard, Gianna flashed an embarrassed look at the guard, muttering an apology.
It was encouraging for the future that she’d only stiffened at the beginning of our kiss. A few hours with Dr. Adler had been spent discussing the continuation of mine and Gianna’s sex life after I was released. I hoped for things to return to normal, but Dr. Adler had warned that Gianna may be hesitant.
With us now behaving, the guard walked back to his post against a wall and I squeezed Gianna’s hand. “Sorry, I got a little carried away.”
Her lashes lowered again. “You still want me like that?” she questioned softly.
“I always will. Nothing could change that. I love you, Gianna.”
She leaned back in the plastic chair, pulling her hand from mine. “I’m not the same, Caleb.”
Reaching up, I fingered a strand of her darker hair. “Yes, you are.”
Her head shook in an attempt to deny my words. “Is there a restroom I can use?”
“A guard will show you....” I said, trailing off as she jumped off the bench, already heading straight for a guard stationed near the door.
GIANNA
Leaning against a stall door in the women’s restroom, I managed to breathe through my anxiety, holding off a full-blown panic attack. Every time I freaked out, it got easier to deal with. The guard had escorted me out of there before I’d completely spazzed out in front of Caleb. I was trying to be the girl he met and dreaded him witnessing how pathetic I’d become.
In front of the sink, I studied the polished stainless steel sheet mounted to the wall which served as a mirror. Wiping a finger under both eyes mostly fixed my smudged makeup. I really did want to look pretty for Caleb, but when I looked in the mirror all I saw was ugly. I’d even worn my nicest heeled boots in a stupid attempt at being attractive.
I felt like a fraud. My mom was wrong. I was the one who wasn’t good enough for Caleb.
Exiting the bathroom, the guard escorted me back to visitation. Caleb had to hate being treated that way. I was only getting a small taste of what life was like for him in here.
I stopped by Ian’s table on my way back to Caleb. Ian rose to his feet with a warm smile, pulling me into a hug. “How you doing, beautiful?”
Ignoring his concerned look, I forced myself to appear cheerful. “Really good, Ian. I can’t wait till you and Caleb get out of here.”
Rubbing my back, he gestured to the girl who glared at me. “This is my friend, uh, Trisha.”
“Hi,” I offered. After an awkward moment where she simply stared unhappily at me, I said, “See you later, Ian.”
Ian glowered at his cousin, or whatever, as if he were about to bitch her out. “Yeah, sure, next time you come.”
Hugs from Caleb and Ian didn’t bother me, but the thought of sharing more than a kiss with Caleb scared me.
CALEB
“I like your hair,” I told Gianna as she returned to her seat. It was a total lie. I wanted her as she was naturally, but I figured females liked to try new hair colors and the men in their life were duty bound to compliment the changes.