Playing with Fire (Gianna alt. Pov) (Patreon)

Several weeks ago, I noticed people requesting a scene in which Gianna is jealous - particularly the scene in On the Same Page

Several weeks ago, I noticed people requesting a scene in which Gianna is jealous - particularly the scene in On the Same Page when she and Riley meet at the bar, and Riley gets hit on by the bartender.

Is Gianna really as unaffected by jealousy as she leads you to believe...?

--------------- Playing with Fire -----------------

Gianna, like many children, had been warned not to play with fire.

Her mummo often had a fire burning in her home whenever the weather was chilly – which was most of the time, in Finland. She’d also been very into candles, enjoying the soft lighting of the fire to their lamps.

So, it had been drilled into Gianna’s head from a very young age that fire was not something to take lightly.

Unfortunately, Gianna had never been all that good at strictly following the rules.

If she was, she likely wouldn’t have gotten herself entangled into this… situation with Riley.

If Gianna were a smarter woman, a stronger woman, a woman with a much better survival instinct, she wouldn’t be playing this dangerous game.

Because it wasn’t a game to her. Not at all. Not even close.

Gianna knew Riley’s body; she’d admired it, coveted it, for so many years.

But there was a big difference between fantasy and reality.

Now, Gianna knew how Riley felt under her hands. She knew the way Riley tasted, how her thighs shook so hard when she came. She knew the sounds Riley made when she came, and she knew those sounds would echo through her bedroom long, long after this – whatever this was – ended.

She knew she would never be the same, again. No matter what happened, Gianna had no clue how she was ever supposed to go back to a life of casual sex after this.

Would someone else ever make her come, again?

The very idea sounded utterly impossible to her. How could she go from Riley’s touch – a touch that explored Gianna’s body like she had a map, a touch that made her feel safe and loved even when Riley was using it to wrap a hand around Gianna’s throat.

She laughed at herself, tipping back the rest of her martini. These were the casual thoughts she had in her daily life, now.

“I’d love to buy you a drink, and get to know what’s causing that gorgeous smile,” a deep, masculine voice broke into her thoughts.

Laughter still fading from her lips, she slowly swivelled in her chair to look at the man that had taken it upon himself to approach her.

He was attractive, Gianna would grant him that. He might even be taller than she was, which wasn’t a requirement in any partner; her options would have been severely limited over the years given that her height standing with bare feet was five-foot-eleven. That wasn’t even to mention her penchant for high heels.

He had a well-groomed beard, and perfectly styled brown hair, wearing a sharp blazer. Gianna always did appreciate someone that presented themselves well, and she especially appreciated a man that seemed to have an eye for design.

He was precisely the kind of person that, merely three months ago, she would have responded to in kind.

Sure, she’d have made him work it, but still.

Tonight, she felt absolutely nothing at his charming grin. Not even a slight zing of awareness, the feeling she got whenever she found someone physically attractive.

And wasn’t that the root of both her problem and her greatest joy?

“I can buy my own drinks. Been doing it all night,” she returned, and in doing so, turned to make eye contact with the woman that had been tending this side of the bar since Gianna had arrived twenty minutes ago.

The man’s grip came to rest on the back of the chair that held Gianna’s purse – clearly reserved. “That’s a damn shame. Maybe I could just take a seat? You might want to change your mind once you see me work my magic.” He lifted one of his hands, offering it to her. “Also, apologies for forgetting my manners. I’m Russ.”

“Mm, sorry, Russ; the seat is taken.”

“By… a bag?” His eyes dipped, and his tone was teasing.

Gianna didn’t buy into it. “It’s Gucci. And Gucci isn’t giving up her seat.”

“All right, I can take a hint.” He lifted his hands, slowly taking a step backwards, as if Gianna might change her mind at the threat of him leaving.

She turned her attention completely away from him, turning instead to face the bartender.

The woman wore a small, amused smile. “Can he take a hint, though? It seemed like he was struggling to understand your outright rejection.”

Gianna chuckled darkly, murmuring a thanks as the woman slid her another martini. “Unfortunately, he took it better than half of the men that approach me.”

The woman returned the same dark chuckle, letting Gianna know all too well that she understood the sentiment. She used the cloth in her hands to start wiping down her side of the bar.

“Yeah, but you have to be pretty good at turning people down.” She flicked dark eyes up to Gianna, amusement written all over her face. “He was far from the first person that’s wanted that seat.”

Gianna reached out and draped her arm casually over the back of the empty chair. “And they will keep being turned away.”

The woman chuckled again. “Fair enough. I’m Alanna, by the way.” She tilted her head to the side, eyeing Gianna closely. “Do I know you?”

“Gianna Mäkinen,” she said in return, which was all she ever offered whenever people gave her that appraising look.

Either it would all snap into place and people would understand why she was so familiar to them or it wouldn’t; Gianna let them get there at their own pace.

This woman, it seemed, understood very quickly, the dawning expression sliding over her face. “Ahhh, yes. Okay, I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember if it was because I’ve seen you around at the bar, before.”

Gianna hummed, and was grateful Alanna wasn’t requesting Gianna feature Zest in any sort of review or name drop it as a promotion, which was a typical reaction from people that worked in businesses she patronized. “I have been here before,” she allowed. “So, that’s entirely possible.”

She frowned at Gianna, consideringly. “Ah, maybe. But I think it’s likely from your videos. You know, you’re the one that taught me how to wing my eyeliner. So, thanks for that.”

A genuine smile tugged at Gianna’s lips. “You’re welcome. It looks good,” she complimented, easily.

Because, it did look good. This woman was attractive, with her carefully-styled messy bun and wide-set dark eyes. Even though she definitely hadn’t turned on any charm toward Gianna, she got the distinct sense that this woman fucked women.

If Gianna wasn’t so physically, mentally, and emotionally wrapped up in her best friend, she’d have much rather flirted with Alanna than any of the men that had attempted to charm her.

And yet… here she was.

“Thanks.” Alanna returned, easily, and – yes, there was no hint of flirting in her voice. Gianna appreciated it, having a break from interacting with people who were trying to get into her pants while she was envisioning herself getting into Riley’s. “I’m the owner, here. Well, co-owner,” she shrugged, then gestured at the seat that held Gianna’s purse. “Normally on a busy night like tonight, I’d ask you to move your purse to open up that spot for someone else that wants to sit at the bar. But you seem like you need the space from people.”

“Appreciated. But I actually am holding the seat for someone.”

“Ahhh,” she hummed in acknowledgement. “He running late?”

“She’s running perfectly on time,” she corrected. “I’m early.”

There it was; this intensely strong urge to come to Riley’s defense for even the smallest of comments. But it was instinctive, ingrained into Gianna at this point in her life – even though Alanna hadn’t sounded disparaging in the slightest, Gianna literally could not stand for someone to slander Riley in any way. No, Riley was not someone who would run late!

She chuckled to herself again, this time feeling the dregs of desperation with it. God, she was so utterly insane over Riley Beckett.

“Is this seat taken?” Riley’s voice, the perfect, nearly angelic tone of it, reached Gianna’s ears over the loud beat of the music.

Gianna spun in her seat, anticipation working through her as she made herself turn slowly. It had been a few days since she’d laid eyes on Riley, and every time she saw her when days had passed, it felt like something new and special.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight.

New and special, indeed.

She was wearing the dress. The dress. The very one Gianna had nearly swallowed her tongue the first time Riley had tried that dress on for her a few years ago.

Riley had been self-conscious in it, Gianna had been able to tell simply from Riley’s posture the first time she’d stood in front of Gianna wearing it. Riley had been self-conscious about the way the dress clung to her thighs, the way it dipped low between her breasts. And the dress did exactly what Riley thought, attracting attention to her chest and thighs.

But in the most delicious of ways.

The dress had ignited a burning desire inside of Gianna the second she’d seen it, and she’d done her very best to encourage Riley in wearing it. It would be a crime for that dress to live in a closet.

And Gianna could never regret the many times she’d encouraged Riley to wear this dress out on dates with other people. But she could – and did – feel a visceral satisfaction that the dress had finally ended up on Riley exactly in the way it always should have – out with Gianna.

Whether this was a technical date or not, Gianna couldn’t give a flying fuck right now.

Right now, Riley in this dress was all for her.

Alanna cleared her throat, the sound a buzzing distraction in Gianna’s ear. “She’s actually been saving this seat for a while. You’re at least the sixth person to ask in the last fifteen minutes.”

Seemingly on autopilot, Gianna slid her purse off of the chair, hanging it on one of the hooks under the bar. For Riley, she’d have dropped Gucci to the ground if need be.

Gianna’s first instinct was to laughingly agree, to confirm what Alanna was saying. Because typically – if this evening were happening three months ago, before she and Riley started having sex – she’d have easily regaled Riley with the many pickup lines she’d been exposed to.

But she couldn’t do that.

Because, Gianna’s eyebrow twitched – Alanna’s tone was… different.

She didn’t need to take her eyes off of Riley to see the way Alanna bent over the bar, clearly showing off her cleavage in her tight tank top. “But, I’d be more than happy to… take care of you.”

Oh, yeah, her tone was downright fucking sultry.

There was this sensation that started in the pit of Gianna’s stomach, as she kept her gaze intently on Riley’s face. Watching Riley take in Alanna’s offer, in that fuck-me tone.

Riley’s eyes widened in obvious surprise, before they dipped to sweep a look over Alanna.

And that feeling in Gianna’s stomach became more insistent. Resolutely, she didn’t deign to face Alanna again. She didn’t want to; she wanted to drink in the sight of Riley in the dress.

“The thing is that my new friend, Alanna, here is correct; I am waiting on someone.” She paused, ridiculously relieved when Riley’s beautiful hazel eyes immediately returned to her. Needing to ensure they stayed, she licked her lips slowly.

It was a petty move, almost. A trick she hadn’t needed to pull out of her black book in a very long time.

But, a strong, heady satisfaction worked through her, as she saw Riley’s pupils dilate and stare at her mouth.

“And this person means the world to me, so I’m really torn about giving up this seat.”

“I’ll try very hard to make it worth your while,” Riley answered, her tone dipping an octave.

Gianna felt that tone right in her core; it was the same one Riley used when they were fucking. And that was the thing, wasn’t it? In the before times, Gianna would have said that same thing to Riley if she’d saved her a seat at the bar – this person means the world to me.

And, in the before times, Riley likely would have responded in the exact same way – I’ll try to make it worth your while.

But Riley and Gianna in the before times would have laughed, the exchange would have been lighthearted.

This felt anything but lighthearted. It felt like the precursor to their evening together. It made Gianna ache to know what exactly Riley would do to her tonight to make it worth her while.

“Yes, you are most definitely welcome to take the seat,” Alanna spoke, an eagerness in her voice present that hadn’t been there before. As if she were desperate to make sure Riley didn’t leave. Gianna had never found herself at a bar, wishing that the bartender disappeared completely and entirely, but she was in this moment. Because Alanna’s presence and commentary meant Riley took her eyes off of Gianna. “I’m the owner, so I supersede everyone here.”

Co-owner, Gianna nearly muttered, haughtily. She wasn’t humbly using specifics now that she was trying to impress Riley, now, was she?

She managed to hold her tongue, keeping the comment back, because – wow. She didn’t think she’d had an urge like that since college. A mean girl urge.

“Who am I to argue with that?” Riley asked, and the biggest relief Gianna had right now was that Riley’s tone wasn’t seductive or filled with innuendo when aimed at Alanna, the way it had been with Gianna.

Finally, Riley slid into the chair.

Gianna’s gaze dipped to where the hem of the dress slid dangerously further up on her thighs.

And the knowledge that there was no way Alanna could see the hem of Riley’s dress was a dangerous heady feeling. Good.

“What’ll you have?” Alanna asked.

Finally, some semblance of professionalism had returned.

“Gin martini. Dry. Lemon. Stirred,” Gianna directed before Riley could.

She knew Riley could get her own drink, of course. Gianna had also ordered Riley’s drink a million times, and the order had always meant nothing. Nothing other than… order a drink.

But this order was a claim she was staking.

All the better that it attracted Riley’s attention back to where Gianna desperately needed it to be – on her.

Thankfully, Alanna took a hint as soon as she made Riley’s drink, and with Alanna taking her leave, Gianna felt like she was finally able to breathe again.

Jesus Christ… she hadn’t felt any semblance of jealousy like that since college.

Absolutely ridiculous. Insane. She almost laughed at herself, feeling her shoulders relax –

Until Riley laughed, herself, surprise clear on her face as she pointed down at the napkin Alanna had slid to her under her martini glass. “I think she left me her number.”

All at once, the relaxation that had been filtering through her body vanished, and she flicked her gaze down to follow Riley’s.

Indeed, Alanna’s number was there.

Gianna’s hands itched to take the napkin and crumple it into a ball.

Oh, god, what was happening to her?

Breathing through it, she forced herself to relax. It wasn’t surprising that Alanna gave Riley her number. After all, “Riley, in that dress you could get the number to any single person who is attracted to women. As I’ve always said.”

And that was the truth. If she was out at this bar and Riley was a stranger to her, Gianna would absolutely hit on her. So, how could she possibly blame Alanna for doing the same thing?

Riley looked somewhat amazed, though, as she swiveled in her chair to face Gianna.

She shivered, uncontrollably, at the way Riley’s smooth thigh slid against hers.

“I’ve never been hit on by a woman before, like that.” Riley tapped her fingertip against the napkin.

And Gianna wanted to tear her hair out. Did Riley want to be hit on by women, now? Was this a thing?

Were Gianna’s advances not clear enough? Did she not count as a woman, hitting on Riley? She felt like she was hitting on Riley constantly, during every interaction.

She felt caught by Riley’s intent gaze, a look that was clearly expecting some sort of answer.

“You give off a different vibe, now,” she murmured, which seemed like the safest thing to say.

She needed to take a healthy sip of her drink to chase the words down.

Even though they were the truth; Riley had looked at Alanna differently than she’d ever looked at women in the past. Like she’d been a little surprised by Alanna hitting on her, but also like she wasn’t against it.

“What vibe is that?” Riley asked, and Gianna both loved and hated that she wasn’t being coy.

She was being direct. She was being Riley.

And so Gianna answered as directly as she could. “That you would be open to leaving here tonight with a woman.”

She’d aimed for casual, but she knew as soon as the words escaped her that she hadn’t quite hit her target.

Because that was all she could picture, now.

Riley leaving the bar with a woman.

Would Riley want to explore this side of herself, with other women? Would there be other women, whenever… this, played out its course?

Gianna didn’t like to go there in her mind. She didn’t like to think too closely about what the future held for them. Because she knew that it was a tightrope.

If she leaned too far in one direction, it meant she had to think about not sleeping with Riley again. It meant dialing back their relationship to their perfect friendship. Which was, obviously, perfect. But how could it be enough, now?

If she leaned too far in the other direction, it meant that she and Riley would… would be together? For real? That felt even more terrifying, even more impossible than going back to a simple friendship. How could Gianna possibly express her feelings for Riley?

Gianna often considered herself relatively well-spoken and fearless about speaking her words.

But those words were too terrifying to consider bringing out into the world.

Gianna was on a tightrope, and the only way she knew how to continue onward, was forward, for as long as she could manage.

Maybe there would be other women in the future – a thought that made Gianna literally nauseous. She’d managed to get a handle on her colossal jealousy when it came to Riley with men, and mastering that had taken years back in college. She had no fucking clue where to even begin with managing her jealousy thinking about Riley with another woman –

But she couldn’t think about that right now.

She refused to think about that right now.

Right now, Riley was sitting in the bar filled with people and was staring at nothing and no one, other than Gianna. Right now, Riley’s warm, bare thigh was against Gianna’s, and she was wearing the dress. She’d clearly worn it for Gianna, too.

With that thought in mind, she dropped her hand to Riley’s thigh, her hand tingling at the contact.

She managed, just barely, to bite back her soft sigh.

There was nothing on earth like touching Riley’s soft skin. Especially this soft skin. Touching the places that only she could touch. For now, anyway.

“Maybe I am open to leaving here with a woman tonight,” Riley’s voice was so low, so hoarse, it sent a bolt of heat right through Gianna.

With it, she edged her fingers up even higher. They were in public. They were surrounded by people. Alanna could come back at literally any moment.

Gianna couldn’t care less.

She slipped her fingers just under the hem of Riley’s dress. This – this was just for her.

She needed confirmation of it, suddenly. She needed that statement to be validated, and she paused, staring intently into Riley’s eyes. “Alanna?”

Maybe her grip tightened against Riley’s thigh. Maybe it was a little too tight to be casual, at the thought that there was even a chance Riley would possibly consider leaving this bar with anyone but her.

“Unfortunately, I think she’s going to be a little busy tonight; I’m not going to have the time to get to know her,” Riley’s tone was so throaty as she dismissed the idea of Alanna.

Gianna couldn’t help the shudder that worked through her. The greedy, dark, heady feeling that slid through her veins with it was… intoxicating.

“That’s a shame.” And this time, she had no problem keeping her voice light. Because she felt light, as she slid her fingers even higher, as Riley subconsciously opened her thighs even wider. God. “I think I can offer an alternative, though.”

Why had she even suggested they go out to Zest, anyway? She had no idea why she’d suggested they go out in public, when all she wanted to do was sink to her knees and follow the path of her fingers with her mouth.

She’d been trying for some semblance of normal. Dinner and drinks, like always, before heading home. Home, together.

As she held Riley’s gaze with her own, as she felt Riley’s thigh under her hand, she knew she should have heeded her mummo’s warnings far more seriously.

Because Gianna was already engulfed in the flames.

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