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Gentle air escapes my nostrils as I drink in the sight of him. My son. My whole world.
Aria stands beside the crib, her arms crossing over her chest as she stares down at him. Her expression softens, something unreadable flickering across her face.
“You know,” she murmurs, “despite all his mistakes, my dad was still the best dad in the world to me. He lied about my brother and that… that hurt. But he never let me feel my mom’s absence too much. He was there for me.” She looks up at me, her eyes glistening. “And that’s all kids really need, Elio. For their parents to be there.”
I step toward her, my fingers finding her waist. “And you’ll do the same for him.”
She lets out a shaky breath, nodding. “Yes. I will.”
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering at her jaw. “And I’ll be right there with you.”
A small, breathless laugh escapes her as she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me close. “I know,” she whispers.
I rest my forehead against hers, closing my eyes as I let myself sink into the warmth of her, into the reality that this−this beautiful moment right here−ismylife now.
“I can’t do this without you, Aria,” I murmur, my voice breaking. “I swear, I can’t.”
She tilts her head back slightly, her hands tightening around me. “You’ll never have to. It’s you and me against the world. You don’t have to worry about the mafia empire’s safety any longer, not when you have Cortez.”
“He has proven himself to be such a brave man. I can’t wait to see how he fares, but I’m sure he’ll make me proud.”
“Oh, he will. He’s had the best example there can be,” she says, a big grin framing her face.
Something inside me cracks wide open. I grip her face, my thumbs brushing over her cheeks as I stare into the eyes of the woman who changed my life. “You’ve made me better in ways I can’t even explain.” My voice is raw, thick with everything I feel but don’t have the words for. “I just want to be able to focus on the legal businesses I have, the casinos, hotels, and restaurants. I’m never going back to that life of violence. I’m done.”
Tears gather at the edges of her lashes, but she smiles through them, lifting a hand to my chest, right over my heart. “This decision you made means the world to me, and I love you for that. So much.”
My breath shudders out of me. I cup the back of her neck, tilting her chin up as I lean in and capture her mouth in a slow, lingering kiss. She melts into me, her body pressing flush againstmine, her hands fisting into my shirt like she never wants to let go.
Her lips are soft and warm against mine, parting just enough for me to taste the sweetness of her breath. I pull her closer, feeling the heat of her body press against mine as my hands trace the curve of her waist.
Her fingers slip beneath my shirt, cool against my skin, and I shudder at the contrast. I reach for the hem of her blouse, bunching the fabric in my fists before sliding it up and over her head. She gasps as the air kisses her bare skin.
“Elio…” she whispers, her lips brushing against my ear. “Not here.”
I glance at the crib. Our baby’s still sleeping soundly, undisturbed by the heat pulsing between us, but she’s right. We should take this elsewhere.
I brush my lips against her ear, just enough to make her shiver. “Next time he’s asleep in his own bed,” I murmur, my fingers tracing lazy circles on her hip, “I’m taking you downstairs– to our special room. I’m going to press you up against that velvet chair you love so much, have you gripping the arms and just watch while you squirm, until you’re the one telling me exactly what you need.”
I drag my fingers slowly down her spine, my lips still hovering at her ear. “Then I can have you on your knees,” I murmur. “Hands behind your back, eyes on me, waiting, begging...because youknow better than to touch unless I say so. Then I’ll pull you into my lap, spread you out across my thighs, and take my time with you. I’ll map every inch of your skin with my hands and my mouth, until you’re restless, aching.” I pause, letting my breath fan against her neck. “And when I finally have you where I want you...against that cool leather, legs trembling, I’ll scratch something against those hardened nipples of yours. Guess what?”
Aria swallows hard, her breath coming faster now, her nails digging into my chest through my shirt.
“I... I don’t know. Maybe a whip?”
She’s literally trembling while a low growl seizes my throat.
“That’s what you want, eh? A whip across your nipples? If you’re a good girl, then I will do that.”
I don’t even have to look at her to know her cheeks are flushed, her lips parting just enough to betray how much she wants me. She shifts slightly, pressing closer as if drawn by the weight of my words alone. I don’t rush her. I let her absorb every detail, every promise laced between them. And then, in the softest, most breathless voice, she whispers, “God, Elio… when?”
“Like I said, when next we don’t have to tiptoe around EJ.”
Without hesitation, I lift her into my arms. She hooks her legs around my waist as I carry her across the hall, pushing openour bedroom door with my shoulder. The moment it clicks shut behind us, I pin her against it, claiming her mouth once more.
Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me deeper into the kiss, and I groan at the sensation. My hands slide down, gripping her thighs as I walk us toward the bed. I lower her onto the mattress, following her down, and let my mouth trace a slow, teasing path from her jaw to her collarbone.
She gasps as I reach behind her and strip her black brassiere open, my hands mapping the familiar territory of her perfect breasts as I take one of them in my palm and the other in my mouth.