Page 39

Azura

C orrado is thrilled to see me and is showing me the entire apartment. The delicious smell of food is making me lick my lips, or is that his scent? I’m not sure… either way, the place smells divine.

Kiara and Alejandro had left after lunch and although I’ll miss them, I’m glad I at least got to see them for a short while. Kiara’s parting words were to take care of myself, and the baby, along with a not-so-subtle comment about talking to Leo and trying harder. In what way? Well, I know what she wants and hopes for. Think before acting, Zu.

Marcel had asked if I wished to stay at the mansion, but I had politely declined, deciding to return to the apartment beneath Leo’s. The short conversation I’d had with him now replays in my mind,

EARLIER THAT DAY…

“Thank you for everything,” I said, looking at Marcel. We had just walked Al and Kia to the pack borders.

“I’m afraid I didn’t do enough, but I can assure you that Emmet will be punished for what he tried to do. I know my son, and I know he has a level head on his shoulders most of the time.” We walked alongside each other as we made our way back.

“I know…” I said, placing my hand on my stomach. Leo would protect this pup…

“I am happy that I’m going to be a grandfather again.” He smiled, and I smiled back.

“Yes, I just fear that this one might just be a little monster brewing with parents like us.” I wanted to say like Leo… but I knew I was psycho, too. Marcel let out a chuckle.

“Well, kids aren’t always like their parents; Leo is nothing like me or his mother for that matter…” His smile faded to a softer, tender one, and I knew he was remembering her. “Petra was a very caring woman with a good heart, strong yet gentle at the same time…” A frown creased his brow, and he sighed.

“Are you okay?” I asked hesitantly.

“Of course… just my time with her and the memories are so vague… fleeting even because I don’t remember much… she died when Leo was still rather young…”

The memory of Leo’s dream had returned to me, and I wondered how much Marcel knew, or didn’t know. Doesn’t he have a right to know?

“And this is Daddy’s room!” Corrado’s excited voice brings me out of my reverie.

“Corrado.” Leo’s voice comes with a subtle warning.

I skim the room. There was no sign of a woman living there… I guess Nikki really did move out. I glance at the bed and can’t deny that a pang of jealousy and pain rushes through me at the thought of them both in that bed. I might be pregnant with his pup… but I have never slept with him. Not that I wanted to. Although, I don’t think I would be able to sleep if he was in my bed.

Urgh, focus, Azura. Now I really sound like a hormonal pregnant woman.

“Okay, Azura, let’s go have dinner. Daddy worked very hard!” He takes my hand, tugging me to the table, and I follow.

I can feel Leo’s eyes on me. I had literally gone through everything before selecting this skirt, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I had chosen this skirt on purpose. I know that Leo has a thing for my legs, and it’s pretty satisfying knowing I have that hold on him. I really don’t know what I want, or what the future holds, but it’s kind of fun to see him struggle to control himself. I also won’t deny the fact that I enjoy his attention.

I look at him as he places a platter of grilled chicken on the table, along with a bowl of chips. There is a platter of rice and some nuggets, too. Goddess, the food looks so damn good.

“Daddy cooked,” Corrado declares, and I smile.

“Your daddy is pretty good at a lot of things, right?” I ask, ruffling his hair.

“Oh, yes. Daddy is good at everything.”

He nods, and I make the mistake of looking at Leo, who is placing a wooden tray containing four sauces on the table. Why is seeing him in this setting so crazily hot…? I know Raven finds Liam cooking hot, but I never got it. I just felt like, yay I am going to get food in front of me … but then Leo…

His eyes snap up to mine and my heart skips a beat. I’m sure I have the block up… right?

I almost hear the purr of approval from my wolf under his intense gaze. A man looking at me with pure hunger. Eat me, please.

No, don’t. Go away bad thoughts!

“I never knew you were a good host,” I tease, pushing the thoughts of him shirtless out of my head. Corrado pats the seat next to him, and I slide into the chair.

“I’m not,” Leo replies coldly, sitting down.

“Well… this meal speaks otherwise, or am I just lucky?” I have to take a picture…

“Yes, Daddy only cooks for Azura and me,” Corrado agrees as I quickly take my phone out.

“That is very nice of your daddy,” I say, snapping a picture of the table. I almost get Leo in it, and I’m not going to complain if I do, but then he sits back, tilting his head as if he knows what’s running through my mind.

Don’t worry, I didn’t want you in the picture, I say, putting my phone aside. He raises an eyebrow.

I didn’t say anything.

“I know that look,” I say out loud.

“Do you now?” He counters. I would say more, but I can see the huge smile on the little gorgeous chipmunk’s face next to me.

“What would you like to eat Corrado?” I ask instead.

“Chips and nuggets!”

“Chips and nuggets it is!”

I place both on his plate before adding two nuggets and a handful of chips to my plate before helping myself to the rice and two pieces of chicken. Yes, I can eat, and I will eat a lot! I only eat less when I have to cook. Leo begins adding food to his plate last, that same arrogant look on his face.

“So, Corrado, I heard you wanted to eat with me?” I smile down at him, taking a bite of my food. I’ll be damned… this chicken and rice are to die for. Damn, the guys got skills, and not only in the bedroom. He nods, swallowing his mouthful.

“I did, but it was Daddy’s idea,” Corrado continues with a suspiciously innocent look on his face. “He wanted to eat with you, too.”

“I didn’t,” Leo adds, frowning at me. Oh, I can’t let such a good chance to tease him pass me by…

“Aww, are you sure, Weo?” I coo teasingly. A flicker of something crosses his eyes as Corrado and I giggle.

“Weo! Daddy’s name sounds funny!”

“When I was little, I couldn’t say the R and L sounds sometimes, unlike you. So, Leo would have been Weo, you would be Cowado.” I smile, remembering I was pretty old when my speech became fluent. There were even a few people who found the way I talked irritating, but no two children were alike. I remember when I finally got a grasp on the letters, I didn’t want to use them out of stubbornness. Besides, Liam fell for everything as long as I spoke like that.

“It’s cuter than how you speak now,” Leo remarks, snapping me from my thoughts.

“Want me to call you Wittle Weo?” I ask with a devilish smirk.

“No thanks unless you want me to call you Lola.” Lola?

“Lola is a pretty name, and so is Weo!” Corrado adds.

“Who is Lola?” I ask suspiciously, narrowing my eyes and watching him eat a forkful of chicken and rice. I am so damn jealous of that fork right now…

“Figure it out,” he smirks.

“I plan to,” I reply, annoyed with that dumb smirk on Wittle Willied Weo’s face. Okay, he’s far from little but still…

I move my leg, tensing when it brushes against Leo’s knee. Our eyes meet, and the intense pull between us only seems to heighten. I slowly move it again, only to knock it against his other leg. I’m sure his legs weren’t this close seconds ago…

I raise an eyebrow, moving my legs away as I pick up a drink bottle and pour myself a glass.

“What do you want to drink?” I ask Corrado.

“I will have the apple juice; you should ask Daddy, too.” Okay, I think this boy is up to something. Even Leo is frowning at him, but I’m not going to break a kid’s heart.

“Tell me, Wittle Weo, what drink would you like?” I ask sweetly, earning a glare from him.

“I can help myself,” he replies, icily biting the metal cap off a bottle of J2O and taking a swig.

“Daddy, we have to be nice to Azura. She’s our guest.”

“Yes, Wittle Weo, you got to be nice to your guests,” I repeat.

Keep calling me that and I fucking swear I will remind you how far from little I am. His growl comes through the link, sending pleasure to my core. My entire body wants exactly that… and maybe a part of my mind, too…

Well, I don’t remember. Guess there was nothing to remember… I reply haughtily as we continue eating. The image of his dick is still clear in my mind…

Oh, fuck. My entire body is a mess of nerves, and that dangerous desire that is pooling between my legs is growing.

Damn it, Azura, focus.

I do my best to focus on Corrado after that, and when dinner is over, both Leo and I get up at the same time to clear the table. Leo is about to say something, but I cut in,

“I’ll do it. You cooked,” I say when our hands brush, and his gaze rakes over me.

“Fine, you can put that sexy ass to use.”

We both freeze, and I can almost see the annoyance on his face at himself for letting that comment slip.

Nice to know you think it’s sexy, I remark, brushing past him, my bare shoulder brushing his arm.

Don’t push it.

This wasn’t meant to be going like this… and how the hell are we flirting when there is a kid watching us with such intensity that you can’t miss him.

“I’ll help!” Corrado offers as he stands up, about to take the drinks to the fridge.

“Let me wipe your hands first,” Leo says, taking a hand wipe and crouching beside his son.

I watch them, feeling my chest tighten at the faint smile on Leo’s face, the adoration on Corrado’s, and the way Leo wipes his face, too. He is a good dad…

I look away quickly, washing the dishes. My own dad was perfect, the best dad anyone could wish for, and I want my baby to have that…

Once the table is wiped, Leo takes out a platter of dessert shots.

“Daddy didn’t make these,” Corrado announces, “I chose them from the shop all by myself. Winnie let me.”

“Yeah, I can tell,” Leo remarks as we look at all the colourful desserts.

“They look yummy,” I say as Corrado runs to get spoons.

“What drink do you want? Hot chocolate, coffee, or anything?” Leo asks when our eyes meet.

“Milk,” I say, smirking as something else milky white came to mind…

“Is your mind always in the gutter?”

“I didn’t say anything,” I retort, my gaze dipping to the front of those jeans that hug his perfect legs. He steps closer, about to reach for me when Corrado’s little figure stops, observing us intently.

“You didn’t need to; your eyes speak loud enough,” he replies, turning to Corrado. “You got the spoons?”

“Yes, I did…” he says, pretending to yawn. “I’m so tired, too.”

“Oh yeah?” Leo asks sceptically. “You wanted Azura here, and now you’re ready for bed?”

“Yes! I want Azura to put me to bed, please? And then you can put Daddy to bed, too!” I can’t help but burst out laughing at that.

“Corrado…” Leo warns him.

“But, Daddy, we had a plan,” he whispers, motioning for Leo to crouch down. Leo sits down, lifting him onto his lap.

“There was no plan, that was just you being you. Now, which one do you want?” Leo asks, placing him down on the seat beside him.

“I want this one.”

While Corrado helps himself to what looks like a strawberry mousse, Leo walks over to the kitchen to make himself a drink. Leo switches the coffee machine on before grabbing two glasses and a bottle of milk from the fridge.

“Thanks,” I say, crossing my legs as I help myself to a custard and cake shot with lots of sprinkles on it.

He pours two glasses of milk. Is it just me or is seeing a tatted hunk with his biceps on show doing something so casual, and still looking so damn sexy, a huge turn-on? His eyes meet mine as he slides the glass closer.

“Thanks, for the meal, too, it was really tasty. I’m pretty impressed,” I admit, eating a second spoonful of custard.

“I would say anytime, but I really don’t want you to make this into a habit,” he replies arrogantly as he walks over to finish making his hot drink.

“Make it a habit!” Corrado adds happily.

“Yeah, and just think, when you’re feeding me, it’s not only me you’re actually feeding,” I remind him when he returns and takes a seat next to Corrado.

“Yes, Daddy, Azura can’t cook, she needs you to cook!” Leo is now frowning.

“I don’t cook daily, Corrado, but yeah, you actually can’t cook, so what are you eating?”

“What do you mean?”

“Meaning are you getting the nutrition you need?” Is he really going to grill me on that?

The baby takes what it needs from the mother, so you don’t need to worry, your baby will be fine, I say through the link.

Yeah, but you need to keep yourself fed and strong too or have you forgotten that part?

I’m fine. Winona has been giving me food, and I make really good sandwiches.

Yeah, I’ve heard of your sandwich-making skills, he replies mockingly. I frown.

Don’t mock me, I might just make a sandwich out of you, I threaten and then block him out, simply enjoying the dessert.

“Can Azura mind-link Daddy now? Does that mean you joined our pack?” Corrado asks innocently. This kid sure is smart… I look at Leo, deciding it’s best if he answered this one.

“It’s a little complicated, kiddo. Now, how about you finish your dessert?” He looks at us curiously before nodding.

“Okay, Daddy.”

Leo doesn’t have any dessert, simply drinking his coffee. We fall into a comfortable silence, and I look at them both, wondering what the story behind Corrado’s birth is. Where is his mama?

“I’ll go brush my teeth and put my pyjamas on now, I’m so sleepy! Azura, I will call you when I’m ready,” Corrado declares, finishing off his milkshake and supporting a cute milky moustache. That part emphasising how tired he is makes it clear he isn’t tired.

“Okay! Call me.” I give him the thumbs up before he gives Leo a big hug and runs off.

“He never wants to sleep usually,” Leo remarks.

“He’s a good kid,” I reply quietly as he disappears into his bedroom. Leo nods.

“He is, although I don’t really get to spend as much time with him as I want.”

“I guess he gets that, considering you are practically running this pack.”

“Yeah,” Leo says, placing his cup down.

“Was he okay that Nikki’s gone?” I ask, feeling a sliver of guilt rush through me. Leo looks at me and shakes his head slightly.

“Yeah, he didn’t really care. They weren’t really close, which I guess is for the better.”

“I can’t believe that. He’s really social and lovable.”

“Towards you, and that’s why he thinks I should keep you,” Leo replies, frowning as he emphasises the word ‘keep’. I smirk, leaning forward.

“Not jealous, are you, that he has taken a liking to me so soon?” I tease.

“Not at all,” he replies. Our eyes meet, and I can’t stop myself from asking the question that burns in my mind.

“Where is his mama?” His eyes flash before he looks away. Shit, I shouldn’t have asked

“I’m sorry, if you don’t want to talk about -”

“It’s not that… I’ve just never told anyone the truth about that.” He speaks very quietly.

“Want to share? You already know my secrets,” I say, sitting forward.

His gaze dips to my cleavage, and he leans forward, taking hold of my chin. My breath hitches at his touch, and he runs his thumb across my bottom lip, sending sparks rushing through me. The urge to bite down on his thumb is intense.

“Maybe I will… but right now... someone’s watching us with a little too much attention,” he whispers huskily. My eyes widen and I jerk away, only to see the shadow of the little minion down the hall.

“I’ll go to put him to bed,” I say, standing up. “Then I want to know that story.”

“Fine.”

He leans back. This time when I walk away, I don’t mind taking it a little slower, giving him a good view of my behind in this mini skirt… A little extra sway in my hips wouldn’t harm anyone. I can’t wait to know what the story behind Corrado’s mama is, and I hope it helps me understand Leo a little more…

I smile when I see Corrado scrambling into bed and almost laugh. Oh, he is such a mini-me.

“Oh, hello, Azura. I was just going to call you,” he lies innocently.

“Oh, I’m sure you were. Now, how about a bedtime story…”