Page 90 of Bellini Bound

Allie raised a fist to the sky. “Victory is ours!”

Okay, maybe losing wasn’t so bad. Getting to witness my wife act like the most adorably dramatic fool was worth the blow to my pride that came with defeat.

Dusting myself off, I offered her my hand. “Congrats. You beat us fair and square.”

She preened as we shook, and I couldn’t resist using my hold on her to tug her into my chest, relishing the sound of her surprised squeal when she slammed into the solid wall of muscle.

Lips against her ear, I rasped, “You’ll pay for topping me later, baby.”

A stuttered exhale flew past her lips, and she argued, “But the girls. I’m too loud.”

Dark laughter vibrated through my chest. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I come fully equipped with a gag to muffle your screams.”

“E-zo. I cold!” Serafina’s little voice popped the bubble of lust surrounding us, and we broke apart.

“All right.” Allie clapped her hands. “Time for warm baths and hot chocolate.”

The toddler pouted, stomping her foot. “E-zo say I get eyes keem.”

Crap. I thought we’d at least get inside the house before she ratted me out.

Allie’s eyebrows rose as she turned to me. “Is that so?”

I cringed. “Yeah.”

“Care to tell mewhyyou’ve promised a toddler a frozen treat after spending over an hour outside in the cold?”

Shaking my head, I replied, “We’re operating on a do-not-ask, do-not-tell policy at the moment.”

She was fighting hard against a smile. “Okay then. Ice cream all around.”

“Yay!” both girls cheered loudly.

“Bath first,” Allie declared. “Or else you’ll turn into Bellini popsicles.”

“Mmm.” I rubbed my stomach. “That’s my favorite kind.” Scooping up Bianca, I pretended to munch on her belly.

“E-zo down!” Serafina yelled over the sound of her sister’s laughter. “No eat sissy!”

“Aw.” Sticking my lower lip out in an exaggerated pout, I whined, “But she tastes so good.”

“It’s always the biggest kid that’s the most trouble,” Allie teased, a sparkle in her green eyes.

Pointing a finger toward my chest, I winked at the girls. “That’s me. I’m the big kid.”

Allie shook her head at my antics before herding us toward the door. “Okay, knuckleheads, in you go.” Once we were inside, she began stripping the girls of their bulky winter gear, barely sparing me a glance. “Hot shower for you, too, big guy. You’re soaked through.”

I bent down to dust a kiss over her icy cheek. “Bossy looks good on you, babe.”

“Yeah, we’ll see if you’re still singing that tune when you’re hypothermic and I have to stick a thermometer up your ass.” She mouthed that final word, more mindful than I was of our young audience.

“Don’t tempt me with a good time,” I tossed over my shoulder, already on my way to obey her orders.

I might be full of smartass remarks, but the truth was there wasn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do to make Allie happy. Pleasing her had become my life’s sole objective.

Chapter 23

Allie