Page 44 of Caruso (Vegas Mafia #3)

Chapter Forty-Four

Tommaso

I watch her sleeping like an angel in my bed. The first woman I have ever allowed that pleasure.

I carried her dripping from the pool. Her body limp, her mind somewhere else entirely.

Water trailed behind us as I carried her protectively to my room, lying her in the bed with no care for the sheets.

I wrapped her shivering in the comforter and pressed my slick body against hers, sharing my warmth, relishing the skin on skin as our bodies molded together.

As my arms curled around her protectively, my heart exploded. I have never experienced emotion like this. Taylor is the first woman I’ve ever wanted in this way. I’m mindful I must share her, and I’m good with that because one third of her time is better than none at all.

Her breasts press against my chest, and her soft moan of contentment brings a smile to my face. Her heart is beating slowly against mine as she drifts in and out of consciousness, small sweet sounds of happiness lighting the air between us.

She has found a home with us but has made this space into a home. It wasn’t before. It was merely a place to go to relax. Now it’s more. It’s special because she is here with me – alone at last.

I must have fallen asleep because from the far reaches of my mind, a familiar sound rouses me from oblivion.

Taylor stirs in my arms and whispers, “What’s happening?”

My heart sinks as I face the fact our solitary bliss is about to be shattered.

“The calvary’s arrived, princess.”

“I don’t understand.”

Her sweet voice is husky, her body warm and softly compliant against mine, and I tighten my hold on her, reluctant to surrender this moment.

“I’m guessing my brothers have come to check on you.”

She chuckles against my chest. “You must be pissed about that.”

I lean down and kiss her with desperation, accepting our time together will always be bittersweet.

“I would have done the same.”

With a groan, I pull away and say with resignation, “We should meet them downstairs before they burst in here uninvited.”

“Do we have to?” The way she tightens her hold on me causes my heart to race. It creates a stronger bond between us that settles my heart a little.

“Can this really work, Tommaso?” She asks, a hint of uncertainty creeping in, and I nod.

“It will work all the time you want to stay.”

I trace my finger down her pretty face and whisper, “It is our job to make you happy.”

“I am happy.” She smiles against my lips, and as we kiss, it’s a lingering pleasure in the knowledge it will be one of many.

I decide that my brothers can wait a little longer.

One hour later, I heave a sigh and check my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Taylor is singing in the shower, and it causes me to chuckle.

I could get used to this; sharing my space with her; listening to her sweet sound for the rest of my life, never leaving her for a second.

But I’m not the only one who wants that pleasure, and I’m pretty certain they must be preparing to stage an intervention right now, so I pop my head around the shower screen and say with resignation, “Take your time. I’ll head downstairs and face them on my own. ”

“Are you sure?” Her huge eyes are concerned, and I reach for her as if it’s the most natural thing in the world and crush our lips together. Desperate, hungry and happy.

She tastes of sweet beginnings, and the ache in my heart has dulled a little. She is healing me inside, and I never imagined that could happen—ever.

She is so sweet, the most decadent meal I have ever tasted, and the thought of handing her over to one of my brothers—Matteo, I’m guessing – isn’t a pleasant thought.

“I should go.”

She shakes her head, disappointment heavy in her eyes.

“We can make this work, Tommaso.”

Her hesitant smile earns another kiss from me and then, with a sigh, I pull away and growl, “As I said, take your time.”

Leaving her is hard, especially to face my brother’s smirks, knowing they were right about her.

I head toward the terrace. I’m guessing they are there. It’s a pleasant evening, the sun still hovering on the horizon.

I can’t believe it’s only been one day, and what a day it’s been! It doesn’t take long for your world to change if you open your eyes and see life a little clearer. This is the first day of the rest of our lives; it’s a comforting thought at least.

“There you are.” Giorgio is irritable and huffs, “You don’t call, you don’t report in and for all we knew you’d packed Taylor off with her friend and came here to hide out.”

“Who says I haven’t?”

His eyes disappear into his hairline, and Matteo sighs.

“Don’t mess with him, Tommaso. What’s the story?”

I sweep out a seat at the table and reach for the decanter of wine. We have enjoyed many meals together, many of them here at the Freedom Ranch. We love it here. It’s our home, if you like, and despite our bickering, we do kind of get along. That’s why I know this will work.

“Jason turned out to be just like all the rest of the lowlifes in Taylor’s world.”

“He hit on her?” Giorgio’s voice is ominous, and I shake my head.

“His tastes are for geriatrics now, namely his future bride, an eighty-year-old woman with money to burn. We interrupted his stag party.”

“Gross.” Giorgio shivers with distaste.

“What happened?” Matteo’s voice is measured, guarded and desperate for information, and I turn to him, my eyes gleaming.

“Taylor was destroyed. He wasn’t interested in her and told her she had always been just a kid. He encouraged her to follow in his footsteps and gave her the contact details of the agency he uses; they would hook her up with a wealthy man who would lavish money on her for little in return.”

“Is this guy still breathing?”

Giorgio’s tone is ominous, and I nod. “Of course, he is no threat to us. What do we care how he gets his kicks? It’s obvious he’s not a threat and Taylor is done with him.”

Giorgio nods, settling back in his chair, and I throw in, “She decided to leave.”

The air stills as my brothers digest thenews.

“But she didn’t.” Matteo asks, his tone fierce.

“No.” I sip the wine. “We came to an understanding.”

“Which is?”

Matteo’s voice is smooth, but I sense the tension in it and the fierce energy gleaming in his eyes.

He’s more protective than I am, and I completely understand it now.

He was the first one of us to fall, and rather than worry about it, I’m happy for Taylor that she now has three demons watching over her.

“She will stay and give this a try, but under her conditions.”

“Which are?”

Giorgio’s voice is edgy. He is most volatile when uncertainty creeps in, and I add quickly, “That she can leave at any time if she decides this isn’t for her.”

“Of course.” Giorgio chuckles softly. “She’ll never leave because I will make it my mission in life to make that woman the happiest one alive.”

“We must consider how this will work.”

Matteo is ever practical, and yet I agree. Fighting with my brothers over a woman is unfamiliar territory for all of us and must be carefully controlled.

“I get her nights.” Matteo stakes his claim.

“All of them?” Giorgio’s fist connects with the table, and I heave a sigh.

“That’s not practical.”

Matteo hisses, “I found her. I stated the rules from the beginning.”

“You are giving her reason to leave, Matteo, remember, Taylor must be comfortable with the situation, and fighting among ourselves is a surefire way of showing her the door.”

He leans back, obviously pissed that I speak the truth.

“What then?” Giorgio growls, and I shrug.

“We have no rules. Taylor decides. She must be free to make her own choices. It won’t work otherwise.”

Silence falls as my brothers adjust to the situation. They will accept I’m right because drawing up a rota to share one woman would never work, and they both know it.