Page 74 of His Vow
He opens another bottle of red, then fills Ant’s glass. When he’s done he turns to me. “What would you like to drink Lucia?”
I raise one brow at him. “A lemonade, grazie.” My pregnancy seems to be the worst kept secret amongst the brothers, which doesn’t surprise me. But I’m not worried, because if they could keep a Vegas wedding a secret, I’m sure they’ll keep the news of a baby to themselves until Ant and I are ready to make an announcement.
From across the table, Tori whispers the word, “Congratulations.” And I return a smile.
“I’m guessing everyone knows we’re having a baby?” My smile stretches wider.
Antonio’s free hand moves to protectively cover my belly. He’s been the best papa-to-be, ever since that first time I rushed from the bed with morning sickness. He’s always the first up in the morning, way before he needs to be, to make me a herbal tea and dry toast to help with the queasiness.
Leo signals for the waiter to bring me a lemonade while he walks around the table refilling the other glasses. When everyone has a drink, he raises his glass. “To the next generation of Barbieris. Congratulations to you both.”
“Cheers,” everyone replies, and my heart swells with love for my extended family and friends.
***
One Year Later, Capri
A Capri sunrise and the view doesn’t get much better than the one before me, my boys lying on a lounger on the terrace bathed in the golden light. I stand watching them for a moment, my chest tight, as if it will burst wide open with the love filling it.
Antonio’s voice floats to me on the gentle breeze, as he murmurs unintelligible sounds interspersed with the odd word to the baby cuddled against his bare chest. A cute gurgling sound bubbles up from our son, Matteo, and Ant chuckles. My heart thumps with love for them both. This is a moment to be captured in my mind for all time.
Clearing my throat quietly, I step out onto the terracotta tiles, and Ant tilts his head in my direction. A fringe of sleep-tousled hair obscures his eyes briefly before he brushes it aside and his gaze rests on me. The accompanying bone-melting smile pins me in place with such force that my knees tremble and a rush of butterflies flutter to life in my belly. My reaction never changes, and I’ve reached a point where I can’t imagine how we evermanaged to remain just friends for all the years before sayingI do.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he says in a deep baritone that reminds me of whispered words of love only hours ago.
Able to move again, I cover the remaining steps between us to stand beside the lounger, and Ant lifts one hand off Matteo’s back reaching for mine. The warmth of his touch against my skin sends a flush of heat coursing through my veins.
“Hey, big-guy … and little-guy.” At the sound of my voice, Matteo’s head lifts, wobbles a little side to side, then drops again, two sets of blue-gray eyes now focused on me.
My heart squeezes and my full breasts ache when I look down at the perfect little human that we made. Dipping low, I place a light kiss on his soft downy hair and breathe in his sweet baby smell. Then lifting a little, I slide my hand behind my husband’s neck and sink into a good morning kiss. Not a quick peck, but a clashing of lips and tongues that is impossible to pull back from until we’re both panting and in need of drawing a full breath. I drop my head to his shoulder.
Memories of last night come flooding back. My nails scratching a claim into his skin while his teeth scraped over my clit, teasing and taunting me, every swipe of his tongue turning me more feral with lust. He devoured me like a man starved. And when I cried out his name with my first release, he rolled me over onto my knees and fucked me hard and dirty.
My second orgasm came with the knowledge that I’d driven my husband wild with passion. We’d not found that intensity in our love making since before Matteo’s birth. But that’s the magic of Capri for us.
And I was never going to let Bruno take that away.
When I lift my head again from where I’m sprawled half standing and half kneeling over Ant, his eyes have darkened to a stormy gray with tiny shards of sunrise gold glittering in theirdepths. Matteo squirms between us, grizzling with displeasure at being ignored for a moment, and we pull apart completely.
“When is this little fellow going to be ready for his next sleep?” Ant asks with a suggestive waggle of his brows. It seems that I’m not the only one remembering last night.
I giggle. “Maybe after I feed him. Is there space for one more on the lounger?”
“We’ve always got space for mamma,” Ant says, shuffling sideways to make room. I lie down beside him, and his arm goes around my shoulders, pulling me closer.
When I’m settled comfortably, he passes our son into my arms, and a contented sigh leaves my lips. My eyelids close as I sink into the protective warmth of my husband. The soft sounds of my baby’s suckling blend with the wash of the sea against the rocks far below and, it's the beginning of another perfect day in my favorite place.
I must doze off because it feels like seconds later when Antonio says, “Your mother just messaged to say she would babysit for us if we wanted to go out for lunch today.”
From the moment my mother heard we were coming to Capri, she had her bags packed and was offering to look after her grandson. She’s a very proud nonna, pushing the pram around town introducing Matteo to friends and family. But what’s been a complete shock is that my father goes with her.
Papa was a distant figure to Dante and I growing up, but since Matteo’s arrival, he has wanted to be present in his life. I glance down at my baby sleeping peacefully against my breast. My son will grow up surrounded by love. With a father who isn’t afraid to show affection, and adoring uncles who are all vying for the title of favorite.
Ant drops a quick kiss to my forehead. “I was thinking we could go to our cove for a picnic.”
I glance up at him, a grin stretching my cheeks wide. We haven’t been there since our honeymoon.
“That sounds perfect … and maybe this time we’ll actually get to eat our picnic at the cove.”
He chuckles, a deep low rumble that shakes his chest.
“I love you,” I whisper.
Antonio takes my hand,bringing it to his lipsto kiss the tip of one finger. "Lucia, you own my heart. You're my best friend." He kisses the next finger along."My lover." Another finger, another kiss. "My wife." He stops, holding my gaze. "And the mother of my child. You and Matteo are my everything,” hefinishes before sealing our words of love with another steamy kiss, on my lips this time. I sink into it with a soft moan.
Hopefully our son won't wake just yet.
The End
***