Page 61 of Under Her Skin

“Kiddo, after what the pair of you have been through—and survived—I have all the proof I need that you’re a good man for my daughter. You saved myHero.”

“Shesavedme,” Arturo insisted, and Williamchuckled.

“Both of you are remarkable young people. I can’t wait to see what you do with your livesnow.”

They walked on in silence for a while, Arturo appreciating the silence of the neighborhood, the family vibe of the place. The houses were warmly lit, and in some of the windows, he could see families gathering to watch television or have dinner. It looked like a picture postcard place from amovie.

“Hero wants me to meet Tom’s parents. What do you think of that? I don’t want them to be hurt by my presence, or think that it diminishes Tom’s memory or history withHero.”

William nodded. “Gillian and Roger have always been good people. Like it or not, you’re Hero’s husband now. Once they meet you, they’ll understand. Now, Turo, I have something I want to discuss with you … it concerns Hero, and I think she’s going to like it, but I want to get your opinionfirst.”

Arturo toldHero what her father had said about Tom’s parents when they cuddled down in Hero’s old bedroom later that night. The queen-sized bed was snug, and Hero giggled as the six-foot-five Arturo struggled to fit himself into it. He gave up in the end, and let his feet hang over the end of the bed. “Shorty,” he said to her, pressing his lips to hermouth.

Hero grinned. “Boy, if you think you’re getting lucky when my parents are in the next room, you have another thing coming. And it’s notme,” she quipped, realizing how her wordssounded.

With a wicked chuckled, Arturo slipped his hand between her legs and began to caress her. “Wannabet?”

“Stop that … no, wait,don’tstop.”

He stroked her into a mellow orgasm, muffling her cry with his mouth. “You are such a bad, bad boy, Arturo Bachi. Let me return thefavor.”

He shook his head. “Believe me,cara mia, I couldn’t be quiet enough. Just holding you isenough.”

“I’ll make it up to you tomorrow night at theclub.”

“Well, you’dbetter.”

They leftKenosha the next morning and drove back down to Chicago, extracting a promise from Hero’s parents not to stay away toolong.

In the city, they checked into a five-star hotel (of course—Arturo insisted on it) and enjoyed an afternoon of lovemaking, before heading out to Hero’s favorite pizza place, much to Arturo’s (mock)outrage.

“No, really, you’re taking an Italian to an American pizzaplace?”

Hero grinned as she pushed open the door to Giordano’s and a rush of chatter and music poured out into the night air. “Believe me. This place is life-changing.”

Arturo sat back and let Hero order for them, grinning at the mischief in his wife’s eyes. Life, since Peter Armley’s attempted murder of them both, had gone from terrifying to magical in just over a year. Now safe from all malevolence, he could enjoy the time he spent with Hero, her naturally fun-loving nature taking over from the scared, grieving woman he hadmet.

An hour later, he put down the last crust of pizza and groaned. “I can’t handle anymore.”

Hero smiled triumphantly. “Was I right or was I right? This pizza pie is the best,huh?”

Arturo looked at the few remnants of the Giordano’s Classic Deep-Dish pie and sighed. “Okay, I admit it … that wassensational.”

Hero looked smug. “Correctomundo. I love thisplace.”

“Did you and Tom comehere?”

“When we could afford it. Not so much after Beth was born, because we just didn’t have the time. It hasn’t changed.” She looked around, a happy smile on her face. “I’m glad you likeit.”

“Very much.” He leaned forward and kissed some marinara sauce from her lip. “Now,” he said, lowering his voice, “tell me more about this club we’re going tolater.”

“Ah,” Hero said, grinning at him, then leaning her forehead against his. “I hope the carb overload won’t hit you, because we’re going to be keeping each other up allnight.”

“You’d better keep that promise,piccolo,because you’re not going to be able to walk straight in themorning.”

Hero gave an anticipatory moan, and Arturo felt his cock respond, pressing against his blue jeans. “I’m going to fuck you into next week,” he growled, covering her mouth with his. They kissed, forgetting where they were until they felt they had an audience. Peeking, Hero blushed when a group of diners gave them acheer.

Arturo laughed. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I don’t want to be arrested for fucking you right here, and that’s what’s going to happen unless we gonow.”