Page 107 of Vows of a Mobster

I opened my eyes and met his stare. My fingers reached for his face, scratching gently against the scruff of his beard. I liked touching him. And I loved when he touched me. Not just the sex, his comfort and protectiveness. Like he worshiped me.

“No, she was diagnosed two years ago with it,” I finally answered. “We thought we beat it but it came back.”

As I watched him, I wondered if he was connecting dots. If he was, he hid it well. “I’ll get the top doctors in the country to look at her.”

I exhaled. “If you want, but Dr. Guzman is good. I don’t think they’ll have an alternative approach to things.”

“It doesn’t hurt to try.”

I agreed, it didn’t hurt to try.

“My butt fell asleep,” I murmured to him, glancing at Emma in my arms. She was sound asleep. “I’ll try to put her to bed. I think she might sleep all night.”

“Let me help you.” He stood up effortlessly, then put his hands around my waist and pulled me up effortlessly while I held Emma. She never stirred.

I walked over to her bed. Mateo pulled the covers off and I laid her gently into bed. He covered her up. I checked her forehead one more time but her temperature seemed normal. Turning on the baby monitor, I took it and grabbed Mateo’s hand. My hallway seemed tight with him.

“I have to take a shower,” I told him. “I probably stink.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I soaked up his strength. “You smell like lemon and lime to me. I love your smell.”

I chuckled against his chest. “As long as you love it. I still need a shower. Want to go downstairs or my room?”

“Always your room, Bellissima.” I raised my eyes and there was nothing but seriousness in his eyes. “Show me where you had your first phone sex experience with me.”

I promptly blushed. “Of course you wouldn’t forget that.”

“Never.”

I took him into my bedroom, and his eyes slowly roamed my space. Everything from the little corner where my desk sat, to my dresser, little lounge chair to the bed.

“It’s not as fancy as your bedroom,” I mumbled low, “but I like it.”

“I like it too,” he commented softly. “It suits you.”

“What? Non-fancy bedroom?” I asked, teasing.

“No, this room suits you. It’s warm and comfortable. I want you to have this at our place too.”

I was surprised to hear his words. His place was beautiful, perfectly decorated and very expensive, just not very homey and practical. It made sense though, he was a bachelor.

“Mateo, I can’t go back to your place tonight.” I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. I took his hand into both of mine. “Tomorrow, if Emma feels better, we’ll come. I can’t leave her. I won’t leave her tonight.”

I didn’t want it to sound like an ultimatum, but the truth was there was no alternative. I would be here with Emma and would stay by her side every step of the way. If she felt better tomorrow, I’d move her to his place.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. It was hard for me to read him. “I wouldn’t ask you to leave her tonight,” he finally said. “I was selfish to demand that of you to start with.”

An exhale left my lips. “Do you-” I nervously licked my lips. “Do you want to stay the night here?”

“You would be okay with that?”

I smiled at him. “Yes, more than okay. I know it’s not as safe as your place so I won’t be offended if you don’t want to. It’s not as fancy either so totally not a big deal if you prefer to go back to your place.” Why was I nervous?

“I would love to spend the night here,” he replied before I could continue my rambling.

It was like he gave me the best gift. I beamed at him. He took my chin between his fingers and bent his head down. “I want to be wherever you are, Bellissima.”

“You can get whichever side of the bed you want,” I teased him. “I’m all over the place anyhow.”