With Us (The Amato Series Book 1)

by Layla Frost

  Jogging down the steps, I headed straight for the coffee machine. I’d just picked up my mug when I saw Theo leaning against the entryway, watching me.

  “Marry me.”

  Almost dropping my cup, I set it down with shaky fingers. “What?”

  He closed the distance between us. Though he didn’t drop to his knee, he did span my hips with his large hands, lifting and rotating to set me on the island. He stood between my spread thighs. “I’ve been wanting to ask you, but I wanted to do it on a day not shared with anything and in our own space where I can see it every day and remember. Marry me,” he repeated. He pulled a blue ring box from his pocket, opening it to show a gorgeous diamond ring.

  Holy Mother of all things shiny, that thing is huge.

  “Marry me and let me give you anything and everything you could ever want. Let me make you as happy as you’ve made me.” Setting the box on the island next to us, he held my face, his fingers digging into my neck as he lowered his face closer to mine. “Marry me because I’m addicted and obsessed, and completely losing my fucking mind.”

  Tears filled my eyes as I nodded. “Yes.” There was more I wanted to say, but I could barely croak the single word.

  His mouth crashed onto mine as he pulled my shirt off. I did the same with his, working to undo his belt.

  “Hold on.” Grabbing the box, he took the ring out. He slid it onto my finger and growled, “Fucking perfect.”

  Clothes were stripped quickly and tossed wherever. His fingers played with my clit as he pulled me closer to the edge, literally and figuratively. Once I was positioned at the right spot, he slammed into me.

  Wrapping my legs around his waist, I licked the middle of his throat to his jaw, his stubble scratchy on my tongue. I leaned back on my hand, my back arched and my breasts pushed out.

  Theo’s eyes locked on as he increased the power behind his thrusts, making them bounce more. “Fucking love your tits.”

  “I’ve noticed,” I said, ending on a moan as his thumb rubbed up and down my clit. My thoughts blanked as every nerve ending in my body fought for attention.

  He said something, but I missed most of it as I came, crying out as I rocked my hips.

  His grunt as he moved faster signaled his own impending orgasm. Still, somehow he had the control to slow his shallow thrusts. “You know me, Dahlia. Know who I am and what I do. All the bad. If you say yes, there’s no backing out. I’ll still walk away from the bad, but I’ll never let you go.”

  “I know. It’s still yes,” I said, my breath catching as his cock hit an amazing spot.

  “Cazzo. I fucking love you,” he growled, going faster. “My gattina. Every inch of you. Mine. Fuck!” I felt him throb inside me before he pulled out and grabbed my wrist. Covering my hand with his, we both stroked as his come shot all over my breasts and stomach.

  Sliding his still hard cock along my wetness, his mouth covered mine. He deepened the kiss, his tongue dominating.

  When he pulled away, leaving us both breathless and satisfied, I put my back flat on the island. I lifted my ringed hand, staring at it in the sunlight. Two circles of diamonds surrounded the large center one. The band was twisted with multiple smaller diamonds.

  “Like it?” Theo asked, pulling his jeans back up.

  “I love it.” I reached for a towel, but Theo pulled it away. He handed me my bra and tee. “I want to know my mark is all over what’s mine.”

  It wasn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but it was naughty and I liked it. Especially the way his eyes blazed with a possessive heat as I carefully redressed.

  Once we were fully clothed, Theo held out his hand. “Hungry?”

  “Very. You?”

  He yanked me to him so my left hand rested on his chest. His gaze dropped to the ring on my finger before meeting mine, his hard cock pressed against my stomach. “Fuckin starving.”

  Theo

  Walking into the restaurant, I put my hand on Dahlia’s lower back and steered her to the left.

  She kept peering at plates, so distracted she didn’t even notice we weren’t being sat by a host or hostess. “I’m so hungry.” Only once we approached the noise source I’d been following did she pay attention. Glaring at me, her voice was a low hiss. “Your family is here.”

  I fought a smile. “They are.”

  It wasn’t all of them, just my parents, Luc, Rosa, Gabe, Tina, Julie, and the girls.

  “I’m covered in your come under my clothes.” She chewed her fuckable bottom lip, looking to the side as a blush spread across her cheeks. I’d have thought she was embarrassed had it not been for the small shiver that ran through her.

  There was no hiding my grin. “You are.”

  Her eyes widened. “Do they know?” She shook her head, grimacing. “Not about that! About you proposing?”

  I shook my head. “No. I just invited them to brunch.”

  “You’re very confident. And efficient.”

  “So you’ve said.”

  She murmured something I couldn’t catch.

  “Think about it,” I said, pulling her close. “If we’re in public, they won’t make a scene… Well, they’ll make a smaller one.”

  Smiling, Dahlia shrugged. “I’m excited to tell them. Just surprised. I would’ve showered first. Or worn something nicer.”

  “You look perfect.” I kissed the side of her head before lowering my voice. “And if you’d have showered it off, I’d have had to put it right back.”

  “Now I really wish I’d have showered,” she whispered.

  “You going to stand there whispering or come eat?” Dad shouted, half the restaurant turning to look at him.

  “Lou, cut it out,” Mom chastised. “You can’t just shout across the place like we’re at home.”

  Tina, miraculously struck silent, whacked at Mom’s arm as she stared at Dahlia’s hand.

  “What?” Mom asked, turning to her.

  “Dahlia’s hand,” Tina said, her stunned voice getting louder as she smiled.

  “What?” Mom turned and looked, her eyes going wide as she saw the ring on Dahlia’s finger.

  “Uh, hey,” Dahlia said, somewhere between awkward and ecstatic as she tried to sit.

  Knowing what was about to happen, I curled her body closer to mine, leaving her no choice but to put her ringed hand on my stomach.

  “Does this mean what I think it does?” Mom’s voice was tight as she tried to keep a blank face.

  Surprisingly, Dahlia answered. “Theo asked me this morning, and I said yes. We’re getting married.”

  The entire restaurant was staring as everyone got up to offer their congratulations, cheering and talking at once.

  “Okay, okay!” Dad shouted through the noise. “One at a time. Starting with me.” Everyone moved back as he approached. He kissed our cheeks, grinning wide as he looked between Dahlia and I. “Tanti tanti auguri per una vita felice insieme.” Releasing his hold, he added, “Get started on all those bambinis, huh?” He turned around, spotting our server before ordering some pitchers of mimosas. “Let’s celebrate!”

  I pulled out Dahlia’s chair, and she turned to me, whispering, “What’d your dad say?”

  “He congratulated us and said he hopes we have a happy life together.”

  “And ‘bambinis’ means?”

  “Babies, my gattina.”

  Her slightly panicked expression was back. “That’s what I thought…”

  After she sat, I took a seat next to her and draped my arm around the back of her chair. My fingers played in her hair, and I regretted leaving the house. I’d figured it’d be easier to get the announcement over in public, and I was fucking ecstatic to share the news.

  I’d been waiting long enough.

  As Dahlia talked with Mom, Rosa, Julie, and Tina, her excitement was clear, too. She grinned, playing with her ring.

  “You know my ma’s gonna be on my back now, right?” Luc said, glaring at me. “Once she finds out, it’ll be blind d
ate hell. I hope you’re happy.”

  “I am,” I said.

  Luc dropped the fake dramatics. “I’m happy for you, too, boss. And I’ll get started on planning the bachelor party now. I’m sure that’s the most important job the best man has, right?”

  “Who said you’re best man, Luca?”

  He made a snort and rolled his eyes, picking up his coffee. “Yeah, right.”

  “You have nothing planned?” Mar asked suddenly, her outrage clear. “I know exactly how my wedding will be. Rainbow dresses, glitter tiaras, and a pony!”

  “Lord, help me,” Tina muttered as Gabe laughed.

  “That’ll be… beautiful,” Dahlia said. She glanced at me before looking back at Mar. “We don’t have anything planned, but I’m still pretty sure we’ll be having two flower girls…”

  Mar and Kat squealed, asking a million questions. When they realized Dahlia had meant it, and she had nothing planned, they began whispering their ideas to each other.

  “This is going to be trouble,” Tina said, yet she smiled at her daughter’s antics. “So no date, no venue, and no even vague ideas? I have to second Mar’s outrage.”

  “What about next winter?” Mom suggested. “A Christmas wedding would be magical.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “Anything else Dahlia decides she wants for this wedding, it’s hers. But I’m not waiting almost a year to marry her. I’ve waited long enough.”

  Dahlia leaned her body into mine. “I agree. We haven’t talked about what size wedding we want or any of the details. Once we know, it’ll be easier to pick a date. I don’t want it to be a stressful scramble to get things ready.”

  Conversation continued as the pitchers of mimosas were dropped off.

  “This couldn’t have come at a better time,” Dad said, his voice low.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Your mom has been talking about redoing the living room and basement. She’ll be so distracted making your life hell with planning, no way will she have time to rip apart the house.”

  “I heard that,” Mom snapped.

  “Am I wrong?” Dad shot back.

  She glared at him. “No. It’s not a good time to start such a big project.”

  “See?”

  “That’ll just give me time to think of more changes.”

  Dad looked at me with exaggerated panic. “I take back what I said. Elope tomorrow.”

  I made a thoughtful expression before Mom pointed at me. “Don’t you dare!”

  Cazzo.

  Dahlia

  God, this is hot.

  On my knees, I looked to the side and watched Theo’s cock disappear into my mouth. Well, as much of it as I could take. I glanced at him and saw his eyes locked on the mirror. His hand held my hair out of the way, setting a steady pace.

  When Theo had said he’d be installing a mirror wall in his elevator, he hadn’t been messing around.

  He’d kept me facing away from it as we’d taken the elevator up. When we neared his floor, he hit the emergency stop button. After he’d assured me there were no cameras and that security knew not to respond, I’d given him a smile and immediately dropped to my knees.

  I knew it wouldn’t be long before we either traded places, or he was fucking me. With the visual, however, I was getting some extra time.

  Sucking hard, I pulled back until I reached the head. I released him all the way, my tongue twirling the tip before he moved away.

  After hauling me up on my feet, Theo pushed my jeans and underwear off. Once they were kicked to the side, he twisted me so I was facing the mirror. His lips went to my neck, kissing and sucking, while his hands cupped my breasts. He reached into the top of my shirt, pulling them out before playing with my nipples. “Knees.”

  I did as he ordered, kneeling in front of him. Before I could turn around, he positioned himself behind me, placing a hand to my back so I was on my hands as well.

  He slammed into me hard, making me almost fall forward. I tipped my ass up, crying out as he moved in me again.

  When my head dropped forward, he wrapped his hand around my neck and held my chin so I met his gaze in the mirror.

  It was insanely intimate, and almost overwhelming. But it was also wickedly hot. His focus would move between watching where his cock was stretching me and the mirror.

  I exploded. Crying out embarrassingly loud, I came. I couldn’t think, speak, or move as it tore through me.

  “Thank fuck,” Theo grunted behind me before locking his gaze with mine in the mirror. Even as he came, his eyes heavy and hooded, he watched me intently.

  I was all he needed.

  I was who got him hard, made him feel good, and got him off.

  I was his, and he was mine.

  “You’re right. The mirror was an amazing idea, my Theo,” I said on a sigh as I fell forward.

  Chuckling, Theo fell right along with me.

  ···

  I’m getting married.

  To Theo.

  Ridiculously good-looking Theo, who happens to be sweet, thoughtful, and smart.

  How is this my life right now?

  Sitting in the back of the SUV with Theo, I didn’t tug at my skirt, filled with nerves. Instead, I looked at my ring, loving the way the sunlight hit it. It’d been more than a week since Theo had put it on my finger, and I still hadn’t gotten used to it.

  I also hadn’t gotten used to the million daily emails from Rachelle, Julie, and Tina. Rachelle had also started a secret Pinterest board for us all, which was used often. I’d thought I’d have more time to just enjoy the engagement before planning started, but Theo was adamant about wanting to get married soon.

  Since he asked for little, I was determined to make it happen.

  There was plenty of time to enjoy our togetherness once we were married.

  “Is your mom meeting us?” I asked.

  Theo nodded. “She texted that she’ll be coming into the city early to window shop.”

  “I guess that means I don’t have time to grab a coffee.”

  “We’ve still got time,” Niall said, punching something into the GPS.

  “You don’t have to go out of the way,” I said. “I’m sure there’s someplace near the office.”

  “The GPS tells me traffic reports.”

  “Oh. No wonder you always use it, even if we’re going somewhere you know. I, uhh, thought maybe you were as bad with directions as I am.”

  As I spoke, the whole feeling in the car changed. Theo went tense, his muscles tightening. The air felt heavier.

  I watched as Theo and Niall made eye contact in the rearview mirror.

  “What did I say?” I asked.

  Theo seemed to try to force himself to relax, but there was something going on. His smile was strained. “Nothing, gattina, but I think I’m going to have to skip the meeting. I’ll drop you off with Mom, and she’ll take you home. She’s going to be more help than I would anyway.”

  I lowered my voice. “Will you tell me the truth later?”

  He nodded.

  Niall put the blinker on. “But first, we’ll stop for coffee.”

  Theo

  Watching Dahlia quickly make her way across the sidewalk and into the café, I felt my anger grow. “Do you erase your GPS?”

  Niall shook his head. “Never thought to.”

  I didn’t blame him. I didn’t use mine often, but I’d never deleted anything, either. We were all careful with technology. Internet history was erased automatically. Files were saved under strict passwords and extensively encrypted firewalls. Even our cells were protected, and bounced off multiple towers.

  Only a few people had known Larson’s townhouse address. If they had the skill to access Niall’s GPS, that would give them plenty of time to plan their message to the cops.

  And I only know one person with that ability.

  “Do you know where he is?” I asked.

  With no hesitation, Niall nodded.

  Betrayal burned throug
h me. “Good. We’ll drop Dahlia off and pay him a visit.”

  Dahlia

  After grabbing a coffee and climbing back into an explosively tense SUV, the trip to the wedding planner’s office had been silent. Theo had held my jaw tightly as he kissed me goodbye and made me promise to text, even if he may not answer.

  Whatever was going on, it was Amato business, not Amaric. Even not knowing specifics, I knew what that meant. He wasn’t telling me everything, but I trusted he would eventually. I was fairly certain he would’ve in the SUV had I pushed.

  I hadn’t wanted to, though.

  “Sorry I’m late,” I said to Rachelle as I entered the wedding planner’s office, pushing everything else to the back of my mind.

  She hugged me. “You’re not, I was early.”

  I looked around the office and a pit grew in my stomach. The place looked awful. I tried not to judge things on their appearance alone, but it was hard.

  The office was beige with lime green trim. All the furniture was upholstered with a floral and stripe pattern that used the same shade of green. It looked like it was from the fifties except there was no fade to the fabric at all. If anything, it looked new, meaning it was a specific decorative choice. Photos of different weddings hung on the walls, making me wonder if they were previous clients. There was a lot of eighties feathered hair, fringe, and denim.

  So. Much. Denim.

  “I feel like this will be a short meeting,” Rachelle whispered, echoing my thoughts.

  “Hooray, you’re here!” The planner said, coming from the back with large books. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

  Not a fan of the snappy attitude since I was still five minutes early.

  The planner matched her décor. Not personality wise, but literally.

  Her shirt was lime green beneath a pink blazer, although her skirt was covered in paisley not flowers.

  She had big hair, shoulder pads, and feather earrings.

  She’s found a color scheme and decade, and she’s sticking to them both.

  Rachelle and I took the seats in front of her desk as she rushed around to get different things. Most of the pages in the book were just shoved in.

  “Very short meeting,” I whispered to Rachelle.

  It was another fifteen minutes before she sat down and launched into her spiel about why I should hire her. In the short speech, she’d had to hunt around for things because she was disorganized. If that weren’t bad enough, she was pushy with what she claimed was her ‘vision’ for me.