Words of Lust

by Lise Horton

  “It’s too soon.”

  “It may be, but she’s having the baby.” The doctor was too harried to beat around the bush.

  “What about the blood?” Nick asked.

  “We’re working on it. But we need to deliver the baby. It’s in distress and so is your sister.” The attending hurried away and they all watched grimly as Cara was wheeled into an elevator and disappeared.

  Mrs. Stellato slumped down onto a chair and began to sob. Her firm, commanding presence vanished once her daughter was being taken care of.

  “Mom, did you call Pop?”

  “Yes, and your brothers. They’re all on their way.”

  He sat down next to his mother and wrapped his arms around her. Her heart broke at the picture of the family waiting, hoping for a good outcome, but she was utterly out of place. She’d intruded in their most private moment but had no way to get back to her own apartment. Her clothes were back at Nick’s and even though he had thrown a denim jacket over her, in the baggy shorts and tee she was barely covered.

  Miserable, she sat down beside him and resigned herself to being there until the crisis was over. Worst of all was the fact that she was being forced to sit on the sidelines. She would never experience welcoming her child, and as Nick and his mother spoke softly, she sat and stared at the door, watching as people came and went, as life went on all around her.

  * * *

  Over the course of the next hour the other Stellato family members arrived. She’d actually tried to call Gia, but Nick had said he’d gotten her voicemail, and his anger built over his sister’s continued absence. She tried again, but as she was leaving another message, Gia came tearing into the waiting room with Carlos and Forrest on her heels. It was absolutely the wrong time to lay this on the family too, and she hoped Gia would be sensible and not go blurting it out while everyone was worried and dealing with Cara’s crisis.

  “Mom! Dad!” Her face was ghostly pale, and she was trembling. “How’s Cara? I got here as fast as I could. I was in the library studying.”

  “Don’t you check your goddamned messages?” Nick snarled at her and everyone stopped and stared. “Your sister is in the hospital and you’re off doing what?” She shrank in the face of her brother’s fury.

  “Nothing! I told you. We were in the library working on Professor Luca’s team papers and you have to turn your cell off.”

  “That’s true.” She spoke softly, trying to avoid being drawn into the family drama more than she already was.

  “Fine. Whatever.” He stormed off and marched to the opposite side of the room while Gia looked at her with tears in her eyes.

  “I came as soon as I got the message.”

  “It’s okay, honey. He’s just worried. Cara was with us when her water broke. It was very scary.”

  “Don’t worry about your big brother,” Mrs. Stellato said. “I’m just glad you’re here. Cara will be too.”

  “Is Rocco coming?”

  “He’s flying in right now.”

  “Good. Okay. Good. Do we have any news?”

  Mrs. Stellato looked like she was just barely holding it together, so she explained what had happened and what the doctor had told them.

  “It will probably be a while before we know anything.” After that everyone settled down, though the feuding siblings sat on opposite sides of the room, as far apart as they could get. Gia was holding hands with both boys, so she intervened to keep things from getting worse.

  “Gia, now isn’t the time to share this news of yours, so try to be circumspect. Your brother is angry, your mom and dad are scared, so play it cool,” she whispered, then gave both boys a look, and the threesome sat up straight and dropped hands. She motioned for Carlos to move over, then sat down next to Gia and took her hand.

  “You look pretty gross, Professor Luca. Nick said you’d gotten hit on the head or something, but I didn’t understand the message. You fell down?”

  “I was knocked into the street. I’m lucky I wasn’t hit by a car, but yes, the doctor said a mild concussion and some bruising.”

  “I’ll say.”

  “Thanks for sugarcoating it.”

  “Sorry, Professor. When I get nervous, my mouth runs away with me.”

  “Just when you’re nervous?” She smiled and the moment lightened the tension in their corner, at least for a bit. She looked around at the family. Mr. Stellato sat with his arms around his wife. Berto, Vincenzo and Nick were all hulking, scowling and prowling around the room like caged animals. She and Gia sat quietly with Carlos and Forrest and everyone simply waited.

  Finally the doctor emerged and was heading their way when a huge guy came running in. Mrs. Stellato hurried over to him. Rocco had arrived. He looked like a wreck, his eyes red and his clothes rumpled.

  “Folks, I just wanted to let you know that mother and daughter are doing fine. There were some complications, but everything was controlled and the prognosis is excellent for both of them.”

  “I’m her husband. What happened?” Rocco’s voice was deep and rough. He was obviously on the verge of tears as he ran to the doctor.

  “Your wife was suffering from a condition called placental abruption. This condition is life-threatening for a fetus, so it was imperative we deliver the baby even though she wasn’t at term. She’s small, but she’s in good shape. She’ll be in the NICU for a while, but if all of her systems are in line, she’ll be able to be released before long. We had to deliver her by C-section, and your wife lost more blood than we would have liked, but we’ve transfused her and once she’s recovered from the procedure, she’ll be able to see you. I suggest you all go home and get some rest and come back for evening visiting hours.”

  “I’m staying.” Rocco collapsed into a chair and began to cry into his hands while Mrs. Stellato comforted him. She looked up at the rest of them. “You should all go home. Especially Serafina. Nick, get her back home so she can rest. I’ll stay here with Rocco. Gia, can you go to Mrs. Sergio’s house and look out for the kids so she can come to the hospital? You can all study there, right?”

  “Sure, Mom. We’ll go right away.”

  When Gia and the boys had disappeared, Mrs. Stellato approached. Nick was telling Rocco what had happened, and his mother smiled wearily.

  “I have to thank you for all your help, Serafina. You were so calm, I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  “You were the one taking charge. I’m so glad everything is going to be all right with Cara and the baby.” Her attempt to smile failed and Mrs. Stellato patted her arm.

  “Poor thing, you look so upset. Don’t let all this frighten you. Situations like this are pretty rare when you think about all the babies being born. I never had a moment’s problem with any of my kids! They all came right on time with no problem, healthy as could be. Don’t you worry. You’re a strong young girl and like my grandma used to say, your hips are meant for babies!” She smiled wearily, then nodded at Serafina in assurance before turning away.

  The lump in her throat was monstrous. Thankfully, Nick returned and hustled them out of the hospital.

  He was slumped with exhaustion and she kept quiet as they drove back to his loft even though all she really wanted was to escape back to her own apartment and let them deal with their crisis in private. She was nearly overwhelmed with misery and it was painful to linger on the outskirts as the family rallied together.

  “Come on, let’s go upstairs. You need to eat and get some rest.” He hugged her to him and she allowed herself to lean on him, to soak in his warmth. It was selfish, but he was so comforting.

  “Are you feeling okay? How’s your head?”

  “It’s not bad. I’ll take some aspirin when we get upstairs.”

  “Sorry about before.”

  “Oh, Nick, don’t worry.”

  “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “Forget it. You’ve got more important things to worry about. Your sister had a close call and I can see how upset everyo
ne is.”

  He let them into the loft and headed for the fridge and pulled out a beer and paced back and forth in front of the sofa covered in gore. He stared at the spot where Cara’s blood had pooled and his face was grim.

  “I knew she was having a difficult pregnancy, we all did, but she made light of it. With the two kids, and Rocco gone so much these last few months, everyone tried to pitch in and help out. I guess it wasn’t enough.”

  “You cannot blame yourself or anyone else for this. It’s all going to be fine. She’s okay and the baby will be too.”

  “I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to her. I love those kids of hers, and the thought that she might have lost the baby makes me sick.”

  Her heart twisted with the pain, as if it were in a vise. She wanted to stop talking about families and children. The entire Stellato family was in love with children. With Cara’s, and no doubt with the children he expected to have. A big, happy family full of children running around the house, for him to play with and protect. Her stomach lurched and she stood up and headed into the bathroom. She wasn’t sure she could control her tears if she sat there next to him.

  She stayed in the bathroom long enough to compose herself and the speech she hoped would convince him to take her home. He’d given her a toothbrush and she brushed her teeth, and used cool water to dab her face. Then she returned to the living room.

  He was waiting impatiently. He pounced on her as she came close and grabbed her by the arms, pulling her hard against him and kissing her with ferocity. His hold was desperate. Fear was fueling his agitated state and he needed her, needed the release. How could she refuse him? He’d comforted her, and now it was her turn, no matter how much it might pain her. She could give him what he needed, at least this one last time.

  “Yes.” She clung to him and returned his kisses with equal passion.

  He pulled her shirt off, ripped the shorts down her legs, and though his movements were harsh, it was nothing to equal the turmoil he was enduring.

  His clothes met a similar fate as he pulled them off, buttons on his shirt flying and the zipper in his jeans torn from its mooring.

  Only then did he pause to retrieve a condom. Even in this desperate, dark moment, he never wavered in his commitment to keep her safe. The gesture moved her to tears. They were both awash in the heightened emotions of pain, fear, desire and frustration.

  He fell on top of her on the bed. There would be no finesse, no gentle foreplay. This would be the basic, animalistic fucking he needed to vent his anguish. His mouth ground against her and she welcomed the hard, invasive movements of his tongue and teeth. When he reached down to test her, to see if she was ready, she spread her legs for him and urged him on. He ground his rigid cock between her thighs, and the power of the sensation made her clutch his ass, pulling him hard against her, begging him to invade her cunt. There were no words, no playful teasing and no dirty book talk. It was basic human need and she let him take all that he wanted from her.

  He surged inside her with a single brutal thrust. It was a quick pain, but so welcome, so powerful. Harder, and then faster he began to stroke into her. His thighs were rigid with the effort, his hands gripped her flesh. When orgasm slammed into her, faster and more intense than anything she’d yet felt with him, it swept over her again and again. She could feel his release, the jerking of his cock inside her and his guttural howl of climax echoing through the room. His face was taut, his jaw clenched, and the dark desire in his eyes spoke volumes as they stared at each other.

  A moment passed, and then another, and slowly, his body lost the tension and like a veil being removed, all the sadness and anger fell away. She reached up a hand and cradled it against his cheek. It was bittersweet to think their most ferocious coupling might well be their last. Tears flowed, but the intensity of the moment explained them. She couldn’t tell him the truth about how very much she cared. What good would it do if they had no future?

  For this time, however, she was with him. The intimacy was all-encompassing. His eyes flickered, and he lowered himself over her, pulling her to him, wrapping his arms and legs around her, even as he remained inside her. She held him and treasured the weight of him on her and mourned the fleeting beauty of it all. He fell asleep and his breathing grew soft.

  “I love you so much, Niccolo Stellato. I wish it could be forever.” She laid a whisper-soft kiss on one rough cheek and then cried silent tears as she watched the afternoon tick away into the early evening. She let him rest until the last possible minute, treasuring the quiet intimacy. Then she wiped her face and woke him to tell him visiting hours would be starting.

  Chapter Twelve

  He woke up to Serafina’s gentle touch and the blare of “Born In the USA” from his cell. His mouth was dry, and his body ached as though he’d been in a fight. None of it mattered. His sister was all right and Serafina was in his arms. He grabbed his phone.

  “Visiting hours, man. Haul ass. Cara’s awake. We can only see her two at a time, so the rest of us will take our turns until you and Luscious get here.”

  “Yeah, Vin. I’m on my way.”

  He flipped his phone closed and jumped off the bed. The sight of his ravaged clothes on the floor reminded him of the bout of rough sex. He hadn’t been one ounce of gentle. She’d let him use her hard and she’d hung on and given him the most amazing orgasm he’d ever had. The memory of her face, the way she stared into his eyes, letting him see everything in her heart; she’d welcomed him into her body and had allowed him to escape the nightmare of Cara’s labor. Looking at her now made him want to fuck her again, brand her as his, brand him on her body and her consciousness so she’d never be able to forget him. Looking down at her poor beautiful, battered body and the bruises his fingers had left on her, his marks of possession, he was bursting with the overwhelming need to tell her exactly what he was feeling. But he knew better. They didn’t have time for the first, and the second would have to wait while he seduced her mind and heart as he had seduced her body.

  Instead, he touched her lips with his. “I’ll grab a quick shower. I want to get to the hospital as soon as possible. Do you want to shower with me?”

  She was silent and staring at him as though trying to read his mind. Once he was certain his sister and her baby were okay, they would be having a talk, but right then he just didn’t have the focus to figure out her mysteries.

  “I’m going to grab a cab and go home. This is a time for you to be with your family. I feel like I’m intruding and distracting you all.” She got to her feet, the stiffness in her movements more pronounced, and he was to blame.

  “Damn, are you all right? I can’t believe I was so rough.”

  “Enough. I loved it. Yes, I’m paying the price now, but I didn’t want you to stop. I would have said so if I had. You needed it. I needed it.” Her expression clouded and she turned from him and walked naked toward the bathroom. “Get me my clothes, and I’ll catch a cab. Then you can focus on your family and Cara.” Just like that she cut him off.

  “You’re going to leave me now? Professor, I never would have made it without you today. You’ve been a rock. Not just for me, for everyone in my family. Cara, Mom, and don’t think I didn’t see you keep Gia and her boy toys from letting that situation blow up too.”

  “Don’t be crazy. You would all have been fine. Your whole family is waiting there. Besides, I’m feeling all right and I have a ton of work to get through tonight and tomorrow.”

  “Please don’t go. Just stay with me now and tonight. Come to the hospital with me. Then we can get something to eat and I’ll take you home in the morning. Besides, we need to talk.” He puzzled over the strained sadness on her face. But she finally sighed and nodded, and relief flooded him. “I know there’s stuff going on that we need to share. Thank you for staying.” He kissed her and retrieved her clothes, which were rumpled and the blouse torn, but with his jacket over them she’d at least look better than wearing his T-s
hirt and baggy shorts. Though it was a hell of a sexy look on her. The rode-hard-and-put-away-wet look gave him lots of ideas.

  There was no fooling around in the shower, just sharing the water to save time. They made the drive in tense silence as he wondered what was bugging her. Then they arrived at the hospital and were met by the smiles of all the Stellatos. Rocco was beaming and looked relaxed and relieved, his arm around his mother, Jacintha.

  “Everything good?” Nick kissed his mom and Jacintha and hugged his dad and Rocco. His parents took their turn to visit with the new mom and left the others to catch up in the waiting area.

  “Cara’s tired but doing good. And Angelina’s perfect. Tiny, with all her fingers and toes, and the doctors say tests look clear.

  “Angelina, huh?”

  “She’s an angel and this is a miracle. What can I say?” Rocco’s eyes filled with tears, but the faces around him all reflected their love and understanding.

  The group was standing in the hall when his mom and dad left Cara’s room. His mom looked like she’d aged ten years since that afternoon, but her expression was one of tired happiness.

  “How’s she feeling, Mom?”

  She nodded, wiped her eyes and smiled at everyone. “She’s in some pain and she’s exhausted, but she’s good. She can’t wait to see Angelina, but they’re waiting until she’s feeling better and then they’ll take her to the NICU.” She patted his arm and gave him a little push.

  “Go on in and see her. I know she’s been waiting.”

  He turned to head to the room, but Serafina held back. “You go on. I don’t want to tire her out. She wants to see family.”

  She was damned frustrating but he wouldn’t start a scene in the middle of the hospital with his family watching, so he did as she asked and went in alone.

  His grim mood worsened when he got a look at Cara. She was white as the sheets on the bed and her face was drawn with exhaustion and pain. Had it really been just two days since he’d looked down at Serafina in essentially the same condition? But she held out her hands and he grabbed hold of them.