Ready for You (A San Francisco Brides Book)

by Juliano, Celia

  Opening his door, he jogged down the hall. She wasn’t in the living room. A door opened behind him. She stepped out from the second bathroom. Her eyes widened briefly before she licked her lips. Walking to the coffee table, he picked up the remote and turned off the TV.

  “What did you mean, you heard I have good prospects?” she asked from behind him.

  “Gianni. I won’t be used.”

  “I haven’t used you,” she said. “Gianni pursued me. I can’t help that.”

  “Right. Must be nice never to be to blame.”

  “Gianni, and whoever you may have dated these last weeks, has nothing to do with us.”

  “You kissing another guy has nothing to do with us?”

  “He kissed me,” she said.

  “This is pointless.” He wouldn’t face her. Staring at the blank wall, he shook his head.

  “The point is I love you. I came back because I love you and I missed it here.” Her voice was soft and his anger simmered down, as if she’d turned down the flame under him.

  “But the first thing you did was go see Phil? The first thing you mention after not seeing me for weeks is him and Suzy?”

  “He said he needed to talk to me. It was easier to tell you about them than me. Please look at me,” she whispered.

  He did. Her eyes searched his, pleading. He took a deep breath to try and ease the pressure in his body.

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  “You,” she said inching closer.

  “Already knew that.”

  “I’ve thought about the future, believing I should figure out where I wanted my life to go. That was a mistake. It only leads to disappointment. Can’t we just be together? Enjoy the moments as they come?”

  He frowned, not understanding what she wanted.

  She caressed his face and gazed at him. “For now, can it be enough? Just us.”

  “So when you asked about not seeing other people…”

  “I meant it. I wanted to tell you I’m grateful for you, how much I love you, but I needed time to sort myself out.”

  “I liked you the way you were,” he said.

  “Not everything.”

  “Didn’t like you being married,” he groused.

  Chiara smiled, her dimple winked. There was the woman he fell in love with--bright and teasing but with a tiny edge. “Me either,” she said.

  His stomach clenched. What if she meant to anyone? He blew out a breath. All this thinking and planning was stressing him out. She put her hands on his chest, studying him. Briefly, she peeked down before slowly raising her eyes, veiled a little under her lashes. Her cheeks blushed pink. He whirred to life, like a power tool at the ready. She was here, she wanted him, loved him, what was the problem?

  Chiara brushed her lips on his. No problems. Too much thinking had been the problem. Chiara took care of that issue for him. She explored his lips, chest, thighs, teasing her way to removing his pants. She gently pushed him onto the couch where she leant over and kissed him again while he fondled her. How could he have lasted so long without her? He wouldn’t again, no matter what it took. She overwhelmed his senses: her shiny hair as she maneuvered her way down, her low murmurings of enjoyment, the lingering orange flavor of her kisses, the readiness of their scents mingling, her strokes on his inner thighs and balls.

  Making an okay sign over her lips, she grasped his hardening tool with her other hand and went to work. She slid him in and out, sucking and licking, wet and wild. But she was in control and he leaned back--all the tightness and tension of the last weeks drained away. He smiled and focused on her. He knew she had talent, but usually he strove to do something for her, except when she’d done it when he was half asleep. Now he surrendered to her touch, let her bring him to the edge, teetering. She bagged him before finishing the job. Groaning, he released everything into her, shuddering as her hot tongue caressed him.

  Droopy-eyed and satisfied, he breathed deeply as she sat up and smiled. He chuckled as she bounced onto the couch next to him. She gave him a parting fondle before she kissed his cheek.

  “I love you,” she whispered in his ear. Her warm breath traveled through him. No way was she getting away from him again.

  “I love you,” he said. He snuck his arm around her and pulled her close into his chest. Enjoying her nearness, he waited in silence.

  Sure enough, she spoke. “Isabella’s expecting me for dinner.”

  “Invite her over here,” he said.

  “My stuff is already there.”

  “I’ll move it for you.”

  “I can’t move in here.”

  “Why not?” He blew out a breath. She’d sucked away all his worries and now she piled them back up.

  “The boys, for one. I have them next week--”

  “They can stay here.”

  “Bad idea. Besides, aren’t Shawn and Sabrina here that week?” She tried to sit up, but he held on.

  “Yes, but they won’t mind. Sabrina or Shawn could always stay at my parents’. No more excuses. Suzy’s pregnant, right? I don’t see the big deal, you being here.” He ran his fingers through her hair.

  “Danny hates you,” she said.

  “Max doesn’t. Danny’ll come around. He likes Shawn and Sabrina, likes the house, gets along fine with the rest of my family. He doesn’t have to talk to me, just sit at dinners with me.”

  “I can’t, not now. I know they like Suzy, but it’s enough change.”

  He closed his eyes, trying to stop the bubbling anger. She could avoid anything. Standing, he pulled up his pants and stretched. “Stay this week then,” he said. More thinking and planning to get her to remain after that. But if she was here, stress relief would be quick and frequent.

  “Everyone will know, they--”

  “Like they don’t already?” He spun around and lifted her to him. “Who are you?” he asked, using his hands to remind her. “Huh?” he said as her eyes flickered.

  “Your dirty girl,” she whispered, grasping his hand before he could go under her panties. “This week only.”

  He chuckled and kissed her. Somehow, he would get her to stay.

  “Let me go,” Chiara said almost exactly a week later. A week of enjoying her, even the everyday tasks of working together in the kitchen or planting flowers had an added pleasure. They took care of each other, not just in bed, but in so many small ways. But still she wanted to leave. Her words stung like a low-level electrical current.

  “Shawn and Sabrina will be upset if you’re not here,” he said. They stood together in the living room. He edged closer.

  “You told them I was here?”

  “Yes.” Reaching out, he caressed her arms.

  “I asked you not to say anything.” She pushed his hands away.

  Her irritated, superior tone made his jaw clench. He worked his mouth back and forth. He had to remember his goal and not get caught up in this one inning. A win by any means necessary.

  “They would have found out from my mom, anyway.” She’d had lunch with Chiara earlier in the week. “I prefer to be honest with them.”

  “Have you heard anything I’ve said? Phil’s moving everything into Suzy’s while the house is remodeled. I’m not bringing the boys here while the rest of their life’s being turned around.” Her eyes glimmered, but not only in anger. She hurt and it caused him to look at his feet or he would lose his determination.

  “They’d have their own room here,” he said. “You told me they don’t like it at Isabella’s.”

  “My parents said we could stay with them. They have two extra rooms and my mom has the whole place ready for Christmas.”

  He frowned and tried to meet her eyes, but now she looked away. When did she make up with her parents? “Why would you want to do that? So your dad can treat you like shit in front of your boys? Better they come here and see how to treat a woman with respect.”

  She set her mouth in a line, but her chin quivered. “He said he’ll behave.”

&n
bsp; “If?” He knew Santo Junior well enough to guess what Mr. Vitale was like.

  “If I don’t see you again until my divorce is final.”

  “You agreed?” His stomach churned.

  “It’s only another month. I have to make peace with them, for the boys, for everyone.”

  “What about you?” He had to make her see this was the wrong choice.

  “For me too. He’s my father.” She picked up her purse and searched the room with her eyes.

  “Giving in to his ultimatum is the only way to make peace? Sounds more like you’re caving.”

  “I don’t expect you to understand. I’m trying to do what’s right.”

  “For who?” He followed her to the door, wishing he could restrain her. But it wouldn’t be by mutual consent, so he had to rely on words. Not his strong suit.

  “Everyone. You know I want to stay, but I can’t only think of myself. Or you. I’m sorry. I hope you can try to understand and forgive me.” She stopped, her hand on the door knob. “Can I call and see you next month? You’ll be the first to know.”

  “We can talk to your parents together. Let me talk to your father, man to man. Maybe--”

  “Sometimes you are such a chauvinist.” Her tone dripped disgust. “I’m surprised you and Santo didn’t get along better.” She opened the door.

  He gripped her arm. “What about your things?”

  “I packed the car while you were in the shower,” she said.

  He released her. He couldn’t win, not this game. But the series wasn’t over. He ran in front of her as she walked down the path to her car. Grabbing her, he kissed her until she pushed on his chest. She blinked and trembled.

  “Just reminding you what you’ll be missing,” he said.

  Her fingers fluttered over the sweet hollow beneath her throat. She nodded. “I love you,” she said, her voice wavering.

  “I know,” he said. “This is your choice, your play. But I don’t need to follow your rules. I’ve got my own playbook.”

  She studied him while his grin eased some of the tension in his face.

  “Please don’t cause trouble,” she said.

  He raised his eyebrows in an innocent gesture. “Give everyone my best,” he said.

  “Say hi to Shawn and Sabrina,” she said as she opened her car door.

  “Are they forbidden too?”

  “No,” she called as she started the engine.

  He smiled and waved. Trouble, no. Double low down and dirty…that was only a requirement of their secret club, so really he’d be obeying her rules after all.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “I’ll get it,” Max shouted when the doorbell at Chiara’s parents’ rang. With a quick smile, Chiara’s mom followed him.

  “I did a good job decorating, huh?” Danny asked, showing Chiara the colorful sugar cookie. Max’s appeared haphazard while each sprinkle and decoration was carefully placed on Danny’s.

  She kissed the top of his head. “Wonderful.”

  “We should clean up before Grandpa gets home,” he said.

  “You’re right.”

  Danny knew her father well. He also knew his grandpa had been diagnosed with a heart condition and should avoid too much stress. Really Chiara wondered if her mom hadn’t finagled that as a reason they shouldn’t irritate him, which always upset her mom more than anyone else.

  It had been less than twenty-four hours and Chiara already missed Rocco. She didn’t know if she could make it another three and a half weeks without him. She wasn’t sure anymore why she should.

  “Mom, these are for you!” Max shouted from behind a huge bouquet of red roses.

  She smiled. “Thanks,” she said.

  “They’re not from me,” Max said. Chiara chuckled. “And look, candy too!” He held a two pound box of See’s assorted chocolates in his other arm.

  “Would you look at this poinsettia? I’ve never seen one so big, or beautiful,” Chiara’s mom said as she walked in with the plant.

  Chiara agreed with her. “Any card on yours?” she said.

  “No,” Chiara’s mom said. “That’s odd. You don’t have one?”

  Chiara shook her head. She suspected who had sent everything, but she said nothing while Max and her mom checked around for the missing cards.

  “A secret Santa,” her mom said.

  “Santa’s not secret and he’s coming in four nights!” Max said while Danny put the tops back on the jars of sprinkles. Chiara and her mom smiled and finished cleaning with Danny while Max watched the cookies through the oven window.

  The next day was drizzly and Max stood at the window watching raindrops race down the pane, much like her brother Tomaso used to. Danny sat on the couch reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which Phil and Chiara had given him for his birthday. Chiara’s mom was still out to lunch with some friends, her dad at work. Chiara flipped on the Christmas tree lights, inhaling the fir’s fragrance before she curled up next to Danny and tried to get happy about her favorite holiday.

  “Cool,” Max said. “It’s Shawn and Sabrina.”

  Chiara jumped up. “What? Are you sure?”

  “Yep,” Max said, running to the front door.

  Chiara smoothed her hair and wished she wasn’t wearing her ratty old slippers as she followed Max. He opened the door.

  “Rainy day Christmas elves,” Sabrina said as Max tackled Shawn. He and Sabrina smiled and they all said hello. Even Danny bounded into the hall to hug them. Shawn set two grocery bags down. “Hope you don’t mind,” Sabrina continued, “we thought the boys might like to make gingerbread trains. I baked all the pieces and we brought everything.”

  “Trains!” Danny said. Trains had been his first love and still had a special place for him, even though he now thought space and wizards were cooler.

  “Can we eat the candy?” Max asked as they all followed Chiara to the kitchen.

  Sabrina giggled. “Then you won’t have any to decorate with. But, if it’s okay with your mom, I have a little extra.”

  “A little,” Chiara said before smiling at the scene. The four worked together pulling everything out of the bags and gathering the icing spatulas and spoons from the drawers.

  “Mom, Christmas music?” Danny said in a come-on-get-with-it tone.

  Chiara turned on the radio, already set to the all Christmas music station. “How about some hot cocoa?” The four nodded and Sabrina started singing along to “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” Soon they all chimed in, laughing and piecing together the trains. Chiara stirred the cocoa on the stove and warmed along with the sweet chocolate milk. Maybe Rocco was right-- surely Danny would come around eventually. Her family and Phil were a different problem.

  “Phil,” Chiara said as she opened the front door the next afternoon. “Everything okay?”

  “Sure,” he said, walking in.

  Chiara shut the door and took a deep breath. Things had been going so well, their arrangements seemed settled, so her stomach dropped at his unexpected visit. The boys were in the back yard with her mom, helping clean up.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I got a last minute invitation to take the boys on the Niles Christmas train. It leaves at four-fifteen.”

  “Oh,” Chaira said. Her breathing steadied. “Will you have them back for dinner?”

  “Maybe we’ll go to The Ice Creamery after? Kids eat free on Wednesdays.”

  “Suzy coming?” she asked.

  “No, just the guys,” he said.

  Chiara almost giggled at the uncomfortable way Phil said it. “Okay, Danny will be really excited. Only mini cones, though, they had cookies after lunch. And if you could have them back by eight…”

  “No problem.” Phil said, scratching his bald spot. Strange, he usually only did that when he was nervous. The boys tromped in and shouted when they spotted their dad. He soon explained the plan and Chiara helped bundle them in their coats, knit hats, and gloves. She kissed them goodbye and thanked Phil again as t
hey buckled the boys into their booster seats.

  “I’m going to make a phone call,” Chiara said to her mom as she walked back in.