“I didn’t want to love you. I fought against it for so long, but it’s no use. I can’t not love you.”
I put my hands around each side of her belly. “I already love this baby.”
“I know you do. And I love him, too.”
“We’re going to be a happy family, aren’t we?”
“We’re going to be very happy.”
Suddenly, I’m bathing in the sunshine of her love. But I learned something a long time ago about love and sunshine. When you’re standing in its warm rays, it’s difficult to imagine that a storm is on its way.
* * *
Emilia’s eyes are closed, her breathing deep and steady. Lying on her side, she’s facing me with her hand resting atop her round stomach like a mother protecting her young even in her sleep.
She’s a wonderful wife. I’m so lucky to have her.
And she’s going to be a wonderful mother. There’s no doubt in my mind.
I lie still, studying her features and ponder how many of her traits our child will inherit? Her darker hair? Her deep-caramel eyes instead of my green? Those freckles across her nose?
I can’t wait to see who he looks like. But indeed, I must wait. Too long according to what her doctor says.
She inhales deeply and opens her eyes, smiling when she sees me looking at her. “What are you doing?”
“Looking at you while you sleep.”
“Well, that’s not creepy at all.”
“I was looking at your face and wondering if the baby will look like you.”
“No. He’ll look like you.”
“And if the baby is a girl?”
“Still you.”
“Why do you feel so strongly that the baby will look like me?”
“Because you’re so damn dominant and overpowering in every little thing you do. Why would your genes be any different?”
“I couldn’t stop being dominant or overpowering if I tried. It’s who I am.”
“I know. And I love that about you.”
“It’s one of many things you love about me, right?”
“Yes, one of many, many, many things.”
She reaches out and taps the tip of my nose. “You look older.”
“Well, I am a year older than I was when we went to sleep last night.”
“Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
“Our first birthday together.”
“Yours is next but sorry—” Reaching out, I rub her stomach. “This little one’s birthday is the one I’m most looking forward to.”
“I know. Me too.”
Emilia jolts when three loud smacks land against our closed bedroom door.
“Mom told me to come up and tell you that your birthday breakfast would be on the table in twenty minutes,” Stephan shouts.
Emilia brings her hand to her chest. “Shit, he scared me.”
She grew up with all sisters until her little brother came along. I’m sure things were mostly calm around the Bellini house, so she’s not used to the brotherly antics Stephan pulls to annoy the shit out of me.
“That’s it. I’m going to kill that motherfucker.”
“Don’t, Luca.”
I throw back the covers and dash toward the door, slinging it open. The asshole is standing there grinning. “Did I interrupt your birthday sex?”
He takes off running, and I tackle him in the hallway.
“Good Lord. You’re twenty-five, no, twenty-six years old, and you’re acting like a child. Stop!”
We roll around on the hallway floor throwing half-strength punches while Emilia squeals for us to stop. She probably thinks we’re going to hurt each other.
And we might.
“Boys.”
With only a single word from our mother, Stephan and I both instantly still like well-trained dogs hearing their master’s command.
Old habit.
“I won’t have that foolery in my house.”
My brother and I stand, each of us wiping the blood from our noses.
“I was just playing with him, Ma. He’s overreacting like he always does.”
“I’m not overreacting. You startled my wife. My pregnant wife. That’s not good for her.”
“I’m sorry, Emilia. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s okay. I’m not mad.”
“See? Your mate is perfectly fine, wolf. Calm down.”
“You believe I’m overreacting, but that’s because you don’t understand yet. You will when you have your own wife.”
“I’m sure I will be protective if Dad gets me a honey as good-looking as Emilia.”
“You can talk about honeys later. I’m sure Zee Zee is taking the biscuits out of the oven, and there’ll be another scolding if you don’t get down there before the food gets cold.”
“We’ll be down as soon as we change.”
Only a few minutes to spare. We’ll need to be quick.
I close the door and push Emilia against it. Going in for a kiss, my mouth lands on the side of her face when she turns her head.
“You have blood trickling from your nose.”
“Come on, Emilia.”
“Come on, Emilia, what?”
“It’s just a little blood.”
“And it looks gross running out of your nose.”
“It’s my birthday. I want sex for breakfast,” he whispers.
“Well, you’re getting biscuits instead. Maybe Zee Zee will put a candle in one.”
“Are you seriously going to make me wait for birthday sex?”
“I’ve learned one thing about being part of this family. You don’t keep Zorah Rossini waiting at mealtime. So yes, you’ll have to wait for birthday sex.”
“You’re right. None of us want to face her wrath.”
“Don’t worry, birthday boy. I have all kinds of birthday surprises for you. We’re going somewhere tonight. And before you argue that it isn’t safe, I’ve already made arrangements with some of the soldiers. They’re going with us.”
“Oh, Emilia. I don’t know if that’s the best idea.”
“It’ll be fine.”
I’m not a fan of surprises. “What are we doing?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to find out.”
“Can I at least know where we’re going so I can be prepared?”
“Nope.”
“One clue?”
“No.”
“Man, you are one tough cookie.”
“You’re going to love it, and that’s all you need to know right now.”
31
Emilia Rossini
Envying him, I watch Luca inhale an entire dozen raw oysters. “How are they?”
“Very good.” He grins. “Too bad you can’t have any. I know how much you love them.”
I do love them, and I plan to pig out on them after this baby is born.
“I can have cooked oysters.”
He licks his bottom lip. “Sorry. Not the same thing.”
“They’re not, but the charbroiled ones with parmesan are pretty good.”
“I can call the waiter over and order some.”
“No, it’s fine. My pasta is filling me up.”
“But pasta’s not an aphrodisiac.”
“It’s not, but I have pregnancy hormones so we’re starting on a level playing field.”
Luca sighs. “Do you have any idea how badly I want to take you home, to our house, and have a night without six of my family members sleeping down the hall?”
I bet I do.
“Then you’re going to love the rest of your birthday present.” I remove the hotel room key from my purse, dangling it in front of him. “You don’t have to put your hand over my mouth tonight.”
A smile spreads across his face. “You got us a room in this hotel?”
“Not a room. A suite.”
“I was not expecting this.”
“This is a hotel restaurant. Did you think I brought you here only for dinner?”
“I
did.”
“Well that would have just been cruel.”
Luca takes my hand and kisses the top. “I needed this so much. You don’t know how much.”
“I think I know exactly how much because I need it too.”
“Are the soldiers staying here?”
“Only a few rooms away. They can be at our door in a matter of seconds if needed.”
“The Gasparis would never strike against us in public.”
I’m beginning to wonder if they’re ever going to strike at all. “It’s been two weeks, and they’ve done nothing.”
“I’m not sure they ever will. They aren’t known for aggression. I don’t think they’d know how to plan an attack.”
If my mother wasn’t involved, Luca would have already relieved the human population of the Gasparis, but he’s refrained on my account. He says he can’t take another parent away from me.
“I don’t want to keep living like this. Can’t we go home?”
“I wish we could, but that isn’t possible until we’re sure that they aren’t planning something.”
“Maybe I can talk to Gemma. I think she would tell me what’s happening.”
Luca shakes his head. “I don’t want you to do that.”
“Gemma isn’t a threat to us.”
Like me, my sister is a pawn for my mother to use.
“You don’t know where her true loyalties lie. She could give you fictitious information, so you’ll develop a false sense of security.”
“My sister would never do that to me.”
“Just like your mother would never turn on you and her grandchild?”
As much as I hate it, he makes a valid point. “Right.”
“I’m going to get us home, but I need time.”
“I know you want to be home as much as I do. I’m trying to be patient.” But it’s so difficult, especially with my progressing pregnancy.
I want to paint the nursery… in our house. Buy a baby crib. Pick out baby bedding.
Do normal things to our home to prepare for our child.
“Speaking of patience. I have none right now. I’m ready to take you upstairs.”
“But it’s your birthday, and we haven’t had dessert yet.”
“We’ll have one of everything sent up to the room.”
“One of everything, huh?”
“If it gets you beneath me quicker. Besides, my real dessert is under that dress that I’m dying to peel off you.”
“I don’t require bribery, but since you’re offering, one of everything works for me.”
“Dessert comes after I come. Not before.”
“Dessert comes after we both come.”
32
Luca Rossini
As soon as we’re inside the room, I pull Emilia against me, but she pushes me away. “No.”
What the fuck? “What do you mean no?”
“Go to the bed, and I’ll be there in a minute, birthday boy.”
I’m hard as a rock and I need relief. “I don’t want to wait. I want you now.”
“You can’t have me now. I have a birthday surprise for you, and trust me, you don’t want to ruin it by not waiting.”
“I hate surprises.”
She blows a raspberry. “You won’t hate this one. I promise.”
“Don’t make me wait too long.” I can’t take it. And I shouldn’t have to because it’s my birthday.
She winks. “I would never make you wait for me too long.”
Ohhh, the things I could say in reply to that.
Emilia shoves me. “Go on now.”
“I’m taking my clothes off while I wait for you.”
She rolls her eyes and murmurs a profanity. “Fine. Take off your clothes.”
Yes, I think this is one surprise that I am going to like.
I become more impatient as Emilia stays in the bathroom for far too long. “Come on, baby. I’m ready.”
“I’m almost finished.”
What the hell is she doing in there?
Finally, she opens the door, only her head peeping out. I instantly see that her long tresses have been slicked back into a bun on top of her head. “Are you ready?”
Naked beneath the sheets, I sit up in bed, ready to fuck my wife. “Baby, I’ve been ready. I’m painfully waiting on you.”
She smiles, and my own expression mimics hers.
“Okay.”
She steps out wearing only two things: pink pointe shoes and a stiff pink and gold tutu, her pregnancy belly protruding over the top. I think it’s the tutu she wore in Sleeping Beauty.
“Fuck,” I say, mostly to myself.
“You told me you had fantasized about fucking me in my pointe shoes and tutu. Well, husband, I’m going to make your fantasy a reality.”
Best birthday present ever.
“First, I need to warm up. A ballerina always needs to do her stretches.”
She gracefully floats across the room and places one hand on the desk. She rises on to her pointes and lifts one of her legs in the air. Grabbing her foot, she pulls it up until her legs make one straight vertical line.
No panties. She’s spread wide apart right there for me to look at. And I see everything. Every. Thing.
Fuck.
The air is knocked from my lungs, and I’m unable to speak. All I can do is look at her pussy.
My wife’s body is a wonder. So few people have the ability to do what she does, but to put herself in that kind of position while she’s almost seven months pregnant? She’s a marvel.
She returns her foot to the floor. “I think I’m ready for my performance now.”
My cock got hard when she dangled that hotel key in front of me at dinner, but now it’s engorged to the point of almost hurting. My balls are tight and aching because I need to get off so badly.
She crawls on to the bed and climbs on top of me. Gripping her hips beneath her tutu, I squeeze the extra bit of soft flesh on her hips that hasn’t been there until recently. Her hips and my hands move together as she rotates her pelvis. She grinds against me, sliding her wet pussy up and down my length. Teasing me.
And it’s the best tease I’ve ever had.
Rising on her knees, she reaches between our bodies and glides my cock back and forth through the slickness of her center, coating the tip. And then she slides down my length until every inch is deep inside her, exactly where it belongs, and can go no farther.
Gripping my shoulders, she holds tightly. She moves up and down, her pussy gripping my dick and holding on to it as though it will never let go. My beautiful wife does all the work, letting me simply enjoy sitting back being fucked.
Happy birthday to me.
Emilia releases my shoulders and leans back, placing her hands on my thighs for support. Arching her back, she rolls her hips as she moves up and down, and her soft, slow breaths become quick, shallow pants.
Her chest is poked out and her tits, which have gotten so much bigger lately, are right in my face. Reaching out, I palm both of them at the same time, rolling her nipples between my thumbs and index fingers. Even pinching them a little bit.
Her hands leave my thighs and she throws her arms around my shoulders, pulling our upper bodies together. My response is to do the same, wrapping my arms around her waist.
Tangled together, she presses her forehead against mine and continues to bounce up and down my dick, showing no signs of fatigue. My strong, beautiful, pregnant wife. Nothing in this world compares to her.
For love, I’d do anything. For her, I’d do everything.
“You are my husband and you own me. I want to own you, too.”
Those are the single most erotic, intimate words that Emilia has ever said to me.
“I’m yours. Even the breath in my lungs belongs to you.”
Emilia’s grip around me tightens, forcing her pregnant belly to press against my stomach. Her movement changes and I feel her body’s tight grip around my cock.
And I’m a goner.
/>
Exploding inside her.
Claiming her.
I hold her tight and in place because I don’t want to leave my favorite place in the world—inside her. Not yet. I want to treasure this moment with her for a little while longer.
Locking her hands behind my neck, she slumps around me. “Mmm. Satisfying… and exhausting.”
Abruptly, she straightens and takes my hand, placing it on top of her belly. “Do you feel that?”
“I do. Wow.” My son is already incredibly strong.
She giggles and I feel an ooze of wet warmth leak out of her and drip down my balls. It sort of tickles.
“Oh my goodness. This baby is moving like crazy. He never moves this much.”
“He’s angry that his slumber was disturbed.”
“Well, his mamma is drained and is ready for her dessert.”
Placing a quick kiss against my mouth, she moves off me, and my cock immediately aches from the separation. But it won’t be our only joining. I intend on being inside my wife many times tonight.
Returning to the bed with the room service menu in hand, she opens it. “I think I’m going to order the charbroiled oysters to go with my dessert buffet.”
Chocolate and oysters. “Oh, that sounds appetizing.”
“I’m almost seven months pregnant. Don’t judge me.”
“Order anything you want, baby. I need you to regain your strength.”
“Are you planning to exhaust me again?”
“Yes, I am. Many times. But what I really want is for you to ride my dick again.”
“You liked that, huh?”
“Fuck yeah, I liked it.”
I am a man who is always in control. Letting someone else take over for a while was nice. And who better than my queen?
33
Emilia Rossini
Sitting on the exam table, I study a diagram on the wall. It’s of the female anatomy with a baby coming through the birth canal.
How the hell is my body going to be able to do that?
I wonder how big Luca was when he was born. That’s something I need to ask Viviana since birth weight could be hereditary.
The door opens, and I turn to be greeted by my doctor. Except it isn’t my doctor.
Waiting for my Queen: A Dark Mafia Romance Page 21
