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    CATERINA

    Ican’t pretend it isn’t a huge relief to be back in Gianni’s bed. No,ourbed. I need to stop thinking of it as my bed, my room, my home. We’re supposed to be getting married, after all.

    Married. It’s been less than twenty–four hours since he proposed, so I’m nowhere near used to the idea yet. It will feel more real when I get a ring–notif, since I know Gianni better than to think he wouldn’t give me one. Once I have that, I’ll feel like an engaged girl–a fiancée.

    The rush of excitement that floods me when I think about it dries up reasonably quick when my brain keeps moving. It’s not enough for me to lie here, basking in sunlight and love, feeling happy. Right away, Tatiana’s face shes in my mind. How will she feel about it? And Dad. I don’t need to wonder about him. It’s going to take a while for him toe around.

    I don’t want to think about any of that right now. I want to be happy for a little while. To live in the moment instead of thinking two steps ahead all the time.

    When I get out of my own head and back into bed with my fiancé–nope, still not used to it–there’s a sense of everything being the way it’s supposed to be again, even if I still feel guarded. I told him. his proposal didn’t change things, and I meant it.

    Now that we’re back together like this, I only want to forget everything and start again. It would be easiest that way, for both of us. I don’t want to fight. I want to look forward to the future with hope. That’s not how you fix problems, though. It would be the same as telling him that what he did was okay. That in the end, all it will take is a few days of being apart for me toe around and go back on all of my principles. It’s no way to build a rtionship. If my time with Luciano taught me anything, it was that it was way too easy for me to forgive simply because it was easier not to fight. I didn’t want to be that girl anymore. I wanted to be the one who stood up for what she believed in and had her thoughts and wishes respected.

    The pleasant ache between my thighs is a reminder of the way we spentst night. The twisted sheets and pillows strewn over the bed are another reminder. By the time we finished making up, I was as frantic to make up for lost time as he was. Even a few days may as well have been a lifetime when you crave someone the way we do each other. We didn’t get much sleep. However, I don’t think either of us wouldin much about that

    “I think I want to quit my job.”

    Gianni lifts his head from where it’s been resting on my stomach for the past few minutes. He might even have started to doze, yet my sudden announcement seems to have woken him up.

    Pardon?”

    “I think it’s the best thing to do.” I didn’t know I was thinking about it, not seriously. Saying it out loud, though, crystalizes the idea and makes it real

    “How so?” I have to give him credit for not rubbing his hands together like the evil viin who’s getting his way. He must be thrilled since he already wanted me to quit once, but now he’s trying to do the right thing and be supportive.

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    “Well, for starters, there’s the fact that I ireally /ishould ibe /igetting up and getting ready to go into the office right now,” I exin while stroking his hair. I can’t help but lie here feeling guilty, because I have a job and a degree. If I’m being honest, I don’t want to return to that job or even that field of worki./i”

    “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

    “There is when you consider how many people don love their job. But they still igo/ii, /idon’t they? They don’t use it as an excuse the way I am.”

    Gianni gives me a knowing look, I think you’ve had more ithan /ienough reasons to be out of worktely.”

    “I know, but things are better now.”

    It’s apparent before he even says a word that he disagrees. It’s bing easier ito /iread his facial cues, primarily when his eyebrows draw together and his mouth screws up in a frown yet he doesn’t say anything right away, I know he’s weighing his options. Trying to figure out what to say without upsetting me. “I don’t know if I could handle you leaving the safety of our home to go to work every day. I think I’d need to make sure you have a bodyguard with you at all times.‘

    That’s funny. Right away, I want to tell him no. That would be safe and he wouldn’t need to worry. I don’t want him always hovering over me, concerned and obsessed with my safety. Except, that’s a lie. The Moronis are still out there, and I’m not going to lie to him and say it wouldn’t give me all kinds of anxiety to go back to work, to park in the same garage where Tatiana and I were taken.” Truthfully, I don’t know if I want to y with that kind of anxiety. I mean, with the baby and everything.”

    “That’s understandable.”

    “Still, I refuse ito /ilet this rule my life. I don’t want to turn into a recluse who hides in her home, never going anywhere or doing anything.”

    “I would never ask you ito /ido that. I know I talk a lot about wanting to keep you here, however you need to be able to leave the house, to go out and do things.” It’s refreshing to hear him say that and to know that he sees me, that I’m not just a precious jewel meant to sit on his shelf.

    “It’s not all bad. I wasn’t ever really happy there.”

    “I understand, and that’s even more of a reason to quit. Whatever you decide to do for work should be enjoyable. Life is so much more than clocking in and out and waiting for the weekend toe. Take it from me, the years pass quicker than you think.”

    A bubble ofughter escapes me, “You’re talking like you’re seventy–five.”

    He wiggles his eyebrows at me, “I feel like it sometimes, and if I were, I’d be highly impressed. Seventy–five and catching a woman like you. That’s not even mentioning the fact that I still have swimmers capable of knocking you up.”

    “Oh my god, stop.” I yfully smack his arm. “Back to what I was saying, I feel bad keeping the position when I never go in. Someone who really needs a job could be working there.”

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    “You’re right, but I’ve got to be honest with you. I feel like you’re trying to convince me more than you’re trying to convince yourself, and we both know I’d rather have you home than anywhere. else..”

    “Does that make mee off as a spoiled brat?”

    “Is that what’s bothering you?”

    “A little bit,” “I admit. “I was raised to appreciate the things you’re given. Not to shit all over them and act like you’re above others.”

    “While I understand the sentiment,” he murmurs, propping himself up on one elbow, “I think you’re being too hard on yourself. I’ve never seen you act boastful or full of yourself, and you’re not some spoiled brat who thinks the world owes her something. You’re someone who’s been through a hell of a lot, and you need time to process that. We both know you don’t really need the job, although somebody else might, someone without a safety.”

    A safety. That’s an intriguing way of putting it. “I don’t want to be spoiled and ungrateful.”

    “I’ve never met anyone less spoiled and ungrateful in my life, and I’m not saying that lightly.” He ces a gentle, lingering kiss on the back of my hand that warms my heart… along with other ces. “I’ve never met anyone as sincere, hardworking, and determined to do the right thing. In every way you’re the opposite of what you fear.”

    “You’re only saying that because I’m your Baby Mama.”

    Hisughter rings through the room. It’s infectious and I soon start tough as well. What a shame so few people have ever heard himugh or even smile. “I love you. Of course, I’m going to see all your best attributes. Remember, I’m realistic too. I’m not in the business of blowing smoke up anybody’s ass–not even an ass as delectable as yours.” He yfully rolls me onto my side and whistles at the sight of it.

    “Look all you want now,” I warn with a groan. “It’s going to get all fat and droopy soon.”

    “There still won’te a day when I don’t want to grab it when nobody’s looking.” His teeth sink into my ass cheek, just enough to still be yful before he purses his lips, his eyes pointing toward the ceiling. “Actually, it doesn’t matter if anyone’s looking or not. I’m still going to want to grab it.”

    “I hope you don’t end up getting tired of me.”

    The mischievousness in his features twists, and he hits me with an apprehensive look that makes me wish I hadn’t said that. “Where’s thising from? I’ve told you before there is no getting tired of you. Wanting you in the first ce had nothing to do with danger or how wrong it was for us to be together. It’s you, Caterina. Everything about you. There won’t be a day when I don’t want you. Crave you. Fantasize about you how a dying man fantasizes about having one more happy, healthy day.”

    Warmth stirs in my core as he sweeps his tongue over my skin, as it always does at times like this. I know what he means about craving–I crave him, too, constantly. No matter what I’m doing, he’s always there, lurking in the back of my mind like some prize I get at the end of the day–something to always look forward to. Even when I was sleeping down the hall, lost, hurt, and confused… I

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    wanted him. He was the reason for my pain and the only thing that could take it away.

    Once he’s finished his slow tour and we’re face–to–face, I make a point of casting a look toward the clock on the nightstand. “It’s gettingte. Roger will be up here any minute now wondering why you aren’t already at your desk.”

    His groan leaves me chuckling while I run my fingers through his hair. “Way to go and mention him at a time like this.”

    b132.1 /b

    I look down between our naked bodies to find his thick cock jutted out and hard as steel. “It didn’t seem to do anything to him,” I point out, brushing my fingertips over the mushroom head, grinning at his heavy sigh.

    So needy, and only I can give him what he craves.

    “That’s because he has a one–track mind.”

    “Funny. I thought you were the one with the one–track mind.”

    “Don’t tell anybody.” He winds his fingers around mine and gives me an insistent tug until there’s no choice except to follow him out of bed. “He does a lot of my thinking for me.”

    “I figured that much.” It’s not like I canin of act like I don’t want to get in the shower with him–any excuse to be close for an extra few minutes before real–life stuff gets in the way.

    Soon it’s Gianni’s hands I’m more focused on, how he gets right down to the business ofthering me up with my lc body wash. The flowery scent fills the shower, just one more pleasurable thing for my senses to pick up on, along with the pleasure of being touched. Wanted. Treasured. Things might not be perfect between us–we have a long way to go–but we can alwayse back to this.

    “Let me do your back.” I turn and face the wall, bracing my forearms against the tile while hethers my neck, then my shoulders, before working his way further down. “You have the most perfect skin. It’s unreal.” He slows, his touch bing more deliberate.

    What’s unreal is the sudden electricity in the air. How does he do it? It’s his soft, seductive voice. The throb of desire running through it. How his hand lingers a beat longer than necessary when he soaps my legs, or how his fingertips skim my ass cheeks until I tremble. By the time he’s finished, I’m one big, pulsing nerve ready to beg for release.

    I have ito /icredit him for taking as long as he does before his body begins sliding against mine. “Are you my shower sponge now?” My chuckle is cut off by the touch of his hand between my legs, caressing my already swollen lips. How is it so easy for him to turn me into a whimpering, needy animal whose only goal is toe?

    “I’m afraid I’ll only be able to get you dirty.” His breathing is harsh and heavy in my ear, and he exchanges his dick for his hand. The touch of his thick head against my clit is the added friction I needed, as I spread my legs wider and bear down to increase the pressure while he slips through my wet folds.

    “Am Iining?” No, instead, I arch my back to give him better ess to my pussy.

    “Mmm…i” /iHis hands grip my hips, almost as if he’s testing to make sure I can handle what he’s going to give me. Then he releases his grip and slides them up my sides before cupping my breasts, his fingers gently pinching my pink nipples, hardening them. “Somebody’s in a hurry. Did I not give you enoughst night?”

    That’s the thing, it’s never enough. There never will be when ites to him.

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    “I need more,” I whimper and grind my ass against him in hopes of urging him on. “Give me more.”

    “Whatever you want, little bird.” It only takes a slight adjustment to line himself up with my dripping hole. Slipping the thick head inside, he drives himself forward, ttening my boobs against the wall with the force of his first stroke. My eyes flutter closed, and I give myself over to him, knowing he will give me what I need most. I’m safe with him.

    “Fuck little bird. Your pussy is so tight, and perfect. I love the way you struggle to take every inch of my cock inside it.” His grunts of pleasure only deepen what’s going on inside me thanks to the way he works his thick cock in and out of me, at a slow and steady pace. The frenzy ofst night has turned to something slower, sweeter, but just as toe–curling.

    “Your pussy loves my cock, doesn’t she? She loves the way I fill her with my cum, and let it drip out. She loves the way I alternate between fucking her hard and fast, and slow and steady,” he rasps against my ear before taking the lobe between his teeth. “She loves it when I fill her up with my cock, stuffing myself so deep inside there’s no way to tell where you start and I end, doesn’t she?”

    “Yes,” I whine, pushing back against him. “Yes, oh god, it feels so good.” Right then he pistons his hips forward, and his tip brushes against a bundle of nerves that make me tremble.

    “Oh shit, you’re tightening little bird.” His strokes be harder, and my muscles tense. I’m so close, only a little more. “You’re going to make mee inside you. Fuck… my balls ache to release inside of you and I know you want it. You’re my good girl, my little cum slut, aren’t you?

    Every word gets me hotter, making the tension mount, making me whine helplessly. The sound of my moans fills the shower along with the steam rising up from the hot spray. “Gianni, oh god… I’m

    !”

    “Be a good girl ande on my cock,” he demands breathless, grunting every time our bodies crash against each other. “Then I’ll fill you with my cum as a reward.”

    I don’t have a choice. It’s all happening at once. The wave ms into me, the power of the orgasm is so strong the air in my lungs stills, and I’m drowning, being pulled down into blissful darkness where Gianni’s grunts are barely audible over the pounding of my own heartbeat.

    “Fuck, fuck, fuck…i” /iGianni growls, his grip on me tightening. “God… I’ming. I’m filling your pussy up for being my good girl. I want you to hold my cum inside of you. Hold it in, and don’t let any slip out.”

    All I can do is nod, the blissful pleasure still overtaking me. He pounds into me almost mercilessly and with onest hard stroke he explodes, his entire body vibrating. I can feel the warmth of his release spreading through my pussy, and tightening my muscles, holding his cock and his release

    inside me.

    “I swear to god your pussy is going to suck every drop of semen out of my balls.”

    All I can do isugh and let out a sigh as he gently pulls out of me. I hate the emptiness that follows after he pulls out. Sometimes I wish he’d stay inside me all the time, but let’s be honest that’s not realistic.

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    He makes up for the loss by peppering gentle kisses against my neck and throat. “I’ll never get enough of you.” I can feel his heart pounding against my back and each tremor that works its way through him. My pussy aches from the punishment his cock has delivered two days in a row and I slowly feel his release slipping out of me, getting washed away by the water.

    “You better not,” I warn with a giggle. “I’m not going to forget what you asked me yesterday. It would suck if we got married and you decided I bore you.”

    “Never.” He pulls away to quickly wash himself while I clean myself up. “Which reminds me. Do you think we should announce our ns?”

    All at once the water feels cold. Only for a second, only as long as it takes for me to shake off the surprise. “Do you want to?”

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