We pull into the expansive driveway, and he asks me to wait here. Another tall man comes out of the other car, and they hug. I wonder if he’s one of the cousins because he looks just like them.
They clear the stairs, and then I see a pretty redhead with a smile on her face. I step out of the vehicle, refusing to wait. “That’s Mia,” Fabio says, coming to my side before I start tripping again and jumping to conclusions.
“God, she’s gorgeous,” I whisper in amazement.
“Yes. She gets her looks from her mother.”
“Well, damn. Those are some good genes. Who’s that?” I question, referring to the man he was shoveling the snow with.
“Never mind about him. Go say hi to your sister, and I’ll be in there in a minute with our bags.”
I run up the stairs as he heads back to the vehicle. “Isabelle!” I shout, running up the stairs and nearly tumble only to feel Fabio’s hands on me, keeping me safe and horny at the same time.
“Damn it, woman. Don’t you ever learn to be careful,” he growls, and I’m hit with a bit of anger.
“Only around men.” I glare at Fabio and then turn back to my sister with a grin. “Merry Christmas. I’m so glad you’re safe,” I say, hugging my sister.
“I haven’t officially met either of you ladies, but I’m Mia.” She sticks out her hands, and we shake them.
“Hi, Mia. God, you’re still as beautiful as I remember,” Isabelle says.
“Same to you, girl. I’ll introduce you to the family later, but let’s walk.” Mia slides her arm over Isabelle’s shoulders and leads the way through a massive entryway with floor-to-two-story ceilings. “From the smile on my cousin’s face, I want to say thank you. It’s nice to see him happy, and the only one to make him that way is you.”
“Thank you, but he’s my happiness too.” I love seeing that look on Isabelle’s face.
“That’s clear as day. Wow, how did Fabio miss it the whole freaking time?”
“Fabio misses a lot of things. Too busy chasing celebrities and models probably.” God, I sound like a cunt. I need to calm it down. I know he’s a better man than I ever gave him credit for and he’s crazy about me.
After we’re introduced to the entire family, I stick close to my sister because I missed her and because I need a buffer between Fabio and me. It’s nuts, but I ache to climb his body and grind on him in front of everyone, even though I’m the one who put the brakes on the relationship.
It’s already late in the evening, so although it is Christmas, the family wants to open gifts in the morning like they would have done this morning. I love the traditions they share, and more and more, I want to be a part of them. Fabio’s eyes land on me a couple of times throughout dinner, even going so far as making a claim that I’m taken.
It’s almost ten when we all call it a night and head up to bed. I have my own room away from Fabio, but as soon as the other doors close, he barges through my door and flips me over his shoulder. “There’s no way we’re sleeping apart.”
I cover my mouth, muffling the giggle coming from deep within as he carries me into his room. “Um…Someone may have seen,” I hiss as he closes his door.
Tossing me onto the bed, my body bounces, and then he strikes with his strong body pinning me to the mattress. His eyes darken with heated intent and his jaw flexes before he speaks, “I don’t care. I’ve had to deal with enough torture for the day. You’re mine, and I want to announce it out to the world.” Fabio crushes my mouth with his in a kiss that screams possession. He’s right. He owns me and I know it. I’ve known it before he did.
I grab his hair, running my fingers up and down his head, marking him. I need so much more than he can ever understand, and I want us to finally push the past aside and start our life together.
He licks my pulse, and I can’t stop the whimper of need that spills from my lips. “I want you, Fabio.”
"No more holding back, Anabelle. I'm in love with you, even though that scares the fuck out of me. Please tell me that you'll give me a chance to prove it to you."
"Then make love to me, Fabio. I've been thinking of you for years, longing in ways that only you inspire. I’m sorry if I pushed too far, too much tonight.”
He freezes, looking down at me with a nervous energy. Concern and excitement war with each other as he clears his throat and says, “Baby, all that talk about not being taken did, was push me harder to prove otherwise. You’re about to be proven wrong because you’re more than taken. I’m claiming you as mine forever. Do you understand me?”