“Are you—oh—fucking crazy?”
“You were the one asking for trouble. I’m here to deliver.”
My heart won’t stop pounding. A thin layer of sweat covers my brow. “I-I don’t think I can.”
“You will,” he says casually, like it’s a given. “And this time, Marina, you’re going to thank me when you come.”
“Dom, I—”
“What. Do. You. Say?”
“Thank you!” I blurt out as a massive tidal wave of pleasure slams right into me.
I can’t make up from down, left from right. The only thing that keeps me grounded is his earthy scent and the weight of his warm body. He finishes himself off with his hand, panting against the crook of my neck. A sudden exhaustion seeps into my bones, pure satisfaction tingling in the tips of my fingers and toes.
I’m only vaguely aware of Dominic’s strong arms lifting me, holding me against his chest as he carries me to my bedroom. I can barely keep my eyes open when he places me on my bed, carefully draping the soft silk sheets over my body before climbing in with me. I’m already drifting off when he presses a kiss to my forehead, murmuring softly in my ear.
“Dormi bene, cuore mio.”
Chapter 18
Arin
Iawake to the smell of sweet pancakes, rich coffee, and sizzling bacon. After pulling on a basic boxy shirt and a pair of pink pajama pants, I traipse down the hall, listening to my daughter’s bubbly laughter.
“More!” Felicia demands as Elio pours a more than generous helping of maple syrup over her gigantic stack of chocolate chip pancakes.
“I think she has more than enough,” I chide, waltzing over to give my daughter a kiss on the top of her head.
Dominic is seated on the other side of the table, looking frustratingly handsome as always, but also a bit uncomfortable. It’s hard to ignore the distance he’s placed between himself and our daughter, purposefully or not.
He rises from his seat and steps toward me, leaning down to give my cheek a quick peck. There’s a little bit of awkwardness, but only because everything is so new. This is the first time the three of us are all in the same room together. Not quite a family, but maybe getting there?
Of course, his career track still has me questioning if this whole thing is even a good idea.
“I have to get to the office,” he tells me.
“So early? It’s not even eight.”
“You sound disappointed.”
I grin up at him. “Then I think you need to get your hearing checked.”
Dominic gifts me with the smallest of smirks before he grabs his suit jacket from off the back of the dining room chair. “Elio will escort you and Felicia to her new daycare.”
“Her new daycare?” I echo. “Wait, I haven’t even checked the place out yet. I need to make sure they’re a good fit for her. What if she doesn’t get along with any of the caregivers?”
“This is a trusted location used by many of my colleagues,” he says robotically.
“Your colleagues have kids?”
“As a matter of fact, many of them do.” Elio answers. “My people are kind of known for their big families. I have seven brothers, myself. They’ve blessed me with a million nieces and nephews. I’m hoping to raise a house full of children one day as well. Just need to land myself a lucky lady.”
Dominic puts on his jacket, smoothing the lapels. “I pity the poor woman who agrees to take you as a husband.”
Elio laughs. “What are you talking about? I’d be an amazing husband.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek, a flicker of curiosity licking the nape of my neck. There’s no denying our age difference. A part of me wonders if at any point Dominic wanted a big family of his own. Was that why he was so adamant about having us live with him after he learned about Felicia? Does he maybe want more children?