“Got it.”
“Call me if anything else happens.”
“Sure thing.”
We end the call, and I rise and go over to Maddie. Sitting beside her, I pull her into my lap. Kittens clamber up my legs, and one of them jumps to my shoulder from the couch.
“Someone’s going to be dead?” Maddie gives me a concerned look.
“I need to go out and attend to some business.”
“Is it dangerous?” she asks.
“No, but it’s not pleasant. While I’m gone, Payton is going to take you shopping. Would you like that?”
“I’d love it. Payton’s so nice.”
“She’s always been a good friend.”
“I love her, and Antony’s obsessed with her.” She nods.
“All husbands should be obsessed with their wives, don’t you think?” I run my hands to her waist and tickle her.
She giggles and squirms in my lap.
I groan at the sensation of her round bottom rubbing against my cock. Heat rises inside me, but I have to tamp it down. Business first.
Rising, I place her back on the rug and lean down to kiss her once more. “When I get back, I want you naked in our bed with your legs spread. Show me everything. I’m going to wear you out, little bird.”
She bites her lips, her cheeks flushing pink. “Can’t wait.”
Neither can I.
18
Maddie
I’m starting to think I’ve been dropped into some sort of a fairy tale. How is this my life right now? Payton sits next to me in the back of the blacked-out SUV as two hulk-size men drive us for our day of shopping. I’m excited, but I kind of already miss Renato.
“You okay?” Payton tucks her phone into her purse.
She’s all dolled up. I hadn’t realized that until now. She’s dressed to impress, and I’m over here in a pair of yoga pants, an oversized sweater, and my Ugg boots that I’d snagged from the thrift store over the summer. I’ve been dying for winter to come back around to wear them. I got such a steal on them.
“I miss Renato, and I don’t think I’m dressed properly,” I blurt out, making Payton give me a giant smile.
I’m amazed how comfortable I feel around her in such a short time. Usually, it takes me a while to warm up to people. Or maybe it’s the other way around. People sometimes need a minute to get used to me and my quirkiness.
“I adore how honest you are. Promise me you’ll never lose that.”
“Really? Sometimes it gets me into trouble. Last night with Oscar is a prime example of that.” Payton’s perfect brows pull together.
“Did you get in trouble? ‘Cause a little spanking that turns into sex doesn’t count.” She winks.
“Wait… what?” I ask, confused for a second before it clicks into place. She bursts into laughter when I put it together. Heat rushes to my face and other places. “No, but for a second I did worry I overstepped a bit. This world isn’t mine. I need to learn to control myself when it comes to Renato’s business partners. Whether I like them or not.”
“You’re doing great, Maddie. The house has been in mourning one way or another since Renato’s mother passed. Until you showed up. You’re bringing it back to life.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.”
“It’s just the truth.” She shrugs. “And you're dressed fine. You’re Renato's wife; you can wear whatever you like. All these stores care about is money, and you’ve got plenty of it.”
“It’s not my money.”
“But it is. You’re a part of this family and valuable to it. You might not think what you do is important but it is. I promise you that.”
“You’re so kind.”
“I have my moments.” She gives me a wicked smile. “It’s sweet you miss Renato. That’s why you should find something sexy for him to take off you when he gets back home tonight.”
“He said he wanted me naked.”
“Then be naughty and get that spanking by not doing what he told you.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“I think I really like that idea.” I chew on my bottom lip. “Can you tell me more about Renato?” I ask. I’m not sure how much she’s willing to divulge, but I find that I’m starving for information about him. I want to know everything there is when it comes to him.
“What would you like to know?”
“I’ll take anything you’re willing to give.”
“Renato is different from a lot of the other men in this world. I think it’s why he and Antony have always been close. They have the same value on family. They hold the same respect for women too. I think Renato really got that more so than Claudio because he was a little older and got to see his parents together. He saw how happy they were and how much his father respected his mother. She held as much power in the family and the business as his dad. They were a force to be reckoned with.”