I sigh. Do I want to talk, or do I want to watch the movie?
“You pick the movie, Gabby, then we’ll talk after.”
I grit my teeth and switch the movie off.
“We’ll get this over and done with.” I reach for my glass, and after three big mouthfuls, it’s gone.
Alessio smiles at me. “Sit tight, baby,” he says as he places his beer on the table and reaches for my glass. “I’ll get you another. Trust me, Gabriella, this talk isn’t going to make you mad, nor will it make you want to kill me.”
I laugh, despite the wariness I feel. “That's reassuring.”
He gets to his feet and moves effortlessly toward the kitchen. I happily ogle his ass as he does so. The man has a phenomenalbody. He looks good no matter what he wears. He’s tanned, with dark hair, and he has the most amazing amber eyes I have ever seen. He’s sexy without ever trying.
“Finished staring?” he says when he returns moments later.
I bite my lip and run my gaze down the front of his body, licking my lips when my eyes get to crotch level.
“There’s only so much restraint I have,” he growls as he sinks onto the couch next to me. “Keep it up, Mama, and I’ll fuck you so hard you’ll be crying out my name.”
My cheeks heat at his words. I reach for the wine glass.
“Stop it,” I snap. Because he’ll get what he wants, and that’s me back in his bed, when we have other, more important things to talk about.
“Talk to me, Gabby, what’s on your mind?” he asks, and the sincerity in his voice has my throat clogging up.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “There’s so much to apologize for, and I know there are no words that can ever make up for me keeping Anthony from you. But I truly am sorry.”
He reaches out for me, and his thumb caresses my cheek. “I know. Trust me, I understand. I forgive you. But it’s going to take a while for the anger to go.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” I whisper. My heart hurts. I should have listened to my father from the beginning. He wanted me to be honest with Anthony’s father, but I was wrapped up in my own hurt and feelings to listen.
“You’re safe, our son is safe, and you’re here. That’s all I give a fuck about. Now, what Makenna said—”
“She was right,” I say, cutting him off. “Not by implying that I’m a whore, but she’s right to worry and care for you. If it were me, I’d want the same thing. So, Dad’s organizing the DNA test. I need to get this done, not only for me and you, but if the rumors spread that Anthony may not be yours, that could hurt him, Alessio, so we’ll get it done.”
He nods, his eyes darkening. “I hate this, but you’re right. We both know what the test will show.”
I smile. “I do all the hard work and he comes out looking like you.”
His grin is infectious. “He’s amazing.”
I nod. He really is. I take a sip of my wine and decide it’s time to get down to the hard stuff. “What’s going to happen now? I live here, our lives are here, and yours is in New York.”
“We’ll make it work. It’ll be a lot of traveling at the beginning, but once you’re comfortable and we’re at a place to move forward, we’ll come back to this conversation.”
I sink into him, glad that he seems to have everything sorted out.
“Now, Mama,” he growls. “The question I have for you is: what happens between us?”
My breathing deepens and my cheeks flame. I squirm on the sofa as his gaze intensifies. “I’m not sure,” I lie.
He nods as he reaches for my glass. “Are you sure about that?”
I hate that he can see through me. “What do you want?” I question, needing to deflect.
His lips go to my ear. “I want you. I’ve always wanted you.”
I swallow hard. God, when he says that, it makes me wonder if being with him would be worth it.