LEO
I’m in one hell of a good mood as I stand in the kitchen, preparing tea for Haven and me.
She’s sitting at the island, looking excited as fuck.
“I loved waking up to you kissing my chest and crawling onto my lap,” I say.
A wide grin spreads over her face. “Yeah?”
“My favorite part was when you rode me like a horse.”
She lets out a chuckle, then wiggles her eyebrows at me. “I love riding.”
I place a cup of tea in front of her, and while bringing mine to my mouth, I drop my voice low and say, “You can ride me every morning.”
“Don’t do that with your voice and definitely don’t smirk like that while Kristen is here.”
I set my cup down and move in behind Haven. Leaning down, I press a kiss to the side of her neck. “Hmm…You being possessive is making me hard.”
“Nope. She’ll be here any second. I don’t want my best friend walking in on you fucking me in the kitchen.”
I grab a fistful of her hair and tug her head back before lightly biting her neck.
“Leo,” Haven moans, desire turning her irises into melted caramel.
I grip her jaw and kiss her fucking hard. When I let go of her and pick up my tea, I say, “I hope Kristen has earplugs. I’m going to fuck you raw tonight.”
My wife blinks a few times as she comes out of her lust-induced trance. “Damn, it’s unfair how good you are with the seduction thing.”
I chuckle, but it dies away when I hear a car pulling up to the mansion.
Haven jumps up and runs out of the kitchen, shrieking, “She’s here!”
I place my cup down again and go after my woman. I step out of the house and watch as Haven runs to the car. The passenger door opens, and a blonde darts out. The two women fall into each other’s arms, then they shriek so loud, it has Edoardo rushing in my direction.
“She doesn’t shut up,” he grumbles when he reaches me. “Good luck, boss.”
I let out a burst of laughter and pat him on the shoulder. “Thanks for bringing her.”
He gestures to the guards. “I’m going to check in with my men.”
As he walks away, Haven and Kristen come toward me. I watch as Kristen’s gaze drifts over me, and fear creeps into her eyes.
When she stops a safe distance from me, she lifts her chin. “I hope you love Haven too much to shoot me because I just have to say that was a real sucky thing you did, forcing her to marry you.” I stare at her as she takes a breath before continuing, “With that out of the way, it’s nice to meet you.” I wait to see if there’s anything else she wants to say, then she mutters, “Or not. Depends on whether I just pissed you off and you decide to shoot me.” She looks at Haven, “He’s too intense for me. Do something.”
“You’re not letting him get a word in,” Haven says, a beautiful smile on her face.
“Regarding the ‘sucky thing’, I’m sorry. I should’ve handled things differently, but Haven knocked my feet from under me, and I just had to have her.” Kristen’s eyes snap to me, her mouth dropping open. “And, yes, I love Haven more than anything, so I won’t shoot you.”
“Oh, good,” Kristen sighs with relief before glancing nervously around the property. “Uhm, so you’re really the head of the Italian mafia?”
“Yes.”
She nods, looking like she’s about to wet herself.
“But to you, I’m just your best friend’s husband. I promise you’ll be safe while visiting here.”
“Okay.” Kisten lets out a breath of relief. “That’s good to know.”
I step to the side and gesture at the front door. “Come in. You must be tired from the long flight.”
“Did you sleep on the plane?” Haven asks as she pulls Kristen into the house.
“Nope. Not a wink, but don’t worry, I’m not tired.”
When I walk toward the kitchen, I ask, “Would you like anything to drink, Kristen?”
The women pause in the foyer and turn to look at me.
“Coffee would be nice,” Kristen replies.
I head through the doorway and get busy making coffee, and when I hear footsteps behind me, I ask, “What would you like, principessa?”
“Another cup of tea, please.”
When I’m done, I place their beverages on the island and say, “I’ll give you some time alone so you can catch up.”
Haven’s eyes dart to my face. “You didn’t say anything about going out.”
“I’m not. I’ll be in my office doing some research on your Kindle.”
Haven blushes something fierce, then grumbles, “Don’t you dare.”
A wide smile spreads over Kristen’s face. “I have a few books I can recommend.”
“Hush!” Haven playfully pushes Kristen’s shoulder.
I walk to my wife, and wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I tug her closer while leaning down. My lips nip at hers a few times before I give her a tender kiss.
I pull back, and locking eyes with her, I smirk while dropping my voice to the seductive tone she likes. “I’ll make lunch around two.”
She can’t keep from smiling as she replies, “Thank you.”
When I walk out of the kitchen, I hear Kristen squealing. It’s followed by Haven’s bubbly laughter, which I’ll never get tired of hearing.
I was kidding when I said I’m going to do some research on Haven’s Kindle. I have a client who’s in the running to become the CEO of one of the largest construction companies in the world. I have to create false information that will make it look like his competitor is mixed up in dark shit.
I’m also planning a surprise for Haven, which I hope will be ready on time.
HAVEN
“Uhm, excuse me, ma’am,” Kristen shrieks, fanning her face with her hand. “Principessa?” I watch as she swoons hard. “And that kiss. Wowza!”
Shaking my head, I pick up my tea and take a sip.
“Now I understand why you’ve fallen in love with him. That smirk will turn any woman with a pair of working ovaries into mush.”
I laugh at her silliness, then she picks up her coffee and says, “Give me a tour of this gorgeous mansion.”
As we walk out of the kitchen, I ask, “So, how was the flight with Edoardo?”
“He’s so damn quiet. I had to do most of the talking. It was like pulling teeth.” She glances at me, then shakes her head. “No, get whatever plan you’re scheming out of your pretty little head. Edoardo might be hot, but he’s way too serious and quiet for my liking.”
I pout as I hook my arm through hers. “Damn, there goes that idea.”
We stop in the living room, and Kristen gasps when she looks at the windows. “Jesus, that’s one hell of a view.”
“Let’s sit outside.” I open the sliding doors, and when we walk outside, I ask, “What do you think of Leo?”
Kristen waits until we sit down at the top of the steps, then she looks at me. “Honestly, he’s very intense and there’s a look in his eyes that’s a little terrifying.”
“Yeah, that was my first impression as well, but once you get to know him, he becomes less terrifying.”
Her eyes search mine for something, then she says, “You must’ve shat yourself when he took you.”
A smile curves my lips. “Boy, did I shit myself. Leo had me shaking in my boots.” I glance at the waves rolling in, then add, “After the wedding, he left me alone for two weeks, and when he came back, he was a different person. He groveled so hard. For our first date, he flew me to a yacht in the middle of the ocean. It was magical.” Kristen is practically hanging on every word leaving my lips. “Since then, he’s been perfect.”
She keeps staring at me for a few seconds, then her lips tip up at the sides. “You look happy.”
“I am.”
“And how are you dealing with everything you found out about your family?”
I shrug while taking a deep breath. “I’m remembering little things. Yesterday, Leo took me to a storage facility. He packed up everything from my parents’ house after the attack and kept it all these years.”
“Holy shit.”
I cross my arms on my knees. “Leo has my stuffed unicorn in a glass box on a pedestal in his bedroom.”
“Haven,” she whispers. “That’s so sad.”
“When he realized who I am,” I shake my head, “I’ll never forget the look on his face.”
“And how did you feel when you found out you were kidnapped?”
“I cried my eyes out. It was overwhelming as fuck.” I let out a sigh. “It hit Leo much harder than it hit me.”
“Is he doing okay now?” she asks.
“Yeah. I think so.”
We talk about my family for a bit longer, then she asks, “Are you really okay being married to Leo? Just say the word and I’ll sneak you out of here.”
Chuckling, I nudge her shoulder with mine. “I love being married to him, so you don’t have to risk your life.”
“Did Leo give you a wedding ring?”
I glance down at my left hand. “He did. I took it off right after the wedding and gave it back. I’ve forgotten about it.”
“God, what if he’s waiting for you to bring it up so he can give it to you again?”
I shake my head. “Leo doesn’t play around. I think he’s forgotten about it as well.” I look at Kristen, taking in her blonde hair and gray eyes, then say, “It’s so good to see you again.”
She places her arm around my shoulders and leans into me. “I missed you, too, bestie.”
“I have a proposal I want to run by you,” I say.
She straightens up again and lifts an eyebrow at me. “My parents will shit themselves if I move to Italy.”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “As much as I would love you moving here, that’s not it. Leo gave me a lot of money, and I want to start a charity that saves horses from slaughterhouses. You want in?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods?” she gasps. “Hell yeah, I want in!”
“I’ll pay an income,” I add. “I was thinking you can get a ranch in Montana and save horses that side, while I run the charity here in Italy.”
“I’m one hundred percent on board with that.” She hugs me tightly and shrieks in my ear, “Jesus, it will be a dream come true to work with horses!”
“I’m glad you like the idea,” I say as we pull apart. “We can plan everything in detail while you’re here.”
“Hold up.” She gives me a curious look. “How much did Leo give you that you’re able to buy a ranch?”
We’ve never kept anything from each other, but I don’t want to tell her how much because it’s something personal between Leo and me.
I wag my eyebrows at her. “A lot. Luckily for me, he’s helping me invest it so I can use the interest to run the charity.”
“Holy shit.”
We talk about the charity for a while, then Kristen says, “Jet lag is kicking my butt. I’m going to sleep for a few hours.”
We stand up and head back into the house. “Should I put your lunch in the oven if you’re still asleep at two?”
“Please.”
I lead Kristen up the stairs to my old bedroom and watch as her eyes widen while she glances around. “God, Haven. This room is beautiful. I even have a balcony.”
“It used to be mine. The bed is pretty comfy.”
She gives me a questioning look. “If I’m taking your room, where are you sleeping?”
“I moved my stuff to Leo’s room.” When it looks like she’s going to protest, I add, “There are eight rooms in the mansion. Don’t worry. I didn’t move because of you.”
“Oh, good.”
I walk closer and give her a quick hug before gesturing at her luggage that’s been placed near the closet. “There are your bags. I hope you sleep tight.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
I walk out of the room, pulling the door shut behind me. Heading back down the stairs, I go to the office, and when I pop my head inside, it’s to see Leo sitting behind his desk. He’s typing fast, his eyes on the wall that’s covered in monitors.
“Can I come in?”
His gaze flicks to me, and a smile spreads over his face. “Of course.”
I step into the office, and seeing a bunch of information on the monitors that I don’t understand, I turn my attention back to Leo. “Kristen is going to sleep for a few hours.”
He stands up and comes to wrap his arms around me. “So, I have you all to myself for a while?”
Grinning up at him, I nod. “But I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
Leo lets go of me and walks to the door. I watch as he shuts it before he turns back to me. “Work can wait.”
Oooh, I like the sound of that.
