Lying flat on my back in bed in the dark, I stare at the ceiling and wish Sloane was here with me. The craving to comfort her is at an all-time high. I just want to bundle her in my arms and kiss all her troubles away. She’s been quiet all day, appearing even more introspective since Natalia left. After FaceTiming Elio, we had takeout for dinner and watched a movie together. Sloane snuggled against me on the couch, but I was afraid to do more than hold her because she seems so fragile right now. Natalia wouldn’t tell me what they discussed—not that I asked—only saying to look out for her.
My head lifts as the door opens and Sloane slips into my room. She nibbles on her lip as she approaches the bed, wearing pink silk pajamas. “Cristian?” she whispers.
“I’m awake.” I prop up on my elbows. “What’s wrong?”
“Could I sleep in here with you? I don’t want to be alone.”
I pull back the comforter and turn on my side, stretching out my arm. “Come here.”
Sloane crawls into the bed, setting her head on the pillow and pulling the covers over her body.
“Closer,” I say, willing my dick to stay down. I’m only wearing boxers, and I don’t want to scare her away.
Sloane scoots closer, tentatively resting her head on my bare chest as my arm winds around her back. “Is this okay?” She peers up at me.
“It’s perfect.” I brush a tender kiss to her lips. “Sleep, baby. I’ve got you.”
I hold her long after she falls asleep, watching her chest rise and fall as she reaches for me in slumber. My arms hold her a little tighter, careful not to squeeze too tight, and my dick approves when she curls into me, sliding one pajama-clad leg over mine.
It’s a miracle I manage to fall asleep at all, but the next thing I know, my alarm is going off. Reaching back, I switch it off before Sloane wakes. We’re tangled in the sheets and one another, and sometime during the night, my hand slipped under her pajama top, resting on the middle of her back. Her skin is warm and soft under my palm, and I covet every part of her silky-smooth skin. Her cheek rests on my chest, her warm breath fanning across my flesh, heating my blood. One hand is flat on my lower stomach, and her fingers rest dangerously close to the bulge straining the cotton of my boxers. Her leg is straddling both of mine, like she tried to climb me during the night. I have zero complaints, and I wish I could stay here like this with her for all eternity, but duty calls.
With military precision, I slide out from under my Sleeping Beauty, somehow managing not to wake her. Sloane needs her sleep. She mumbles something before curling into a ball and nestling deeper onto the pillow. I could stare at her all day and never grow tired of it, but unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury today.
After showering and dressing, I make myself a coffee to go before scribbling a quick note for Sloane. I grab a pink rose from the vase and tiptoe back into my bedroom, setting the note and rose down on the pillow beside her. Snapping a pic of her with my phone—because she looks too beautiful not to—I then press a soft kiss to her hair and leave. It’s an effort to drag myself away, and I really wish I could take the day off, but I’ve got a heavy schedule of meetings, and I won’t be home until late.
Making a pitstop at the bodyguards’ apartment, I talk with John Angelo and Vincenzo, the second soldato I’ve assigned to watch over Sloane, telling them to stick to her like glue today and to let me know if she needs anything.
The day is a blur of meetings, but I find time to check in with Sloane to ensure she’s okay.
I’m just getting ready to wrap things up and head home when I get a call from our president. Punching the button, I accept Massimo’s call and slump back in my chair. “Don Greco.”
“Cristian. No need to stand on ceremony with me.”
“It’s called showing respect, Massimo.”
“It’s not necessary.”
“Were you calling to discuss mafioso etiquette, or is there another reason?”
Massimo chuckles. “Such a wiseass.” He clears his throat. “There’s been a development. I sent a team over to the wedding venue today, and we found a cell phone. It’s most likely a burner, and it’s smashed to fuck and won’t turn on, but I’ve passed it to the IT team to see if they can work their magic. It might not be anything, but I wanted you to know.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
“Gia said she’d liaise with the team and advise you if anything crops up.”
“Good. Have we had any hits with facial recognition yet?” I stretch my legs out under the desk.
“Not so far, but you know these things can take time.”
“I’m meeting my capos tomorrow night, and I’ve already preempted things with a few of my men,” I explain.
“We’ll figure it out. Until we do, increase your personal security.”
“Already done.” I have four men going everywhere with me now, and I sent a team of eight with my parents and Elio, most from my father’s crew, with Clint and Umberto. I’m taking no chances.
“Call if you learn anything.”
“You got it,” I say before hanging up.
Entering my penthouse, I’m accosted with a host of delicious smells that tickle my nostrils and rumble my stomach. “I’m home,” I call out while unbuttoning my coat. Hanging it on the coat stand, I keep hold of my laptop bag as I stride toward the kitchen. I had breakfast and lunch on the go, but it’s been hours since I ate, and I’m starving. “Something smells really good,” I say when I step inside my large kitchen. Salty, lemony, tomatoey scents linger in the air, and my mouth waters.
Sloane is peeking into the oven, but she straightens up at my voice. “I hope it tastes as good as it smells.” She smiles, and there isn’t a hint of the previous melancholy on her face. “It’s my first time cooking it.”
“What’s on the menu?” I ask, dumping my laptop bag on top of the island unit.
“Chicken piccata with baked ziti.”
My eyebrows climb to my hairline. “That’s my favorite dinner.”
Her smile widens, and her eyes light up. “I know. I called your mom, and she told me. Your sister helped her use the computer to email me the recipes.”
I reel her into my arms. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” Her arms glide around my neck. “You’ve done so much for me, and I wanted to thank you. I thought cooking your favorite meal might be a good place to start.”
“It’s a very sweet gesture. I feel like a gratitude kiss is in order.”
Her eyes flare with heat as they drop to my mouth. “I wouldn’t say no,” she says in a breathless tone.
My lips descend in a searing-hot kiss as I pull her body flush against mine. Tilting her head, I deepen the kiss and slide my tongue between her lips. Sloane kisses me back with the same energy, her tongue dancing seductively against mine, and I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed kissing so much. Maybe never. Floral notes from her perfume wrap around me, enclosing us in a heady embrace. We hold one another close, arms firmly bound around each other as we kiss, and I can’t get enough of her. She feels so perfect in my arms, and the way her lips mold against mine makes it seem like she was made just for me.
All too soon, she pulls back, breaking our kiss. A pretty flush decorates her flawless skin, and her eyes dance with the same exuberance I feel. It’s good to know I’m not in this alone. My heart seems like it might explode out of my chest it’s so swollen with everything I’m feeling. “I need to rescue our dinner from the oven before it burns.”
“Rain check, beautiful.” Tipping her chin up, I press a soft, barely there kiss to her full lips. “Is there time to grab a shower?”
“Make it quick, boss.”
I quirk a brow, and she giggles. It’s my new favorite sound, and I silently vow to make her laugh and smile more.
“Go before you distract me again.” She playfully swats my chest.
I grab my bag and walk off, adjusting my hard-on in my pants with what I’m sure is the biggest, goofiest smile. A guy could easily get used to this.
“Cristian.”
I turn around when she calls after me.
“Thank you for yesterday and last night, for the flowers and the note and the rose.” Her eyes shine with unshed tears. “It means a lot, and it helps.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” We haven’t had a serious discussion about us yet, but I can’t not say what I’m thinking. “You’re mine now, Sloane. Mine to worship and adore, so get used to it because this is only the start.”
“This is absolutely delicious,” I say after swallowing a few mouthfuls of my dinner. “Every bit as good as Mama’s.”
She positively beams at my praise. “It doesn’t taste too bad.”
“It’s perfect.” I lean in and kiss her quickly. “Thank you for going to all this trouble.”
“It wasn’t any trouble.” Two dots appear on her cheeks. “I had the best sleep in months last night, and I feel like I could climb mountains today.”
“Maybe you should sleep in my bed every night.” I shovel a piece of the moist breaded chicken into my mouth, and as I chew, I fix her with a salacious look.
“I don’t want to take advantage.”
A chuckle rumbles from my chest. “That’s an impossibility, trust me.”
“You make my heart sing, Cristian,” she blurts before burying her face in her hands. “Oh my god.” Her face is inflamed when she lowers her hands. “I can’t believe I said something so cheesy.”
“I don’t see anything wrong with it if it’s how you feel.”
“It is.”
Cupping her stunning face in my hands, I admit, “You make my heart sing, too, beautiful.”
We move as one, and our mouths meet in a ravenous kiss I can’t get enough of. Entwining my fingers in her hair, I hold her neck at the nape, taking control and directing our kiss as I fall deeper and deeper. This time, I’m the one to pull back first. Reluctantly, but if I don’t stop it now, I won’t be able to stop it at all. “Damn, baby. I can’t resist you.”
“The feeling is mutual.” She runs her fingers gingerly through the scruff on my face. “I’ve been wanting to do that since day one.”
“That feels so good.” I’m practically purring as I nuzzle my cheek into her palm. “But we should eat before it gets cold.”
She sends me a flirty look before picking up her silverware.
I shovel a forkful of ziti into my mouth and moan. “So, so good,” I add after swallowing. “I think you may have found your true vocation in life.”
“I’ve never been that interested in cooking,” she says, cutting her chicken. “But I love cooking for you and Elio.”
We continue chatting in between eating.
“I spoke with him earlier. He’s having a blast.”
“I talked to him on the phone when I called your mother. He was so excited telling me all about the Discovery Museum.”
“I miss him,” I admit.
“I miss him too. It’s much quieter around here without our little prince.” Her chair scrapes as she pushes it back. “I need to show you what I got for him today.” She rushes out of the room, returning a few minutes later with a bag. My heart is in my throat when she removes a kid’s astronaut costume. “I’ve been researching fun things we can do, and I thought I could build a space station in the playroom as a surprise for when he returns next week. I found an article online about how to recreate one, and I bought supplies today. Then on the walk back, I saw this in the front of a costume shop, and I had to buy it.” She pulls out two adult costumes. “Call me crazy, but I couldn’t resist buying us matching ones.” She giggles, but her smile slowly fades as she looks at me.
I can’t imagine what is showing on my face but fuck it. I’m not holding back anything anymore.
“Unless you think it’s a really stupid idea and then—”
“He will fucking love it.” I swivel in my chair, and she shrieks when I pull her down onto my lap. Taking the costumes, I set them on the table and reposition her so she’s straddling me. “I love how much you love my son.” My voice comes out darker, threaded with the potent desire flowing through my veins. “I love how much thought you’re putting into activities.” My hands move to her ass, and I squeeze her cheeks through her jeans before grinding her down on my erection. “But mostly I love spending time with you, and I’m done holding back, Sloane.”
Moving my lips to her jaw, I dust a slew of drugging kisses along her neck. “Tell me you feel this too.” I thrust against her as my mouth travels up and down the column of her elegant neck. “Tell me you want me as much as I want you.”
“I feel it, Cristian,” she pants, gyrating her hips and sliding back and forth against my hard length. “And I want you too.”
Fisting her hair, I tug her head back a little as I stare into her face with barely any space between us. “How much do you want me?” I growl, lightly biting her exposed neck.
“Badly, Cristian.” She gasps when I tug her sweater down and suction my lips to her chest. “Fuck me, please. Make me yours.”
A squeal parts her lips when I stand and fling her over my shoulder. “You’re already mine, Sloane,” I confirm, swatting her ass as I stride with purpose across the room. “This will just make it official.”
