I grin at my husband, fighting to keep the laughter bubbling in my throat from escaping with the intensity of his stare. Zeroed in on the glass of ginger ale sitting next to my place setting. Deliberating what message, if any, I'm sending him with my choice of drink during our belated Christmas / New Year's celebration.
That's only a little bit late.
Just like I am.
My heart swirls in my chest again. From the hope growing within me and the joy surrounding us. When Gio proposed, he said he wanted me at his table. Now he has me. We have each other. Along with the people we love.
Tucker, my parents, and Sheena flank both sides, talking and laughing with each other and to Gio. Well, except for Sheena of course. The only one besides Tucker who knows the entire story behind our break up, she holds back. Reserved. Tentative. Cautious. Forcing him to earn her trust again. Which I love about her and hate for him. Yet he remains good-natured about her reluctance as well as her reticence. A man like him always respects loyalty. Especially to me.
Although her outrage must have waned during the past two weeks for her to be here. Or, maybe her willingness to join us for dinner stems from her blossoming feelings for the other man in our lives. With her flushed cheeks and bright smile, I think her concern over Tucker is more than professional obligation from her nursing training. He seems to be just as taken. Only grumbling a little from her diligent attention to his recuperation.
I catch Gio's gaze and nod toward our friends murmuring together, oblivious to the rest of us. Gio watches for a few seconds, a deep frown lining his forehead before he shakes his head. Rolling his eyes at the improbability of my suggestion. I hold back my smile. We'll see, my husband. We'll just see.
"Sweetie, what time is your doctor's appointment on Tuesday? Dad and I want to go with you and see what the orthopedist has to say about your progress."
Grateful my parents' forgiveness came much easier than my friend's. More focused on my health and the attack rather than my elopement. "I can't remember Mom. Let me check."
Twisting out of my seat, I hobble down the hallway toward the den to grab my phone. Feels good to stretch my leg after sitting with my ankle propped up for so long. Stepping from the tile to the carpet, my boot catches on the thick pile, and I palm the wall to catch my balance again. I'm as guilty as Tucker is of forgetting that we're still limited in our mobility. That recovery is slow and tedious, regardless of how much we resist the process.
"What the fuck are you doing? You know I would have got it for you."
Gio's reprimand pounds with his quick steps behind me. His words harsher than his tone. Guilt warms my cheeks. Always so concerned over me, I should have known better than give him another reason to worry. Anxiety stiffening his body as he scans me for distress. "I know. I'm sorry."
"Are you okay?"
Welcoming his protective hand around my waist, I gaze up at him. Excited to give him his Christmas gift. No longer able to hold this secret alone. "Just a little tipsy, I guess."
Skepticism pools in his expression. Suspicion tilting his head from my reason. "But you haven't been drinking."
I grasp his collar, tugging him down to me. Brushing my lips over his. "I know but I'm under the influence of this crazy...sexy...sweet...mobster who–"
"Chryseis?"
His 'do not fuck with me about this' tone hisses against my skin as he jerks me closer. Trapping my bent arms between us. "...who also happens to be the father of my child."
Shock earns me a few seconds to free my hand. I slide the stick out of my skirt pocket and hold up the white and purple wand. Revealing the single word displayed on the tiny screen.
Seconds tick by as he stares at the test result. His breaths coming hard and furious. His huge hand shaking as he strokes over my stomach. His lips twisting with words he pushes out through clenched teeth.
"Is it safe for me to fuck you?"
Wetness pools between my thighs from the need pulsing in his voice. Husky and thick with emotion. I want him just as much, but one of us has to be rational. At least for a few more hours. "Yes, but probably not the best idea with my father sitting ten feet away."
"Fine." A growl, as possessive as his grip on my back, rumbles in my ear. "But as soon as they're gone, I'm going to show you again and again how much I fucking love you."
Still so bossy. "I think I'm going to ask them to spend the night."
He doesn't seem to find my suggestion as humorous as I do. His fingers glide to my hips, and he clutches me tighter, reminding me of his bulging erection. Grinding the hardness deeper into my belly.
"Then I guess they're going to hear how much their daughter screams when she gets thoroughly fucked."
Although I want to believe he's bluffing, I know he's not. Gio's never afraid of anything, including the consequences of his actions. Willing to risk my parents' disapproval. As long as I'm happy. Which I am. More than I ever thought possible. So I tell him what he likes to hear. "Okay, Giovanni. Just you and me."
Wincing from the reminder of our love making on the stairs, he groans as his eyes sink shut. "Fuck angel. You're killing me. How am I supposed to carry on a conversation with your mother when all I can think about is you in those boots and that necklace?"
Giggling from his exaggerated suffering, I kiss his cheek and take his hand. "Well, at least you don't have to worry about being bored."
A gentle swat on the bottom is the only answer I receive as I lead him back to the dining room.