CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
What I Want
Reese
“You aren’t going to believe this,” Tam squeals into the phone. I shift N.J. in my arms and pull the phone away from my ear. I want to be excited about whatever Tam is excited about, but I am exhausted, horny and annoyed.
Nico has become more affectionate, but we have yet to become truly intimate. I have wondered if he is punishing me for what I did. I’m annoyed because the chemistry is there. I see the way he looks at me. It is ten times as intense as it used to be, so for the life of me, I can’t figure out what he is waiting for.
I look down at my sweats and spit-up covered t-shirt and roll my eyes. He might be turned off by the mess I have become. I shake my head at that thought. He has told me repeatedly how beautiful he thinks I am now.
“Did you hear me, hello Reese,” Tam says into the phone.
“No, sorry, what was that,” I sigh at my wayward thoughts.
“Brad knows how upset I was that you weren’t at the wedding. He called Uri and Nico to ask could we get married there on the vineyard, so you could be there,” Tam gushes.
“Really,” I say truly excited. I really was bummed that I missed her wedding. Watching it through streaming was nice but it wasn’t like really being there for my girl. “Oh my God, when. This is so exciting.”
“We leave tonight; we’ll be arriving in the morning. It’s Brad’s bye week,” Tam exclaims.
My face falls. “But it’s so cold, Tam. We have small children. You don’t have to do this for me,” I say sadly.
“Have you met your brother-in-law or my husband? They are making this happen. Something about a tent off the house or something. Whatever, what matters is that you are there this time. Your parents are flying in too. I was so happy they said they would come. I know it is more because their grandbabies are there but whatever.
“I just want you to know you are going to be in the wedding party. Brad is setting it up so that we are pampered all day before a night time wedding,” Tam says excitedly.
“Wow, well, I guess it is all settled. I will be seeing you tomorrow,” I laugh.
“Yes, all of your girls are on the way,” I furrow my brows as Tam giggles. I feel like she is leaving something out. “Listen, I have to go pack. Talk to you later and get some rest.”
“Later, honey. You do the same. Kiss those cuties for me,” I say with a smile on my lips.
“You do the same. I’ll be keeping my daughters away from that little heartbreaker, N.J.,” Tam chuckles.
I throw my head back and laugh. “Whatever girl, bye.”
I hang up and I look down at my son. He is handsome. I thought he was going to have my eyes at first, but his eyes change from blue to hazel-blue. Lanya is her father all the way. N.J. may look like a little Nico, but I show up here and there, not with my daughter. She is a pretty version of her father to a tee. Nico swears she has my lips, but I don’t see it.
Speaking of Nico. Where is he? He didn’t say a word about Tam’s plans. I guess she wanted to be the one to tell me. I get up from the window seat where I have been sky watching. I turn to see Donatella walking into the room.
“I’m not taking no for an answer,” Donatella says with her hands on her hips. “You are handing over that baby and I am taking his sister too. You and my son are going to enjoy a night together…alone.”
I laugh and shake my head. Donatella has been trying to take the babies off our hands from day one. Nico and I were both reluctant to let them out of our sight. Right now, I am so tired I am not going to put up much of a fight.
“I’ve pumped plenty of milk. I have no idea where Nico is with Lanya. I’ll help you find them,” I yawn.
“No you will not. Go upstairs, take a bath and then get dressed for dinner with your man. I will take care of these little ones. I left a dress in your room. Tina and I found something in the shops that should fit you now,” Donatella says as she takes N.J. and shoos me away.
“Thank you,” I sing as I head upstairs to our side of the house.
I enter our bedroom and walk over to the bed. I gasp as I find a gorgeous Roberto Cavalli dress. I know this dress cost a fortune. That nut Val has lost her mind. For one, I don’t even think I can fit into it. I sigh and brush a hand over the dress. If it doesn’t fit I will have to find something.
~B~
Nico
I enter the bedroom to have my breath taken away. Mama and Valentina promised they would take care of Reese’s attire. I was nervous at first. Reese’s body has changed so much. She wanted to cover herself the other night, but her body is stunning.
She has stuck to her yoga and meditation routine from her pregnancy. It shows in her slim waist and toned legs. I don’t know what she sees in the mirror, but I see perfection. Reese speaks of baby fat and I’m still trying to find it.
Right now, the grey, black, and silver dress she has on proves my point. Her sides are revealed and her breasts are displayed in the most delicious way. This night will be pure torture.
I look at Reese’s face in the mirror and she is looking at herself in awe. She bites her lip and turns to the side to get a view of her backside. Her ass looks amazing in that dress.
My feet are moving before I tell them to. I walk up behind her in the mirror and wrap my arms around her waist. I plant a kiss to her bare shoulder.
“You are absolutely stunning,” I whisper in her ear.
“Really,” she replies touching her wild hair, before righting to twist the stud in her ear.
I turn her in my arms. “Yes, really,” I say before capturing her lips.
Reese moans into my mouth as she clings to the lapels of my suit jacket. I deepen the kiss tugging her head back by her hair. I move to plant kisses down her neck. I growl when I feel myself becoming too aroused.
This is not a part of the plan. I pull away and place my forehead to hers. “Woman, you drive me crazy. Come, we have reservations,” I say before planting a tender kiss to her swollen lips.
g
Reese looks beautiful in the candlelight. I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of her all evening. Her smile is lighting the entire room. I got us a private room in one of my favorite restaurants here in Italy.
I wanted to have Reese all to myself. Tonight is important. Reese has a choice to make. I hope that it is the one I want, but if it isn’t…I don’t even want to think of that as an option.
I lift my glass to my lips and take a sip of wine. I watch Reese’s eyes follow my tongue as I lick my lips. I smirk and set my glass down.
“Reese,” I say to get her attention.
“Yes,” she answers breathlessly.
“I found this in your drawer,” I say as I pull her engagement ring from my pocket. “I’ve asked you to marry me a dozen times, a dozen different ways. You always told me no, because you were worried you couldn’t give me what I truly wanted.
“I have always wanted you. I would have married you a long time ago, even if I only received you. However, being the amazing woman you are, you have given me two of the most precious gifts in the world, my son and my daughter. So, I’m going to ask you again, Reese.
“This time with no grand gesture, none of the things that get in the way. I won’t demand it of you and I won’t argue with your decision. This is you choosing me this time. Will you marry me, Reese?” I look into her eyes as I hold my breath.
I need her to choose me. I need her to see my love for her and say yes to me. I understand what she did and why, I even understand why we are not married yet, but that is even more reason why I need her to make this choice.
“Nico,” the breath I was holding leaves my lips as I prepare to tell her that I can’t do this. If she can’t not be my wife, I cannot do this anymore. “I would love nothing more than to be your wife. I’m sorry I waited this long,” Reese says with a small smile on her lips.
I sit in stunned silence for a moment before her words sink in. When they do I am on my knees in front of her crushing my lips to hers. I kiss her until we both need to come up for air.
I pull away and slip the ring back on her finger where it belongs. It once again fits perfectly. Reese cups my face. “You are what I want, Nico. You are what I have always wanted.”
“Let’s go home.”