Katherine
Following behind Antonio as he pushes through the door of Brooklyn’s hospital room, I place a smile on my face and grab hold of Evie’s hand. I don’t want my best friend to think I’m not okay, she has already been through enough today because of me. I watch as tears stream down her bruised cheeks, and notice the IV attached to her hand. Antonio breaks my train of thought when he reaches for Evie and lifts her onto the bed before sitting in a chair and pulling me onto his lap. Brooklyn smiles at me through her tears and I’m not sure what to say so I just shrug my shoulders.
“Mommy," Evie speaks softly as she crawls up beside her. “I missed you so much."
I watch as Evie snuggles in closer to Brooklyn. Her mother strokes her back soothingly and assures her she’s fine and isn’t going anywhere. I glance toward Dominic and notice the love and relief in his eyes. My heart twists at the thought, I could have been the reason he lost them. I try to will the dark thoughts away, but it’s hard.
Dom pats Evie's back. “Gentle with momma, Princess."
Evie pulls back and wipes her hand under her nose. “I’m sorry, momma."
Antonio nudges me, but before I can say anything, the door opens and the Doctor from earlier walks in studying the chart in his hands. “Oh, there’s a full house in here." He smiles warmly at Brooklyn, but when he looks toward Dom, the smile leaves his face.
I notice the possessive look Dom is throwing the Doctor and the way he hugs Brooklyn closer. I bite my lip and try not to laugh. I catch Brooklyn’s eye, she raises an eyebrow, that girl knows me too.
“Brooklyn, how are you feeling? My name is Dr. James Williams.”
“I’m okay, a little sore but, okay.”
“You will be sore for a couple of weeks and you may tire easily. I came by to check in with you and give you something for the headache you must have, it’s safe to take these while you're pregnant. I also wanted to have quick chat about something if that’s okay with you?”
“Is everything okay, Doctor?" I hear the worry in Dom’s voice causing me to shift a little on Antonio’s lap, he pulls me in a little closer.
Fuck, it feels good to be in his arms again. I relax into him and a sigh leaves my lips when I hear him breathe in my scent. I focus back on the doctor when he speaks.
“Yes, it's nothing to be alarmed about, I hope."
“What is it?" Brooklyn’s voice is laced with worry.
I sit up straighter, worried about what he is about to say. Antonio rubs his fingers over my belly, trying to soothe me I guess.
“Would you like to talk in private?" The doctor asks Brooklyn and Dom.
“No, I want my family here."
Dr. Williams nods and glances at the chart in his hands before looking up again. “When you were brought in and we were informed you were pregnant, we gave you an ultrasound to check everything was okay with your child.”
I rub the sweat off my hands on the spare scrubs the nurse gave me when we came in. Really not liking the sound of this, what if I caused her to lose the baby? What the fuck would I do then? How the fuck could I ever face my best friend again? Antonio rubs my back and I feel the tension start to leave my shoulders at his touch. But what if Brooklyn hates me forever? I don’t think I could live with myself knowing I caused her to lose a child. I’m jolted out of my whirling head when I hear the Doctor’s next words.
“I believe you're having twins. We can't be one hundred percent sure this early in a pregnancy, and there are a number of other things it could be, but there’s a good chance you are carrying twins. When the technician performed the ultrasound, she heard the faint echo of a second heartbeat and detected what could be the start of a second child.”
All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh, I look toward Brooklyn and notice her wide eyes. Turning to Dom, I see the huge grin on his face before he kisses the ever-loving shit out of her. She starts to ramble when he pulls back and Dom chuckles.
“I’m going to have two brothers!" Evie squeals and bounces on the bed as she claps her hands. I move off Antonio and scoop her up so she doesn’t accidently jump on her mother.
“Brother’s? Two. Two boys. Maybe two girls. Maybe one boy and one girl." Brooklyn is still rambling on. We all burst into laughter. After Dom explains exactly why they are to only have boys, I can’t help the laugh which slips free at the way he thinks. Antonio also bursts into laughter. I stop suddenly at Brooklyn’s pained cry when she cups her side.
“Okay, Angel, that’s enough excitement for one day. Time for you to rest now, my darling," Dom says.
“I want to go home to our bed?" Brooklyn pouts making me snort at the action. She so learnt that from me.
“I’ll see what I can do after you rest here for a few days."
I place Evie back on the bed and watch as she crawls to snuggle into Brooklyn’s chest, my heart twists again at the thought I could have lost them. I lean over giving her a hug and whisper in her ear “Congrats Dollface, love you so much.”
“I love you too Kat, I’m so happy you’re okay.”
I take a step back and blink a couple of times to clear the mist which has formed in front of my eyes, willing myself not cry. How can she be happy I’m okay? Shouldn’t she be angry and upset with me for leading that monster back to her?
Antonio leans over and gives Brooklyn a hug, Dom growls. Antonio leans back and raises his hands in the air. “Boss, she's like a sister to me." Wrapping his arms around my waist, he bends and kisses me gently. "I have all I’ll ever need right here.”
“Awww," Brooklyn says with mock sweetness.
“Shut ya face bitch"
Dom chuckles as he looks at Antonio. He nods. “Si, I understand, but right now, I think it’s time for my girls to get some rest and then we can all head home."
Home, I like the sound of that, but it scares me a little as well. I don’t want to be the person I have been for the past couple of months. It’s time I came clean and bared my soul to the one man who insists we can get through anything as long as we are together. Fuck, I hope he means what he says.
Wishing everyone goodnight before bending over and laying a gentle kiss to Evie’s forehead, we head out the door.
Antonio
We enter the hotel room Dominic organised for the night and I glance around while I remove my jacket and drape it over the back of the chair in the corner of the room. It’s not much to look at with a queen size bed in the middle of the room, a small kitchenette and a door on one side which leads to the bathroom. It’s basic but enough for tonight.
“Why don’t you go and have a shower, Kitten. It will help you to feel better." I nod toward the closed door. Kat looks at me then at the closed door. She’s biting her lip as if trying to make up her mind about whatever is going through her head. Eventually, she turns and heads toward the door. Placing a hand on the handle she pauses and looks at me over her shoulder.
“Will you be here when I come out?"
I look into her eyes and see a thousand emotions clouding them. I can’t pinpoint if she wants me here, but fuck if I’m leaving her alone tonight.
“Si." I give a sharp nod.
She nods and I watch as her body visibly relaxes as she heads into the bathroom and closes the door.
If she thinks I’m leaving she has a lot to learn, I gave her space for two whole fucking months and it just about killed me, I’m not waiting anymore. By the end of the night Katherine is going to realise exactly how this is going to go and that she is mine just as much as I am hers. The feelings running through me today just about tore me apart. Not knowing where she was, if I would ever see her alive again, touch her or listen to her smart mouth sent chills down my spine. And, not the good kind. I knew losing her would break me and there would be no coming back from it. I know the demons she is fighting are taking a toll on her, but if she thinks telling me will stop me pursuing her, she has a lot to learn.
“Antonio," her voice breaks through my thoughts.
I raise my eyes and catch her staring at me. I try to keep my eyes locked on hers, I really do, but it’s hard when she’s standing before me with nothing but a towel wrapped around her. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun and a few tendrils have fallen loose to gently frame her face. FUCKING GODDESS IS WHAT SHE IS! What I wouldn’t give to be able to kiss and fuck her right now.
“Antonio," she says again and I snap my eyes back up to hers and notice the smile curling her full lips.
“Si, Kitten." I clear my throat.
“Would you happen to have a spare shirt I can wear? I really don’t want to wear the scrubs.”
Without a second thought, I rip my shirt over my head and step toward her. I slip it over her head, grazing the tips of my fingers down the curve of her neck, feeling her pulse pick up speed, and the slight gasp of air which escapes her lips. I draw in her intoxicating scent and take a step back in time to watch the towel slide down her legs and hit the floor. Slowly, very, very slowly, I let my eyes take in the sight of her in my shirt. Mine, Mine, Mine… is on replay through my mind.
“Fuck." I drag my fingers through my hair before turning away. I need to get myself together before I pin her to the wall and fuck the shit out of her right here and now.
Katherine
I love the way his eyes track every movement I make, my body zings and zaps at the way he looks at me. His scent surrounds me, and the warmth of his body still clings to his shirt. I watch as his tattooed muscles flex and the glint of his nipple piercing catches my eye. I lick my lips wanting nothing more than to play with it with my tongue, I’m broken from my trance with the sound of his husky voice.
“Fuck," he says before turning away.
I need to tell him why this won’t work, if I let it go any further it will get messy really fast and I don’t want to hurt him. I would rather he walk away now. But, I need him to look at me first.
“Antonio, I need to…..”
“I need a minute," he cuts me off. Shit is he leaving me already and I haven’t had a chance to tell him?
“Please talk to me, you need to understand why this won’t work.”
Antonio spins around faster than the speed of light, the slightest flicker of anger crosses his eyes but then disappears. “Why Kitten? Don’t fuck with me this time, just tell me. I know you want me as bad as I want you. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me why you think it can’t work.”
Sucking in a breath I let it out slowly, and just spill my guts like he’s asked me to. “I may never be able to give you a family.”
“What do you mean?" He stares into my eyes and I almost lose myself in them for a minute. Clearing my throat, I go on.
“A Baby. Children, I may never be able to give you any.”
He gazes at me with a look on his face I don’t understand. He finally realizes what I mean and I guess my first instinct was right, he turns around and heads toward the door. My eyes fill with tears and I peer down at my feet, trying hard not to let the tears fall. I refuse to break down again over something I’d already anticipated. Fuck, I knew this would happen. I destroy everything I touch. I hear the lock click and let the breath go I didn’t realize I was holding. With my arms wrapped around my waist and tears cascading over my cheeks, I remind myself again why I don’t let anybody in. I raise my tear soaked eyes and gasp when I see Antonio leaning against the door with his arms folded across his broad, naked chest.
“Antonio?" He raises his hand and I close my mouth.
He’s like a tiger slinking, stalking his prey as he crosses the room and stands before me. He sighs deeply. “How can you not understand I can’t stop thinking about you? You’re like an addiction I can’t fucking shake and don’t want to. That mouth of yours, with the things you say, you aren’t afraid. You are like nothing else in my life." He groans and pecks at my lips. “I have never, and I mean never been pushed to the limit where I either want to kiss the fuck out of you, turning your words into moans. Or, tie your ass to my bed and fuck you so hard the only thing to escape those lips are pleas for more." He growls sending a pulse through my veins which causes my body to hum. “Do you finally get it, woman? You’re a psychotic bitch sometimes but…" He kisses my lips as he speaks the words one by one. “I. Fucking. Love. You. So, you can keep trying to push me away, but I’m telling you now…."Again, with the kisses. “I. Am. Not. Going. Anywhere! Capisce? You’re mine, Kitten and that will never change." He raises an eyebrow at me, daring me to challenge his words.
Well I have a few words for Mr. fucking Romantic. “Did you seriously just fucking call me a psychotic bitch and tell me you loved me in the same sentence? You really are a piece of work you know that, Antonio?" I breathe out and slam my hands on my hips. I really want to be angry with him for calling me psychotic, but aside from Brooklyn and Evie, no-one has told me they love me for a very long time. Dropping my hands in defeat, I tell him again my worry. “But, I may not be able to give you babies." My voice is barely above a whisper.
“Kitten, I am not going to go over all this right now, it has been a long day and all I want right now is to lay you down in bed and hold you. I need to convince myself you’re really here, safe and alive. I told you earlier, you are all I need. All I will ever need. The rest of the other stuff, we will work through together if and when the time comes. Maybe we’ll adopt, maybe it will be just you and me. I’m a selfish bastard and wouldn’t object to you being only mine.”
“Okay." What the hell else do I say to that? “I love you too," I whisper before getting lost in his eyes again as his lips claim mine in a soft kiss, meant to tease and tempt.
“Come on Kitten, into bed you need to rest.”
Rubbing my forehead, I notice the slight ache is still there. The cut on my arm and my neck are fine. I can’t wait to go home tomorrow. After crawling into bed, Antonio hands me two pain tablets and a glass of water.
“Thank you.”
“Always, Kitten." He takes the glass from my hands and places it on the bedside table before leaning down and kissing my forehead. I hum at the feel of his soft lips.
“I’m going to grab a shower.”
“Mmmm," I murmur, already half asleep. I hear his soft chuckle as he walks toward the bathroom.
Katherine
Traveling home was long and tiring, but I was so thankful, the last thing I wanted was to be in Sydney for too long. Too many memories and not all good. I think the only good memory I would have was meeting Brooklyn. Antonio pulls up to the curb in front of my home, the home I once shared with my Mother and Grandmother.
My place isn’t anything special but it’s everything to me. It was built in the 1870s and I have keep everything original on the outside. The wrought iron fencing, a balcony on the second floor leading off my bedroom with intricate moulding around the windows and doors. It’s had a fresh coat of paint in grays, and whites and the front door is a beautiful green to give it a touch of life. It’s a cozy little place nestled between two other buildings. The inside has the living, dining, kitchen and laundry on the bottom floor. A beautiful staircase leads up to the three bedrooms and another bathroom. The thing about it I love the most, I have four fireplaces. Once winter settles in it doesn’t matter where I am in the house, I can snuggle in front of a fire and read a book. It’s my sanctuary, my safe place.
I’m snapped from my thoughts with the sound of a car door slamming shut, I watch as Antonio rounds the hood of the car.
“Kitten." He holds out his hand and I slip mine into his and step from the car. “You might like to relax in a warm bath now the journey is over." He wraps his arm around my waist.
“Sounds like a great idea." No sooner have the words left my mouth then I hear my name being called out. I snap my head up to where the sound comes from my front door.
“Katherine, good, you’re home.”
“Ashley, what are you doing here?”
“I heard you were hurt and came to check on you." She waves her hand in the air as if her concern is genuine but I know it would be a bother for her to be here.
“I’m okay, you didn’t need to come.”
“This is my home too, isn’t it?" She sounds annoyed as if she has every right to be here. Before I can say anything more, her eyes graze over Antonio and she saunters up to him like she walking a runway.
“Well hello there, handsome," she purrs seductively. She runs her hands over his chest. What the fuck? “Are you going to introduce me to your friend, Katherine? I’m sure he’d like to know me." Her hands continue roaming my man’s chest.
“I… oh… sorry this is Antonio, my…" I stop short not knowing what to say.
“Her boyfriend." Antonio plucks her hands from his chest and tightens his arm around me.
Ashley glares at me, then back at Antonio. The expression on her face says she doesn’t believe it. I know I don’t deserve Antonio but I don’t want to let him go again.
She recovers, gives him one of her blinding smiles. “Well it’s nice to meet you, my name is Ashley. I’m Katherine’s sister." She reaches out and runs her hand down Antonio’s arm. What the fuck? Why am I not telling her to fuck off and not to touch what is mine? Why do I still believe, after all this time she may try to hurt me? I’m snapped to the present when I feel Antonio step behind me and wrap both his arms around my waist. I could kiss him right now.
When I look at Ashley, a look I don’t understand crosses her face. Then again, I don’t really know her to understand her. But, I didn’t miss the slight flair of her nose at me.
“How about we head inside and see what there is to eat?" Ashley swings around and stomps back into the house.
“Kitten, come on babe you need to rest. Let me hold you and we’ll watch a movie or something”
I nod not sure how to explain what just happened. Antonio grabs my hand and leads me into the house.
Antonio
I’m not sure what just happened, or what is going on between Kat and her sister, but I didn’t miss the look on Kat’s face when she first saw her sister. When I wrapped my arms around her, I felt how tight and tense her body was. When Ashley touched my chest, I saw the way Kat’s nose flared and I was waiting for her to say something scathing. She didn’t speak which is completely unlike her. Over the past two months she was never this quiet. Something is going on between these two and I’m going to get to the bottom of it because I think Ashley has the ability to badly hurt my Kitten.
Leading Kat into the house, we head toward the kitchen to where her sister is rummaging through the cupboards.
“What have you got here to eat?”
“I’m not sure, I haven’t had a chance to do the shopping yet. I’m not hungry. I’ll grab a glass of water and head up to my room and lay down for a while," Kat replies
“Seriously? It’s not even three in the afternoon." Ashley glances at her watch before looking at Kat like she must be joking.
“I have had a big couple of days and I just want to lay down.”
Ashley laughs and waves her hand around like she doesn’t believe her. “Of course, I forgot how lazy you are. Go then if you don’t want to spend time with me, I’ll stay down here and keep Antonio company." She looks me up and down like she is picturing me naked.
Is this fucking bitch for real? Kat looks at me, then back at her sister wide-eyed.
“Scusa, I’m going to lay down and hold Kat. It was nice meeting you." I’m proud of my control and being polite when all I want to do is tell her to fuck off. I will be nice for my Kat’s sake.
Ashley rolls her eyes and turns back to going through the cupboards ending the conversation. We have been dismissed. Thank fuck, I’m not sure how long I would be able to hold my tongue if she continued being rude to my woman.
“Come on, babe let’s get you up to bed. You’ve been through more than most people could have handled." I couldn’t resist one dig at Ashley. Grasping Kats hand, I lead her toward the stairs.
“Sorry about her," Kat whispers as we make our way toward her bedroom.
“Don’t worry about it, Kitten.”