Chapter One
Act One
“You said we’d dowhat?”
Torre, who knew he’d fucked up, leaned in for a kiss, but I wasn’t having any of it, and I folded my arms.
“It’s only for a couple of hours. Come on. Don’t be a Grinch and spoil the holiday. I can’t say no to Mike and Val.”
It was three days until Christmas. The first Christmas I’d be in New York since I could remember. The first Christmas I’d actually thought about celebrating. I’d never had a reason to care about the holiday before I met Torre. Then again, I hadn’t had much of a reason to care about anything before him.
“When we’ve watched your niece, it was at your mother’s house. Not here.” I gestured to the expanse of my loft. “This space isn’t exactly childproof.”
“Babe. She’s a little girl. We’ll give her some toys, and she’ll be fine.”
I quirked a brow and grinned. “I doubt she’ll like the kinds of toys I have.”
Torre rolled his eyes. “I know you didn’t just say that.” He huffed. “Come on. You know what I mean. She’ll play with her dolls, color a little, and we’ll give her a snack. By that time, Mike and Val will be finished taking the baby to his doctor’s appointment, and it’ll be time to send her home.”
Now it was my turn to kiss Torre and I did so, wrapping my arms around him while I nipped his lips and sucked his tongue. “I’m just kidding. You know I’ll do anything for you.” I cupped his ass and wondered if it made sense to even bother going upstairs to the bedroom. Torre and I often took advantage of the extremely comfortable sofa in the living room for fun and games.
The buzzer sounded from below, but I barely paid attention as I walked him backward. The couch won. I had no desire to walk up steps—I wanted Torre. Now.
“Are you expecting a delivery?” I trailed kisses along Torre’s throat and smiled, feeling him shiver in my arms. “Never mind, I don’t care. Ignore them. They can leave it downstairs.” I tugged at his sweater.
A guilty expression crossed Torre’s flushed face. “Uh…did I mention they were coming today? Like, now?”
My eyes popped open wide, and I pushed him away to glare at him. “No. You did not.”
Torre laughed weakly. “Surprise.” He tried to pass me to open the door, but I grabbed his arm first.
“You aresogoing to owe me for this.”
His brown eyes sparkled. “Oh, I know. And I’msoanticipating my punishment.” He gave me a lingering kiss, then walked away from me to hit the buzzer and wait by the door for them to come up.
“I wouldn’t smile if I were you.” A plan had already formed in my head. Someone was going to look and tasteverydelicious by the time I was through with him.
The doorbell rang, and Torre shot me a grin. “To be continued,” he said and opened the door. “Val, come on in. I don’t think you’ve ever been here before.”
“It’s gorgeous. I can only imagine the views.” I heard Val’s excited voice, and despite my annoyance with Torre, my smile was genuine when she entered the living room to greet me. Her gaze was immediately drawn to the expanse of windows and the view of the river.
“Oh, this is amazing. I love a view of the water. I could sit and look at this all day.”
“Welcome to our humble abode.” I gave her a kiss.
“Frisco, honey, I’m sure people have many names for you, but ‘humble’ isn’t one of them. Even I know that.” She patted my shoulder.
She had a point.
She continued in her normal cheerful manner. “But I love you anyway. Mike’s waiting in the car downstairs with MJ. I didn’t want to bring the baby up here without knowing why he’s spiking a fever.”
“And your appointment is when?”
“At two.” She checked her watch. “Hopefully we won’t have to wait over an hour like last time. This time of the year, all the kids get sick.”
I raised my brows at Torre, who hadn’t managed to rid himself of the guilty look on his face. “Yes, hopefully.”
She adjusted the small Chanel purse on her shoulder, and I couldn’t suppress my self-satisfied smile. Since our shopping trip after Mike and I had become partners in the restaurant business, I’d never seen her without it. Val was blunt, strong-willed, and opinionated, but she was also loving and fiercely devoted to her family. From the start she had welcomed me, and we’d not only become good friends, but I truly adored her. She, more than anyone besides Torre, got me. We had a monthly date for drinks, and I took her as my date to the Opera when it was in season. I knew she was going to love the Chanel tote bag I’d bought her for Christmas—I’d seen her eyeing it online.
