I glare at him, and he grabs me around the waist and drags me back for one last kiss.
We get cleaned up together, and by the time we collapse in bed, I can barely keep my eyes open. Romeo tucks me against his side, his hand resting on my hip as I settle my head against his chest.
His heartbeat lulls me to sleep, and before either of us can say anything else, we drift off together.
35
GABRIELA
I wakewith a groan as Beppe licks my hand, alerting me that it’s time to feed him. He probably needs to go outside, too.
Beneath me, Romeo is still asleep, and he looks so peaceful I don’t want to wake him. He hasn’t had much rest lately, and he needs it.
Still, I linger there for a moment as I study him, letting it sink in all over again.
He loves me.
Warmth settles in my chest, and it takes me a minute to identify what I’m feeling. Then I realize…it’s happiness.
Naturally, the second emotion that follows is anxiety.
I’ve wanted this for so long, I think it will take a while to accept that it’s real.
There are still things to resolve—like telling my family, and figuring out where we go from here. But if there’s one thing I know about Romeo, it’s that when he’s made up his mind, he doesn’t falter.
I slip from the bed quietly, scooping Beppe up and setting him on the floor while I raid Romeo’s closet. I grab one of his black T-shirts and pull it over my head, stifling a laugh when I glance at my reflection in the mirror. It looks like a dress on me.
“Okay,” I whisper, lifting Beppe up into my arms. “Let’s go find you something to eat.”
I leave the suite and pad down the hall, pleased to find Beppe’s travel bag on the kitchen island. Julian said he’d go back to the penthouse and get his things, and he must have dropped them off this morning. I sort through the bag and gather what I need to feed him.
After he has a full belly, I dress him in one of his cozy sweaters and take him outside. He doesn’t waste any time doing his business. It’s chilly today, and we’re both content to get back to the warmth of the house.
When I round the corner and enter the suite with Beppe in my arms, I catch Romeo throwing on some briefs in a hurry.
“Fuck, Gabi.” He releases a harsh breath when he sees me.
The noticeable relief on his face tugs at my heart. He was obviously worried about me, or even worse—he thought that I had run off again.
I set Beppe on the bed, and he disappears beneath the covers.
When I approach Romeo, I wrap my arms around him and press my face against his chest. “I wasn’t going anywhere. I just had to take Beppe out.”
“You should have woken me. I would have done it.”
“You were finally sleeping.” I point out. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“That’s because you were in bed with me.” He brushes his lips against my hair.
When I look up at him, I’m surprised to see that he’s not joking. At least, I don’t think he is. He seems to understand my confusion, so he explains.
“Don’t ask me why, I only sleep well when you’re with me. I think you’ve hexed me.”
A smile spreads across my face. “Nurse Gabi to the rescue.”
“You’re the only medicine that’s ever worked, little shark.”
My heart melts at that name, and I feel how seamlessly the two halves of him fit together. They were never really different. They were just…Romeo.
