“They are.” He leads me toward the west wing. “And I have a bubble bath waiting for you.”
“I think I must have died and gone to heaven.” I squeeze his arm, grinning up at him as warmth infuses every inch of me. “You are so good to me. I need to up my game.”
“You give me everything just by breathing.”
I slam to a halt. “God, Alesso. I couldn’t be any happier if I tried. You are incredible. I feel so lucky to have you in my life.”
“Man, they’re all at it,” someone with a familiar voice says from behind.
I swing around, spotting Caleb and Joshua Accardi exiting the living room. They have been keeping a low profile since they permanently moved in. From what Natalia has said, they are unhappy living here, and they are missing their friends and all the action in the city.
“Don’t be mean.” Joshua thumps his brother in the arm. “They’re in love. Love is awesome. You’ll know someday.”
Caleb snorts out a derisory laugh. “Hell will freeze before I’ll let any bitch strangle me by the balls. Love is for pussies.” He pointedly eyeballs Alesso, but my man doesn’t rise to the bait.
He tosses a smile in Caleb’s direction. “If I’m a pussy, I’m a proud one.” He clamps his hand on the teen’s shoulder. “You’re far too young to be so cynical.”
“I’m old enough to know what I’ve seen. Love makes fools of everyone, and I’m no freaking fool.” With those parting words, he salutes us before walking away with an obvious swagger. Joshua shrugs, looking mildly apologetic, before he races after his brother.
“God help Nat and Leo with Caleb,” Alesso says. “I have a feeling he’s going to put them through the wringer.”
“He’s a teenager and a made man to boot. I’d say that’s par for the course.”
“True. He’s a good kid. Just a bit messed up right now,” Alesso says.
Caleb has been dabbling in drugs and Natalia is really worried about him. She inspects his bag every day after school, which I know irritates him, but how else is she to check he isn’t using again? He could be doing it during the day, when she is none the wiser, and I know that troubles her too. The Commission has plans to deal with the Colombians because they are supplying shit on the streets without approval, and they were responsible for feeding Caleb’s habit too.
The guys are trying to get both boys to train with them in the on-site gym or the boxing ring or the shooting range. Anything to bond with them and get them out of the house, as well as giving them an outlet for their frustration. Joshua is generally more pleasant and less troublesome, but he’s missing his girlfriend and giving Nat hell too right now.
I don’t envy her that.
* * *
After a long soak in the lavender-scented bath, listening to music and sipping the glass of champagne Alesso left for me, I am relaxed and all loved up when I get out. I dry myself and get dressed in silk pajamas and a matching robe. There is no point getting properly dressed at this hour of night.
When I reappear in the living room, Alesso is unpacking cartons of Chinese takeout on the large coffee table and a roaring fire is crackling in the hearth. “I would’ve cooked for you,” he says, “but I can’t cook for shit. Nothing kills romance faster than presenting mac and cheese from a box for dinner.”
Laughter wafts from my mouth as I lean in to hug him. “I’m glad you have at least one flaw. Now I don’t feel so bad.”
“Shush, woman.” He reels me into his arms. “You’re perfect, and we both know it.” His mouth descends on mine, and he worships my lips until I feel boneless and thoroughly adored.
“Feed me,” I murmur when we eventually break apart. “Before I’m tempted to eat you.”
He arches a brow as he gently pushes me down on the couch. “I can’t find a single thing wrong with that.” He waggles his brows before heaping some food on a plate and handing it to me with a fork. “Eat. You must be starving. You’ve had a long day.”
“So have you.”
He sits beside me, shoveling a forkful of shrimp fried rice into his mouth. He groans, and the sound cranks my arousal up a notch. Everything about this man turns me on, and it’s such a joy. It’s no wonder I’m walking around with the cheesiest grin on my face all the time. I can touch him at will, and he touches me too, and it’s like the easiest thing in the world. All the months of therapy are paying off, and all the things I never dared to dream for myself are now within reach, and I am seriously walking on a cloud right now. We haven’t progressed beyond casual touches and kissing, and we’ll need to have the S-E-X talk before taking it further this time, but there’s no rush. I can tell Alesso is happy with the way things are, and we only just got together, so taking it slow is the way to go.
“Tell me about your day,” he says, in between food, and I update him as we eat.
“I would love to meet Chelsea,” he says.
“Perhaps you could meet us for lunch one day?” I suggest.
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll be up in the city most days now anyway, so it can be arranged.”
“Cool.” I set my plate down, only half-eaten. Alesso gives me the stink eye. “You put far too much on my plate!” I protest, leaning into his side. “Besides, it means extra for you. You’re a growing boy. You need it more.”
