Bound By Blood Anthology

Isa gave me a goofy smile and my heart beat faster. I took her from Aria, gave her chubby baby cheek a fat kiss and pressed her against my chest. Now that she was back in my arms, I realized I’d missed her, but working out had given my mind and body a necessary kickstart. “Thank you for watching her. You seem to have had fun.”

Aria could hardly take her eyes off Isa. “Marcella and Amo are already so grown up in comparison. I really miss the baby stage.”

I shook my head. “I can’t wait for the baby phase to be over so Isa and I can do fun things together. Right now, she can only poo and scream.”

Aria laughed. “Do you want to come in for a coffee and some cake?”

“Coffee, yes. Cake, no.”

Aria rolled her eyes. “Back to being fit Gianna?”

“You bet. These additional baby pounds won’t disappear on their own.”

“They did for me.”

I gave her a death glare. “Not everyone is graced with your supermodel genes.”

“We share the same genes.”

I followed her into their ginormous living room with a splendid view into their yard. I still wasn’t convinced Luca hadn’t helped with the sudden death of the previous owner to get his hands on such a rare property in New York.

A tray with coffee was already set up on the table. I sank down on the beige leather sofa and put Isa down between my leg and the armrest, tickling her belly.

“I fed her about thirty minutes ago but she didn’t want to fall asleep.”

“She’ll do it soon enough,” I said. And less than five minutes later, Isa slept fast.

Aria regarded me. “You look happy. I’m glad Pilates is giving you so much joy. Once you start teaching Pilates classes again, I’ll be your first customer.”

“But you enjoyed the aerobic classes, right?”

Aria laughed. “Yes, I told you before. You really can’t give up control. Cara really did a good job, so don’t worry.”

“The gym feels like my baby too. I worked so hard to convince Matteo to let me do it and then to build it up.”

“And you did a great job. The gym is always bursting with customers.”

“I really want to get back to teaching Pilates and yoga classes soon,” I said hesitantly. In the past, I’d never had trouble saying my opinion straight out, but for some reason, mom guilt managed to wedge itself into my brain.

Aria shrugged. “Why don’t you just turn your own workout sessions into classes?”

“I’m not as fit as I used to be and if I work out, I can’t give as much attention to my customers. Many of them need guidance to perform the correct moves.”

“Then explain that your current classes are less guided. I’m sure many people would still enjoy working out with you. I’m one of them.”

I squeezed her thigh. “Thanks.”

That evening during dinner I told Matteo about my plan to get back to teaching yoga and Pilates classes.

“Sure, why not? If you feel fit enough, why wouldn’t you? It’s not like Isa needs you twenty-four seven. She’ll survive spending an hour or two with Aria.”

I walked over to him and kissed him. Matteo never cared much about what other people thought, that’s probably what I loved most about him. He pulled me down on his lap, deepening the kiss at once. His fingers tangled in my hair, and my hands roamed over his muscled chest.

“The doc cleared you for all kinds of physical activities, right?” Matteo murmured against my lips.

I laughed. Matteo pushed his hand between my legs and rubbed me through my pants. Despite the tingling sensation, I also felt a hint of hesitation. I wasn’t even sure why. Maybe because my body felt different. My insecurity was probably why Isa’s cry blaring through the baby monitor came as a relief.

“She’s got the worst timing,” Matteo groaned.

I hopped off his lap. Matteo tried to rearrange his bulge in his pants, looking pained. What the hell was wrong with me? Seeing Matteo now, I desired him. I wanted sex.

Shoving those thoughts aside, I headed upstairs to console Isa.A week later, I had coffee with Aria again after my workout. It was the first time I’d actually taught yoga, even if I’d focused more on myself than in previous classes. Still it had been a big success with the women, especially those who were struggling with their after-baby bodies as well. Eventually I bridged the subject that’s been bothering me for a week now.

“Matteo and I haven’t slept with each other since Isa’s birth.”

Aria didn’t look surprised. “Why don’t you have a date night with Matteo? Luca and I can watch Isabella.”

“Are you sure?”

She smiled. “Of course. I know how important it is to make time for each other.”

I bit my lip. Then I blurted. “I want to have sex with Matteo but at the same time a part of me doesn’t. Does that even make sense?”