Princess in Lingerie (Lingerie 12)

“Exceptionally.” After last night, my life got even better. Something about Mia drove me crazy, made me into a different man. I’d never been into dominance or anything kinky, but now I wanted to tie her up and fuck her like a psychopath. “Got names picked out?”

“Yes.”

“What are they?”

“Not gonna say until the baby gets here. Depends on if it’s a boy or a girl.”

“I’m excited,” I said. “We have another Barsetti on the way.”

“I’m excited too. But also fucking terrified.” On the surface, he seemed so calm and self-assured. It was a great poker face, his professional expression that kept all of his models and employees calm right before a show. “All this time, I’ve been focused on making sure Sapphire is safe, comfortable, and healthy…but now the baby is actually coming. I have a whole other person to worry about every single day.”

“You do great with Sapphire, so I’m sure you’ll be fine, man. If anyone can hit this out of the park, it’s you.”

He gave me a slight nod. “Thanks, man. I’m glad we’ve decided to move here since my parents will always be around to help out. They’re pretty excited about it. My mom wants another baby around the house.”

“Where are you guys going to live since you don’t have a place? You guys are welcome to stay here if you want. Staying with your parents for the past month must be taking its toll.”

“We found a place we like, and now we’re in the process of purchasing it. But it’s not gonna be done until after the baby comes. No need to rush at this point. So we’re gonna stay with my parents. There’s no possible way that my mom would ever let us stay with anyone else. She wants to be part of everything. I think it’ll be good for Sapphire anyway. It’ll let her relax while we have an experienced parent take care of the baby. Sapphire can sleep, and I can get some work done.”

“So, free babysitters?”

“Yes,” he said with a chuckle. “But good babysitters. Vanessa and I turned out alright.”

“She turned out alright. You…I’m not so sure about.”

He rolled his eyes. “Asshole.”

“Yeah, I know.” I refilled our glasses. “I miss this.”

“I know,” he said as he looked into his glass. “We used to see each other all the time. Now, we hardly talk.”

“That should all change now that I’m living here. We’re only a few miles apart.”

“True. It better change.” He took a drink before he pulled out his phone to check the screen. When he didn’t see anything, he slid it back into his pocket. “Paranoid that I’m gonna miss a call from her.”

“If she knows you’re here, she would just call me next. Chill.”

He chuckled. “When you have a pregnant wife, I’ll tell you to chill.”

Footsteps sounded behind us, and then Mia entered the room. In a red sundress that she bought at the store yesterday, she was beautiful. Blending in perfectly with the hot summer in Tuscany, she looked ready to bask beside the pool. She flinched slightly when she realized I had company. An instant of panic came over her face before she recovered, like she wasn’t sure what to do. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything. I’m Mia.” She walked up to my cousin and extended her hand. “You must be Carter’s cousin Conway.”

After Conway looked at her, he turned his expression on me, that knowing smile on his lips. Then he turned back to her and shook her hand. “Yes, I’m Conway. And it’s lovely to meet you, Mia. Carter has told me a lot about you. That dress is beautiful, by the way.”

“Thanks,” she said, a soft smile coming onto her lips at his compliment.

I tried not to care that he was being charming with my woman, but it was difficult. Conway was a good-looking Barsetti just the way I was. I didn’t want Mia to find him attractive, not that I should care.

“Carter told me you’re his new roommate,” Conway said. “If he’s being an asshole to you, just give me a call and I’ll straighten him out. He’s a bit stubborn sometimes.”

“A bit?” she teased. “He’s more than a bit.”

Conway laughed. “I like her, Carter. Any woman who talks shit about you is okay in my book.”

She turned to me and placed her hand on my arm. “He may be stubborn, but he’s also very sweet, selfless, and kind. He’s been extremely generous to me, and I could never repay him for what he’s done for me.” She gave me a quick squeeze before she dropped her embrace. “Can I get you guys anything? Make dinner for the two of you?”

The touch was so simple, but it sent chills all the way down my spine. I wanted to yank her back toward me and kiss her. I wanted to lift her onto the kitchen island and pound into her right then and there. She teased me, but she also showed her affection at the same time. She was loyal to me, showing me that I was the only man on her mind.