Coming Home (Morelli Family 6)

Dominic makes a little noise of excitement, kicking his legs. Even he gets a kick out of Mateo’s approval. Like mother, like son.

Mateo faintly smiles. “You think just because you’re cute you’ll get away with anything. You’re not exactly wrong, but that won’t work on me.”

Dominic babbles, like he’s contributing to this conversation.

Mateo holds his cuff link up to show Dominic before affixing it to his wrist. “These are small. You could swallow these and die. That’s a bad idea.”

Dominic babbles back.

“Yes, it is,” Mateo states firmly, as if Dominic disagreed. “Then your mommy would kill me, and we can’t have that, now can we?”

Now Dominic makes some m-noises. He hasn’t said mama yet, but I’m waiting impatiently for it to happen.

“Sorry, kid. You’re just too young for cuff links. Trust me, you’ll have plenty of your own someday.”

Dominic mutters in imagined disagreement.

“Patience,” Mateo says, shaking a finger at him. “You don’t have it in your blood, but I’ll teach you. Patience is nearly always the key to getting what you want. Now, that’s not an excuse to waste everyone’s time and never act on anything; that’s something foolish, weak men do. You’re not going to be a foolish, weak man. You’ll see what I mean when the time comes. Take notes.”

Dominic tries to eat his whole fist.

Mateo’s cuff finished, he puts a knee on the bed and leans over Dominic, straightening his little black suit. Yes, he has on a baby suit. It is amazing. “You look pretty sharp. Try not to spit up on this, hm?”

Dominic squeals and kicks Mateo right in the stomach.

Mateo gives him a dry look. “You have to be on my side today. Turn up the charm; look cute in your mom’s arms. Crank up the appeal as much as you can. That means no kicking people and no spitting up on your suit. I expect you to come through for me in a big way. You know that big spotted giraffe you get all excited about at the toy store? I just might be able to get it for you.”

I cover my mouth, smothering a grin as Mateo tries to bribe a baby.

Dominic does like gifts, though. He got that from me.

His looks he got from Vince. Right down to his adorable dented chin. Occasionally it makes my heart hurt.

Before I get spotted spying, I go ahead and walk into the bedroom. Mateo glances up at me, his eyes warming as he surveys my appearance. He moves back off the bed, walking around and catching my hips, pulling me in for a kiss.

“You look perfect,” he states.

I smile wryly, since he definitely means as bait, not in general. It’s okay, though. I understand. He gets super focused when he has a mission.

Running my hands down his chest as I check him out, I say, “So do you.”

“The artful dodger over here stole my cuff links again. I saved him from imminent peril.”

I grin, grabbing him by the tie and leaning in to kiss him again. “My hero.”

“Vince was a pretty good thief.”

I cock a lightly skeptical eyebrow. “Was he, though?”

Mateo rolls his eyes, his arms moving around my waist. “This kid’s got promise.”

“He’s too young to be a thief. All babies are thieves. They steal hearts and hold them in their slobbery little fists.”

Mateo rolls his eyes as if disgusted, but he totally loves Dominic, so I don’t buy it at all.

I’m still not at all into the prospect of Dominic entering the family business, but that’s future Mia’s problem.

Pulling out of Mateo’s embrace, I climb up on the bed, flashing Dominic big smiles as I crawl up next to him. “Hello there, Mr. Handsome. Do you want to eat before we leave?”

His little hands reach for me and I scoop him up, leaving a flurry of kisses on his cheek and making him giggle. God, I love this kid. I didn’t think I could ever love anyone as much as I love Mateo, but then the nurse put Dominic on my chest. He lifted his little head up and looked straight into my eyes. Boom. Love at first sight.

Mateo climbs on the bed, sitting beside me and pulling out his phone as I tug the strap of my dress down and grab a pillow to put under Dominic.

“I still don’t think we should take him,” I tell Mateo, glancing over at him.

“We have to.”

“We don’t. I’ll turn up the sexy. I’ll go naked. I’ll flirt. Anything you want. Let me be the sole test.”

Mateo shakes his head, denying my request as he scrolls through a text message. “Sorry.”

I sigh, looking down at Dominic’s sweet little face, at his arm resting on my chest as he nurses. I’m so worried about this. He’s too awesome. The temptation is going to be too much. No one could resist this little guy. “What happens if he fails?”