He lifted his shoulders in a dismissive shrug. “She tried to make light of it. Said I shocked her and she wasn’t prepared, but it all came out when I didn’t believe her. We fought and it got ugly, and I saw the real her. The one my family tried to warn me about. I told her to get out of my place and my life.” He paused, and I saw the way the hurt flickered through his eyes. “She had a lot of not-nice things to say about me, and then she left.” He drained his mug. “It didn’t take me long to realize I was better off without her. A couple of months later, the garage had a fire, and Brett introduced me to Maxx and Charly. I moved here and started a new chapter in my life.”

“And since then?”

“I’m not a monk. I dated a couple of women but nothing serious. I haven’t slept with anyone for over two years.” He frowned and scratched at his beard. “Maybe even longer, now that I think about it.”

“I see.”

He stood and poured another coffee and sat across from me. “How long for you, Tesoro?”

“Since the night I got pregnant with Theo.”

He froze, his cup partway to his mouth. “Wow.”

“So, it’s been a long time.”

“Why?”

“It’s not exactly easy to meet someone when you’re a single mom.” I sighed. “Most men walk away when they hear a kid is involved, not that I’ve been looking. What happened between us is rare.”

He reached for my hand and took it in his, stroking my palm. “I know. I’m not like other guys, Gabriella.”

“I’m aware.”

“What happened between you and Theo’s dad?”

“He was never his dad,” I snapped. Dad inferred caring. Love. Tenderness.

He held up his hands. “Sorry.”

I knew I owed him an explanation. He deserved to know. But I was so worried he would decide it was too much. I was too much.

I wasn’t ready to give him up just yet.

I stood and straddled his lap, cupping his face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped.”

“You need to tell me.”

“I will,” I promised. “But right now, all I want to do is kiss you.”

“I won’t be your secret.”

“You’re not. Oh God, you’re everything, Stefano,” I whispered, knowing I shouldn’t, yet wanting him to know. He was amazing. Giving. The way he cared for me and for Theo was unlike anything I could have imagined. Even the way he checked to make sure I could hear Theo before he took me to bed. He was simply astonishing.

With a low growl, he pulled me to his mouth. His tongue stole in and licked me—hot, wet, and possessive. I undulated over him, feeling his erection kicking in. I pulled my lips away, kissing my way over to his ear.

“We’re both safe, and I’m on the pill,” I murmured, flicking my tongue over his lobe. “This time, I want to feel all of you.”

He groaned and stood, taking me with him.

“This time,” he growled against my mouth, “I’m going to make you come three times.” He flung me on the bed, kicking off his shorts and cupping his heavy erection. “Maybe four.”

And then he was on me, and everything else faded away.

CHAPTER TEN

Stefano

I was distracted on Sunday. I couldn’t concentrate or think about anything except Gabriella. What it felt like to be inside her. How she looked as she orgasmed. The way she melted under my hands. The sensation of her skin gliding along mine. The taste of her mouth. Her subtle scent. Every single thing about her had become alive in my mind. I could hear her voice whispering my name. Moan in passion, whimper in desire. The way her eyes shut as she succumbed to pleasure. Burned into mine with an intense longing as I drove into her.

She was all I could see.

Even tossing the football around with my nephews, bouncing baby Cara on my knee, helping Sonny with his homework, she was there in the background.

“Stefano.”

I looked up, meeting my mother’s concerned gaze.

“You sick?”

“No.”

“You no eating. What’s the matter?” She frowned. “You no like my food no more?”

“It’s amazing as usual, Mama. I was thinking about work.” I picked up my fork, realizing I had barely taken a bite of her lasagna.

“Work,” she repeated.

“Work,” I stated emphatically.

My sister Gianna interrupted us, saving me from any more interrogation. “Mama’s car is making an odd noise.”

“What kind of odd noise?”

“Like something is loose. There’s a high-pitched squeal.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I demanded.

She frowned. “It just started.”

I quickly finished my plate. “I’ll take a look.”

“You need to eat more,” Mama protested, pushing my plate closer. “Mangia. Look at car after.”

I didn’t argue, knowing there was no point. I would lose. I ate another helping then headed to the garage, quickly finding the loose belt and tightening it. To stall, I checked out a few other things, ensuring the car was fine other than the belt. I added air to the tires and topped up the oil. No matter how often I told her to do so, she never remembered.

Tags: Melanie Moreland Reynold's Restorations Suspense
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