Ravaged By Passion

I lean back, staring, and he grins in return. I don’t know what to say. I knew Malcolm was slowly pulling out of the city and the state, but I didn’t know it was happening so fast, no doubt encouraged greatly by Casso’s aggressive move into the real state space. Development of the tower is happening quickly, and Gavino’s running a side project where he’s investing in low-cost housing with the idea that he can help the homeless population by giving them a place they might be able to afford. It’s a win-win solution and everyone seems happy.

“That’s such good new,” I say and there are tears in my eyes. “Seriously, such good news.”

“Oh, princess.” He leans forward and kisses me, and I pull him into a hug. His smell is comforting and his breath against my neck gives me some measure of strength. “He’s gone and he’s not coming back.”

“That bastard. I just hate that he can still make me feel this way.”

“It’s not him doing it. You’re mourning your mother still and trying to find yourself in all this mess, but don’t worry. You’re a Bruno now. You’ll be okay.”

I nod and laugh and kiss him again. “You’re right, I’m a Bruno. Which I guess means I have to start worrying about all the Bruno problems.”

“Like what to do with a bunch of teenagers that are going off to college?”

“Among many others.”

“Don’t let it bother you. The kids will be fine and so will Karah. All I know is, I can’t wait to meet our baby and grow our family even bigger.”

I lean forward and kiss him gently. “I love you, you know that?”

“I love you too.”

“Now please, get back to rubbing my feet.”

He laughs and obeys, and I sit there enjoying his presence. We talk about nothing substantial, just the day, the gossip, the weather, but that’s enough, that’s more than enough.

I found my place. Right here in the villa with Gavino and everyone else, this is my home. This is where I belong. I didn’t know I could feel this way after everything that happened, but it’s like the darkness is in the past and the present is better than I ever could’ve dreamed.

My husband, my baby, my future.

“You know what I could use right now?”

“Hm?”

“Ice cream. And sex.”

His eyebrows raise. “In what order?”

“Come over here and find out. Maybe we can get this baby moving.”

He laughs and leans over and kisses me.