Page 134 of Whispers in the Dark
ONE MONTH LATER
Why do you seem nervous?
I remove my jacket as we enter Cecilia’s house. “I’m not.”
You are.
“You’re imagining it.” I stand on my tiptoes and press a chaste kiss to Mauro’s cheek. “I’m just excited to see everyone.”
We always see them. In fact, I think we’ve been seeing everyone too much.
He was right. Ever since the incident that nearly took Mauro from us, everyone has been around much more than usual. Because of that, Mauro hasn’t had much time alone.
But it’s only because they love him.
And if he really wanted to have his alone time, I know he’d tell them.
He’s just too much of a softy when it comes to his family and won’t admit that he enjoys having them around.
I playfully smack his chest. “Be nice.”
I’m always nice.
I lift a shoulder. “I think you’ll enjoy this dinner.” I step away, but he grips my shoulder, gently pushing me against the wall. His body towers over mine, his eyes darkening.
I don’t like surprises.His hand grips my waist, his body angling toward mine.
“Oh?” I trail my finger across his chest, back and forth. “But I think you’ll like this one.” I flatten my palm, dragging my hand down his torso. I trace his belt buckle and slide my hand lower over his hardening cock. I grip him through the denim, and he groans, closing his eyes. “I think you’ll like it a lot. And if you behave…” I remove my hand, and his lids pop open. “I’ll finish what I started.” I slip under his arm and stride toward the dining room. When I glance over my shoulder, he’s fixing his pants with a devilish grin.
You’re going to pay for that.
I wink.I’m looking forward to it.
“There you two are.” Cecilia approaches, wrapping me in a warm embrace. “Dinner is almost ready.” She looks past me and, seeing that Mauro is a safe distance away, whispers, “We must have practiced at least a dozen times this morning.”
Mauro appears by my side, snaking his arm around my waist.
“Darling,” Cecilia coos as Mauro lowers his head so she can kiss his cheek. “How are you feeling? Did you get the soup I sent over?”
He nods.
“Good.” Her attention returns to me. “And how is Gregory doing?”
I smile. “He’s doing much better. I think he’s adjusting to his new residence nicely. They’ve all been great with him.”
One of the first things Mauro did after leaving the hospital, besides taking care of Kazimir, was to find a highly recommended memory care facility with some of the world’s top doctors in attendance. He also ensured a team of security personnel was assigned. Money was no object for him.
The only downside is that it’s almost a two-hour drive, but I’ve been able to see him a few times. And every time I do, I swear he’s somehow getting better.
Or maybe that’s just me being optimistic.
“Look who it is,” Madeleine says in a high-pitched voice. “It’s your uncle Mauro.”
She walks over with Clara in her hands, secured to her chest. The little girl’s chubby fingers reach for Mauro, who takes her in his arms. She strokes her hands over his beard, laughing, which causes Mauro to grin, rubbing the tip of his nose over hers.
Oh, shit… I think my ovaries just exploded.
“How adorable is my granddaughter?” Cecilia gazes between the two of them, her eyes glossing over.
