Page 63 of Forged

“This feels…” She searches for the word. “Comfortable.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

She walks to the dresser, then to the closet doors. She opens one and she scans the space. I keep my shirts aligned by color. Suits spaced evenly, my shoes in neat rows. A newly empty space is along one side.

She looks over her shoulder at me. “You’re so organized.”

“I don’t like looking for things.” I shrug, then point to the empty column of drawers and shelves. “I had my housekeeper make some space for your things.”

She turns to face me, cupping my jaw with her soft hands. “You made space for me?”

I dip my head and brush her lips with mine. “This is your home now. If you need more room, let me know. It’s only been me here for years, so I might forget how having a roommate works.”

She barks out a laugh and I love the sound. “Is that what we are? ‘Roommates?’”

I place my hands on her hips and guide her out of the closet and onto the bed. She goes down willingly, a laugh escaping her lips as she bounces on the mattress. I lower my body onto hers and place featherlight kisses along her jaw.

I push up on my hands, caging her in and look down at her.Her golden hair bright against my navy duvet, eyes sparkling. She’s so fucking beautiful.

“No, Bella. We’re not just roommates.” I press my hard cock against her core, hating the layers of clothes between us. “I’ll fuck you through this goddamn mattress to prove it to you if I have to.”

She hums and grinds her hips up to mine, reaching for my belt. “I think we should christen the bed, husband.”

I reach for the hem of her T-shirt and that’s when I hear the beep of notification that the door to the penthouse has opened.

“Lars Salvatore Marchetti!”

My forehead drops to Neomi’s shoulder and I sigh. “Fuck.”

“Who is that?”

I rise from our bed, adjusting my cock that’s quickly deflating. Neomi sits up, adjusting her shirt.

“That would be Violette.”

Vi calls again from the kitchen, “I know you’re here, Lars. All the lights are on.”

Neomi slaps a hand over her mouth to contain her laugh.

I take her hand. “Let’s rip off the Band-Aid.”

We walk down the hall toward the kitchen, Neomi right behind me, hand still in mine. When we get to the main room, Violette stands by the island, phone in her hand. She hears our footsteps and lifts her eyes. She smiles like she always does when she sees me, but as Neomi comes to my side, her eyebrows shoot up.

She walks over to me, her gaze lingering on Neomi as she wraps me in a quick hug. I barely have time to return it before she pulls away and turns her full attention to my wife.

“Lars,” she’s still staring at Neomi, as she speaks to me, “who is this beautiful creature?”

Neomi stretches out her hand. “I’m Neomi.”

Violette’s face morphs into a Cheshire grin as she bats away my wife’s hand and pulls her into her arms. “We don’t shake hands, Amore. We’re huggers in this family.”

I can’t help the smirk on my face as Neomi forces a smile over Violette’s shoulder. When the hug lasts a little longer than necessary, I place my hands on Vi’s shoulders, guiding her away.

“Give her space, Aunt Vi.”

She shakes her head and taps her red lips with a manicured fingertip. “Lars, why is Neomi in your home?”

“Vi, sit down. Neomi, go to the other side of the island, please.”