Page 29 of Sandro

I winced. “I’m sorry, Sandro. I didn’t have much control over it.”

I heard Sandro sigh. “We will work on that. You do not need to apologize for everything.” He reached to the side, and it was then that I noticed there was a stack of cloths neatly folded on the back shelf behind the tub. Sandro dunked one in the water and then brought it up and started rubbing it on my chest. I moaned, and somehow, that simple gesture had me relaxing completely.

“That feels so amazing,” I whispered.

“Good. It’s supposed to.” He dipped the cloth in water again, then rubbed the other side of my chest gently. “As much as I would love to sit in the tub with you all day and talk, the need to feed you is starting to increase. Granted, I won’t be cooking. Rio has left a note, instructing me to message him when we are ready for something to eat. I’ll be taking him up on that because I know that we could both use a thick steak right about now.”

At the mention of steak, my stomach growled. Sandro chuckled, and I started laughing with him. He certainly wasn’t wrong.

“What can I do to help you with the bathing?” I asked. “Because now that you mention food…”

I leaned forward, and Sandro kissed my shoulder as I did. “You don’t have to do anything. I was simply trying to rub the soothing potion over your skin. Although I didn’t get overly bitey while you were in heat, I have no doubt that you ache everywhere.”

That was so incredibly true. I did, but I knew that a bit more rest would alleviate that. Well, that and a good meal. Or shifting. Any of those would help. I wiggled my upper body as water trickled down my back again, but when the cloth followed, I sighed in contentment. I could certainly get used to this. But was this how Sandro was going to be all the time? Or was he only this attentive because I’d just had a heat?

Chapter 13

Sandro

Iwould be the first one to admit that I was enjoying my time in Banff with Leo immensely. There were no interruptions, no reminders of everything that had happened to me or Vitto, and Leo was absolutely the sweetest. He was energetic, sincere, and open to just about anything. We had been on several hikes, had experienced some of the local wildlife, and Leo especially enjoyed the trip out in the canoes on the lake. We had spent hours talking and getting to know each other without using our bond, and I felt that gave us a stronger connection.

But despite us still having another week left before we were expected back at the villa, it was most likely time to return to Italy. Leo hadn’t been able to shift into his leopard for over a week now, and he’d not eaten much last evening. His energy was depleting quickly, and he’d spent many days taking naps. Not that he couldn’t take a nap. We had spent quite a bit of time not sleeping through the night.

I was becoming worried about Leo. I already cared for him deeply, and not only because he was my beloved. Leo was an amazing person. But I was concerned about his health. He was unquestionably pregnant. I’d been able to scent the baby. I wasn’t sure Leo realized that just yet, and if he had, he’d not mentioned it out loud.

That wasn’t really what I was concerned about though. Loss of appetite and energy were often normal symptoms of pregnancy. It was the unease that I was feeling through bond. Specifically, the one in Leo’s stomach. I had little doubt he would be making a dash for the toilet once he woke; it seemed inevitable with how uncomfortable my stomach was. Unfortunately for us, I had little ability to help him beyond offering comfort and support.

I heard a noise behind me and turned just in time to watch Leo running for the small bathroom that was here on the ground floor of the cabin. Not surprisingly, seconds later, I heard him getting sick. I grabbed a clean cloth from the counter in the kitchen and wet it before I followed behind my beloved to go help him if needed. If nothing else, I would be able to offer support.

Leo wretched again just as I entered the small room.

“Sandro, help,” he panted out.

Immediately, I knelt behind him and placed my hands on his shoulders.

“I’m here. What do you need from me?” I wiped the cloth on the back of his neck. “This is normal for pregnancy, but hopefully, you only end up with a very mild case of pregnancy sickness.”

Leo was panting as he laid his head down on his arm. “Is it over?”

I used the damp cloth and wiped his face. I knew he was miserable and had most likely never gotten sick before. “It might be for the time being,” I told him. “You will most likely get sick again if it’s truly pregnancy sickness. If this is simply because you haven’t eaten much, then we can help with that by making sure you eat small meals frequently.”

Leo blinked at me several times, then lifted his head before laying it back down. “Pregnancy sickness?”

I continued to wipe his face. “Did you not realize?” I asked. I tossed the washcloth toward the sink, then stood.

“No,” Leo replied. “Do you think I’m pregnant?”

I bent down and easily lifted my beloved. He wasn’t heavy to begin with, but I knew he had been so worried about me lifting him because of my injuries. What he either hadn’t realized or simply chose to ignore was that I’d done a whole lot of healing since we’d claimed each other.

“No, I do not think you’re pregnant. I know for a fact that you are. I scented the baby.” I carefully moved out of the bathroom and went out to the kitchen area. I set Leo down on the counter next to the sink and got him a glass of water. “The fact that you didn’t realize explains why you haven’t mentioned the pregnancy to me.”

Leo took the glass, swished the water, then leaned over and spit it out in the sink. He did that twice more before he wrinkled his nose and held out the glass.

“Yes, I’m certain that despite rinsing, you still have a foul taste in your mouth. I’ll get you a drink that will help.” I went to the refrigerator, and after I found what I was looking for, I pulled out a can of ginger ale. After opening it, I held it out to Leo, who took it with excitement. I reached up and ran my fingers through the side of his hair. “I don’t have anything here to take care of you,” I told him. “Nothing beyond some crackers and ginger ale. I know Rio has special tea at the villa that both Mazzi and Abel drank. It helps with the pregnancy sickness.”

Leo took another drink before he started nodding. “Are you ready to go home, then? I’m not against it. I’d like to get to know your coven family. I have no doubt that they’ll be so much more amazing than my pride.”

“Despite who we are, what has happened in your pride would never be allowed. If Marcello didn’t put an end to things, Master Vincent would. But that is why Marcello is the coven’s second. He takes care of things before they even get close to Master Vincent.”