The Bonus
Chapter 21

His tongue slowly swipes through my open lips and my knees nearly give way beneath me. My eyes flutter closed as the moment takes me over.

Oh…

We kiss again, and this time his tongue slowly slides into my mouth, awakening every female instinct that I’ve suppressed for years.

This man…the physical reaction I have to him…it’s carnal, primal, and damn well addictive.

Wait…what the hell am I doing?

I pull out of the kiss and step back. “Gabriel, you need to stop.”

“What’s wrong?” He reaches for me again and pulls my body against his. “Get back here.”

“No.” I take a further step back. “This isn’t about you and me, this is about the children and your relationship with them.”

“What the children need is for us to be together.”

“That’s not true at all, and besides…” I troll my mind for a get-out-of-jail card. “I’m already seeing someone.”

His eyes narrow and he steps toward me, forcing me to step back. “Who is he?” he growls. The dominance of his action sends a wildfire through my body. I feel my pulse between my legs.

Just throw me across the table already.

“A very nice man,” I reply in an overly high-pitched voice. “You can’t come barging in here with a few pretty words and expect me to drop everything.”

His eyes hold mine and then, as if sensing that I’m lying through my teeth, he breaks into a slow, sexy smile. “And are you getting everything you need from him?”

Not even close.

“Yep,” I squeak.

“Well.” His dark eyes hold mine as he lifts his hand to my face and cups my jaw, his thumb swipes over my bottom lip. “I hope he fucks you just as deep as I want to.”

Thump.

Thump…goes my heart.

I feel faint…

He turns and without another word walks out the back door and down to the lake to the children. I go to the window and watch him, my body screaming for more of his touch, aching like never before. My skin tingles with excitement and every hair on the back of my neck stands to attention.

But I can’t go there, not now.

Not ever.

It’s late and the children are going up to bed, Gabriel has insisted on sleeping on the couch.

I want to stay up and watch television but I don’t trust my slutty self.

All I can think about is his dick and how badly I want it.

I’m disgusted with myself.

I put the pile of blankets on the end of the couch. “Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in my bed?”

His dark eyes hold mine and I know he’s as hot for it as I am. “If I sleep in your bed, we are one hundred percent fucking.”

I feel myself melt into a puddle.

What position?

“Well.” I act uninterested. “That’s not happening, so the couch it is.” I turn and practically run upstairs without looking back. I march down the hall and into my bedroom and close the door behind me.

I glance down at the lock. Should I leave it open? I imagine him sneaking in while everyone sleeps, I get a vision of looking down at his face between my legs, his lips wet with my arousal, his cock hard, throbbing, and ready to ride.

The fuck is wrong with you?

I flick the lock and begin to pace. I need to get rid of some of this X-rated energy.

This is bad, bad, bad.

I wake feeling exhausted. I hardly slept a wink last night. Tossed and turned until the wee hours, and I honestly don’t think I fell asleep until six this morning.

Ugh, and I have a million things on today.

I drag myself out of bed and go to the bathroom. I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror and wipe under my eyes and fix my hair.

It shouldn’t matter how I look, but somehow it does.

I throw my robe on and make my way downstairs to replace that Dominic is already watching television. I glance over to the couch to see the blankets folded neatly on the end of it.

“Where’s Gabriel?” I ask.

Dominic shrugs, his eyes glued to the television.

I look around the house and peer out into the backyard. “Did he go home?”

He shrugs again, oh my god, this child is infuriating. “Dom, listen to me, please.”

“I don’t know, he was gone when I got up,” he groans as if I’m a major inconvenience.

“Oh.” I go to the front to see that his car is gone. “Well.”

One less problem to worry about, I guess. I feel the weight of my world lift from my shoulders. Damn it, that man stresses me out.

“We’ve got ballet this morning and then your game, a big day ahead of us. Who wants pancakes?”

My eyes roam over the grandstand.

“He’s not here,” Debbie says into her coffee.

“I thought he would be,” I mutter, distracted. “Why move all the way here if you aren’t even going to the game, you know?”

“Well.” She sips her coffee as she thinks. “Maybe you hurt his feelings last night when you rejected him.”

“I hurt his plans for his dick, that’s all.” I roll my eyes. “What does he think, he’s going to say a few pretty things and I lie on my back and open my legs for him?”

“I totally would, he’s fucking hot,” Deb replies, her eyes glued to the field.

“Um, excuse me.” I giggle in surprise. “You’re married.”

“I know.” She sighs. “Happily, but man…the way he looks at you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can feel his testosterone pumping through his body.” She fakes a shiver. “What I wouldn’t give to have a man want me like that.”

That’s an odd thing to say. I frown as I watch her. “Is everything okay with you and Scott?”

“Yeah.” She sighs. “I don’t know, I guess we never had that fire between us.”

“Not even in the beginning?”

“Nope.” She exhales heavily. “We are best friends who have sex, we always have been best friends who have sex. It was never a carnal attraction. I mean, we only have sex once a fortnight now, and it’s more a closeness thing rather than a sexual thing.”

“Are you still in love with each other?” I ask.

“I guess.” She keeps watching the game as if uninterested in this conversation. “Lately he’s been distant, but I can’t imagine a life without him. I just mean that…” She pauses, as if searching for the words. “Physical attractions like that are not the everyday thing. If you have one with someone and he has it back, it’s worth exploring.”

“But our history . . .”

“Is history.” She cuts me off. “Let it go.”

Jack walks down along the front of the grandstand and we both watch him. He’s wearing his uniform and has his super-white socks pulled three-quarters up his shins.

“You have been on how many dates with Jack?” she asks.

“Five.”

“And you haven’t even kissed yet?” She raises an unimpressed eyebrow.

I shake my head.

“That’s weird, don’t you think?”

“I’m just not feeling it.” I roll my eyes, knowing she’s right. “There’s something wrong with me, I’m sure of it.”

Jack looks up and sees us, his face lights up and he waves.

“I’m going to go down and see him.” I stand.

“And do what?”

Ugh, I hate it when Deb gets all sensible and hard-hitting on me.

“Talk to him, what do you think?” I shimmy across the row of seats and make my way down the stairs to meet him on the concourse at the side of the stadium.

“Hey you.” He smiles. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Hi, Jack.” This is why I like Jack, he’s so uncomplicated…talking about the weather and stuff, this is what I need in my life.

Good, supportive, weather-loving people.

“You didn’t call me back last night?” He frowns.

Oh crap, I didn’t even know he called.

“I didn’t have my phone on me,” I tell him. “I’m sorry.”

Fuck.

“Hello,” a deep voice purrs from beside me. I look up to see Gabriel towering over us. His dark hair has a wave to it, he’s wearing sunglasses and the heavenly scent of his aftershave wafts around me. Wearing black jeans and a gray sweater, he looks like a walking orgasm.

Damn it.

“Gabriel.” I swallow a nervous lump in my throat as I look between the two men. “Hi,” I stammer in my high voice.

What the hell is going on with my voice box when I’m around him?

He holds his hand out to Jack. “Gabriel Ferrara.”

“Hello, I’m Jack Spalding.” Jack smiles and shakes his hand, I nervously glance between them. “Isn’t it a great day today?” Jack continues. “The sun is shining and life is good.”

Amusement flashes across Gabriel’s face as he looks him up and down. “Okily dokily.”

Oh hell… What does that mean? It’s a Ned Flanders reference, Gabriel is calling him Ned Flanders. Ahhh… Abort mission…

I widen my eyes at Gabriel. Behave fucker.

Gabriel stands tall, his feet wide, back straight and dominance oozing from every cell.

“Gabriel is an old friend from New York,” I splutter.

“Not quite a friend, though,” Gabriel replies. “Am I?”

“Who are you?” Jack smiles all excited like.

“I’m the twins’ father.”

Jack stares at him as he does the math. “What…what brings you to Greenville?”

“My family.”

“Your children,” Jack corrects him.

“My children and Grace.”

“But Grace is with me.”

“Not for long.” Gabriel’s eyes hold his in a silent dare.

Jacks face falls.

“I’ve moved to Greenville to get my girl back,” Gabriel announces.

“You’ve moved here?” Jack whispers, unable to hide his dismay.

“Stop it, Gabriel,” I snap. “Be nice.”

“Oh…but I am being nice. I’m letting Jack know of my intentions. Being underhanded is not my style, you know that, Gracie.”

Jack stares at Gabriel, horrified. He’s probably never met someone as aggressive in real life before, not many people have.

Gabriel’s eyes hold Jack’s. “All’s fair in love and war…right, Jack?”

Jack stares at him, speechless.

“May the best man win.” Gabriel gives me a slow sexy smile and then he glances at Jack. “Good luck, Jack…you’re going to need it.” He turns and saunters off into the crowd as we both stare after him.

That was the most egotistical display of power tripping in the history of the universe.

And it was fucking hot.

Oh god…my face is fuchsia red, my pits are sweaty, and damn it, why is that man’s ego so out of control?

Poor Jack.

“I’m so sorry. Ignore him,” I stammer. “He’s…a, Gabriel is a different kind of man.”

Jack is still staring after him, if I’m being honest I think it turned him on too.

He drags his eyes back to meet mine. “Can I see you tonight?”

“Ahh…” I look around for divine guidance, rip the Band-Aid off, don’t let this go on. “I’ve got a lot on at the moment,” I reply. “The twins are settling in with Gabriel and I need to be there for them.”

“He’s already won, hasn’t he?”

“No. He hasn’t, and I won’t be getting back with Gabriel. Not now, not ever. I’m sorry you had to deal with him today, that wasn’t fair.”

His eyes search mine and empathy wins, I can’t end it under these circumstances.

Not today, anyway.

I mean, not that we have anything to end, we haven’t even kissed.

“Let’s meet up for lunch through the week, shall we?”

“Okay.” He gives me a lopsided smile. “I really like you, Grace. I think we have a future.”

My heart sinks, how I only wish that were true.

“I’ll call you during the week?” I ask.

He nods, seemingly mollified for the moment, and with a wave I make my way back up to the grandstand.

“Oh my god,” I whisper as I sit down beside Deb.

“What was that about?”

“Gabriel is a literal nightmare.”

“Why?”

“He just told Jack that he’s in town to get his girl back.”

Deb’s eyes light up with excitement. “How very caveman.”

“This is not funny,” I whisper angrily.

“No, but it’s hot.”

“Shut up.” All of these years all I wanted was for him to fight for me and the kids, but now that he’s finally decided to, it’s the last thing I need or want.

I take out my phone and text Gabriel.

How dare you!

A reply bounces straight back.

Nobody gets in the way of what I want.

My eyes bulge as I fume.

You can’t have me!

His reply bounces in.

But I will.

“Ugh, this man is infuriating.” I show Deb the texts and she reads them.

“Seriously, can I watch you two have sex? It’s going to be fucking fire.” She smirks. “Open an OnlyFans account, you’ll make bank.”

I snatch my phone from her. “We are not having sex.” That came out louder than expected, and we both cringe as we both look around. An old lady gives us a judgy side eye.

“Seriously, though.” I lean into Deb and whisper, “What should I do now?”

“Go to the shop. Buy. Lube.”

4 p.m., and not a peep from Gabriel since I saw him at the game this morning.

The sky has turned red, and I’ve ranted and raved all damn day.

This isn’t okay, his behavior is totally unacceptable. He can’t just turn up here and be an arrogant prick to try to rattle my boyfriend. Well, he didn’t just try, he excelled at it. Poor Jack is rattled to the bone…and who could blame him?

Not that Jack and I are star-crossed lovers or anything…but Gabriel doesn’t know that. What if we were?

What if I loved Jack with all of my heart and Gabriel just planted a seed of poison into our relationship?

What then…huh?

I stir the chocolate brownie mix in the bowl as I mutter out loud to myself. “If he thinks my cooking was bad before, just wait until he tastes my next meal. I’m putting full-blown dog shit in it.” I stir the mix with vigor. “And if he thinks for one fucking second I’m putting up with his bullshit, he can think again.”

“What’s bullshit?” Dominic asks from the doorway.

Crap…can’t I even mutter to myself in peace?

“Nothing, bubba, sorry, that’s an inappropriate word.” I smile sweetly. “Just thinking about a show I’m watching on Netflix,” I lie. One thing I’ve learned over the last three weeks about this whole shared-parenting thing is to not let my feelings seep in and poison the kids. Once you say something in passing about the other parent, they hold on to it forever.

“Gabriel is here,” Lucia yells excitedly from upstairs. “Yay.” She comes screaming down the stairs and runs out the front door to greet him.

Dominic walks to the front window and peers through the side of the curtains, quietly watching.

“Why don’t you go out and meet him too, baby?” I tell him. “That would be nice.”

Dominic shrugs, unsure what to do.

He’s warming to him.

My anger momentarily dissipates and I smile. “It was nice he came to your game today, wasn’t it?”

He stays silent.

“Do you like Gabriel coming to see you all the time?”

He shrugs again.

I walk over and stand behind him as I put my hands on his shoulders, we both watch out the window as Lucia talks a million miles per minute, she’s being all animated and he’s laughing as he listens and talks to her. They’re getting something out of the trunk of his car and loading it onto the grass in a pile. I smile as I watch them, and then I remember something, something very important.

Gabriel Ferrara’s a fuckface…who I hate.

I go back to the kitchen to continue making my brownies. “They’re carrying something big in, Mom,” Dominic calls.

I hope it’s a coffin, he’s going to need it.

“Why don’t you go and help them?” I call back.

“I don’t know if…” He contemplates.

Ugh, why is this child such an over thinker?

“They’re walking around the side of the house with the stuff,” Dominic calls as he runs to the back door.

“Just go out and see what they’re doing.” I roll my eyes as I pour the brownie mix into the cake pan.

“Will you come?” Dominic asks hopefully.

Ugh…

“Sure.” I open the back door and Dominic comes to stand beside me.

“Hi there, you two.” Gabriel smiles up at us as he and Lucia carry something down to the water’s edge.

“Hello.” I smile through gritted teeth.

Fucker.

Dom holds my hand and bites his bottom lip as if to hide his smile.

He’s so cute, I can’t stand it.

“What have you got there?” I call out to them.

“I bought us a new card table and chairs and a firepit.”

Us.

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

“Because I thought we’d play cards out here tonight.”

I clench my teeth.

You thought wrong, I’m drowning you in the lake and burying your body in the woods tonight.

“Oh,” I reply flatly. “Great.”

I go back inside. I really don’t have the capacity to deal with him today, this is a nightmare.

Gabriel begins to set up the card table and fold out the chairs and Dominic wanders down to the water’s edge to watch them.

“Can you sort the kindling for the fire, Dom?” Gabriel asks him. “I need a man around here to get this firepit under control. Do you think you can do that?”

“Okay,” Dom replies enthusiastically, he runs inside to collect the things. He begins collecting the kindling and throwing it into the basket.

Ugh… I roll my eyes. He’s now using Dom’s pyromaniac tendencies to bond.

Well played.

I peer into the oven at my brownies as I imagine Gabriel choking on them.

“Mom, we’re making a fire out the back,” Dominic calls. “And we’re playing Uno.”

Oh…

He’s excited.

“That sounds so fun, baby,” I call back. “Maybe we could take some blankets out there too,” I suggest.

Dom’s eyes light up. “The checked ones in the linen press?”

“Uh-huh.”

He runs and takes the stairs two at a time.

“Mind if I come through your back door?” Gabriel’s deep voice purrs.

I glance up to see him standing in the doorway, he’s giving me the look, and I know exactly which back door he’s talking about.

“You will never be coming in my back door,” I mutter dryly.

“Famous last words.” He peers into the oven to see what I’m cooking.

“Listen, don’t talk to me,” I whisper as I look around to see if I can talk without anyone hearing. “You are in the doghouse.”

“Excellent.”

“How is that excellent?”

“Doggy style is when I’m at my best.”

What?

“Mom.” Lucia walks in, interrupting us. “We’re playing Uno and having a fire outside.”

“Great,” I say over enthusiastically. “Oh joy. This is the best night of my life.”

Lucia turns her back and I cross my eyes and stick my finger down my throat. Gabriel’s eyes dance with mischief. He puts a shopping bag on the kitchen counter. “And look…I bought snacks.”

“Funny you say that, I was just about to cook you up something extra special.”

“Please don’t.”

“Ha-ha, you’re so funny,” I mutter as I turn back to check on the brownies.

Kill me now.

This is a nightmare, but the kids are so excited, I can’t ruin this for them.

And he knows it.

The master manipulator.

Infuriating.

Half an hour later, we are sitting around the little card table on the lake’s edge and Gabriel is reading the instructions to Uno out loud while the children listen intently.

For fuck’s sake, this isn’t rocket science. Just deal the cards already, I don’t have time for this shit.

“Each player gets seven cards,” he reads.

“We know.” I sigh.

He glances up. “You know?” He looks around, disappointed. “You’ve all played this game before?”

“Not this exact one,” Dominic lies. “This is a different sort.”

Huh?

“Oh, good.” Gabriel smiles in relief.

Why did Dom say that? We have played this game ten million times before.

Lucia smiles over at me. “This is so fun, isn’t it, Mom?”

“Best night of my life.” I sip my wine, unimpressed. I’m sure gardening with Jack would be more fun than this.

Gabriel deals out the cards and we all pick them up and begin to organize them in our hand. I glance over to the kids, who are smiling goofily, they’re so happy.

I have a momentary out-of-body experience as I remember dreaming of a night just like this for them.

Simple fun with their father.

Emotion overwhelms me and I unexpectedly tear up. I blink to hide my tears and then glance up to see Gabriel watching me. As if knowing exactly how I feel, he gives me a soft smile and a subtle nod, and I smile too.

I need to take me and my feelings out of the equation. This night means everything to the twins and Gabriel and that’s all that matters.

Two hours later.

The burning wood cracks, and Gabriel and Dominic hold their sticks in the flickering flame. Night has fallen and along with it has come the peaceful serenity of the lake.

It’s beautiful out here.

“I can’t wait to taste these toasted marshmallows.” Lucia beams, she and I are sitting at the card table, waiting for the boys to serve us our dessert.

“I can’t believe you’ve never had this before?” Gabriel smiles proudly as he twists his stick.

I think we did have them years ago and someone burned the bejesus out of their lip so I never got them again, not that I’m telling them that.

“Just about done,” Gabriel tells Dominic. “Turn it over again.”

Dominic turns the stick again, he’s concentrating as if this is brain surgery. He hasn’t said anything much directly to Gabriel tonight but he’s hanging off every word he says.

I’m happy and sad and overwhelmed, and damn it, seeing them with him makes me realize how much they’ve missed out on.

“All done,” Gabriel tells Dominic. They walk over and proudly hand over our sticks with the melted marshmallows on the end. “Careful, they’re hot,” he warns us. “Blow on it to cool them down.”

His words are gospel, and the children begin to blow on their marshmallows in an over exaggerated way.

He takes a nibble and smiles. “Ah, davvero delizioso.” (“Ah delicious.”)

Dominic tastes it. “È la cosa più deliziosa che abbia mai assaggiato.” (“This is the best thing I ever tasted.”)

Gabriel smiles.

“Lo mangeremo quando andremo in Italia, non è vero, Mamma?” (“When we move to Italy we will eat this, won’t we, Mom?”)

“Speak English, Dom, I don’t understand,” I tell him.

“When we move to Italy we will eat this, won’t we, Mom?” he repeats himself.

“We will.” I smile.

Gabriel’s face falls as he stares at Dominic. “You want to live in Italy?”

Dominic nods. “Lo stesso vale per Lucia.”” (“Lucia does too.”) “Mamma ha detto che non appena compiremo sedici anni ci trasferiremo lì per un paio di anni per imparare la lingua e le tradizioni.” (“Mom said when we are sixteen, we are moving there for two years to learn the culture.”)

Gabriel’s eyes search mine.

“I want them to know who they truly are.” I smile sadly.

His eyes well with tears as he stares at me across the table.

This is one of those moments where the planets align and you know that all the decisions and hard work that you put in years ago have paid off.

“I wanted to prepare them for your world as best as I could.”

“Our world, Gracie,” he whispers. “It’s our world.”

Oh…

His tears do break the dam this time, and he wipes them away as they roll down his cheeks.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen him like this, beautifully vulnerable.

“Why are you sad?” Lucia asks.

“I’m happy.” He stands and pulls me out of my chair and hugs me tight. “Thank you. Thank you,” he whispers as he holds me close. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

I let myself relax into his hug, and then, like clockwork, his large, strong body begins to talk to mine, and I feel the twinge of arousal surge between us. I pull out of his grip.

His eyes hold mine, and I know that he felt it too.

“Let’s get back to this game,” I announce to change the subject. “I’m about to kick your butt, Mr. Ferrara.”

“Yeah,” Dominic growls.

“Me too,” Lucia chimes in. “I’m winning this time.”

He sits back down and smiles through tears as he looks around the table, and for the first time in his life, he’s utterly speechless.

And for the first time in a long time, I feel proud of myself.

“Into bed.” I kiss Dominic’s head as he walks up the stairs. “I’ll be up in a moment to say good night.”

“Okay.”

“Buona notte,” Gabriel says from beside me.

“Buona notte,” Dom says as he walks up the stairs. “Night, Mom.”

I walk into the kitchen to straighten things up and Gabriel lingers by the door; it’s as if he wants to say something but is holding his tongue.

“Thank you for tonight,” I say. “It meant a lot to the kids.”

“It’s me who should be thanking you.” His eyes hold mine and like a tide in the ocean the mood changes, electricity crackles between us. “I can’t . . .”

“You take my bed tonight.” I cut him off, I don’t know what he’s going to say but I really don’t need to hear it.

“No, no.”

“I’m fine on the trundle, you are twice the length of the couch. Take my bed.”

“Gracie, I . . .”

“Let’s not ruin a good night, shall we?” I cut him off. “Whatever you are going to say…please don’t.”

His eyes hold mine and I know that deep down, he knows I’m right.

“Good night.”

A low and deep throb has been brewing between my legs, and damn it, I really need to get over this stupid attraction. Whatever my body thinks it needs, it isn’t happening…

Not now, not ever.

I take the stairs two at a time. I wish it were tomorrow already, it’s going to be a long night.

I flick the blankets back and stare at the ceiling, it’s a blazing inferno in here. Is there any air in the bedroom at all?

Why is it so damn hot?

Dominic is fast asleep up on his bed while I lie down below on the trundle. My thoughts go to Gabriel and how emotional he was when he found out we planned to go to Italy one day. It was a great memory, one that I will always remember.

He was so shocked; he didn’t have a clue that it was coming, and that’s what made it all the more special. I see his tears and I smile into the darkness.

Throb…

Throb…

Hell, I need to get laid, or at the very least have an intimate three-hour date with Bob my vibrator. I’m feeling hot and bothered and overly sexual and I know it’s only because he’s around again. Which is stupid, because he is the last person I want to have sex with.

If only my body would keep up with the logical grudge that I hold.

Unfortunately, my human and very female primal instinct to mate with a dominant male has been triggered.

Just being around him is…hard.

Hard…

I bet he’d be hard… A vision of him naked and looking down at me runs through my mind. A vision I’ve never forgotten because it’s burned into my brain.

One night with him in the flesh has given me years of fantasies in my mind.

Stop it!

Ugh. I drag my hand through my hair and roll over and punch my pillow.

I stare at the ceiling for over an hour until I can’t stand it any longer, maybe I need to go to the bathroom? Maybe that’s why I’m not sleeping.

I climb out of bed and pull my white nightdress down. No wonder I can’t sleep, I’m all twisted in this stupid thing. I’m not used to sleeping in pajamas.

I tiptoe down to the bathroom. The little red nightlight that plugs into the power point throws a warm glow across the room. I do my business and am standing at the basin, washing my hands when I feel my hair being swiped to the side, soft lips open-kiss my neck.

He’s here.

Goose bumps scatter up my spine as my knees weaken beneath me.

He kisses my neck again; this time his teeth graze my skin and I feel a surge of arousal scream through my blood. His hand wraps around my body dragging me back onto his erection.

Our eyes meet in the mirror, and he bites my earlobe as he holds me tight, his hand comes to aggressively cup my breast. He’s wearing only boxer shorts, his broad, muscular body shadowed in a beautiful shade of red.

“Gabriel…” I whimper. “I don’t think…”

“Stop thinking,” he breathes into my ear. “Just feel.” His hand slides down the front of my panties and he circles his fingers through the lips of my sex as he opens me up.

Fire blazes in his eyes as he feels how wet I am.

Fuck…

He turns my head and kisses me, his tongue takes no prisoners as his fingers slide deep into my sex. My body contracts around him and he moans into my mouth in appreciation.

Something snaps.

Suddenly, we’re desperate.

He lifts my knee to rest on the counter, bringing me wide open and then he plunges his fingers deep inside of me, stretching me out. I whimper as his body takes mine over. I can feel his engorged length sitting snug up against my ass.

He begins to fuck me with his hand as he kisses me deeply, the sound of my arousal sucking him in echoes through the room. Our kiss is animalistic, our teeth clashing, his grip on my jaw is nearly painful.

But I can’t stop…

I need him, even if it’s only physically, even if it’s only for one night. In this moment, right now. My body needs what only his can give me.

He turns me and sits me up on the bathroom cabinet and brings my legs up so that my feet are on the counter. I’m in a seated squatting position and like this I’m totally at his mercy.

His dark eyes hold mine as his thick fingers slowly slide into my sex.

First two, then three…then four. Deep, powerful movements where he’s nearly breaking the counter. I grip his forearm and feel it flex as he curls his fingers deep inside my body.

Gabriel Ferrara is a legend for a reason, nobody can make a woman come harder than he does. He hits the spot.

Every.

Damn.

Time.

This is too good, I can’t speak…I can’t even breathe.

The floor moves beneath us as I see stars.

I let out a deep moan as my body does exactly what nature intended. I shudder hard and cling to him as a freight train of an orgasm rips through me.

He kisses me through it as my body quivers, his tongue diving deep into my mouth, and I know he’s holding on to his control by a thread.

“Get into my fucking bed,” he growls into my mouth as he holds my face in his hands.

I…there are no thoughts in my head, none that make sense, anyway.

Next thing, I’m getting dragged down the hall toward my bedroom by the hand, and he closes the door behind me and flicks the lock.

I look around the room, confused. “Why is the mattress on the floor?”

“Because you’re about to fucking get it.” He pushes me down onto it.

“You knew this was going to happen?” I frown up at him.

“Of course I did. Your pheromones have been sucking my cock all day.” He pulls his dick out of the top of his boxers and slides it over my mouth, pre-ejaculate smears across my lips.

Fuck…

I take him deep into my mouth and swirl my tongue, he tips his head back and moans as he holds my head in his hands. “Suck. My. Cock.” He pushes himself deep down my throat until I gag.

His eyes are ablaze with fire as he holds himself too deep for me to take.

I pull off. “Too much.” I cough.

“You’re right.” He pushes me onto my back and comes over my body, bringing my legs up over his forearms as he holds himself up. “You are too fucking much.” He slowly slides in deep, and every muscle in my body contracts around him.

We stare at each other as our bodies exchange power.

A magic swirls between us, a spell that once cast cannot be broken. My body giving him the softness that his hardness needs and vice versa.

His eyes flutter closed as if totally overwhelmed.

I stare up at him in awe.

Never has there been a more addictive lover, Gabriel Ferrara is the ultimate.

Hung, experienced and intense.

The power oozing from his body is all-consuming.

Every woman’s fantasy.

He slowly pulls out and slides back in. “Okay?” he whispers.

I nod, grateful that even when this aroused, he’s aware of his size and the damage his body could do. He slides in again and circles his hips, first one way and then the other, to open and stretch me out for him.

My feet are up around his shoulders and like this I’m completely at his mercy.

He leans down and kisses me with the perfect amount of suction. My eyes close in pleasure.

“Tell me if I get too rough,” he whispers in my ear as his lips roam down to graze my neck.

“I’m okay,” I breathe. Better than okay. This is fucking perfect.

He pulls out and then slams in deep.

“Oh…” I whimper as I cling to him.

I glance over to the mirror to catch sight of him, his thick quad muscles contract as he pumps me. His body is covered in a sheen of perspiration and his broad shoulder muscles are popping as he holds himself up.

His hips delivering deep punishing hits where he drives me through the mattress.

Dear god, I may not survive this.

He begins to moan, and the slapping of our skin echoes through the room.

I glance at the door; did he lock it?

If a child walks in right now, they will be scarred for life, hell, who am I kidding…I will be anyway.

No sex is this good.

We fall into a rhythm, his deep punishing hits welcomed by the softness of my body.

“Gracie,” he whispers as he looks down at me.

I smile softly up at him and take his face in my hands. I half sit up so I can kiss him.

Him being inside of me isn’t enough, I need to be closer.

He falls still as we kiss; his eyes are closed, completely lost in the moment. My orgasm is so close that I can feel it, and I clench around him, he moans in pleasure.

A thrill runs through me and I do it again, he grips me tighter.

He’s close.

“Fuck me,” I breathe. “Just fuck me. Give me everything.”

He slams into me, knocking the air from my lungs. We both cry out as he comes deep inside of me.

Hearts pounding, breathless and totally overcome, we kiss tenderly, holding each other through the heavenly high.

Time seemingly stands still.

Eventually, he falls onto the mattress beside me and pulls me close. Still kissing me over and over again. His tongue tenderly worshiping me, his body weeping out of mine, his flaccid cock resting against my open thigh.

There’s a beautiful tenderness swimming between us, something that I’ve never felt from him before.

“Dreams do come true,” he whispers in the darkness. “I’m never letting you go, Gracie.” He kisses me again and then falls onto his back, totally spent.

The ceiling blurs as I stare up at it through tears.

What have I done?

I jump as I wake…did I dream… I glance over to see Gabriel fast asleep flat on his back and I close my eyes in horror.

Oh no…fuck.

His regulated breathing tells me he’s still in a deep sleep. I slowly climb out of bed, and as I swing my legs, I get a sharp sting between my legs.

Oww…I’m sore, the man’s an animal.

I throw on my robe and sneak out of the room. I hold my breath as I ever so quietly close the door behind me. I don’t want him to wake yet, I need to get myself together before I have to face him.

I rush down the hall and catch sight of myself in the mirror, my hair is all over the place and my face is flushed. I look thoroughly well and truly fucked; I am, on all counts, so that’s…fitting.

Ugh…

I rush down the stairs and flick the coffee machine on, then pace back and forth while I wait.

This is a disaster.

The colossal fuckup of all fuckups.

He broke me so hard that it took years to recover…and one sniff of his manhood and I turned into a stray cat on heat.

The machine pings, and I get a vision of us last night.

Damn…that was some good sex.

Stop it!

I make my coffee and go out to sit by the lake. I immediately call Deb.

“You slept with him, didn’t you?” she answers.

“How do you know?”

“Why else would you be ringing me at seven a.m.?”

“This is a fucking disaster,” I whisper.

“Well…your girlie likes him.”

“My girlie’s a ho.”

“Obviously.”

“God.” I drag my hand through my hair in disgust at myself.

“So…”

“So what?”

“How was it?”

“It was porn sex.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Stupidly good.”

“Hmm.” She thinks for a moment. “It might work out.”

“It’s not going to work out, Deb,” I whisper angrily. “I don’t even want it to work out. Yes, he’s hot, but he’s a controlling, power-hungry asshole who is going to break my heart, and that’s after he’s stripped every piece of confidence I ever had from me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes. I do.”

“Mom,” calls a voice from the back door. I turn to see Dom standing by the back stairs, his hair all messed up, and he’s in his striped pajamas.

“Got to go.”

“What are you going to do?” Deb asks.

“Fake my death is sounding good.” I hang up and walk to Dominic and take him in my arms. “Good morning, my special little guy.” He holds me close for an extended time.

My favorite thing in the world is the morning hugs that my children both give me, it’s as if they haven’t seen me for a year.

Lucia walks out sleepily; she’s carrying her teddy and is all crumpled and sleepy. I bend and hug her next. “Where’s Dad?” she asks casually.

My world spins on its axis.

Dad.

Suddenly, I feel overemotional. I’m going to screw this up for them. This is going to go bad between us and he’s going to leave them and it’s going to be all my fault.

“He’s still sleeping.”

“Can we watch cartoons?” Dom asks.

“Sure.”

“Can we have Pop-Tarts for breakfast?”

I’m having tequila.

“Why not?”

They settle in on the couch and begin to watch their shows as I try to come up with a crisis-management plan.

Okay…I think long and hard as I stand at the sink, looking out the window over the lake.

What now?

This doesn’t feel right. I don’t feel elated or on a high or even remotely excited.

All I can sense is dread. A weighted heavy blanket of oncoming doom.

“Good morning.” I hear Gabriel’s smooth voice from behind me.

“Hello,” Lucia calls.

“Hi,” Dominic grumbles.

I close my eyes as I feel his two hands slink around my waist from behind, his lips drop to my neck. “Good morning.” He pumps his hips into me and I feel his erection underneath his clothes.

“Stop.” I pull out of his grip.

“What’s wrong, hard night?” He chuckles. “Bit tired and grumpy today, are we, angel?”

“Oh my god.” I make two more cups of coffee. “Can you…not?”

“Not what?” he teases, he has that naughty twinkle in his eye.

“Be so…” I widen my eyes as I search for the right word… “overbearing.”

“Impossible.” He pulls me close and kisses my lips. “I just had the best night of my life and am officially walking on air.”

“Drink your coffee,” I mutter dryly. “You’re creepy like this.”

“That was so…” His eyebrows flick up as if he’s imagining something. “Insanely hot last night. Wasn’t it?” He puts his lips to my ear. “My mouth waters just thinking about it.”

“Stop it,” I whisper as I pull away from him. “We need to talk.”

He sips his coffee as he gives me the look. “Are you sore, because my cock is.”

“I doubt that, your dick is as match fit as they come.” I look around guiltily. “Listen…that can’t happen again.”

“What do you mean?” He smiles, thinking this is some little play-hard-to-get act.

“You and me, it has to end…it’s no good.”

He chuckles and grabs me roughly by the behind and pulls me close. “This is just the beginning, and you’re a bad liar, because it was so fucking good.”

Knock, knock, knock, sounds at the door.

“Someone’s at the door,” Dominic calls just as he opens it.

“Hello,” a woman’s voice says.

“Hi,” Dominic replies.

Gabriel’s face falls and he rushes into the living room.

Huh?

I walk out to see a beautiful woman, she has long dark hair and perfect bone structure. Her face screws up in tears when she sees Gabriel across the room in only boxer shorts and my heart stops.

Oh fuck…

Ariana.