Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
What the hell is going on here?
Chapter 40
Beautiful Love
Carleen
I have butterflies in my stomach as we pull up to the huge house. It’s unbelievably gorgeous. The backdrop, the design of the house itself. I feel like I’m in a movie.
On the drive here, my breath was taken away, but this house. My God, it’s stunning. I envy the summers Dario got to spend here.
“Welcome to Cosa Di Lorenzo,” Uncle Lucas says. “Go on in. I’m sure Dario is waiting. I’ll get your things inside.”
I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress. I wish I had time to freshen up before seeing Dario. I shake the thought off, hoping he’ll come freshen up with me, I hurry to the front door.
Pushing open the heavy doors with the wrought iron inlay glass, I step inside. The foyer opens to a massive staircase. I look up to the top right as Dario comes into view with his head bent over his phone and one hand in his slacks pocket.
My lips part and I take in a deep breath. He looks gorgeous. He lifts his head and his face transforms as he gives me a breathtaking smile. He smiles so wide; his ears lift with it.
The dark-blue suit, crisp white shirt, fitted vest under his suit jacket, and the way his hair is blown away from his face, everything about him has me weak in the knees.
He takes me in for a beat. When his gaze drops to my stomach, he’s in motion. He jogs down the stairs smoothly, while putting his phone in his pocket.
I take a few steps to meet him as I snap out of it. Dario palms my face and devours my lips. My entire being relaxes. He smiles into the kiss as he deepens it.
“You’re here,” he says against my mouth.
I run my fingers through the hairs at his nape. He brushes his thumb over my lips. I’m completely lost in his eyes. They are so bright as he stares at me.
He reaches for my hand and gently tugs me over to a decorative mirror on the wall as he fingers the bracelet he gave me. Stepping behind me, he palms my stomach as he looks at our reflection.
“It’s real. My baby is in here. I’ve dreamed of this.” He pinches my chin between his fingertips to lift my face.
He gives me the sweetest forehead kiss. As he stares into my eyes, he skims the back of his finger over my jaw, down my neck, down between my breasts and over my mound until he reaches my nipple, where he brushes his thumb back and forth.
He then palms my stomach once again with his other hand and places a soft kiss to my lips. “You two mean everything to me. I love you.”
I fight back my tears. Hearing those words over the phone, was so much different from him looking into my eyes while he says them.
“I love you too.”
He kisses me breathless. I turn in his embrace and wrap my arms around his neck. He holds me tightly, as if I’ll disappear. I know the feeling. I tighten my hold on him, pushing a hand into his hair to hold him close as he consumes my mouth.
“Come, let me get you upstairs before Nonno finds us fucking in his foyer. I need you.”
I bob my head in agreement. I can’t find any words or proper thoughts after that kiss.
Dario
I can’t believe she’s here. Carleen is so beautiful. The purple dress she has on gives her a sexy but innocent look. I can’t for the life of me reconcile this woman with the killer Jace and Gio described.
She’ll never have to experience such things again. I swear, I’ll protect her and this baby with my life. I’ve never desired anyone the way I desire to be inside her right now.
“I’d planned to feed you first. If you’re hungry we can have dinner now,” I say, remembering myself.
“Food can wait. I ate on the flight. I’m starving for you,” she replies as we reach our room.
I open the door and let her through first. I slip inside right behind her, before someone can come looking for me. Closing the door, I pull out my phone and start to play the song that comes to mind as I look at her.
Michele Morrone’s “Beautiful” fills the air. I move to toss my phone on the nightstand and shrug out of my suit jacket. Carleen sits on the bed and starts to take off her shoes.
“No, allow me,” I say and kneel before her.
I unfasten the cute little flats and place them down on the floor. Placing my hands on her calves, I slide my hands up her legs, pushing her dress up as I go.
“You’re so beautiful. You’re glowing. My baby is growing inside you. I’m in complete awe of you.”