Madison was emotionally exhausted, and the wine had made her eyes heavy. She allowed Cory to lead her to his huge bed. He pulled back the covers to down-filled pillows and soft sheets. He tossed her a tee shirt and she stripped down to her panties, pulling his shirt over her head. She climbed in bed beside him and allowed him to cradle her in his arms. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
54
Shade felt the heavy veil of the death slumber slip away, as he became aware of her head on his shoulder, and her silky hair spread across his bare chest. He slid his hand down the curve of her back and across the firm roundness of her ass. He squeezed softly and felt her respond with kisses on his shoulder and neck. As the baby inside her grew, he knew she wouldn’t lie in this position with him much longer, and he’d spoon with her, instead. He opened his eyes and reveled in her beauty.
The electronic blinds went up as the lamps on the nightstands turned on, and he knew, tonight, he must face Cory and Madison, but for this moment, he was alone with his woman. "Sometimes, mi amore, the best part of my day is waking up because it is so quiet, we are alone, and I feel you next to me."
Kate stretched slowly as she lay next to him. "I love sleeping next to you. I feel like it’s the only time we have alone anymore."
Chuckling, he rolled on his side and kissed her neck. "Mmm, it’s only going to get worse. There will be two sets of feet following behind us soon. But don’t worry, we will make time."
He breathed in the scent of her, relishing these last quiet minutes together. "I have to meet with Cory and Madison. I instructed Luca to make sure she didn’t leave until I came out of my death slumber, and I have no idea her state of mind. I seriously think you need to be with me. Madison will be calmed by your presence, and we need to see what the outcome is going to be. Thoughts?"
Kate caressed his face. "Shade, be gentle with her. This girl loves your son, and she wasn’t eased into this situation. Please don’t harm her if she decides she can’t follow this path. There must be a way. Can’t you try to erase her memory?"
He shook his head. “Her exposure was too long. She’s known Cory for month’s now and erasing a memory only works for short encounters. I will do my best, mi amore. I don’t want this to go badly for either of them. Cory loves her, and he would never forgive me if I hurt her. I can feel that. There is a lot at stake. I may have to take a chance and trust her, and I don’t like taking chances when it comes to my familia. If she wants to leave, I can assign someone to her. She would know they are there and that would be a deterrent. Let’s see what they have to say, how their night went.
“She is not just a pretty face, she is smart, and she thinks before she speaks. She is honest, I felt that too. She is strong-willed, and she is not going to do anything she doesn’t want to. So, let us go see."
He kissed her as she slipped from the bed and grabbed her robe, knowing Lorenzo was well aware of their schedule and would come knocking at their door any minute.
Kate asked, "Is there anything specific you need from me?"
Sitting up in the bed, he watched as she wrapped the silk robe around her body, the fabric clinging to her curves, and he wished they had more time. He wanted to pull her back in the bed with him. "You know, mi amore, that is a loaded question. I always need you. But, it is already too late. I think I can hear someone running like their ass is on fire, heading straight for this door."
They heard the tapping on their bedroom door and both answered. "Who is it?" It was a game they played with him every morning, only Lorenzo answered in all seriousness, "It's me, Lorenzo!"
Shade winked at bel as he quickly grabbed his jeans and pulled them on. "Lorenzo who?"
"Daddy. Your son, Lorenzo Medici!"
Kate smiled as she pulled a sundress from the closet and stepped into a pair of sandals, listening to the game as it played out the same every morning. "I wonder how old he'll be before he figures this out?”
Shade threw back his head and laughed, as he grabbed her quickly, kissing her with enough passion to move mountains before their privacy was invaded. "Oh yes, that Lorenzo. Please, do come in."
Before he finished the sentence, his son bound through the door and leapt straight for the bed, catapulting himself in one huge bounce straight into his father’s arms. Shade looked at Kate and shook his head. "So, tell me, little warrior, did you behave today, or did you drive Theresa crazy?"
Lorenzo spoke animatedly, "I played in the dirt, and Tressa made me take a bath, and I saw Cory and his girlfriend walking around. They went to the stables to ride. I was going to go too, but Tressa said no, not this time. I went to see Skelk, and he helped me some more with fire, and then I played in the tree house. Can you make me a bigger pirate sword? I broke the other sword when I dropped it out of the tree. Then I went swimming in the outside pool, and Uncle Luca and Aunt Shannon watched me swim under water. I can hold my breath a long time, Daddy. Then Tressa said that was enough and made me take a nap, and now, here I am."
"Well, you have already had a very busy day, little warrior. And we most certainly need to get you a new sword. A warrior always needs his sword. So, I have something to tell you, Mommy and I must speak with Cory and Madison tonight, alone. No interruptions. So, you need to listen to Theresa, if you do not, no new sword. Deal?"
Lorenzo looked crest-fallen. He hated not being able to be a part of whatever his father was working on. "Okay Daddy, but if you need me just call me, okay?"
Shade held him tight and kissed his cheek, running his hand through the ruffled mop of curls. "Well, let’s go downstairs and see Cory and Madison together, they are probably eating dinner in the kitchen. And since your brother eats like a horse, let’s hope there was enough food for Madison. Then you can come back up with Theresa, settle down and do some reading. Theresa tells me you are very advanced in your reading skills."
As Lorenzo clung to his father, he held out his tiny hand to Kate. "Mommy, are you ready to go downstairs?"
Kate took his hand in hers, as Shade lowered him to the floor, holding his other hand as they headed for the stairs. She reminded him, "Don't forget, Lorenzo, your tutor starts this week. His name in Enzo, and he used to teach your daddy when he was a little boy at Castello. I have your schoolroom all ready for you. You'll have some time set aside every day for classes, and Enzo will live in the staff quarters with Gi."
Shade smiled as the memories flooded through his head. "Enzo, haven’t seen him in centuries. He is a great teacher, Lorenzo, you will learn much from him, but you must be as great a student as you are warrior. Education is very important, especially the Medici history and no one knows it better than Enzo."
As they reached the ground floor, Lorenzo took off for the kitchen screaming Cory's name. Shade took Kate in his arms, kissing her. "That boy asks more questions than you. You ready for this, my queen?”
Kate laughed. "I hope Enzo knows what he's getting into. Come, let's see what's going on with Cory."
As they walked into the kitchen, Lorenzo was sitting on top of the bar in between Cory and Madison, blabbering away about his day. Shade watched as Cory's eyes locked with his, and he knew his son was a ball of nerves. Madison quickly stood up from her bar stool when they entered. She looked nervous as well.