“The kids are asleep, and Alesso and Frank are playing COD on the Xbox in my living room.” She rolls her eyes, but I spot the faint blush on her cheeks. Although Alesso is still my bodyguard, when we are at the house, I have noticed his predilection for spending time with my sister when he’s not needed. She has denied there is anything going on, stating they are only friends, but I think she doth protest too much! Still, I don’t pry. She knows I am here when she needs to talk, and she has been through sheer hell over the past ten years.
I’m so glad that bastard Gifoli is dead. Gradually, Serena has been revealing the truth behind her marriage, and I’m sick at the things she was forced to endure.
Leo tends to stay over on the weekend, and I’m never happier than when all the family is here together and the house is filled with love and laughter. Pen and Esme visit when they can, but with Pen’s growing family and Esme’s burgeoning legal career, I don’t see enough of them.
Mom flies in once a month, but she’s crazy busy now she has taken over as CEO of Lawson Pharma. She has thrown herself into reclaiming her birthright, and I can’t recall ever seeing her this invigorated. She told Barretta, in no uncertain terms, that Lawson Pharma was done pandering to The Outfit and to go find themselves some other sucker to launder their money. Ben smoothed the transition, and Mom is restoring Lawson Pharma to a fully legitimate organization. Which means she is working nonstop and she doesn’t have much downtime.
Serena sips her wine while I pretend to sip mine, dumping some of it in the vase of flowers on the island unit when she’s not looking. “Have you given any more thought to NYU?” I ask.
“I emailed the administration, and they sent me a bunch of forms and information,” she admits.
Serena is considering a return to college. To do something she likes, this time, and I want this for her, so bad. “It’s your call, sis, but I think you should do it. You deserve to do something for yourself.”
“I don’t want to be a burden,” she says. “And I don’t want to neglect the kids.”
“You’re not, and you never could. You know you can stay here as long as you like. We love having you here.” I squeeze her hand. “You can hire a nanny, like we discussed, and you can drive in and out to the city on days when Ben’s schedule doesn’t suit yours.” I lean in closer, smiling. “Do it. Grab something for yourself.”
Her eyes sparkle with simmering hope and more than a tinge of excitement. “You’re a bad influence,” she jokes, sliding off the stool as she finishes her wine.
“I’m a good influence, and you know it.”
“Love you,” she says, leaning in to give me a kiss. “I’ll leave you to get ready for your man. Have fun.”
“Love you too, and I intend to.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m perched by the front door, waiting for Ben to appear. I heard the chopper land a couple of minutes ago, and I rushed out to welcome him at the door.
A low whistle rings out, and I spin around, grinning as Ben strides quickly toward me, with one hand behind his back. Ciro is snapping at his heels, wearing a familiar frown. There was a time Ben considered reassigning Ciro, but he has proven to be versatile and a good bodyguard. He has grown on me slowly, but he’s still a grumpy bastard at the best of times.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, Mrs. Mazzone?” my husband says, raking hungry eyes over my body-hugging little black number. He tugs on the gold-trimmed black bra strap peeking out from under the top of my dress. “Is this what I think it is?” he purrs in my ear, grazing my earlobe with his teeth.
“It is, husband dearest. I know how much you love me in skimpy black lace lingerie, and I aim to please.”
“Is it my birthday?” he teases, trailing his hot mouth along my neck as Ciro hangs back, giving us privacy. “Or Christmas?” Straightening up, he whips out a giant bouquet of roses, fixing me with one of his signature smirks as he hands them to me. “Or maybe it’s yours?”
He never stops spoiling me. The house is always full of flowers, and weekly cupcake deliveries are the norm. I bury my nose in the gorgeous blooms, and my heart feels like it’s going to burst I’m just that happy. “Every day with you is Christmas,” I say, circling my arms around his neck. “I love you so much, Ben. I hope you know that.”
“You show me in so many ways, every day. I never doubt your love, and I don’t ever take it or you for granted.” He takes my hand, pulling me into the house. “And I love you too. I don’t think you have any idea how happy you make me.”
“I’m about to make you happier,” I promise, dragging him into the kitchen.
“Wow.” He pulls me into his arms, sniffing the garlic and tomato scents wafting around the kitchen. “You cooked Mazzone meatballs, didn’t you? Damn, Firefly. Can I marry you again?”
I place my hands on his chest, gazing up at him in wonder. He is so fucking gorgeous. So sexy and protective.
And all mine.
I have to pinch myself somedays to remind myself he is mine forever and ever. That this glorious life we lead is mine. Rowan is the happiest he has ever been, and he worships the ground his daddy walks on, as do I. “I would marry you a million times, Ben, and it would still never be enough.” Emotion clogs the back of my throat as he stares at me with so much love and adoration it is almost too much.
“Hey.” His brow furrows as he swipes at the tear that has snuck from my eye. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I smile as I brush more tears. “These are happy tears.”
“Are you sure? If something is wrong, I—”
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt, worrying my lower lip between my teeth. I don’t understand why I have a sudden bout of nerves when I already know Ben will be thrilled.
Shock splays across his face. “Seriously?”
“Yes.” I nod. “I took a bunch of tests, and then Doc confirmed it.” I had to enlist Leo’s help, and from the shocked expression on Ben’s face, I know he kept his word and kept it a secret. I wanted this to be a surprise.
“Oh my God.” He lifts me up and gently swings me around. “I’m going to be a daddy again. This is the best news ever, Firefly.” Planting my feet on the ground, he wraps his arms around me as his lips descend in a searing-hot kiss I feel all the way to the tips of my toes. He makes love to my mouth, setting every nerve ending in my body on fire, in the way only he can. “I’m hungry, babe,” he says when he eventually rips his lips from mine. “And not for meatballs.”
I laugh, palming his toned ass as he cups one of my breasts through my dress. “These feel bigger. Are they bigger already?”
I roll my eyes, grinning. “You are obsessed with my breasts.”
“Fuck yeah,” he says, gently squeezing. “Have you seen yourself? You’re sex on legs, Firefly, and if I don’t bury my cock inside you within the next two minutes, I’m liable to explode.”
His words have the power to render me into a puddle of goo on the floor, and I’m already panting for him. Rushing to the stove, I turn off the heat and put a lid on the bubbling pot.
Dinner can wait.