8: Chapter 8

MARCO

Marco was in the office with his dad the following week, going over some tax stuff, when Roberto turned to him with a determined look on his face. “Care to tell me how long you’ve really been seeing Ryan?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” said Marco, then winced. He had never lied to his father before.

“We spoke two months ago,” said Roberto, “and you weren’t seeing anyone then.”

“Maybe I just didn’t want to say anything,” he tried.

Roberto smirked. “She’s a wonderful woman. I doubt you would’ve held back about her. Unlike some of the other women you’ve seen in the past, I might add.”

“Fine.” Marco knew his father had him. “We met at the masquerade ball, were drunk, and ended up in my room. She left the next morning before I woke up. I looked for her; it took two months to find her, and when I did, she told me she was pregnant.”

He held his hand up to keep his father from interrupting him. “Yes, we did a paternity test, and yes, it is mine. I’m not going to run away from this responsibility, and I really like her. She’s not after my money, Papa.”

Roberto nodded. “I know she’s not; she’s got plenty. You’re not the only one who knows how to do their homework on people, figlio.”

“Can you please not tell Mamma about this?” he begged.

“She’s not going to think any less of you.”

“I know, Papa, but I don’t want her thinking less of Ryan.” Some part of Marco knew that she wouldn’t. But he couldn’t bear to take the chance.

“Things happen,” said Roberto calmly. “We’re just glad that you’re being responsible for the consequences of your actions.”

“Of course I am.”

“Marco,” said Tony, poking his head through the door, “your three o’clock is—oh, hey, Roberto!”

Roberto grinned and gestured him inside. “Tony, ragazzo mio, come stai (my boy, how are you)?”

“Non posso lamentarmi (Can’t complain).”

Roberto laughed. “Very true. Will you be coming over for dinner Sunday?”

“Of course.”

“Excellent, excellent.” Roberto grinned back and forth between Tony and his son. “Tony, I’ll see you then. Marco, I’ll leave you to your meeting. And son…don’t be too hard on yourself or your girl, okay?”

He was gone before Marco could think what to say to that.

Tony, meanwhile, rubbed his hands together. “Looks like I’m finally going to meet the baby mama who has you all twisted. Meet her properly, that is. You already had me chauffeuring her around.”

“She has a name, stronzo (asshole),” said Marco, and flicked him on the shoulder on his way out.

On the way to the conference room, he pulled out his phone to text Ryan.

Marco

Are you working this Sunday?

It took a while for her to respond, and he didn’t see it until he was finished with his meeting.

Ryan

until 5 why?

He smiled at his phone.

Marco

My parents have asked us to dinner. We can talk more about it at home.

She didn’t respond, but a checkmark confirmed she had seen the message.

At home that night, Marco changed into jeans and a T-shirt and set about making stuffed shells, garlic bread, and a salad.

Ryan smiled at him over the food and agreed to come to the dinner with his parents on Sunday. Marco loved how domestic everything felt between them these days.

He caught her yawning several times before she apologized for it. “Sorry, haven’t been sleeping well,” she said, not meeting his eyes.

“Is this little guy keeping you up?” he asked, rubbing her stomach. She still wasn’t showing, but he loved touching her there, imagining the baby growing inside.

“No.”

He started to worry. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah.”

He considered her for a minute. Then, “I haven’t been sleeping well either,” he admitted.

She smiled. “I know it’s not this little guy keeping ~you~ awake. Is everything all right with you?”

He nodded. “I don’t want to sound like a creep or anything, but I enjoyed sharing a bed with you.”

“Oh! I did too,” she said, moving closer to him.

“Is that why you’re not sleeping well?” he nudged.

“I think so,” she said, nodding. “I felt safe with you.”

Marco could tell there was more there. But for now, he didn’t press. “You are safe with me; I’d never hurt you.” He rubbed her arm. “I also wouldn’t turn you away if you crawled into my bed here.”

“Thank you.” She looked up at him. Their mouths were mere inches apart.

He twirled her hair around his finger. “Can I kiss you again?”

She nodded, and he closed the gap between them, cupping her face for a very sensual kiss. He did his best to convey his emotions through the way he moved his lips, the way he caressed her neck, the way he slowly laid her back on the couch.

His hand slid beneath her shirt, gently caressing her skin as he deepened the kiss. He broke away when they both needed air and pressed his forehead against hers. “The things I want to do to you.”

“I wouldn’t say no,” she whispered.

“Are you sure?” he asked, sitting her on his lap. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel pressured.

“Yes.” Her voice was what convinced him. All desire, no hesitation.

He stood, his arms under her ass, and began walking to his bedroom to lay her gently on the bed. She tossed her shirt on the floor, and he let out a low groan when he saw she wasn’t wearing a bra.

“So perfect, kitten,” he said, adding his clothes to the floor and then kissing his way down her body, making sure to give each breast the same amount of attention.

He sat back on his haunches on the floor and pulled her yoga pants and panties off together. Then he knelt, his hands holding her hips down, her legs over his shoulders, and slowly pushed his tongue inside of her.

She tasted even better than he remembered. He couldn’t get enough of her.

“Oh God, Marco,” she moaned.

Growling, he flicked his tongue in and out quickly as he rubbed her clit with his thumb. He moaned when her walls tightened, and he was hit with a gush of juice.

It was all too hot. He needed to be inside her.

Standing, he positioned himself at her entrance, teasing her with his tip before slowly entering her. “I’m not going to be able to last very long, kitten,” he warned through gritted teeth.

“I don’t care.”

He pulled out and slammed back into her, harder and harder each time. Her walls clenched around him, and they came together.