Mila (Heartbreaker #3) (12 page)

Chapter Twelve

Mila

It’s been two months since Brian and I got back together, or whatever you’d call it, since we weren’t really officially together in the first place. The gallery has been crazy busy now that we’re in the throes of wedding season. The weather is hot and humid, which is apparently typical for Midwestern summers. I love my job, but the downside is that my weekends are usually busy, so Brian and I try to spend as much as time as we can together.

I’m driving toward the gallery to work a wedding reception, wearing our standard uniform: white button-up dress shirt tucked into a black pencil skirt and black Mary Janes. When I pull into the parking lot, I check myself in the rearview mirror. My hair is pulled back in a loose bun, my make-up is light, and my lips are painted red.

Once I’m inside, I put my purse in my locker and my phone on vibrate. I tuck it into the pocket of my black apron. My sister-in-law is due any day now. Soon I’ll be the auntie to another, I’m sure, beautiful niece. It’s so funny to watch my brother in nesting mode. He was in rehab when Nicola was born, so he’s all over Jill with his soon-to-be baby girl Martine Bianchi. Jill acts irritated, but I can tell she loves it.

Gaia is never far from my thoughts. My mom called, worried about her because she had disappeared for a week a couple of weeks ago. Nico and I both tried to reach her with no luck and then she turned up acting like she hadn’t just disappeared for a week. Mom’s worried, but until we can convince Gaia to get help, there’s nothing we can do.

I shake off those thoughts, paste on my smile, and head out to get to work. With a bottle of champagne in my hand, I walk around the garden, refilling champagne flutes and chatting with guests as they wait for the bride and groom to show up. So far, the crowd is friendly and the tip jar is full.

When the party starts to die down, myself and the other servers split the tips. I head into the locker room and take off my apron, sticking it in my locker and grabbing my purse. I send a quick text to Brian to let him know that I’m leaving. I ask him if he is coming over to my house or am I coming to his. Over the past two months, some of my stuff has migrated to his place and his stuff to mine. I even gave him a key.

We seem to be moving at warped speed, but it feels right. For once in my life, I’m hopeful for the future. At night, snuggled up in bed, we’ve talked about our options if the day comes that we want to have a family. Brian’s hope is to do the foster-to-adopt program. If and when we are ready to take that next step, we want to give a home to a child who needs one, just like Brian’s parents did for him.

Brian texts me before I’m even out of the parking lot, telling me that he’s already at my place. I go home, smiling when I see Brian’s car in my driveway. I shut the car off and am greeted by my man looking sexy as ever. He’s in a pair of flannel pants and a t-shirt. His feet are bare and he’s wearing those damn glasses that turn me on every time.

“
Amore mio,
I missed you.” I wrap my arms around his neck, accepting his kiss. “Mmmm…you taste good.”

He drags me inside. “I made you dinner.” He moves me toward the kitchen and sets me down at my breakfast bar. “It’s only grilled cheese and tomato soup, but it’s better than nothing.”

“It looks wonderful,
grazie
.”

I dip the cheese-filled bread into the creamy soup. A moan escapes my mouth as I bite into it. I’d never had one of these before until I moved here to St. Louis. Brian says it’s an American delicacy. I inhale my dinner and then wipe my mouth off.

“That was so yummy.”

“Good. You know my cooking repertoire is limited.”

It’s true. He’s good at cooking the little stuff, but I’m usually the one in charge of cooking the more complex meals. I guess you could say I’m the stereotypical Italian that knows how to cook.

“
Si
, I know, but I love you any way.”

We both freeze when we realize what I just said. That’s one thing that has scared me the most in the past couple of months—actually saying the words out loud. I feel them, I swear I do, but we were supposed to take things slow. The only time he’s said it was when we were in California because again, we were supposed to take it slow.

Brian grabs my chair and turns it until I’m facing him. He grabs my chin and tips my head back until I’m looking into his eyes. I could just drown in those dark brown orbs, but instead I cup his cheek. I drag my thumb back and forth against his cheek and all I see and feel is love from him. How could I have let my fear pull me away from this before? He has the look of a man who would die before ever hurting the ones he loves.

“
Amore mio
, my love. I love you so much and it terrifies me.”

He bends down, kisses my lips slowly and tenderly. “I love you too,” he whispers against my lips. He pulls me to stand between his legs so he can fully wrap his arms around me. No more words are spoken, but that’s okay. We don’t need to say anything. I can feel his love for me and I hope that he can feel my love for him.

***

“Mila, everything looks beautiful.”

Jill wraps her arms around me and kisses my cheek. It was a last minute decision to throw her a baby shower, but with Nicola she was on bedrest throughout the last part of her pregnancy and I wanted her to have one with baby girl Martine. It was an easy decision to make it a co-ed shower because Nico wasn’t around with Nicola, so I wanted to make sure he had the full daddy experience. We kept the guest list small: Jill’s parents, who are in town; Gabe and Jasmine; Jasmine’s brother, Jordan, and Jasmine’s mom; Jill’s co-workers, and Brian.

Nico let me use one of his party rooms in the restaurant he’s running, so his co-workers have been popping in and out. I look around and realize I may have gone a little crazy with pink. The room is filled with pink streamers, pink balloons, and pink plates and cutlery. Everyone has a little baby bottle at his or her seat filled with candy. Poor Brian helped me stuff them the night before.

“Are you sure it’s not too much? It looks like pink threw up in here. I promise, no games.”

Jill hugs me one more time before going over to her mom. The waitress who’s helping take care of us brings out hors d’oeuvres. I thank her and then place them on the food table.

“Mimi!”

Turning around, I see my sweet little niece running toward me with little Gabe running behind her. She launches her chubby toddler body at me and I scoop her up into my arms.

“
Ciao
,
bella ragazza y bel ragazza.
”

I place her down and then pick up Gabe, smooching his chubby little cheeks. After I set him back down, Nicola grabs little Gabe’s hand and they run over to play with the balloons. The kids seem to be the entertainment because all eyes are on them as they bat at the balloons, squealing as the balloons hit them in the face.

That ache in my chest is ever present as I watch the kids play and then as I watch Jill and Jasmine with their swollen bellies. With a sigh, I look away and head over to the food and fill a plate for myself.

“Are you okay?” Brian asks as he wraps his arms around my shoulders, giving me a reassuring squeeze.

“Yep, I’m good.” I give him my best fake smile and hope he buys it.

“You’re not, but you know I’m here for you.”

He kisses my forehead before going to talk to Nico. I need to put on my big girl panties and get over my shit. Taking a deep breath, I shake my negative feelings off and go back to enjoying the party.

After we’re done eating, everyone sits around
oohing
and
ahhing
as Jill opens all of the gifts for the baby. Jasmine’s writing down all of the gifts and who gave them while Nicola sits on the floor between Jill and Nico, helping open the gifts. Martine is going to be the most fashionable infant.

As Nico and Jill finish opening gifts, I start cutting and plating the cake. I get the babies a piece of cake and set it down in front of them. They both shovel it in at an extremely fast rate, causing a giggle to escape past my lips. “
Lento, lento
. Slow down.”

“Yummy!” Nicola holds her fork up in the air, shouting. Gabe yells what sounds like cake. The kids are so close in age. I hope, even though they’re just cousins, that they’re close like siblings.

Nico wraps his arms around me when he stands up to get a piece of cake. “I will never be able to thank you enough for this. You’re the best. Is it still okay if you take Nicola home with you for a little bit?”

He’s asked me to look after my niece for a little while because he wants to go home and pamper Jill—give her a massage, paint her toenails, and just relax. Yes, my brother is that sweet.

“Of course. We’re going to go to Brian’s house.”

Speaking of Brian, I see him talking to Jasmine and can’t help but smile.

“I’m really happy for you. You know that, don’t you?”

“
Si
, I love him.”

The party disperses a short time later. Brian and Gabe help Nico load up all of the presents while I load Nicola in Brian’s backseat. Jill sticks her head inside, saying bye to Nicola. Nico does it next, and then they both hug me.

“I’ll call you when I’m on my way to get her,” Nico tells me before leading Jill to his SUV.

***

I wash the last of the dishes before heading back out into the living room, where Brian is lying on the couch with Nicola sleeping on his chest. Earlier, Nico called and asked if she could stay with us tonight since Jill started getting sick. Of course, I told him yes and sent Brian to my place to get the playpen and diapers.

We had a lot of fun, and Brian was so good with her. She squealed her baby girl squeal while he chased her around his house. I was a little hurt that Nicola was all about Brian, but I knew the feeling because I’m all about him too.

I made us homemade macaroni and cheese, which Nicola gobbled up.

“Here, let me take her.”

I pick her up and carry her down the hall to his spare bedroom, where I have the playpen set up for her. As soon as I lay her down, she rolls to her side and pops her thumb in her mouth.

When I step back into the hall, I hear Brian’s light snores coming from the living room. I tiptoe down the hall, lean over the back of the couch, and find Brian sleeping soundly. I move to the front of the couch and take his glasses off, setting them on the end table. His eyes crack open.

“Come here.” His voice is thick with sleep and he moves to his side, making room for me to lie down with him. I snuggle up to him so we’re chest to chest. He curls his arms around me and I borough under his chin.

It doesn’t take long before I fall asleep.

I wake to the sound of happy chatter. Sometime in the night, we moved to Brian’s bed, where we both fell right back to sleep. Brian’s side of the bed is empty.

I climb out of bed and throw on the robe he bought for me to keep here. The chatter is coming from the kitchen, where I find Brian cooking at the stove and Nicola playing with some pots on the kitchen floor.

“Good morning,” I say as I pick Nicola up and kiss her. With her on my hip, I go to Brian. I tip my mouth up to get a kiss and wrap my arms around his waist. It looks like he’s making bacon and veggie-filled eggs.

“It smells delicious.”

“Thanks, baby. Grab us some plates.”

I set the table and grab us both a glass of juice. We eat breakfast and wait for Nico to come get the princess. He called not too long ago to tell me he was on his way. He said that Jill was feeling a bit better and wanted some Nicola snuggles.

With the house to us again, Brian picks me up and throws me over his shoulder before moving to his bedroom, where he throws me on the bed, then follows me down.

Chapter Thirteen

Brian

Tonight Mila says she’s making me a romantic dinner. It’s been a week since Jill’s baby shower and Mila and I have been helping with Nicola. Jill’s blood pressure has spiked and she’s been retaining water. Her doctor ordered her to remain on bedrest until she goes into labor. To be honest, I love having Nicola around. I figure it’s great practice for when Mila and I hopefully have children of our own.

Jasmine and Gabe are keeping Nicola tonight, so Mila wanted to do a date night. I pull into my parents’ driveway and wipe my sweaty palms on the legs of my pants. I’m telling my parents that I plan on proposing to Mila soon. Today, while I was working, I’d driven by a little family-owned jewelry store. I put a deposit down on a princess-cut diamond on a platinum band.

I get out of my car and make way toward the front door, knocking once before opening the door. I find my mom walking out of the kitchen. “Hi, baby. What brings you by?”

I kiss her cheek before following her into the kitchen, where my dad is reading the paper. “Hey, old man,” I say, slapping him on the back.

“Hey, son. How are you?”

“Good. Sorry to stop by unannounced, but I wanted to let you know that I put a down payment on an engagement ring for Mila. I just wanted you to know I’ll be proposing soon.”

My mom’s excited squeal fills the kitchen as she grabs me and pulls me into a big hug.

She was thrilled when Mila and I got back together. My dad, on the other hand, has been a little more hesitant. He doesn’t want me to get my heart broken again. It’ll take time, but he’ll come around.

“I’m so happy for you, honey.” After promising to tell my mom the moment I do it, I head out. I’ve got a home visit to get to.

I pull up in front of the Stevenson’s house and grab the standard checklist for new foster parents. This is the third time I’ve met with this couple, and whichever child ends up with them is going to be a very lucky child. They’re both teachers at a private catholic school. They’re just like a lot of the couples I’ve worked with. They were just unable to conceive, and they couldn’t afford to do a lot of the expensive testing and procedures.

Susan meets me at the door with a huge smile on her face. “Hi, Brian! Is today our surprise home visit?” She holds the door open as I step inside.

“Yes it is. I’ll just do a walkthrough and look through the room that you have set up for the child.”

She talks my ear off as I go through the house. Her nervous energy is palpable. I’d be more worried if she acted like this was no big deal.

The room they set up is gender neutral because they didn’t care what the sex of the child is. Hopefully they won’t have to wait long for a child. How long adoptees have to wait at the beginning of the process is the only part that isn’t guaranteed.

While I’m finishing the inspection, her husband Tim comes home. “Well, everything looks great. They’ll be in touch when they have a child for you.”

We go over some more paperwork and I have them sign a few more forms. I’ll come back once a child or baby is placed with them.

I tell them good-bye and head back to the office to file the paperwork. The best part of my job is placing kids with great families, especially when the placement becomes permanent.

***

When I get to Mila’s, I find her at the stove, stirring something that smells like heaven. I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her right behind her ear.

“Hey, baby. What’s this? It smells delicious.”

She turns her head to kiss my lips. “It’s cavatelli with pork ragu. Will you open the bottle of wine?” she asks as I kiss her once more.

I drink my glass of wine while I watch her at the stove. She told me she’s been cooking since she was little and it certainly shows. She’s very relaxed, and I notice that she smiles while she cooks too. Even when I’m cooking the smallest, easiest thing, I’m always one step toward a freak out, but not her. She even wears a little apron while she cooks, and all I can think about is fucking her in nothing but that apron and heels.
Maybe another time,
I think to myself.

She tells me that she went to see Jill today. “Brian, she looked miserable. She’s pale, and her hands are so swollen she had to take her rings off. Nico is freaking out and hovering over her, which is probably making her even crazier. Jasmine was bringing Nicola over to visit her for a little bit because Jill misses her like crazy. Her due date is in two weeks, so hopefully she has her sooner rather than later. Monday I’m going to go sit with her while Nico goes to work for a little bit. I thought I’d bring her some books and maybe a couple of those adult coloring books so she can keep herself busy.”

“That sucks, babe. I’m sure that’s got to be hard, being away from her daughter. Well, whatever you need from me, let me know. I do admit I’ll miss not having Nicola around. I love that little girl.” I take a sip of my wine.

“I know. I love having her around too.”

Mila turns down the stove and sets the table, refusing me when I try to help. She even lights some candles. I’m not sure what the special occasion is, but I’ll take it. I fill our wine glasses and take them to the table while she brings out the serving dishes. She kisses me before I pull out her chair for her.

My first bite is like heaven in my mouth. The sauce isn’t over powering and the meat is so tender, it melts in my mouth. This woman can cook pasta like no one else.

“This is so good. You’ll have to make it again,” I tell her as I shovel another bite in. I should be using better manners, but damn, this is just too good.

“I’m glad you like it. This is one of my mom’s specialties. There’s plenty of extras, so I’ll put some away for you to take for lunch.”

Together we clean up the kitchen and then she tells me to stay in the living room while she disappears to “take care” of something. I sit down on the couch, watching TV while I wait for Mila to do whatever it is she’s doing.

“Brian! Can you come here? I’m in my studio.”

I make my way toward the studio, and when I step inside, I freeze. Candles illuminate the entire room, the floor is covered by a tarp, and Mila is standing in the middle, completely naked.

“Wow!” I feel my cock twitch in my pants. “What’s all this, baby?”

“I was reading one of my romance novels and there was a scene that involved the hero and heroine, paints, and nudity. I thought that this could be a way for me to share my art with you.”

She pulls her lower lip into her mouth with her teeth. First, I pull off my shirt, then my pants and socks and shoes. I leave my boxer briefs on for now and step further into the room. She’s holding two paintbrushes, and I notice there are cups of paint on the floor. Soft music fills the room, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything sexier.

“This is incredible, baby.” I move further into the room and notice paper in the middle of the tarp.

“That’s the canvas. You’ll see what that’s for in a little bit.” She instructs me to kneel in front of the canvas and she kneels next to me. “I want you to do whatever it is you want,” she tells me as she pulls her hair up into a bun on top of her head. I grab her and pull her close, kissing her slowly, thoroughly.

I pick up my brush and dip it into the red paint. It’s not an easy decision where to paint first. I paint a heart right over where hers is. She does the same. My body jerks a little because the paint is a little cold.

“Sorry,” she whispers.

My turn again. I dip my brush into the yellow and draw a big yellow sun on her stomach. Little goose bumps pop up all over her body as I finish it.

Back and forth we go until every inch of our skin is covered. I really want to photograph her right now. She looks fucking amazing, very exotic. I inch toward her until we’re almost touching, wrap my around her waist, and pull her until her body is pressed against mine. Her body is slippery against mine as I ease us down onto the canvas.

Our lips meet in a slow glide, and I gently lick at the seam of her lips until she opens to me. My tongue brushes against hers as her legs wrap around my hips. I knead her breasts, pinching her nipples until Mila’s back arches up off of the floor. Even with my boxers on, I can feel the heat coming from her pussy.

I slowly rock against her core, which causes a moan to rip from her lips. “Mila, you are so fucking beautiful. I love you.”

She responds to me in Italian. I don’t know what she’s saying, but it sounds beautiful. She grabs my boxers, shimmying them off of me until my cock springs free.

“Turn over,” I whisper into her ear. She does what I say and the sight before me has come leaking out of the tip of my dick. Her ass is round and firm and her hips are the best spot for my hands to go. I push her legs further apart, line my cock up, and bury myself to the hilt.

Mila’s head flies back as she cries out, “Yes!”

I grip her hips and begin to pound into her at a brutal pace. Her cries spur me on as I drape myself over her back, reaching around her to first pinch her nipples and then haul us up so we’re both on our knees. Her tight channel squeezes me as I thrust up into her.

One of my hands is wrapped around her waist. I lightly wrap my other hand around her throat. “Are you close to coming for me?”

“
Si, si
. Oh God, you feel so good inside me,” she moans against my neck. My hand slides down until I reach the point where we’re connected. She’s so wet that when I pull my hand away, I can feel her sweet juices on my hand. I begin strumming her clit and feel her walls start to clamp down on me.

“Give it to me, baby. Come for me.”

I pinch her clit and feel her go off like a rocket. She squeezes me so tight, bringing me so much closer to my own orgasm. I move her until she’s down on all fours again as I pound into her until finally I feel that familiar tingle that starts in my balls and shoots straight up as I come deep inside her.

I pull out and collapse next to her. She snuggles in to me as my heart starts to slow down.

“Wow,” she says against my chest. I wrap my arms around her and hug her close.

“Yeah, wow,” I say before kissing her forehead. I glance down at our bodies and see that our paints have mixed together and now you can no longer tell what’s what. “We should probably shower this stuff off.”

Getting up carefully, I help her off of the ground.

“Look,” she tells me and points to the canvas. I’m stunned at how beautiful it looks. The colors look like they were purposely mixed together. “It’s beautiful,” she says as she wraps her arms around my waist.

“It is. Can I have it?” I want to hang it in my bedroom, where she and I can both see it whenever we want.

“Of course you can. I was afraid it wasn’t going to work. In the book it worked perfectly and I figured it would be fun, but would look hideous.”

We head into the bathroom, where we proceed to wash the paint off.