“Kristi says you only make two things.” My tears soak into his sweater, turning the green a shade darker.
“No, I only sell two things.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Will you come by sometime, before you go?”
“I need to get my bags anyway,” I reply.
He laughs, holding me more tightly.
I wiggle around to face him and trace my fingers over the welts on his face.
“It’s better than I deserved,” he says. “I’m just lucky Kieran thought killing me might upset you.”
There’s a hopeful note to his voice.
“I don’t want Kieran going to jail for murder,” I say, brushing my fingertips across his beard.
“His brother’s a big shot lawyer I hear. Could probably get him a reduced sentence at the very least.” Vinny’s eyes close as I continue the exploration of his face.
“I suppose you’re right,” I whisper. I straighten up and gently press my lips to the corner of his mouth.
“I love you,” he whispers, the sound raw.
I wonder how long it’s been since he told someone he loved them. Has he ever? Has anyone ever said the same to him?
He’s been through hell. I’ve faced some difficult challenges, but I knew the Doyles would’ve had my back if I’d just been brave enough to ask. That was a safety net Vinny couldn’t have dreamt of.
I need to be better about asking for what I want. And I want him.
It’s as simple, and as complicated, as that.
“I love you too,” I say, running my hands through his thick hair.
His eyes flash open, like he can’t believe what he’s heard.
“I mean it.” I continue to play with his hair. “But I swear to god, Vinny, if you ever pull shit like you did yesterday, I’ll let Kieran snap your neck and we’ll feed you to Taco piece by piece.”
“God, he’d love that,” Vinny says, a slight look of horror crossing his face. “Taco’s definitely part piranha.”
“Good. Then we understand each other.” My tears have dried up, and I feel stronger and more confident than I have in years. Maybe ever.
“We do.” Vinny leans into my touch.
“Thank you for the birthday gift. I love it.”
“I love you,” he says, again. “And you’re incredibly talented, Sia. Your aunt would be proud.”
“Her family thought she had the worst taste in men,” I say, teasing him. “But Murphy cherished her. He was an amazing husband, much to their surprise.”
“He knew he had an angel, and so do I. Seraphina.”
My cheeks flush. Maybe I will feed him to Taco after all.
20
Vinny
New Year’s Eve at the Dockside. I’m in hell. One of the owners of the fine establishment had gone to Sia’s Christmas party and had asked her to help him make his New Year’s bash a little more special.
I don’t know if it gets any more special than last year’s event, which I heard offered a communal paper plate with saltines, spray cheese, and pepperonis for the low, low cover charge of twenty-five dollars.
But if anyone can top that, it’s Sia. She’d been delighted at the ask, and once her cousins had left, she’d zipped around town with Kristi again, happily putting an event together out of almost nothing. Her resourcefulness is one of the many things I love about her.
I still can’t believe she’s given me another chance, but I’m sure as hell not going to blow it. Kieran and I have an uneasy truce. He’s waiting to see if I screw up.
I don’t blame him. She deserves that protection, that care.
Facing her family on Christmas had been genuinely terrifying, but not as terrifying as the thought of losing her.
Which is why I’m in the Dockside right now. She’d told me that she’d be so busy event managing that she wouldn’t be able to spend much time with me. She knows I’m not big on giant social events, so I should feel free to skip this if I wanted.
No way I’m not kissing her at midnight.
Plus, even if she doesn’t have time for me, I can keep an eye on her. Or rather, on any asshole drunks. People have been giving me a wide berth because of my Kieran-related injuries. A few ask what happened, and I just shrug and take a swig of beer.
Sven and Kristi are here. Together. They both look head over heels for each other. When they need a break from dancing, they come over and chat with me. They hadn’t asked about my face, so I’m guessing Sia gave Kristi the CliffsNotes version.
Their friendship is fun to watch. I think we’re going to go on a double date at some point.
Brave new world.
It’s getting close to midnight. I spot Sia having a frenzied conversation with the DJ while gesturing at the disco ball. I can’t see much more than that because of the dim lighting.
Given how my feet have been sticking to the floor, that darkness seems to be serving an important function.
Also to prevent me from making accidental eye contact with the people next to me who are dry humping.
Sia finishes her conversation with the DJ and dashes over to where I’m sitting. She’s stunning. She takes my breath away every time I see her, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. Her hair is braided into a crown on her head, and she’s wearing a black strappy little dress that hugs her incredible breasts and flairs out at the waist. She’s wearing those black shoes with the red soles, and it’s been very challenging to hold to my “no erections in the Dockside” rule. She throws her arms around my neck, draping herself over me.
Her ability to show that kind of open affection, even after everything she’s been through, is inspiring.
“Hi,” she says. “It’s almost over.”
“C’mere.” I slip my arms around her waist. “You must be tired.”
I pull her onto my lap and kiss the side of her neck.
“Did you fix your disco ball issue?”
She giggles. “Oh, did you see that? DJ Nick was complaining that the flashes from the disco ball were bothering him.”
“DJ Nick looks like he hates his life,” I say, resting my chin on her head.
“He was much more enthusiastic over the phone. He hasn’t interacted with the crowd at all. Not even once. Luckily they’re too drunk to care. Can’t wait to see how he handles the countdown.”
As if on cue, DJ Nick, a man in his late fifties with slicked back hair, wearing a tuxedo t-shirt to project a level of fun he seems incapable of, takes to the microphone.
“Attention, Dockside patrons. Are you ready to ring in the new year?”
“Sounds like he’s announcing the next subway stop,” Sia says.
“Too flat to be MBTA. Their passion runs toward anger, but it’s there.”
She giggles again and presses her cheek against me.
“I said are you ready?”
No change in tone. Incredible. The crowd cheers anyway as he begins the countdown. They drown him out, and when we get to the new year, I take Sia’s mouth with mine, kissing her until we both have to come up for air.
“Happy New Year, love,” I say.
“Happy New Year.” She kisses me again, and I can’t believe my luck. I can’t believe this is happening. That this beautiful, kind, generous woman is in my arms, and she loves me back. Even after I showed her the worst of me.
In my wildest dreams I never could’ve imagined having the love of a woman like Sia.
All those terrible Christmases I’d been through were redeemed by this one, where she’d told me she’d loved me.
And I’d be sure that all of the Christmases, and all of the holidays, and all of the days in between are spent celebrating her, and what we have. Celebrating us together.
She nestles against me.
“Things here should wrap up in about an hour.”
“Good,” I say, caressing her neck. “Because I have been fantasizing about fucking you in just those shoes for a very long time now, and I’ve made that my first New Year’s Resolution.”
“Oh,” she say
s, gently rocking her hips, stroking my cock with her ass. “Well it’s very important to set achievable goals, and I think that’s a very good one.”
“Fuck, Sia.”
“Better get back to work,” she says, hopping off my lap.
So much for no erections in the Dockside.
An hour later I have her back in my bedroom, pinned up against the wall as I take her from behind in nothing but those shoes. Her head is turned to the side, her cheek pressed against the wall, as are her palms and those luscious breasts of hers. I grip her hips, absolutely pounding into her as she whimpers.
“Vinny, yes! Oh god, right there, please!”
I’m happy to oblige. My cock is so hard it’s painful, and the tight grip of her pussy on me as I thrust against her, pushing her against that wall, is making me lose my goddamn mind. When her cries increase in frequency, I angle up to hit her G-spot. She screams, immediately exploding around me, grabbing at the wall and cursing my name.
I come with her, pulling her away from the wall and sliding one arm between her breasts, holding her tightly against me through our orgasms.
I stay inside her through the spasms—her pussy, my cock—and then ease gently out of her.
She slips out of the shoes and crawls over to my bed, sliding under the covers. I dispose of the condom and climb in next to her, pulling her against my chest.
“You’re so fucking incredible,” I say.
Her hair is still in braids, so I begin pulling the pins out, dropping them on the side table. I slowly unwind the braids until her hair is loose, fanned out over the pillow. I run my hands through it, rubbing her scalp gently.
“I’m not going to be able to walk tomorrow,” she moans. “That was hot.”
“Good. That way I can keep you in bed with me.”
“Not a bad way to spend the day,” she replies with a yawn.
I stroke her hair for a while, enjoying the silky feel against my fingertips.
“When are you leaving for Boston?” I ask.
“Day after tomorrow,” she says, yawning again. “But I’ll be back.”
“Can I come with you?”
She turns onto her side so she can face me.
“Are you serious?” she asks.
“Yeah. I figure your first boat trip after nearly capsizing might be stressful, and I’d like to be there for you. And I’d like to see where you live.”
I’m probably more nervous about the boat trip than she is. That evening seems like years ago now, but though it will fade, the memory of her half frozen and half drowned won’t ever fully go away. But I could live with that as long as she’ll have me.
“I’d love that,” she says. The pure joy in her voice sends a thrill through me.
She’s worth it. She’s worth everything.
Epilogue – Sia
One year later
Martha’s Vineyard has seen its fair share of weddings, but probably none as incredible as Sven and Kristi’s.
Because I planned it, naturally.
We held it at the inn, and it was a very different New Year’s Eve experience than the previous one.
Sadly, DJ Nick was unavailable to emcee the wedding.
Vinny and I had both been in the wedding, which was fun, even though I had to wear an ugly sea foam green bridesmaid dress. Kristi had apologized profusely, but her mom insisted.
I’d burn it, but the synthetic fibers would be toxic to inhale.
The guests have all left, and Vinny and I are alone in the ballroom.
“I can’t wait to get out of this dress,” I say, reaching for his hand.
“I can’t wait to get you out of it. Once again our goals align.”
He holds my hand as we head toward the exit. I stop at the entrance and turn around, taking in the aftermath of the reception. It’d been a blast. Kristi and Sven’s families are very different, but very loving, and watching them interact was equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. Sven had cried reading his vows, and Kristi had called him a dumbass before crying too.
It was beautiful.
A crew would be in the morning to clean up and reset. I had a great, reliable set of vendors to do all the heavy lifting now. Nothing like my patchwork Christmas from last year.
Vinny and I had spent most of the winter and spring in Boston, I’d stayed in the Vineyard in the summer, and we split the difference in the fall.
It’d been easier than either of us had expected. Once we’d decided to make it work, we just did. That didn’t mean we hadn’t fought or retreated into bad habits when under duress, but we always treated each other with respect, and practiced the good habits until they began to override the bad ones.
Honest, open communication solves a lot of the problems we’d created for ourselves as individuals.
“Wedding of the century,” I say, satisfied.
“I don’t know about that,” Vinny says. I drop his hand and swat at him.
“Rude.” I brush the lapel of his black suit jacket.
He lowers down on one knee.
Oh my god.
“It’s not the wedding of the century because ours will be. If you’ll marry me. Will you marry me, Sia?”
I press my palms against my cheeks. He’s holding up a little black velvet box. I can’t believe it.
“It’s not much,” he says, opening the box.
I hold out my left hand, and he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a white gold filigree band with a solitaire diamond set in the center.
“My life has been a dream since you came into it, Sia, but a good one. Not like the nightmare I’d lived before. And I want to be your husband. I want you to marry me.”
I throw my arms around his broad shoulders. “Yes!” I cry. “Of course I’ll marry you!”
He swings me around and then sets me back on the ground.
I look down at the ring. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“Just like you.”
I stand on my toes and kiss him. “Cheesy line, but I’ll take it.”
He strokes his hands down my waist. “Speaking of taking it. Now I need to see you in nothing but that ring.”
“Look at that. More goal alignment.” I take his hand again, and we continue on our way back to his place. “Is Taco going to be our ring bearer? How does that work?”
“We’ll borrow Kieran’s robot vacuum. Kit it out. Much better work than it’s used to.”
No one makes me laugh like Vinny does, and I’m thrilled for our future together.
“I love you.” It still feels so good to say that. It’s unreal.
“Love you too, babe.” He squeezes my hand gently.
I always used to wish for miracles when I was younger. I’d wish that my parents were different people, or that I could change the past. I’d will happiness to come to me with cheerful determination. And I’m not saying that there wasn’t some holiday magic that brought me and Vinny together, but I’d learned there’s also magic in asking for what you want and actively pursuing it, rather than passively dreaming that someone will see your worth.
And things are so different now. So much better. I’m going to marry the man I love, and we’ll keep building an incredible life together. I never would’ve known to wish for someone like Vinny, and he certainly hadn’t been looking for me. But here we are: messy, imperfect, and so right for each other. Everything we wanted, even if we struggled to figure that out. But coming to terms with the ghosts of our pasts has cleared the way for the most amazing future.
But more importantly, it cleared the way for a satisfying and fulfilling present, wrapped in warmth and joy.
With a bow on top.
Naturally.
Epilogue Two – Vinny
Two years later
Sia’s on top of me, rolling her hips, fucking me while she leans back slightly, giving me an incredible show. She slides up my cock before inching her way back down. The wet heat of her pussy clamped around me feels so fucking good, and it’s taking all the c
ontrol I have not to flip her over and thrust hard and fast, my balls tight up against that gorgeous ass of hers until I come deep inside her. She’s taking her sweet time, getting back at me for the countless times I’d drawn out her orgasm.
She licks her fingertips and strokes her nipples, moaning. Her pussy clenches around me at the pleasure of it.
“Sia!”
“Mmm what?” she moans, licking her fingers again and then pinching her nipples. “Oh, that feels good.” She writhes against me, my cock sliding against her clit. Her eyes are closed, and she looks like a goddess, lips parted, auburn hair spilling over the tops of her breasts, cheeks flushed.
“You’re a tease,” I growl.
“Am I?” she drawls, gasping as she strokes her nipples and slides down to the base of my cock. “Your cock feels amazing, Vinny. So hard and thick inside me.”
“I’m going to get you back for this,” I say through gritted teeth. It’s not enough and too much at the same time.
She lets out a series of soft gasps as she continues her slow movements. “I’m counting on it.” She arches until I’m nearly out of her. “I love how you feel right here, just barely inside me. The anticipation of what’s about to come is so hot.” She moves down my shaft slightly. “And I love how you feel here, getting deeper. Filling me up.”
She pushes all the way down until I’ll fully sheathed inside her. “But this is my favorite.” She groans and sucks on her fingers. “When you’re deep inside me and I can feel every delicious inch of you.”
My cock jerks and my fingers dig into her waist.
“Sia,” I moan. “I can’t handle much more of this. Fuck.”
She opens her big blue eyes, her pretty fingers still in her mouth. “Of what?” she asks, adopting an innocent tone, before leaning slightly forward, grinding against me.
Fuck it.
I flip her onto her back, thrusting in and out, building up to a hard and fast rhythm as I finger her clit between strokes. She’s gasping, pressed into the bed, still playing with her nipples.
She’s so goddamn beautiful.
I thrust up and press her clit roughly and she cries out in pleasure. She loves it when I do that. I do it a few more times, until she’s soaking wet around me, moaning incoherently.
Hooked: A Christmas Romance: The Doyles, Boston Irish Mafia Romance Page 13