Cabin Fever

by Shani Greene-Dowdell et al.

  “I know—”

  “Act like you know. It’s hard. There are times I wanted to leave Marti on the side of the road or sell your cousins, but I didn’t. I chose family. Don’t let them alter your life. It’s your choice to be the best husband and father you can be.”

  “Husband?”

  “Did you think I’m going to allow her to have that baby as anything less than a Girelli? Make it happen or your ass will be the next one I kick.”

  His statement makes me chuckle, although I believe him. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Now, live your life. Once you meet your child, you’ll find out that you’re normal because the love you’ll feel is damn near suffocating. Trust me. I have to go hug my little assholes and their children now.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Of course.”

  Talking to him always makes me feel better. I put my phone down, knowing I’ll meet a pair of chocolate eyes the moment I turn around. Elissa has been awake most of my conversation. And while she doesn’t understand Italian, my body language and damp eyes tell her all she needs to know.

  “It finally hit you, eh?”

  I smile at her and kiss her forehead. “No. It hit me when you told me. But, the child has seven to eight months to get here. My dick had a more immediate need.”

  My attempt to lighten the mood doesn’t remove the worry on her face.

  “Is it that bad? Did the thought of having a child make you cry, or is it because it’s with me?”

  I don’t like her train of thought. Grabbing her chin, I force her to look at me.

  “Don’t ask me bullshit like that again. Understand?” Elissa’s own tears start and fuck, it hurts my feelings. “Earlier, I’d wondered if I’d be happier if I got someone other than you pregnant.” She gasps, but I hold her close to keep her from trying to run off. If she wants to hear my thoughts. She’s about to get them. “Not for the reasons you think. I was wondering if it’d be easier to have a baby with someone I didn’t love.”

  “Are you saying you love me?”

  “Yes. One of the reasons I came was to tell you I love you.”

  “This is a fucked up delivery, Luca.”

  “So, be quiet and listen.”

  Elissa huffs but does what I say. I think it’s because she wants to see where my story is going. Otherwise, I feel she would have eaten me with her words.

  “I have shitty parents who are only capable of loving each other it seems. I don’t know if they do really love each other, or if they’re so self-centered they see their reflections in each other.”

  I close my eyes and sigh. I don’t feel like discussing them, but Elissa deserves to know. She needs to understand.

  “I’m the product of two selfish people who only had enough care in their bodies for one person…” Hurt and anger choke up my words, but I push through the pain. I need to cleanse myself. “And neither chose me. Everything they did was for each other, and I was an afterthought. I was raised more by my uncle—the man I was just talking to right now - and his wife. They’re more like my parents than my biologicals. To my parents, I wasn’t their child to love; I was a duty and part of life. The moment their sentence was up, they were off to see the world, only stopping by for their cut of the empire I had to build. They threw the fucking family business at me at nineteen. I had to balance being the boss and getting a business degree to learn how to run the damn thing. But, my aunt and uncle showed me the love I was missing."

  Elissa hugs me tighter as she listens to the rest. “I was terrified to fall in love because I didn’t want to be like them. I feared I’d have the selfish desire to ignore everything but the woman I loved. Then, I realized I’d fallen for you and was willing to come to Canada if I needed to...just to make it work. I started to wonder if I was doing the same thing. I decided to just fall and see where it goes. You being pregnant sounded like the realization of my biggest fear. My insecurities flared and made me worry if I had enough love in me for you and the child, so I talked to my uncle.”

  She dabs my face with a tissue. “What did he say?”

  The question brings a smile to my face. “He said. Yes. My parents are shitty, but suck it up, marry you, and raise our child, or he’ll kick my ass.”

  Elissa giggles at his advice. “I like him. Marry me?”

  “Yeah, he said that child is not coming out of anyone other than a Girelli.”

  “You and your uncle just assumed I’d go along with this?”

  Turning on my side, I squeeze her ass. “Get used to it.”

  “But what do you want?”

  I look at her, and I feel calm after my low-level panic attack.

  “Right now, I want to play with your pussy.”

  Chapter 22

  Elissa

  I know Luca is attempting to lighten the mood after dropping heavy information about his parents. I’ll allow it for now. Besides, the way he’s kissing me like I’m his lifeline means he needs this more. I’ll give him what he needs, but our conversation isn’t over. I love him, too, but I won’t be marrying him just because I’m pregnant. We’ll need a better reason. I’m not going anywhere.

  He pulls me on top of him and guides himself inside of me. We moan like we’ve waited for years to reconnect. It feels so perfect, especially since I know he loves me. The memory of his words makes my heart swell with emotion.

  Luca sits up and cups my cheek to rest his forehead against mine. His other hand grips my hip to hold me still. We stare into each other’s eyes as much as we can in the dark. Breathing him in, I try to commit every detail of this moment to memory. It’s perfect. He kisses me softly as he whispers his confession in the dark.

  “I love you, Elissa.”

  I feel like my heart is capable of exploding. We start moving again. Each pass brings the thoughts I wanted to shelf for later to the front. I dip my fingers in the brown waves I love so much and pull them to get his attention.

  Kissing him hard, I taste him until we both need to breathe. Still gripping his hair, the words inside of me escape, bleeding into this moment.

  “Your parents are broken, but you’re not. You’re whole, and you make me whole. It’s their loss if they didn’t understand how wonderful you are.” His hands grip my hips harder as I speak. Luca is increasing the pace. It feels so damn good, but I know what he’s doing. I have more to say. “Your uncle taught you that you’re worthy of being loved.” My speech is interrupted by my moans because Luca is evil. “It’s my job to teach you your ability to love. You will love both of us. I will not accept anything else.” He flips us until he’s on top and takes over. Each powerful thrust makes my toes curl. I scream my pleasure, but I'm equally stubborn. “You will love both of us,” I repeat. “Because I love you and so will our child.”

  The last of it breaks through his dam. His strong body shakes with the emotions he’s suppressed far too long. Each sob pulls the same emotions out of me. I’ll cry with him, so we can heal together.

  “Release it, Luca. We’re your family, now.”

  Lifting his head, he studies me with his tear-streaked face. I catch a few tears with my fingers before he grabs my wrists and pins them above me.

  “You want my pain, Elissa?”

  “That’s my job, baby—share the burden.”

  His trusts are harder now, as he fuck his pain and anger into to me. My eyes roll back and my legs fly around his waist.

  “Aht. Aht. Aht. Eyes on me love. Take it like I know you can.”

  I scream when his intensive thrusts cause the bed to hit the wall. “Don’t break the cabin’s bed, Luca.”

  “Fuck this cabin.”

  I chuckle through pleasure and pain. There’s my man.

  ***

  Luca is lying in bed, looking sexy enough for sin, but I have to do my author duty which doesn't include lying in bed with Luca all day and night. Still it’s hard to ignore the stirrings of arousal I feel seeing his naked torso bathed in the morning sun that's shining
through the windows. The cover dips low enough to remind me that he’s still completely nude. Ugh. Being an adult sucks sometimes.

  There’s amusement in his eyes as he watches me slide into jeans, but the serious expression he’s wearing tells me he has something on his mind.

  “Was I too rough last night?”

  “No. I’m a little sore, but we haven’t seen each other in weeks. It’s expected.” I realize what he’s asking when he studies me longer. “The baby should be fine. It’s not even the size of a pea yet.”

  “Should be?” He sits up more, far too serious for early morning.

  “Well, yeah. The first trimester is tricky. Like, I could miscarry for no rhyme or reason.”

  The scowl deepens on his face. It’s cute that he was concerned about his capacity to love, hours prior to this conversation, and now, he looks like he wants to fight biology. “But, if it makes you feel better, we can be gentle or not have sex at all.”

  Now, Luca frowns like I’m crazy. “Gentle it is.”

  I laugh as I button my jeans and start making sense of my hair. Had I known Luca planned on blitz attacking me, I would have braided it down and worn a wig. My phone rings. A video request. Only one person calls me like that.

  “Luca? Answer my phone please.” He shrugs and plucks it from the nightstand.

  “Hello?” He says on the video call.

  There’s a pause before the nonsense begins. “You the twat who got my sister pregnant then went galavanting all over Italy with your ex?”

  Damn, I’m glad I already told him.

  I snort but don’t have time to intervene. Those two will have to learn how to communicate eventually, anyway.

  Luca makes a face then responds. “Working, not galavanting. You must be Bianca.”

  “Don’t be ‘You must be Bianca’ ing me. Trying to charm me with your smiles, sexy Italian accent, and well-defined chest. Explain yourself, Sir!”

  Whew. That almost got away from her when she started listing his attributes.

  Luca’s confused face is adorable. “What am I explaining.”

  “You getting my sister pregnant!”

  “Oh.” Luca shrugs. “Well, I like fucking your sister.”

  “Oop!” I laugh because I know the exact face that brat just made. “Well, can’t argue with that. Carry on. Tell that heifer to call me later.”

  Luca laughs and drops the phone. “Well, she’s intense.”

  “Is intense Italian for 'natural born asshole?'”

  His laughter falls away, and he’s serious again. “Nothing happened with Alicia. She set me up.”

  I pin the last piece of hair in place and turn to give him my full attention.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Alicia is in charge of marketing for my company. We met up to put the finishing touches on our new strategy. She tried to make it personal and grabbed my hand before I started talking to the server. I didn’t want to embarrass her. We were over before I added you on social media and have remained equally as over. She’s a liar, and I called her out.”

  “That sounds awkward; what did she say?”

  Luca rises, exposing all of his nudity. “It was an attempt to make me mad enough to screw her.”

  “So, she likes it rough?”

  I can’t believe I just asked him that.

  “That’s the funny part. She doesn’t. So, I told her all the things that sound terrible to her, and she took the pictures down.”

  “You must have said some crazy shit…” Part of me wants to know what he said, but I don’t want to pry too much.

  Luca smirks, I think he’s learning how my mind works. He grabs my waist and pulls me until his lips are near my ear.

  “I told her I’m not the same man she used to screw. The beast is out. I’m not putting him back. I’d break her fucking pussy, and I wouldn’t be sorry. Then I’d let her limp away broken and abused and laugh about it. I also told her to go give her body to someone who wants to love it. I’m only interested in destroying it.”

  Shit. That sounds good to me.

  He lets me go. The look I’m giving him must illustrate how hot his words are to me. I briefly considered blowing off the day, but he smiles at me. “Not, now. You have work to do.”

  I shake my head and try to focus. “I can’t believe she didn’t like it.”

  “After my warning, I asked if she was still obsessed with my dick and wanted me to break her. She hung up in my face.” Luca winks at me on the way to the bathroom. “I knew you’d like it though.”

  I grab my items and prepare to leave, but Luca calls my name before I open the door.

  “Yes?”

  “What do you want us to be to them?” He nods in the direction my event is being held.

  “Whatever you want to be,” I admit. We know how we feel about each other, but being public is another thing.

  His smile is so gentle and loving, it breaks my heart. “Official it is.”

  Chapter 23

  Luca

  So this is what love feels like. Elissa sleeps on my chest, our fingers are still intertwined, and I feel like I can stay like this forever. We can’t. We have a plane to catch. We stayed after everyone left—just us and very little contact with the outside world. No writing for her and no work for me. We made love on every surface imaginable. I was careful not to break anything else—or her—since I decided to be gentle. I’ll have to agree with those who’ve said it before me, being in love with Elissa makes all forms of sex so much more meaningful. I enjoy regular sex with her as well as the rough. It was the best week of my life. Luckily, the cabin is equipped with a full kitchen, or we probably would’ve starved. I didn’t want to share Elissa with the world.

  The last day of the conference was fun. I took more pictures with women as a 'book alpha’ than I had as just Luca. Plus, my following had increased greatly since then. I’m sure my tags are out of control, but I’m sure it’ll all be flattering when I decide to check. I’ll wait until I’m fully immersed in reality.

  “Elissa, we have to get up.”

  “Noooo,” she grumbles and rolls to the other side. “Let’s just move in.” I know it’s the 'hater of early mornings' talking.

  “But, how will we test out the bed I bought you?”

  She pops up, rolls out of bed, and disappears into the bathroom. Chuckling to myself, I set out clothes for the flight and begin packing. I thought I was horny but, pregnant Elissa is boss-level.

  We’re showered, packed, and driving to the airport in record time. I’m sad that it’s ending, but I’m curious about the future. When we weren’t making love, we cuddled on the couch in front of the fire and talked about everything our minds could conjure—except living arrangements. It felt like a conundrum neither one of us wanted to solve and decided—by some unspoken agreement—to stay in the now.

  I finally check my account once we settle into the terminal chairs and damn there’s a lot going on. As suspected, I was tagged in photos of the book cover, pictures with fans, and event photos. I stare at my favorite tag. It’s also one of my favorite moments. Elissa was wearing a white flowing summer dress but the longer I watched her mingling the more I began to picture her in a wedding dress. Surprisingly, the idea didn’t scare me; it had the opposite effect. My heart raced, and I’d felt the urgent need to touch her. Everything fell into place. Our talk made me feel better, but her in that dress, and pregnant with my child, while glowing from the happiness I'd given her, had my heart full.

  Without thinking, I’d grabbed her, cupped her face, and kissed her like I craved. The person who took the picture captured that moment, and the one when she pulled away giggling after everyone who saw it cheered.

  I left a comment, thanking her for the photo, then shared the post. Shortly after texting my uncle and aunt to tell them I’m about to board, I turn my phone off for another six hours. While I’m happy to go to Toronto, I know my need to return to Italy a few days after lurks in the background. It’s
going to be so much harder to leave this time.

  ***

  A week later

  I drop my luggage on the floor—I’ll take care of that later—and trudge to my room, leaving a trail of clothes. I’m exhausted. The flight to Italy is already long, but when my connecting flight was delayed, it extnded my trip three more fucking hours. I fall into bed wearing nothing but my phone is in my hand. 4:00 in the morning for me means 11:00 at night for Elissa. I sleepily dial her number.

  “You made it?” She chirps into the phone.

  My lips tug as much as they can. “Yes, love. I’m here.”

  “Aww. You sound so tired. I miss you like crazy, but you getting some rest is more important.”

  “I miss you, too. This sucks.”

  “It’s adulting. You’re the big boy, so you can’t hide from your company too long.” She giggles when I growl. “I just woke up from a nap. I had a crazy dream that will make a good story…”

  That was the last thing I heard before everything went black.

  ***

  I pop up around noon and groan when I realize I’d fallen asleep on Elissa. Rolling over, I liberate it from the tangled sheets to call her.

  Elissa: You snore like a caveman. Call me when you wake up. I love you.

  She makes me smile so much I’m afraid my face will get stuck.

  Luca: Lies. I’m up. About to jump in the shower. Call me when you wake up

  I want to call her once I'm decent, but I remember I'm five hours ahead again. I hate being in different timezones.

  I hear someone knocking on my door. I find Alicia waiting. Her face is blank. It concerns me for a moment. Alicia is usually ready to argue or flirting. I'm not sure how to take her when she's void of emotion.

  "Ciao, Alicia," I greet her carefully.