“Maybe you should split some of that wood, too. I don’t know if there’s enough to keep the fire going all day yet.”
He looks at the massive pile of wood and frowns. “We could keep the fire going all winter with this.”
I shrug. “You should split some wood.” I feel a tingle of excitement rush through me. I want to see him doing something physical, something powerful. The idea of him bringing the axe down with his strong body has me practically thrumming with anticipation.
Leo finally figures out what’s going on and gives me a cocky smirk. He moves to the axe, ripping it free, the muscles in his forearms standing out as he does. He hefts the axe in both hands and turns to give me one last knowing look before throwing his body into the task, bringing the axe down on a chunk of wood like it owes him money. I’m surprised by how much it turns me on to see him exerting himself. He sets up the logs and splits them in one single blow every time, bringing the axe down so hard that the logs jump from the tree stump, adding to the small pile forming.
His slacks pull tight around his firm ass each time he bends to pick up more wood, and the white shirt he wears stretches over his broad, muscular back. It’s cold outside, but I feel my core heating. I just wish we had more time. If we spend much longer out here, it’s going to be too awkward to show my face inside because they will assume we were having sex. I honestly just wanted to steal a few kisses, but getting to watch him chop wood was an unexpected treat. I guess I had a lumberjack fetish and never realized it until now.
He finally stops, skillfully twirling the axe and slamming it back in the tree stump where he found it. “Think that’s enough wood?”
I grin. “Yes. I think you have plenty of wood.” My eyes wander below his waist and he smirks at me. “I should grab some kerosene from the shed incase Vince doesn’t have any inside.”
I follow him to the shed. It’s a little rustic compared to Vince’s relatively modern estate. The shed looks like something Vince might have built himself, and he doesn’t seem to be the world’s most skilled carpenter. Leo finds the kerosene and when we’re about to leave, a gust of wind slams the shed door closed. Leo pushes on the door, but it doesn’t budge.
“Shit,” he says. “It’s stuck.”
“Ha ha,” I say sarcastically, moving to try the door. I wince when I push and nothing happens. It doesn’t take long to find the problem. Vince didn’t build the doorframe to be perfectly symmetrical, and the wind must have slammed the door hard enough to wedge it awkwardly in the wood. “Can’t you just ram it with your shoulder?”
Leo looks at the heavy door and gives it a valiant effort. Each slam of his shoulder doing nothing to dislodge the door. I watch, hugging my arms to myself as I realize how cold it is. Leo notices me shivering and stops ramming the door, moving to search the shed.
“There has to be a blanket in here somewhere…” A few seconds later he pulls a old gray blanket free from a wooden chest. “It looks like a moving blanket, but it’ll do the trick. He wraps it around my shoulders, making sure I clutch it tightly closed.
“What about you?” I ask. “Aren’t you cold?”
He waves me off. “I just got done chopping a few forest’s worth of wood. I’ll be fine. Besides, they will probably come looking for us soon.”
I look helplessly around the shed. “He seriously didn’t build any windows in this place?”
Leo smirks, taking the place in. “I get the feeling that Vince probably couldn’t have added a window without knocking this whole place down on top of his head.”
I laugh, teeth chattering. “So what do we do?”
“Well,” says Leo. “They say the best way to warm a human body in cold weather is skin-to-skin contact.”
“What if someone comes to rescue us and they get an eye-full of my ass?”
“It’ll be their lucky day.” He starts unbuttoning his shirt before I can object, dragging my eyes down his chiseled body.
I lick my lips. “I don’t know, what about Roman?”
“There are three experienced mom’s in there, a former mobster, and a mob boss to kick anyone’s ass who tries something. I think he’ll be okay.”
He’s pulling my shirt over my head now as I stand motionless, torn between arousal and reluctance. I slowly put my hands on his bare back, relishing in his warmth and smooth skin. Why should I be reluctant anymore? If any man has had to jump through more hoops or show more persistence than Leo to prove he’s trustworthy, I’d be surprised. He has earned my trust, and I’ve earned the right to enjoy him. To enjoy my man, the father of my son.
“Shouldn’t we at least call for help?” I ask, but my voice is so soft now even I can hear how bad I want this.
“Go ahead, but I’m fucking you one way or another. If you call for help, you’re just going to be inviting an audience.”
He undoes his pants and rips mine down, stripping me completely naked in seconds. When he crushes his body against mine, practically tackling me to the ground while kissing me, I can’t help but agree that skin-to-skin contact is definitely conducts more heat than a blanket could. The cold floor on my back is not quite as nice, but he pauses to lay the blanket flat and then wrap it over our bodies.
He captures my mouth with a long, passionate kiss, circling my lips with the tip of his tongue before plunging it inside. His hand slides under my thigh, squeezing my ass and then spreading my legs wider for him. I’m ready for this. I’m ready to be his, to give myself over to him without reservation. When I think back to the time I’ve spent with Leo, even as far back as those first minutes we spent together in my office four years ago, I was always conflicted.
He kisses his way down my jaw, following the long line of my neck and giving me chills with his warm hands, soothing the cold from my skin.
Being with him now, I feel no conflict. Of course, I’m a little worried about the inevitability of everyone coming to look for us and finding us fucking like animals in a tool shed in the middle of November, but that might as well be background noise. The realization settles in on me with a slow force that makes my head spin. I’m committed to him. Whether he ends up sticking around or not or whether he feels the same way, I’m ready to do everything in my power to make this work, and I want it to work so badly. I think back to all the times I’ve seen him interact with Roman and how good they are together and I know I’m making the right choice. I also selfishly love the way he makes me feel, like I’m someone worthy of worship, like his greatest desire in life is to keep me safe and happy.
His mouth quickly demands my full attention as it nears my waiting heat, wiping the never-ending torrent of thought clear and focusing my world on his two, perfect lips and the anticipation of waiting for his next kiss.
75
Leo
I show her where I want her feet, nice and wide as she lays on her back so I have room to really make her squirm. Her perfect little pussy is already wet for me, glistening in the dim light.
“Fuck, I can’t believe how perfect your pussy is,” I say.
I see her lips twitch into a grin as she lifts her head to look down at me. Her large eyes take me in hungrily and I fucking love how bad she wants it.
“You’re going to want to cum so bad you’ll ride my face before I’m done,” I say, putting two fingers inside her and stroking her G-spot. She’s so tight around me, I can already feel her core clenching around my fingers as her back arches. I push her hips down with my free hand, holding her in place as I lower my mouth to suck the bud of her clit. Her body shakes against me and a strained moan slips through her clenched teeth. She’s so deep in her pleasure that her whole body is taut right now, soft thighs pressing against the sides of my head and her core clenching around my fingers.
I flatten my tongue over her entrance and clit and she takes my cue instantly, rocking her hips against me shamelessly and riding my face just as I promised she would. She presses her palms flat to the ground, increasing her pace. I have to reach down and grab my thr
obbing cock. I’ve never been so fucking hard. I stroke my dick as she fucks my face, needing to be inside her but wanting her to cum in my mouth first.
Her hips freeze as her body quivers and she cries out in orgasm. I nearly lose it and cum from how turned on I am watching her. I move my hand off my dick and take her perfect ass in both fists, squeezing hard and pressing her into my face, intensifying her orgasm.
I don’t wait for her to come down from her high before I climb back over her, kissing her deeply and making her taste herself. She’s so wet for me that my cock slides in effortlessly, her tight walls straining to fit my cock. She digs her fingers into my back as I work my full length into her, wondering at how her small frame can fit the entirety of my huge cock.
I pump into her, cupping her tit and kissing her neck while I work myself into a rhythm, angling my body so that my hips slap into her clit with each thrust. She shakes against me, breathing so heavily that I think she might pass out if she keeps it up. I love it. I absolutely love fucking her. I pull my head back to look at her face, drinking in the sweet, innocent features and the way my fat cock is turning them into something hungry and sensual.
“Fuck, I’m going to cum,” I say, shifting to pull out.
She sits up partially, gripping me by the ass and holding me into her, using her leverage to grind her hips against me and work my dick like she owns it. My back bends and my mouth opens in silent ecstasy.
“Fuck!” I groan as my cock pulses inside her, spraying my cum deep in her pussy. Holy shit. That was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. She doesn’t let go, humping herself against me until she’s done cumming, working my over-sensitive dick until I can hardly take it anymore. When she’s finished, she lets me go, scooting to sit and giving me the sexiest little smile and biting her lip.
I lean toward her, kissing her deep and then pulling back. “You’re incredible,” I say.
“Are you two done fucking in my shed yet?” asks Vince from outside.
Julia’s eyes widen and she scrambles for her clothes. I laugh, slowly redressing, but spending more time watching her beautiful body as she hurries to dress.
“We’re good,” I call out a few moments later.
“Stay back from the door,” calls Vince.
A loud crunch nearly makes me jump as the axe-head splits its way into the door, letting a shaft of dusty light into the shed. Vince knocks a few more holes before he’s able to kick the center of the door out and help us climb through.
He stops to look at the door, scratching his head once we’re free. “Maybe I’ll follow the instructions next time I build something.”
I smirk at him. “What would be the fun in that?”
He sighs. “Yeah, you’re right. There’s a kind of charm to the imperfection, isn’t there?”
Julia laughs. “If you call nearly freezing to death in a shed charming, sure.”
Vince tries to hide his grin, but fails. “Yeah, you sounded really cold in there.”
Julia crosses her arms, cheeks turning bright red. “I should go check on Roman,” she says, kissing me quickly on the cheek.
I grab her arm before she leaves and whisper in her ear. “Babe, your shirt is on inside out.”
Julia looks down, blushes even harder, and rushes off, probably to find a bathroom.
I’m left standing on the back porch with Vince, staring out at the light snowfall coating everything in sight.
“So are you in the clear?” asks Vince. The tone of his voice tells me he’s not talking about with Julia. He wants to know if I’m still going to be targeted by the Bianchis and Morettis.
“Mostly,” I say. “I was able to get in contact with the Capobiancos yesterday. Both the Morettis and Bianchis are completely crippled, and the Capobiancos have already started absorbing most of the lower level guys and a few key capos. I’ll probably never be a hundred percent sure, but yeah. I think it’s all over.”
He nods. “What are you going to do now?”
I smile to myself, realizing I’m about to admit something I haven’t admitted to anyone before. “I’ve always wanted to fly. Not like superhero shit,” I say quickly, suddenly feeling silly. “Airplanes. I used to fly these little remote controlled models when I was a kid, and I always imagined what it would be like to be the one in the cockpit calling the shots. So I’m going to find a way to fly. Maybe I’ll use some of the money I have put away to start a private charter business.”
I’m relieved when Vince doesn’t laugh. He just looks thoughtful, nodding. “Yeah, I can see you doing that. Guys like us need to find something with a little adrenaline. It’ll be good for you.”
“It’s wild,” I say. “You wouldn’t think we would end up living a life like this. It seems too good for us, you know?”
Vince nods. “You’ll get used to it.” He taps the axe he’s still holding on the ground, looking distractedly at the way the blade catches the fading sunlight. “Mostly, at least. I’ve done what I can to turn the family around, to make an organization that’s legitimate and honest. I did it for Ethan, so he wouldn’t have to grow up without a father. Maybe you’ll find something similar. The truth is, the darkness never goes away completely. There are times I feel like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, like I don’t belong.” He laughs, shaking his head, as if making fun of himself.
I can’t help wondering if I’ll be him in a few years. Rather than scaring me, the thought is encouraging. If Vince was perfectly happy in his new life I would worry, because I don’t know that I’ll ever be perfectly happy. I’ll probably never get over the urge to hurt or even kill people who threaten what I care about. The darkness that waits just beneath the surface of my personality isn’t going away. But if Vince can make it work, I can too.
“You love her?” he asks suddenly.
The question surprises me, but I answer without hesitation. “Yes.” I stop, thinking about it for a little while, maybe for the first time, now that everything has calmed down. “Yeah, I really do. She’s all I think about. Drives me crazy, but in a good way, you know?”
Vince smirks. “Yeah. I know. She’ll get you through it, man. Every time it feels like the old life is trying to bring you back in, just remember her, remember that kid of yours. If you think they’re worth it, that’ll be all you need.”
“They’re worth it.”
Epilogue
Julia
“Twins?” asks Leo. “As in more than one baby?”
Dr. Wilks laughs. “Yes. You and your wife are going to have two babies.”
I smile a little to myself, still not over how much I love hearing people say I’m his wife. I look down at the ring on my finger, watching how the diamonds catch every bit of light and reflects it back out in a thousand different colors. It has only been four months since everything happened, and only three months since he proposed, but it feels like a lifetime ago.
Dr. Wilks gives me a warm wipe to clean off the lubricant she used. She talks more, explaining some of the possible complications in giving birth to twins and other things to look out for, but it all fades to background noise.
Twins.
Roman is going to be thrilled. He hasn’t stopped talking about all the things he wants to do with his new baby, and I can only imagine how excited he’ll be to learn there will be two babies. I sneak a glance at Leo, a little worried that he might be upset, but there’s an almost comical smile on his face. I cover my mouth, laughing at seeing him so happy.
He catches me noticing and smiles a little wider, reaching to hug me tight and kiss the top of my head. “If we don’t want to end up on a reality TV show, we had better look into some powerful contraceptives after this,” he says.
Roman and I spend the evening watching Leo get everything set up at his new office. I love watching Leo here. When I first heard that he wanted to fly, I wasn’t sure if he was kidding, but after seeing how much it energizes and excites him to talk about the business and get things set up the way he wants, I know he’
s serious, and I love how happy it makes him.
Roman can’t wait until the Cessna Leo ordered comes in. I was a little surprised that Leo had enough cash on hand to just order a plane, but he cryptically mentioned that he has a comfortable amount of money put away from his previous life. We’ve moved into a modest ranch-style house about fifteen minutes from my practice and twenty minutes from where Leo’s new business is being built. My practice. I still can’t believe Ted handed it over to me. He said he had so many debts that he couldn’t afford to keep it anymore, but I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t try to sell it, and most of all, why he would give it to me.
I don’t know how, but I’m sure Leo had something to do with it. He won’t give me a straight answer when I ask though, just like both he and my mom won’t explain how her medical bills suddenly disappeared. I’m not so blind that I can’t see Leo is helping me behind the scenes, but for the first time in my life, I don’t mind being helped, not if it’s by him. He doesn’t help me because he thinks I can’t do it without his help, he just helps because he loves me, and he wants to make me happy. Whether I realized it or not, I think that was the distinction that mattered.
I finally hired the secretary our practice desperately needed and made sure we no longer see parolees. I finally love going to work again because I’m helping people who want to be helped. I’ve also been surprised by how much I enjoy running the business side of things, and it turns out I’m pretty good at it, too. I offered Lauren a job back at the practice whenever she’s ready to work again, but she seems content to keep watching Amelia and Roman. I wonder how she would feel about watching the twins too. The thought makes me smirk.
Mom’s last checkup was the most encouraging yet. The cancer may not be completely gone from her system yet, but the tumor is responding really well to treatment, and the doctors have finally started giving us encouraging predictions. The best part is seeing how much her strength is coming back. She’s more like her old self every day since she has been able to transition off the chemo to some less aggressive medicine.
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