Derek sighed, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “You’ll have to excuse her. She’s a little blood-thirsty.”
“And you came all the way from North Carolina?” I asked Joe’s mom.
“Andrew called them,” Joe answered. “They just showed up, ready to battle it out.”
“Hey, I just came because she dragged me along,” Joe’s dad said. “I could be back in North Carolina right now drinking a beer and enjoying a few days without my wife nagging me.”
We all walked to the multiple vehicles that were parked in the driveway, but Joe stopped me. “Is there anything you want from inside?”
I looked back at the house and shook my head. “There’s not a single thing I want from here.” I looked down at my finger and pulled off the wedding ring and band and tossed them into the grass. I hoped they got run over by the lawn mower.
Joe
I thought about taking my truck to get her, but I figured it was only right that this story ended the way it started, with her on the back of my bike. She held out her hand with a grin. “Knife?”
I smiled and pulled it out, opening the blade, but I didn’t hand it over. I reached for the side of her dress and sliced the dress almost all the way up her thigh.
“Damn, I was hoping he would do the whole dress like last time,” Andrew whined. Eric slapped him upside the head for me. “Ow!”
“So, what do you want to do now?”
“I want some food. Like, a lot of food.”
“I can do that.”
I put the helmet on her head and strapped it tight, then got on my bike and grinned as she wrapped her arms around me. Nothing had ever felt so right in my life. I started the bike and followed my brothers down the driveway. The entire ride home, Sofia held on to me, rubbing her hands up and down my chest. I half thought about pulling over and walking back with her, just so I could have her alone in the woods again, but I knew she was hungry. I could tell that she had lost weight over the past three weeks. It was evident in her clothes, but also on her face. If I hadn’t come, if Andrew hadn’t followed his instincts, what would have become of her? I had never been so grateful to have such a great family at my back.
As we pulled back into town, we parked outside the diner. Before we could go in, I just needed to hold her for a minute. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me, kissing her hard. I heard the catcalls and cheers, but I didn’t care. I had her back, and that was all that mattered.
“I love you,” I said quietly as I rested my forehead against hers.
“I love you too.”
“Now, that makes a great video,” Andrew grinned. “The town is gonna love this.”
I laughed and took Sofia’s hand, walking with her into the diner. I could tell she was starving and asked the waitress to bring us a basket of bread right away. My woman was done being hungry.
We all took our seats and Sofia immediately started asking everyone what she had missed while she’d been gone. When the waitress arrived, I ordered a shit ton of food, and didn’t miss the way she was already devouring the bread.
“I still can’t believe you guys all showed up.”
“Well, we’re family. That’s what we do,” Andrew answered, holding his fist in the air. He glanced around the table and sighed. “Seriously, why is it only cool when Derek does it?”
“Because he’s actually been to war,” Eric retorted.
“Well, I would like to welcome Sofia back,” Kat said, smiling at us sincerely, “and I would also like to congratulate the two of you on a very special addition to the family.”
I smiled, finally letting it sink in that I was actually going to become a father. I wrapped my arm around Sofia and pulled her in close. I couldn’t believe I had her back. Everything was perfect.
“And Eric and I also have an announcement.”
“Another wedding?” I teased.
She grinned at Eric and then turned back to us. “Actually, no. Not for at least another year.”
“What?” Ma asked, completely shocked. “Why would you wait a year?”
“Well, I have to make sure I can fit in a dress.”
“Are you planning on eating a lot that you need a year to take it off?” Andrew asked in confusion. “Maybe we should take away this giant stack of pancakes,” he said, reaching across the table, only to have Eric swat his hand.
“Oh my God,” Ma cried. “Are you pregnant?”
Kat smiled, nodding slightly. “Three months along. We didn’t want to say anything right away.”
Ma screeched and jumped up from her chair, rushing around to first wrap Sofia in a hug and then Kat. “I can’t believe this. Two grandbabies. This is so amazing!”
“Well,” Anna cleared her throat. “Since we’re all sharing…”
Ma’s mouth dropped open and we all started laughing. “Three?” she whispered quietly.
Anna nodded. “We didn’t mean for it to happen, but…well, you’re going to have three grandbabies.”
Ma walked over to Anna and wrapped her in a hug, whispering something in her ear. The rest of us weren’t privy to what was being said, but it was obvious that Anna was trying to reassure her. Ma had interfered when Anna got pregnant in high school. She never came out and said it, but I could tell that it ate away at her. She had changed the course of their lives and tore them apart unnecessarily. I glanced over at Robert, wondering if he held any resentment, but it was clear that he didn’t. He held himself accountable for his choices.
“Well, this is just the best day ever.”
“Yeah, now I just need to get her to marry me,” Robert smiled, kissing Anna on the cheek.
“Well, you’re not gonna get her to marry you with a kiss like that,” Ma huffed.
“I doubt kissing is the problem,” Will muttered. “She is pregnant.”
Ma waved him off and turned to Derek and Claire. “Claire, do you have something to share?”
“Like what?”
Ma looked at her expectantly. “Ma,” Derek cut in. “We’re not having any babies yet.”
Ma’s face dropped comically, but then she perked up and turned to Charlie. “What about you?”
“Me?” She snorted and hid her face. “I’m sorry, but your son just convinced me to move in with him. That won’t be happening any time soon.”
“Carly?”
Ma’s voice was so hopeful, it was almost sad.
“Sorry, but Alessa isn’t even a year old yet. No more babies for me for at least another year.”
Ma took her seat with a happy sigh. “All my sons happy and three grandbabies on the way.”
“Hey, what about me?” Andrew said indignantly.
“Oh, we’ll find you a nice girl, someone that can take care of you.”
I glanced up as the table stilled. Jack was standing close by, his son Brody holding his hand. He was wearing his sheriff’s outfit. He was back. Suddenly, all the excitement of the day left the table as the gloom of Jack’s situation settled over us.
My dad, who never spoke two words, stood and walked over to Jack, resting his hand on his shoulder. “It’s good to see you. I’m so sorry about Natalie. We all loved her.”
Jack bristled in irritation, but just nodded to my dad. “Looks like you’re celebrating.”
Ma smiled hesitantly. “Sofia, Anna, and Kat are all pregnant.”
Jack nodded slightly. I was afraid he might say something shitty, but it wasn’t like Jack to be rude in front of my parents. They weren’t even here for anything that had happened. “Congratulations.” His voice cracked as he looked at all of us, and I almost thought I saw tears in his eyes, but they were gone in a blink. His eyes lingered on Kat, and we all looked over to her, wondering why he was staring at her. Kat stood and walked over to him, wrapping him in a big hug. It was heartbreaking to watch, and surprisingly, Jack didn’t pull away.
When she stepped back, Jack looked down at his son and then nodded to us. I wasn’t sure if that meant he forgave us or if h
e was just being polite because my parents were in town.
“What was that?” Sofia asked.
“I’ll tell you later.”
But once Jack was seated at his table, it was impossible to get the air of excitement back. It wasn’t even fifteen minutes later that we all left. Not that I minded much. I had been away from Sofia for three weeks, and the last thing I wanted was to spend the day with my brothers and my parents.
Sofia
Joe swung the door to our apartment open, smiling as we stepped inside. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, taking in the familiar smells.
“If you’re trying to smell dirty socks, you won’t. We did laundry yesterday.”
I laughed, still not opening my eyes. “It smells like home.”
His arms wrapped around me from behind, engulfing me in his warmth and love. Just earlier today, I was depressed as hell and wanting an escape from life. Now I was back where I belonged and everything was right in the world.
“I’m sorry I didn’t realize what was really going on,” he murmured in my ear.
“It’s okay. I wanted it that way. I was so scared that he was going to destroy your business.”
“Hey…” He spun me in his arms and kissed me lightly. “I would give up everything for you. I would have rather known what was going on than ever see you look like that again.”
“Like what?” I asked, though I was pretty sure I already knew.
“Robotic, lifeless…like they had taken everything from you. I never want to see that dead look on your face again.”
“I doubt that’ll happen now that I have you back.”
I hugged him tight, just soaking up everything about him that made me love him and this life so much. I felt like if I let go it would all disappear and I would be back in that damn mansion.
Joe’s hand slid down my waist, gripping my hip tight. “I need you, Sofia…”
His hot breath fanned out across my ear and I gasped. “I need you too.”
His throaty chuckle sent shivers down my spine. “No, I mean I need you to get out of this damn dress. I want to see you in flip-flops and shorts again.”
“Yeah? Would you like a shirt with that too, or would you prefer that I just stand in shorts and flip-flops?”
“Well, as much as I love seeing your tits, maybe that’s not something I want everyone else to see.”
He suddenly scooped me up, his hands holding me under my ass as he walked toward the bedroom. He kicked the door shut and laid me down on the bed, brushing his lips across mine. I thought he might take me hard, but instead, he went slow, kissing me for what felt like hours. The only time his hand strayed was when he slid it down to press over my belly.
“God, I missed you so much. I can’t believe I almost lost this,” he murmured, kissing his way down to my belly. He slid my shirt up, just enough to spread kisses over my belly. “I would have never forgiven myself…”
I grabbed his head and forced him to look at me. “Let’s not think about that. I’m back and that’s all that matters. We’re going to have a family,” I grinned.
“And another four after that?”
He pressed another kiss to my lips, his breath picking up as he slowly slid his hand up my thigh.
“Four more?”
“I want a big family with you.” His tongue slipped in my mouth and his fingers slipped under my panties. He groaned, his hips jerking against me. “I’m gonna put at least four more babies in you. Maybe five. We’ll see.”
“Can we afford that?” I asked, afraid to think what that would even cost.
He suddenly stopped kissing me and looked me deep in the eyes. “I may not be able to give you everything you’ve ever dreamed of, but I’ll give you everything that really matters.”
I smiled, pressing my hand to his cheek. “I know you will, and I’ll stand by you through it all.”
His lips crashed down on mine and his fingers started sliding through my wet folds. I gasped and started moaning, every sound getting louder and louder as he pushed me higher. He tore his body from mine, and then he was pressing my thighs apart as he yanked my underwear from my body. His mouth pressed against my clit, sucking me hard as he fucked me with his fingers. I was writhing on the bed, screaming his name as he made me come over and over again.
And that’s when I heard it, the sound of moaning coming from the other room. I sat up and brushed my hair out of my face. “Is he seriously watching porn again?”
Joe chuckled and tried to push me back down on the bed, but I wasn’t having it. “Just leave him.”
“No, he’s not ruining this with porn.”
I stormed for the door. “Andrew, if you think porn is going to-“ I flung the door open only to slam it shut again. I pressed my back against the door, flushing red by what I just saw.
“Is he out there with a woman?”
I nodded, covering my face in embarrassment.
Joe busted out laughing, walking over to me and prying my hands from my face. “Don’t be embarrassed.”
“I saw his ass!”
“Better than some of the other things you could have seen.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“So…do you want to see if we can outdo them?”
I bit my lip and laughed as he picked me up and tossed me gently back on the bed. Within minutes, I was on top, riding him hard as I cried out. Joe even joined in, throwing out a few fucks and goddamnits. But it wasn’t until I was coming down from the last orgasm that there was finally quiet in the other room, followed by Andrew shouting, “You’re welcome!”
Also by Giulia Lagomarsino
Thank you for reading Joe and Sofia’s story. You can read more about The Cortell Brothers in the next book, coming in March, Tangled Web!
Are you a new reader? See where it all began with the For The Love Of A Good Woman series. And continue with some of your favorite characters in the Reed Security series! Or follow the individual links down below!
Did you start in the middle? We’ve all done it! Find your place in the series and start from there! There’s no need to question which book to start with. These books are best read in order. All books are available in Kindle Unlimited! For The Love Of A Good Woman:
Jack , Cole, Logan, Drew, Sebastian, Sean, Ryan
Not ready for those characters you love to disappear? You can catch them again throughout the Reed Security Series! These men and women are strong, sexy, and willing to fight for those they love. Sometimes, they fall right into love, while others need a little more convincing. Don’t miss out on this exciting series!
Sinner, Cap, Cazzo, Knight, Irish, Hunter, Whiskey, Lola, Ice, Burg, Gabe, Jules, Sniper, Jackson, Chance, Phoenix Rising, Alec, Storm, Wolf, A Mad Reed Security Christmas, Rocco, Coop, TNT, Nightingale, Parker, GoodKnight
The Cortell Brothers
Maintenance Required, Collateral Damage, Wanted Dead Or In Love, Textbook Approach, Priceless Ink
Priceless Ink: A Small Town Romance Page 33