In a stupor, Hope lowered beside Antonio, molding to his chest. He pulled her in for an airtight squeeze; his palm stroked along the side of her neck. He swept a stray strand of hair from her lips right before he kissed her, the scrape of his unshaven face drawing a purr of delight.
“Did you have any luck finding things you need for the baby?” His hand lulled over her tummy.
“I had such a great day. I can’t wait—” Her voice broke as he placed a delicate kiss to her neck. “—to show you everything. I ordered a crib and a changing table, plus a matching chest of drawers. I took pictures to show you.” She whipped out her phone, surfing through photos while she went on about the day. “Guess what else happened today?”
Antonio was quiet for a beat, tracking the caress of her hand smoothing over the baby bump. Happiness mixed with a hint of disappointment. “You felt the baby kick today?”
Unfortunately, when the question slipped from his lips, the entire room was dead silent, turning what she’d hoped would be a private moment into a public one.
Three women, and their husbands, gathered around the end of the couch, hovering over her and Antonio. Vincent and Tracy shared a look between them. Hope wasn’t sure what it meant, but it was definitely something.
“Is that the first time you’ve felt the baby?” Tracy asked.
“Umm hmm.”
“Where was I? How did I miss that?” JC added.
Hope could barely stand to look at the disappointment in their eyes. “I didn’t . . . I was waiting . . . I wanted to tell Antonio first. I’m sorry.”
Reed’s broad shoulders and wide smile came into view behind JC as he circled his brawny arms around his wife and daughter. “No need to apologize. You’ve got your priorities straight.”
JC made a sound of complaint, but Reed silenced her with a kiss.
Someone patted her shoulder softly, giving it a squeeze of reassurance. Hope twisted her neck to see Tom Clemmins flashing her a thumbs up. “Partner first. It’s a good motto.”
“What about girl power? We just spent eight hours shopping, for a baby shower I might add, that makes us family now. Details, Hope, I want details.” Sarcasm twinkled in JC’s green eyes, tossing Hope a wink as Reed ushered her toward the kitchen.
The privileged smile curling at the corner of Antonio’s lips jolted her heart, turning Hope’s pulse unruly. His glorious grin was all the thank you she needed.
“You look so happy, bella.” The genuine tenderness in his tone drew heat to the surface of her skin. She could feel the blush rising as he stared at her, deliberately taking in every nuance. The pad of his thumb brushed over the dark circles under her eyes. “You tired?”
“Exhausted.”
“Come home with me and I’ll take you to bed.”
It was an offer she knew she’d never refuse.
EARLY MORNING SUNSHINE PUSHED THROUGH the bedroom window. Hope lay on her back surrounded by piles of plush bedding and fluffy pillows. Antonio sat naked, firm ass resting on his calves and feet, as he knelt between her bent legs, waiting for the phenomenon to begin.
Losing patience, he lifted the carrot from her belly, took a nibble, and returned it to the high center near her navel. It was a morning routine that was quickly becoming a habit.
He sighed.
“Hold on, hold on. Give it a few minutes. I’m sure the baby’s—” A limb, or head, or foot, some form of a body part, protruded from her taut tummy, silencing her voice.
Antonio remained perfectly still, wonder consuming every tiny muscle surrounding his wide eyes. He strummed his fingers against the tiny bulge, laughing out loud in awe when it kicked his meddling fingers. “He loves it! Maybe I’m tickling his foot. I still can’t believe how amazing this is.”
Hope’s feet wiggled back and forth. “He?”
Hunching forward, he laid a trail of kisses from her stomach to her mouth, pausing to shower each breast with adequate attention as he climbed over the top of her to grab something off the bedside table.
Gripping a sealed envelope, he wiggled his dark brows giving it a little shake. “Are you sure you don’t want to know?”
“I’m dying to know if it’s a boy or girl, but I just don’t know if I’m ready to know.”
It had been over two weeks since her ultrasound and the results were printed on a sheet of paper inside the manila envelope he held. Antonio had insisted on driving her to the doctor appointment, visiting with the elderly man who had delivered him thirty-six years ago. Most of their conversation was spoken in Italian, leaving Hope in the dark about what was being said, but it was clear by the firm handshake and hard pats delivered to Antonio’s back that the good doctor had made his own assumptions about the couple.
“Maybe I should take a peek for you.”
“You’re like a little boy on Christmas morning,” she teased, taking the envelope from his hand and tossing it back on the table. Taking advantage of the proximity of his hips to her face, she licked and kissed along his cut obliques. “I know of something else you can do for me.”
“Bella,” he groaned. “Don’t tease me like that. I told you we need to leave in thirty minutes. I have a surprise for you. Actually, I have two surprises for you today.”
“I think a quickie constitutes as a surprise.”
A quiet laugh escaped him. “I don’t do quickies.”
Adjusting herself up on one elbow, she gripped his semi-hard erection and stroked, sliding the foreskin up and down over the head. She wanted to bring his now rigid cock to her mouth, but her tummy presented a slight hindrance.
Lust assaulted her senses, striking low in her gut. Antonio had a beautiful body and she loved going down on him. Hope had many discussions with American and European friends on the topic of uncircumcised vs circumcised. Defensiveness always escalated on both sides of the penis preference with each additional bottle of wine that was uncorked. Not being the kind of woman to kiss-and-tell or fuck-and-tell or blow-and-tell, she had a tendency to keep her sex life under wraps, but she’d always enter this debate. Most stateside women claimed that an intact man was visually unappealing, but there wasn’t one thing about Antonio that she found unattractive, especially his cock. She found it very aesthetically pleasing and it felt much better during sex.
“How about a blow job?” she offered, painting her bottom lip with her tongue. Hope slid her hand down the hard length, drawing a hungry groan from his throat. “Is that a yes?”
Haste vanished from his eyes, replaced with billows of lust. Reaching out a hand, Antonio threaded his fingers through her hair and piled the mass atop her head. “We don’t have much time, bell—”
His warning lost to another groan as she wrapped her lips around him. He remained still, watching her gently nibble on the length before taking the tip into the heat of her mouth. Hope stroked the base, licking the sides with the flat of her tongue. His hips rocked in small increments, holding back his normal vigor.
Something was missing.
Hope loved going down on Antonio. The man had a gift for dominating her physically, tugging on her hair and firmly clasping her head, yet allowing her to have complete control, each riding the ridge of power.
Releasing him from her mouth, she nuzzled against him, inhaling his clean male scent. Hope glanced upward searching his eyes. “You’re holding back this morning. Is there something you’d like me to do differently?”
“God no.” He gave a sharp twist of his head, his focus glued to her mouth. The pads of his fingers traced along her jaw. “It’s just . . . the other day you struggled with it, so I was trying to make it easier for you.”
A scowl furrowed between her brows. “I don’t know what happened. Some sort of gag reflex. Damn pregnancy. I don’t normally—”
“Hey, hey, hey.” He cut her off, reassuring her concerns. “Bella, I’m not complaining. You’re the best . . . you always have been. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
The sincerity in his voice made her heart melt. T
he blip of self-doubt vanished as fast as it had arrived.
Not very often did words escape her, but she didn’t know how to explain what she wanted. She gripped his hips forcefully, mimicking his dominance, needing him to understand. “But I like it when you tug on my hair and get a little aggressive.”
She felt a shiver quake through his muscles. The cloud of grey in his eyes turned dark and tumultuous. He moved off the bed and she followed right behind, kneeling before him on the carpet. The sun warmed her bare back as her hands roamed over his magnificently sculpted lean physique and stiff shaft. He was nothing short of perfection.
Antonio’s mouth hung open with a heavy exhale, his thumb coasted over her bottom lip, opening her mouth. Her heartbeat pumped wildly in her chest. The moist heat of her breath fanned against the engorged head as he dragged it over her wet, slippery lip.
Ever so slowly, his fingers delved into the wavy locks of hair, twisting the mass into a fist at the nape of her neck. A loud moan hissed from her throat as he offered a short thrust into her open mouth, and repeated, sliding into the heat. Taking him deeper into the suction of her mouth, his grip tangled tighter into her hair, delivering the perfect amount of pressure. Hope couldn’t explain the sexual gratification, all restraint was lost, each feeding off the others pleasure. Varying her technique, she flicked the sensitive area below the head, her hand firmly gliding and twisting the base and below, taking him deeper with each controlled thrust.
“Oh, God. Bella, feels so good. Fuck, Hope, don’t stop.”
Hope dropped her hand between her legs, fingers massaging in exact alternation, stimulating her clitoris. Already on the cusp, her orgasm came effortlessly, tumbling through her in long, drawn-out spasms. Antonio swelled in her mouth, limbs straining as he thrust forward, shooting hot liquid to the back of her throat. He held her to him, his body jerking with his release.
After catching his breath, he assisted her to her feet and wrapped her in his embrace, showering her with kisses. Antonio started to say something, but refrained, guiding her to the shower.
“What were you going to say?” she asked, bemused.
“Nothing.”
“Liar,” she winked, pulling her hair up and tying it in a band before stepping under the hot cascade of water.
Antonio joined her behind the fogged glass, quickly washing his body and hers. Before she realized what was happening, he had her pinned to the shower wall, palms pressed firmly against the tile on either side of her. Hope’s amusement dissipated in the veil of steam.
“I don’t have enough time to say all the things I want to say to you—” He took her mouth, delivering a lusty kiss, slick with wetness and friction, that rocked her to the core. “—but I will say that if I have anything to do with it, and I do, you’re going to have a wonderful two days off work.”
Hope knew she looked a little rough around the edges when she exited Antonio’s car. Her hair was knotted into a loose bun at the top of her head with not a stitch of makeup on. The only hint he’d given her earlier that morning was that she needed to wear work-out clothing, so she was a little surprised when they arrived at another vineyard about thirty miles down the road from Castello Giovanni.
“What are we doing here? I figured you were going to show me a new walking trail,” she said meandering along the path from the parking lot to the villa.
Gathering her hand in his, Antonio lifted it to his lips. “I’ve arranged for us to take private prenatal yoga classes.”
Hope skidded to a halt. Antonio caught her by the elbow, steadying her wobble. A searing rush of adrenaline surged through her veins, instantly covering her body in a film of perspiration. Her fingers flew to her chest, fanning out over her breastbone, the pounding of her heart thumped against her fingers.
“Really?” she choked. Her soft voice filled with disbelief. Missing her sister came in colossal-size waves. At times, Hope felt like she was fucking drowning, sinking into the dark abyss. The undercurrent of hurt and loss was always there, like the constant lull of the sea, but occasionally the pain hit her like a rogue wave. The impact, spontaneous and unforgiving, threatening to rip her heart in two. Especially when she thought she might be disappointing her sister.
“I hope that’s okay?”
Hope’s face crumpled, swallowing back the tears. She stood there, breathless, clinging to his forearms, staring at him in shock. A dry sob burned her throat when she tried to answer. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“I would do anything for you.”
“It’s a couple’s class? You’re coming with me?” A thin thread of mania distressed her tone.
Clasping her hands, he twined his fingers through hers, lifting them between their chests. Antonio pressed a long kiss to her forehead. He brushed his nose to hers, gazing into her eyes. “If that’s alright with you? I’d like to be the person with you . . . during delivery. I know Tracy mentioned—”
“You’re really offering to go with me to have the baby?” she croaked, her voice thick with emotion. His offer brought instant solace to the fear and anxiety, the burdensome distress, she’d been privately harboring inside. Being alone had always come as a bit of a sanctuary for Hope, but the fear of being alone while giving birth, terrified her beyond words. He could only nod. Sentiments seemed to have stolen his voice.
Hope had known the man standing before her for years, he was kind and charming and powerful, but since she moved to Tuscany, it felt like she was seeing the true man behind the sexy exterior for the first time.
Maybe they both were.
Hope blinked back the wetness. Untangling her fingers from his, she leaned over her belly and flung her arms over his shoulders. “I would love that. Thank you.”
Antonio dragged the side of his index finger beneath one eye then the other. “Hope . . .” He paused as if sifting through his thoughts. “We’re a little late, we should probably head inside.”
He led her through a collection of buildings, down a long set of steps, past a gorgeous rectangular pool flanked with colorful chairs and umbrellas, to a private deck secluded by trees. A dark-haired woman sat on a blue yoga mat, eyes closed as if she were meditating. Two additional mats were rolled out in front of her along with several blocks and bolsters of various sizes.
“Ciao,” he said, waving when the woman opened her eyes. “Scusa, I think we’re a little late.”
“No, you’re right on time.” She rose to her feet, meeting them at the edge of the wooden platform, greeting Antonio with open arms.
The woman was slender and fit and strikingly beautiful. Her light brown eyes were warm and welcoming, showering Antonio with a bright smile, before turning to Hope. The instructor’s gaze casually drifted over Hope and the couple’s locked hands.
A flutter of wariness heated Hope’s chest, immediately sensing that they knew each other . . . well. Hope had mastered the art of hiding her reaction toward men, particularly Antonio, so people in the industry wouldn’t suspect they were lovers. The reason she was so good at concealing their connection was because she dissected others behaviors and avoided the same response. Judging by the awkward energy and the way Antonio stuck to Hope like glue, she’d bet money that they’d been more than just acquaintances.
“Liliana, this is my girlfriend, Hope.”
Great, just great. Hope couldn’t stop herself from shooting a little glare his direction. He draped an arm over her shoulder and pressed his lips to her temple. The heat of his grip and the impact of his smile sent her into an instant thaw.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Liliana said, her accent was thick and strangely different.
Hope zapped the wounded look from her features. “It’s nice to meet you. Your accent, is it Italian?”
Seemingly impressed, she grinned. “I speak Greek and Italian and a bit of English, so no one really understands me,” she said humorously. “We’re going to relax your mind and recharge your spirit. Let’s get started.”
After going ov
er a few details regarding Hope’s health, pregnancy, and yoga experience, she and Antonio settled onto their bolsters atop their mats facing one another. They started with posture and breathing, connecting with their breath, and each other, and the unborn baby.
“Concentrate on your breath, inhaling and exhaling together. Move as one entity. Antonio is here to support you. Every movement between you is connected.” The genuine warmth radiating through Liliana’s even tone settled Hope’s nerves. “Very good.”
Repositioning to their hands and knees, the tops of their heads almost touching, they used their partnership as a mirror to synchronize their movements. She raised one hand, placing it on his shoulder and he mimicked her move placing the opposite hand on her shoulder.
Lifting her chin, she and Antonio stared at one another. The intensity grabbed hold of her heart and she couldn’t look away. Every synchronized breath, each reassuring guidance from his strong hands, dissolved something inside her.
There was so much there, layers upon layers of emotions, revealed in his eyes. In that moment of openness, with nowhere to hide, Hope wondered how much of her feelings were being exposed. She wondered what he saw in her eyes.
Hope didn’t know how much time had passed, she’d gotten lost in the depths of her feelings as they worked through several relaxation poses. As class came to an end, Antonio sat behind her, Hope’s back against his chest, her legs crossed and eyes closed. His hands covered hers, one resting on her heart, the other curved beneath her belly. The baby rolled, changing positions, fitting perfectly beneath their hands. Wetness leaked from her eyes, running down the sides of her face. She’d never felt so incredibly connected to anyone in her life.
This baby and this man were transforming her heart.
Bringing their hands to heart center in prayer position. Saline caught in her throat as she whispered, “Namaste.”
“Ah, you did beautifully,” Liliana praised, as Hope rose to her feet. She flashed Antonio an all-knowing smile. Patting his arm, she murmured something in broken Italian. Hope could only make out a few words, It’s about time.
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