After he finished pouring, Edward handed her the wine. “A toast to a memorable Christmas,” he said and clinked her glass.
His eyes sparkled as he watched her while he drank. Her stomach clenched at the thought that she may actually be falling for him—possibly already had. No. She shook her head to clear such crazy thoughts. It was just sex between them. Nothing more than fantastic, rock-your-world, better-than-chocolate sex.
Who was she kidding? It was the most earth-shattering sex of her life, and lately there’d been a change in their love-making into an emotional connection she’d never felt before, even with Mario. She took a deep swallow from her wine glass.
“Does your family have a huge dinner like this every Christmas Eve?” Edward asked, leaning to the side so he could be heard over the noise.
“It’s a family tradition, going back as far as I can remember,” Kate replied.
“What exactly is the significance of the seven fish?”
“There are different views on its origin, but my grandmother once told me that the number seven stood for the number of Sacraments in the church. There’s Baptism, Penance, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.”
“What about the type of fish? Is that important?”
“I don’t think so. We usually have the same fish, though my parents try and mix up how the food is prepared. Plus, there are the side dishes that are often different. You’ve never experienced an Italian Christmas Eve dinner before?”
“Not that I can recall,” Edward said.
“Believe me when I say you would know if you had. I hope you’ve brought your appetite with you.”
He grasped her hand and pressed his lips to it. “I most certainly have.”
The smoldering look in his eyes told Kate that his appetite was for more than just food. Just sex, she reminded herself, and squeezed his hand.
Suddenly, a loud explosion of shattering glass reverberated through the room. People cried out as they jumped up from the table. Kate leaped up from her chair and ran over to push Lucas behind her. She caught a brief glance of Nick leaning down to look at whatever had been launched through the front window.
Edward pulled her and Lucas aside. “Are you both all right?”
“We’re fine. That looked like a brick that was thrown. Did I imagine it, or was there a dead rose tied around it?” she demanded.
He frowned. “I’m afraid so.”
She fisted her hands at her side. “Dammit. How dare he come to my family’s restaurant and do something like this. It’s one thing to take out his sick vendetta on me, but risking the lives of these other people is too much.”
“We’re not exactly dealing with someone playing with a full deck, now are we?” Edward said.
Meghan and Charles approached them.
“Does this have something to do with that psycho who trashed your place?” Meghan asked.
“It appears so,” Edward said.
His voice was calm, but his eyes flashed with anger and something else she didn’t recognize. Protectiveness, maybe?
He met his brother’s gaze. “Stay here while I see what’s going on.”
Charles nodded and stepped closer to the women.
Lucas squeezed Kate’s hand. “Why did someone throw a brick through the window?”
“I don’t know, baby. But whoever did it must be very lonely and sad to do it on a special day like today.” She clasped his hand. “I don’t want you to be afraid. My brother Nick is a cop, remember? He’ll take care of it.”
Lucas thought about this and nodded. “Will we still get to eat and open presents?”
Kate pulled him into a hug and kissed the top of his head. “Of course. We’re not going to let this ruin our party.”
After the police came to take pictures and statements from people, the men boarded up the window, while Kate and some of the workers cleaned up the glass. After a short announcement that everything was fine, the festivities resumed. You couldn’t knock down a family of Italians, especially with a kitchen full of food to enjoy.
****
Hours later, Edward carried a sleeping Lucas upstairs to Kate’s old bedroom. Kate had made arrangements with the orphanage to allow him to spend the night and Christmas morning with her. She hoped next year he would be a permanent part of her family.
Lucas woke while she was helping him into his pajamas.
“Is it morning yet?” he asked.
“No, it’s very late. You need to go to bed if you want Santa to come,” Kate whispered in the darkened room.
“How will Santa know that I’m here and not at St. Vincent’s? What if he forgets to bring me presents?” he asked, a worried look over his face.
Kate stroked his face. “Santa has special powers and knows where all little kids are. He found you when you first went to St. Vincent’s, right? He’ll find you just fine here.”
He nodded and got into bed.
Kate tucked in the covers and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Will Santa make you my mommy tomorrow?” he asked.
Kate’s heart lurched. “As much as Santa would like to, he can’t make me your mommy just yet. There’s legal stuff that has to happen. I’ve started the process, but it takes a while to make it official.” And tonight’s episode may put yet another delay in getting everything finalized.
“You’re not going to die, are you, Kate?”
How could she promise this child she’d be okay when she didn’t know that herself? Kate lay down on the bed next to him. “I’m not planning on dying anytime soon. Why would you ask that, baby?”
“Was the man who threw the brick the bad man from the church?”
The kid was too smart for his own good.
“We think so. He’s not a good person, definitely not on Santa’s nice list. You must promise me to never talk to him or any strangers, okay?”
“I promise. Was that bad man trying to hurt you?”
Crap, she thought. He really knew how to ask the hard questions.
“I’m not sure. My brother Nick will do everything he can to catch the bad man and put him in jail.” She took his hand. “I want us to be a family more than anything, and I’m doing everything I can to complete the adoption as soon as possible. Until then, I need your help to keep it a secret a little longer.” With multiple threats from Sal, the fewer people who knew about the adoption the better. “Can you do that?”
He nodded.
She let him snuggle against her and reveled in the sweet smell of his hair and the touch of his warm body. “I love you. Sweet dreams.” She made the sign of the cross over his forehead.
After a few moments, she looked down and saw he’d already fallen asleep. His face looked like that of an angel and her heart swelled with affection for this child, who just wanted to be loved. And love him she did, as though he were her own flesh and blood. She’d do anything to protect him—including whatever it would take to get Sal DiSilva out of their lives. For good.
Chapter Eighteen
Kate closed the bedroom door and walked toward the guest room where Edward waited for her. While standing outside the door, she tried to work up the nerve to tell him about the adoption. He needed to hear it from her but when he did, would it change their relationship? She was content with what they had and didn’t have any illusions that it would last forever. Edward didn’t do long-term, and she wasn’t looking for commitment in a man. That made them the perfect pair. But what would happen if she threw Lucas permanently into the equation?
After taking a deep breath, she opened the bedroom door.
Edward lay propped up on pillows against the headboard of the bed, a book open in his lap. When he saw her, he closed it and put it on the end table.
“Everything all right? You were with Lucas quite a while,” he said.
Kate entered the room, shutting and locking the door behind her. “He woke up when I was helping him into pajamas. Then he asked if Santa would know to bring his presents he
re.”
“Bloody hell. How did you answer that one?”
“I explained Santa’s special radar that allows him to know where all little kids are. It seemed to satisfy him.”
He patted the mattress, where beside him lay a beautifully wrapped gift. “Santa’s radar must be especially good because he brought you a gift.”
His voice held the promise of seduction, and his smoldering gaze followed her as she approached the bed.
“I thought we’d exchange gifts in the morning with the others,” she said.
“I prefer to give you your gift in private. You’ll understand why when you open it.”
Intrigued by what he would give her, she sat on the bed next to him and picked up the box. The conversation about the adoption would have to wait.
“It’s light,” she said, giving it a gentle shake.
“You’re not one of those type of people who take the paper off perfectly, are you?” he asked.
“Hell, no. That’s Meghan. I just wanted to admire it first.”
With a gleam in her eye, she ripped off the paper. She slowly lifted a corner of the box before tossing the lid onto the floor. Inside lie the most exquisite red lace bra and panties she’d ever seen. Accompanying it was a completely sheer peignoir in a matching color.
“You’re right, definitely not a gift to open in front of my family. It’s gorgeous.”
“Will you wear it for me tonight?”
She grabbed the lacy material and leaped off the bed. “Only if you close your eyes.”
The material fell lightly against her skin, as though she wore nothing. She stared at her reflection in the dresser mirror, knowing she’d never owned anything quite as luxurious. Before returning to the bed, she reached into a bag and set the wrapped iPad she’d gotten Edward on the mattress.
“You can open your eyes now.”
He didn’t speak, but his eyes communicated his appreciation as they traveled down her body, admiring every bit of her sexy attire and what lie underneath. She turned so he could view the back and gave him a flirtatious smile over her shoulder.
“Do you approve?” she asked, when he remained speechless.
He got off the bed and reached for her hand. “You’re magnificent. But there’s something missing.” He reached under the covers and retrieved a long jeweler’s gift box.
Her breath caught when she saw the signature blue Tiffany packaging.
“Open it,” he urged.
With unsteady hands, she removed the satin bow and opened the lid. Nestled inside lay a ruby bracelet with diamond accents. Surrounded by white gold, the rubies sparkled against the perfection of the diamonds.
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Oh, Edward, it’s amazing. You shouldn’t have.”
He removed the bracelet and fastened it on her wrist. Even in the dim light of the room, its brilliance shone.
“The moment I saw it, I knew it was perfect for you.” He trailed a hand up her stomach to her breasts. “Besides, I needed something to match what you’re wearing.”
She laughed. Leave it to Edward to buy an obscenely expensive bracelet to match lingerie.
“I love it. Thank you.” She kissed him, long and slow, trying to convey how much he meant to her, even though she didn’t fully understand it herself.
“Your turn to open your gift,” Kate whispered against his mouth.
“I’ve been waiting all night to do that.” With one quick motion, he untied the peignoir and flicked open the front clasp of her bra.
Her full breasts spilled into his hands and he kissed her, more urgently this time. They were both breathless when he lowered her to the bed.
“Wait, you didn’t open your present.” She broke away to reach for something underneath her.
As much as he loved presents, she was better than any gift he could have wished for. He moved the box to the dresser, stripping off his boxer briefs on his way back to the bed.
“Later. Right now, you’re the only present I’m interested in unwrapping,” he said in a husky voice.
She lay on her side, her gaze moving with noticeable appreciation down his body. His cock twitched when her liquid chocolate eyes settled there. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders and almost covered her breasts, taunting him underneath the parted material. Looking at her on the cusp of passion was a beautiful sight, and at this moment, one he could get used to looking at for quite some time.
He took his time teasing her through her clothes until he finally slid the panties down her legs. She was gasping by the time he licked inside her and it didn’t take more than a few strokes of his tongue before she shuddered against his mouth.
She still trembled when he slid inside her.
“I need you, Kate. Need you so much,” he murmured against her mouth.
The longer they were together, the more his unwavering yearning for her surprised him. Never one to allow emotions to guide his sex life, he was, however, used to the pulls of physical desire. But what he felt for Kate went beyond lust. He needed to possess her mind, her heart, her soul, just as she had done to him.
“I need you, too,” she gasped and rolled on top of him, pinning his arms over his head.
Her movements slowed and she pulled up until he was barely inside her. She rubbed her clit against his tip, causing a moan to escape his lips, and thoughts of possessing her to slip from his mind. No, at this moment, she owned him.
Unwilling to let her take complete control, he thrust deep inside her when she arched her hips forward. They continued the slow tease in and out, all the while staring into each other’s eyes.
Something was different this time. The heat between them still burned, begging to be released, but her need extended from his and they moved as one entity, in complete and perfect unity.
With his breath ragged and sweat dampening his forehead, she increased her tempo and moved wildly above him. He could barely hold back his own orgasm, but held on, focusing only on the heat of her brown eyes.
“Come with me,” she panted. “Now.”
He grasped her hips and pumped up into her slippery heat, and with a cry he didn’t at first recognize as his own, came harder and longer than he ever could remember. He took her mouth and swallowed her cry when she came with him, both in a spectacular flood of need.
Still shuddering with the intensity of his climax, he pulled her close and for the first time in his life felt complete and utter contentment.
****
Gentle hands awakened her, stroking her breasts and moving slowly down her body, until they reached the vee of her thighs. Even in sleep she wanted him and her body was already wet and hot for him.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered in her ear.
As much as he’d aroused her, before they got too much further distracted by sex, she needed to talk to him about Lucas.
“Merry Christmas. Listen, there’s something I’ve been wanting to talk with you about,” she said, trying to force her mind not to think about the hard pressure of his erection against her backside—no easy task. She turned to face him.
He rubbed the light scruff of his beard against a nipple before teasing it with his tongue. She melted a little bit more. Then he tugged the hard bud into his mouth and she forgot her own name.
“What did you want to talk about?” he whispered, moving up to her neck before claiming her mouth in a slow and seductive kiss.
Her body wrestled with her mind, and beat it, hands down. Unable to stop herself, she reached for him, rubbing her thumb across the tip of his penis, feeling the damp moisture that beaded across the top. She parted her legs to allow him to slip his fingers inside her. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember what she wanted to talk about. At this moment, nothing seemed as important as the pleasure they were bringing each other. She arched against his hand, now buried deep inside her.
She frowned and heard his low curse when there was a rattling of the doorknob followed by a knock at the door.
“It’s probably Lucas,” Kate whispered.
“Tell him to go away or else Santa will take away his gifts.” His voice was light, but his eyes were intense as he rubbed his penis against her.
She gently pushed his shoulder. “That’s terrible.” She looked over at the clock. “It’s barely six. No one will be awake for at least another hour.”
“You’d better break the news to him and get back in this bed.”
Kate put on a robe and hid the sexy red lingerie in her suitcase, before opening the door.
“Merry Christmas, Kate,” Lucas called while jumping up and down. “Santa came. I peeked downstairs and saw presents under the tree.”
“Merry Christmas, baby,” she said, pulling him into a hug. “It’s early and no one else is awake. Why don’t you go back in your room for another hour? I’ll come and get you when it’s time to get up.”
“Can I open one present now? Please,” he begged.
“Sorry. House rule is that everyone has to be awake to open presents,” Kate replied and remembered how much she hated that rule as a child.
“That’s not fair,” Lucas said with a pout.
“Why don’t you go into the bedroom and watch the telly for a little while. Maybe you’ll fall back asleep,” Edward suggested.
“I’m too excited to sleep. Can I lie in bed with you?” Lucas asked.
So much for Christmas morning sex. Welcome to the world of being a mom. “Why don’t you run to the bathroom and then you can come back in here.”
“Thanks,” Lucas practically shouted and sprinted off to the bathroom.
Kate closed the bedroom door and tossed Edward his boxer briefs. “You’d better put these on.”
He glowered at her. “You do realize he completely played you.”
She sighed and sat on the bed next to him. “Yeah, I know. But I remember being a kid and having to wait until a certain time to open presents. It was torture. The least we can do is keep him company.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll make it up to you later.”
“I’m counting on it, luv.”
****
Kate poured her second cup of coffee and removed the pancake mix from the pantry. Although they had snacked on Christmas cookies while they opened presents, it was time for a real breakfast. She pulled out a frying pan and started cooking the bacon.
Untangle My Heart (Tangled Hearts) Page 20