by S. Valentine
He fucked her aggressively, possessively. Every forward motion was sending her toward the release that was burning her sex, and making her clench her fists. She writhed at the intensity of pleasure. She wasn’t sure if she could take it. She fought to keep her heartbeat steady, but it was no use.
“Oh yes…” Darion groaned. “Come with me.”
The pressure built and Gabi knew she could no longer resist it. She pushed backwards, inviting him to increase the pace. The muscles in her sex tightened around him, throbbing. He slammed into her a few final times and she was gone. Her whole body trembled, and she came on a loud, drawn out moan. Darion jerked inside her, riding out his own climax. Cursing and grunting, she waited until he fully emptied himself. When he separated their bodies, she fell flat on the sofa, exhausted. He dropped onto her, and she didn’t care he was heavy, just as long as she felt the warmth of his naked body against her skin. They lay silent, catching their breath for a moment, and for their muscles to regain energy. Then Darion rolled onto his side. Gabi turned over to face him.
He wiped drops of sweat from his forehead and stared at her, love and admiration visible in his eyes. He stroked her hair gently before planting a tender kiss on her lips. When he told her he loved her, she said it back. She would never tire of hearing him say it. Silence hung in the air, and they remained staring at one another, sheepish grins on both of their faces. She loved that the chemistry and passion still existed between them, as strong as ever.
“Marry me, Gabi,” he said barely above a whisper.
She almost choked and wasn’t sure whether she’d heard right. “What?” She sat up.
“When things get tough, all you do is run. I’m not letting you run anymore.” Darion sat up also, and took hold of her hands.
Gabi wanted to be settled with Darion. Some sort of normalcy. Then in the future, children even.
“I know what I want, and that’s you. So, what’s the point in waiting?” His expression was serious, but she also noticed a hint of fear whilst he waited for her answer.
“Darion, all I’ve ever wanted is for what we have to become serious.” She squeezed his hands. “Of course I’ll marry you.”
“Really?” his voice trembled with insecurity, as if he couldn’t quite believe it. “Are you sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I marry you?”
He bowed his head with a soft chuckle, and shrugged. “I dunno. I just thought with everything that’s happened between us, you’d want someone more deserving of you.”
“You do deserve me,” she said sternly. “Just because you come with a whole lot of issues, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a good person, Darion. I have never felt more loved, desired, or safer than when I’m with you.” She stroked his cheek gently. “I wish you could see what I see.”
His mouth curled into a grin. “Gabriella Milano,” he tested the name. “I like it.”
“Me too.” Her lips lingered on his for a few seconds, and when they parted, her tongue swept in. She cupped his face in her hands, and kissed him with such softness, it created butterflies in her tummy.
“We’ll look for a ring in the week.” He leant down to locate his jeans. He rummaged in the pockets and retrieved a cigarette.
“I get to choose?”
“Whatever you want, darlin’.” He wrapped his lips around the cigarette, and lit it. Blowing out smoke, he gave her a wink that sent shivers of excitement up her spine.
She crossed the room, and started to get dressed. She had never in a million years expected Darion to propose to her any time soon. She was utterly bewildered. It didn’t even matter that it wasn’t romantic, and in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris how Lawrence had done it. Lawrence had been the wrong man for her. Darion was definitely the right man. A lifetime with him would be testing, but never dull. She was certain of it.
“Are you ready to meet Preston?” he asked, towering over her.
Gabi nodded. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Had he proposed because he feared she’d run off once she saw how tough things could be? Or did he really want to spend the rest of his life with her?
Scrambling to her feet, she said, “Let’s go and meet your son.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Darion unlocked the door to his apartment. It was midnight, and he assured her Gina and the baby would still be awake. Her hands were shaking, and her heart was pounding faster than ever. She was terrified of facing Gina, of seeing her all comfortable in Darion’s home, and whether she’d feel like a third wheel when she saw the three of them together. Was she standing in the way of them being a perfect little family? She opened her mouth to speak, yet no words came out. She swallowed, in urgent need of a drink.
“Hey, G. I’m back,” Darion called out.
Gabi took a few tentative steps into the room. She expected to see Gina sitting on the couch, looking her usual pretty made-up self, baby in arms, and the apartment decorated with her belongings. Instead she saw a vulnerable, exhausted looking woman, rocking a whimpering baby to sleep. The floor was trashed with baby things, and she had to tread carefully to avoid stepping on anything.
“Sorry about the mess,” Darion said.
“It’s my fault.” Gina stood up, and balancing the baby on her hip, she leant down and started to pick up things.
“It’s okay,” Gabi said, perching on the edge of the sofa.
“G, leave it,” Darion instructed. “I’ll clean up in the morning.” Darion made his way toward Gina, and peered down at the baby. “How has he been?”
“He’s still crying every hour or two.”
“Gabi, this is Preston,” Darion said.
Gabi leant forward and took in the baby before her. She was certain her heart skipped a beat. He was beautiful. He looked like a mini Darion. She knew instantly he would break hearts when he was older. His features were perfect. When her gaze dropped to his body, her eyes widened when she noticed how small he actually was. His legs and arms were tiny.
“He’s gorgeous,” she whispered.
They all watched him for a few minutes, until he blinked his eyes open. His screams pierced through her ears. She couldn’t believe how something that small could make so much noise. Gina groaned and began to rock him. He stopped almost immediately.
“How did it go at the hospital?” she asked, remembering she’d forgotten to.
“We actually had some good news for once.” Darion ran his hands through his hair. “The nurse said he’s put on weight, and seems taller and healthier.”
“I’m glad.”
“She did say though that he may have a harder time fighting infections, should he get sick. Low blood sugar may be a concern, and some other stuff.” Darion traced his fingers across Preston’s cheek. “She said most babies with growth problems reach a normal height when they’re around three. All we can do is be positive.”
Preston started to cry again. Darion held out his arms, and Gina handed him over. He rocked him gently. Gabi melted on the spot. Seeing Darion Milano holding a baby was probably the best thing she’d ever seen. His forehead crinkled with concern, and she could see how much he adored his son. He may be unpredictable at times, and difficult to work out, but he was reliable. Gabi knew she, Gina, and Preston would always be able to count on him.
When Preston’s cries got even louder, a confused and frustrated Darion gave him back to Gina. “What am I doing wrong?”
“Nothing, Daz.” Gina sighed heavily. “I’ve told you already, he needs to get used to you.”
“He won’t get used to you if you keep on handing him back,” Gabi said softly.
“You wanna try again?” Gina asked.
Darion chewed his bottom lip and then nodded. When Preston was in his arms, and continuing to scream the apartment down, he tried to return him to Gina.
“No.” She took a step back.
Darion rocked him, and rubbed circles on his belly at the same time. “Maybe he’s got wind.” He sat down, and arranged the
baby into a seating position. Holding his chin with his hand, he leant him slightly forward, and began rubbing and tapping his back gently with the other hand.
“Have you been reading the baby books?” Gina’s brow rose.
“I flipped through one when I was taking a bath.”
Gina swept her hair up quickly and turned to Gabi. “You want a drink?”
“No. I’m fine, thanks.” She held her hand to her mouth to hide her yawn.
“Gabi, go to bed. You’ve got work in the morning.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll get up early and collect your car.”
“Sure.”
“I won’t be too long.”
Stepping into his bedroom, she stared at his big, comfortable looking bed. She couldn’t wait to get under the covers. She stripped and brushed her teeth quickly. When she buried herself under the warm covers, she closed her eyes on a delighted sigh. She could still hear Preston wailing through the wall.
Two hours later, Gabi woke to the sound of laughing. Rolling onto her side with a groan, she caught sight of the wall clock. It displayed it was 2.30 a.m. Stretching, she expected to find Darion beside her. She was disheartened when she spotted his side of the bed was empty. Surely Preston had fallen asleep. Sitting up, she waited for his screams to fill the air. They didn’t. Why hadn’t Darion come to bed?
Slipping out of bed, she crossed the room, and stood behind the door to hear if he had fallen asleep. He hadn’t. His and Gina’s voices were clear. She wondered what they were talking about. Had he told her about them being engaged? She was about to return to bed when she heard Gina mention The Black Door. Gabi stepped closer to catch the whole conversation.
“I can’t believe how much our lives have changed in such a short space of time.” She laughed. “More wine?”
“No,” Darion responded. “I was only meant to have one glass.”
“Well, we needed more than one after tonight. I seriously didn’t think we’d get Preston to sleep.”
“Me either.”
“Fuck. Can you believe we’re parents?” Gina’s tone was high-pitched with disbelief.
“No, I can’t.”
“Not so long ago, we’d both be at the club, drinking there. I’d be on the stage; you’d be at the bar gambling, or in the playrooms.” She giggled.
“Yeah. Times have definitely changed.”
“I miss that place. We had so much fun. Do you miss it sometimes?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Will you not use the playrooms with Gabi?”
Gabi froze, waiting for his response. Was he craving the playrooms again? Did he want other women? Would Gina, a constant reminder of The Black Door, sway him from a life he now had, to a life he once led? When silence followed, her shoulders drooped in disappointment. Had he nodded, or shaken his head?
“Do you remember that time with Karla?”
“Oh yeah.” He chuckled. “That was crazy.”
“What was your favourite room?”
“Probably the dungeon suite. What about you?”
“I quite liked the fantasy suite.”
“Yeah, you would do, with all of those toys.” He laughed.
“No,” she shrieked. “Well, maybe. But it was the outfits I loved. I enjoyed role playing.”
“Dominatrix was your favourite, if I remember correctly. All that PVC.”
“It was the nurse, and schoolgirl I liked playing best.”
“Yeah…I remember now. It was Eva who loved the dominatrix role.”
It was quiet for a moment, and then Gabi heard Gina ask for a cigarette. Darion stated he’d join her on the balcony. When the sound of a door opened and closed, she was unable to hear what was being said. Bile rose in her throat, as insecurity set in. Why did Gina have to bring up the club? Gabi wanted Darion’s past and dark desires put behind him. The last thing she wanted was him reminiscing about the times he’d had. If he was ever tempted to return to that lifestyle, she knew the relationship would have to end for good.
***
Gabi pulled the covers over her head, blocking out the light. She wished blocking out Preston’s cries was as easy. She’d been tossing and turning in bed for most of the night. When Darion finally made it to bed and wrapped his arms around her, she didn’t feel like the adored fiancée she had only hours earlier. How could he miss The Black Door? She knew it had played a huge part in his life. She had believed he had finally seen sense and was over it. He said he could never share her with anyone else. But that wasn’t to say he didn’t fantasise about sharing another woman with others. She hoped he wasn’t having second thoughts already about their engagement.
Rolling onto her side, she wasn’t surprised to see Darion was no longer in bed. The baby had woken him too, and she knew he needed to tend to him. She hated that she felt left out. It wasn’t Preston that bothered her. It was his close relationship with Gina. She could never compete with her.
“Fucking hell, G!”
The sound of Darion’s scream caused her to jolt out of bed, and race to the living room. Darion was clutching his bleeding foot.
“I tidied up last night, and toys are all over the floor again.”
“Sorry.” Gina rushed in and bent down to pick up the mess off the floor. Gabi’s mouth dropped as she took in the flimsy nightie Gina was wearing. Her breasts were spilling out, and as it was see-through, her nipples were visible. Gabi clamped her lips together to prevent angry words from escaping. Did Gina always parade around the apartment dressed inappropriately? Also, did they always keep one another company, whilst sharing a bottle of wine?
“Shit.” Darion grimaced, falling onto the sofa.
“Where’s the first aid kit?” Gabi asked.
“I’ll get it.” Gina darted into the kitchen area and rummaged through cupboards.
A moment later she was tending to Darion’s foot. Gabi’s body temperature rose. She sucked in air through clenched teeth. Not only was she pissed off with Gina for dressing like a tart, but for bringing up the playrooms last night, and now she was taking over where it concerned Darion.
Returning to the bedroom, Gabi gathered her work clothes, showered quickly, and then dressed. When she was back in the living room, she sensed Darion was still agitated. He was staring at the television absentmindedly. His fingers were drumming on his leg, and the veins in his forehead were protruding. To top off an awful start to the morning, Preston started to cry.
“Fuck.” Darion hung his head in his hands.
“Daz,” Gina yelled. “I’ve ran out of nappies. Can you get me some, please?”
Closing his eyes to gather patience, Darion slowly rose to his feet. “I asked you the other day if you had everything you needed.”
“I thought I had an extra pack.” Gina was in the room again, with Preston in her arms.
“Gina, please,” Darion pleaded, rubbing his forehead. “You’ve gotta be more organised. I’ll go get dressed.”
Gabi moved aside to let Darion pass. Taking up residence on the sofa, she scowled when she got another eyeful of Gina’s breasts. She wasn’t on the stripper pole now. Did she not have any respect?
Unable to hold her tongue any longer, Gabi asked, “Any chance you could dress appropriately when you’re around Darion please?”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, Gabi,” she snapped. “I didn’t have anything clean. I’m sorry. I don’t usually wear stuff like this around him.”
“Okay,” Gabi said in a bid to end the conversation.
“You think I still want Darion?” She shook her head. “I bet you think I got pregnant on purpose, don’t you?” Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“What?” Gabi knew disbelief must have shown on her face. “No, Gina, I—”
“It wasn’t my fault. We used a condom! I’m always careful when it comes to sex,” she shouted to be heard over Preston’s wails. “I’m not after Darion. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I don’t. I—”
“What’s going on?” Darion asked, now fully dressed.
“Gabi thinks I’m dressing like a slut because I still want you.”
Darion sighed heavily, fixing Gabi with a look.
“No, I did not,” she exclaimed.
“You may as well have. Daz, please tell her I don’t usually dress like this.”
Darion rubbed his temples as if to alleviate the pain of a migraine. “Girls, please don’t fucking argue. It’s 7 a.m. and I can’t handle it.”
“Well, I don’t want Darion.” Gina huffed. “I’ve been there, done that.”
“Yeah, I bet you have,” she muttered, remembering last night’s conversation she’d eavesdropped on.
“Oh. Is that how it is? How dare you look down your nose at me. I was there for you when you needed me.”
“I don’t want to argue. I asked you politely if you could cover up, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry I have nothing clean,” she yelled. “Preston won’t stop crying. Can’t you see my hair?” She tugged on it. “It hasn’t been washed in days! I only have time to wash my body. Darion can’t get him to sleep, and all he does is cry.”
“Sorry for being a shit dad, G,” Darion snapped. “I’m trying my best. It’s hard.”
“I know it’s hard,” she roared. “I’m fucking exhausted. I’ve had about ten hours sleep in the last three days. I can’t remember the last time I actually had a bath, not a rushed shower. I can’t remember the last non-microwaveable meal I had, either. My clothes smell of vomit. And then Gabi’s bitching about my nightie. I rushed in here because you hurt your foot.” She shook her head, her face red with rage. “Sorry for trying to help.”
“Gina,” Gabi said softly, wanting to apologise.
“Just leave it,” she spat. She vanished into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Darion clenched his teeth. He scanned the floor as if searching for something to throw out of frustration.