“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done and I will regret it until the day I die,” I admit. “But I want to start over. I want us to have a life with our kids.”

Rosa smiles. “Can you ask me again when we get back to the house?”

My heart hurts a bit but I nod slowly. “Of course.”

Back at the house, Rosa settles into her room.

“Is there anything—” I start to say before Rosa kisses me passionately. It catches me off guard. She has a wild look in her eyes.

“Ask me again, please,” Rosa begs. I do as I’m told and kiss her, but a part of me holds back.

“I don’t wanna mess things up—” I begin to say but Rosa silences me with another kiss.

“We can’t predict what will happen,” she replies gently. “I just have this feeling that if I’m not with you, I won’t be happy or safe ever again.”

I can’t explain the emotion that hits me. It’s like an explosion. The heat from before engulfs us. Outside, rain begins to pour and I’m excited thinking about being holed up with Rosa.

“How do I repay you for being so forgiving?” I ask breathlessly.

She shrugs. “You can apologize how I want you to.”

The urge jolts me. “Whatever you want.”

“Wow, that was pretty simple,” she laughs.

“I wanna do everything I can to keep you happy,” I continue. Our eyes lock and I sense she has the same fire bubbling inside her.

“Take your clothes off,” I finally order her.

“Why should I follow orders from you?” she teases me. I take the liberty to tug at her dress and slip it off. Rosa grins asshe pulls off her bra. Her breasts are fuller and spill out of the cup, driving me wild. I instantly drop to my knees and take her hips with both my hands. I ravage every inch of her as I slowly work my way back up to her breasts, hungrily sucking her erect nipples. Rosa moans as I continue to rub her nipples, before sliding my hand in between her thighs.

“I love how wet you get for me,” I growl as I pleasure her more.

“I want more,” Rosa moans.

I smirk at how weak she becomes. “How badly do you want it?”

Rosa bites her lip. “Really, really badly. Please make love to me,” she whimpers. I continue rubbing in between her legs, faster and faster. Rosa’s breathing is quick and jagged as her eyes roll back. I keep going until my member is ready to explode. I push Rosa onto the bed and finally enter her.

“How’s that?” I ask breathlessly.

Rosa moans a shaky, “Incredible.”

I slide my girth deeper inside her. Rosa moans louder, pushing my hand down to rub in between her legs more. I start slowly, pumping in and out of her. But as Rosa demands a muffled, “Harder!” I quicken my speed.

I allow Rosa to guide my hand to her neck as I continue to make love to her.

"God, you feel so good,” I grunt as I hold her tight.

I have no worries as our bodies press together and the world fades away. Rosa is my person and she’s here to stay.

CHAPTER 21

Rosa

It’s incredible how quickly our relationship changed the moment we decided to patch things up. Vinny is no longer the jaded man he was when he first kidnapped me. Instead, he’s generous and loving. It could be because we’re away from the city and away from Vinny’s father, but I like to think that he just kept his promise when he said he wanted to keep me happy.

Since I grew up in a family where I never felt safe or protected, it’s a good feeling that I actually get along with Vinny’s grandfather, too. He reminds me a lot of the old fathers who I used to run into around Chinatown. He’s protective and stern yet he has a soft side. I see it come out whenever the topic of Vinny’s father comes up. I don’t feel it’s my place to ask too many questions about their fractured relationship, but a part of me needs to know all I can. This is the family my kids are going to be a part of now, after all.