Page 59 of This Thing of Ours

Pouring the steaming liquid into two mugs, she said, “Not that I don't like having you around, but don't you need to work?” It’d been three days since the explosion. She knew Marco’s “job” wasn’t the usual Monday-through-Friday-nine-to-five profession, so just because it was Saturday didn’t mean much, but she did assume he’d have to go back to work at some point.

“I am working.”

She went to the fridge to grab some milk for her coffee but stopped in the process of opening it. “No you're not. You haven't left my side in days.”

“My job is to protect you.”

“What? Your job is to protect Nico.”

“Not right now it's not.”

She splashed a dash of milk in her coffee and returned it to the fridge before saying, “And you’re okay with that?”

He stopped dishing up food to look at her. “Spending twenty-four hours a day, every day, with you? Fuck yeah, I’m okay with that.”

She couldn’t suppress her smile. “Just checking.”

She set their cups on the breakfast bar and took a seat on one of the stools. Marco joined her a minute later, sitting beside her and placing a plate piled with eggs, toast, and bacon in front of her. She was hungry, but there was no way she could eat so much food. Looking over at Marco’s plate, in hopes of sharing some of hers with him, she saw his was piled even higher.

Okay, guess everything on her plate was hers. She took a big bite. “Mmm.” Marco gave her his eyes, and she covered her mouth with her hand to speak around a mouthful of eggs. “So good.” While simply prepared, they were seasoned well and had the perfect consistency—not too dry nor too runny.

Marco’s fork landed on his plate with a clatter. He was still staring at her.

She swallowed her bite of food. “What?”

“You can’t make noises like that and expect me to ignore them.”

Gabby blinked. Noises? And then her lips tipped up as the lightbulb clicked, and she did something so far out of her comfort zone, it made her heart race. “You mean this one?” She licked her lips and repeated the noise.

Marco stood so fast, his stool fell back and crashed to the floor. Fred yipped and darted out of the room, but Marco’s sole concentration was on her, and he was oblivious to both.

“Exactly that noise.” He took a step toward her. “Do it again, and that’s a good way to get yourself fucked in a hurry.”

Her eyes went wide. “What about the three-date rule?”

“Thought we ditched that plan after our first date.” He moved in so close, his thighs butted against her knees.

She tipped her head back to keep his eyes. “You didn’t try anything last night.”

Amusement lined his face. “Did you want me to?”

She nodded even though the thought of having sex for the first time made her extremely nervous.

He watched her, his eyes missing nothing. “You sure? The first time is a big deal. You positive I’m the one you want to share that with?”

She understood Marco was giving her an out, but she was sure of the fact that not only did she want Marco to be her first, but her last, as well. She swallowed and nodded again.

“I need the words, cara mia.”

“I’m sure.”

His brow furrowed. “Why don’t I believe you?”

That made her smile. “I promise, I’m sure. I’m just a little worried and that’s making me nervous.”

His hand came up and cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. “About?”

“I don’t know what I’m doing. What if I’m not any good at it? I want you to enjoy it.”

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