Page 147 of Married with Mayhem

He shakes his head but he’s smiling. “Not happening but you get points for trying.”

Try as I might, I can’t think of a persuasive argument. This is a source of worry for Monte, that his younger brother is going to remain in the thick of the mafia world. And unlike before, Monte won’t be around to look out for him.

“How do you like the new apartment?” I ask.

Nico didn’t need to move out. The decision came from him. He’s still in the neighborhood, just two blocks away. He joked that he needed some privacy to carry on his carefree bachelor life but I think he doesn’t want his big brother being too close and noticing what he’s up to these days.

Nico takes another gulp of beer before answering. “It’s nice to be able to make as much noise as I want without anyone complaining about all the pounding on the walls.”

“Ha! Same.”

He chuckles. “Why aren’t you going on a honeymoon?”

“Monte and I decided we’ve had our fill of traveling for now. We just want to enjoy being home and being married.”

With no warning, an arm circles my waist from behind and I’m pulled backwards into a warm, strong chest. There’s no mistaking the feel of his body.

“Hello, Sabrina Castelli,” Monte says. He sweeps my hair aside and kisses my neck.

I turn and face him. “I want a better kiss.”

Monte responds with a kiss that’s so long and so heated that Nico complains he’s going to puke up his beer if we don’t stop.

That doesn’t make much of an impression but we do need to put a temporary halt on our make out session when Salannounces the food is ready. The kitchen staff has been hard at work cooking everything on the menu. It’s all placed on a long buffet table set up by the door. The tables are pushed back into place and covered with white linen tablecloths. By the time we get to the cannoli tower dessert, the sky is dark outside.

Anni and Luca aren’t staying. Luca has clients to deal with and Vittorio is in a hurry to get back home to Sicily, which is where he’s headed as soon as his plane drops them off in Colorado.

I’m sorry to see them go but they have a life to get back to.

And I understand. Monte and I have a life to begin.

“Take me home, Mr. Castelli,” I say to my husband.

He smiles and lifts me in his arms like a queen. Nico fulfills the role of doorman as we leave Gino’s Pizzeria behind. Nico jogs around back to the separate entrance that leads to the apartments upstairs and waves farewell while Monte starts the climb.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask him as we ascend the narrow stairwell. “I can walk.”

“My bride will be carried into her castle and that’s that,” he says.

I hug his neck and think about the first time he ever carried me up these stairs. I was slung over his shoulder and didn’t enjoy the ride too much. This time I enjoy it a great deal.

Monte’s arms are occupied so I get to unlock the door to our apartment. He sets me down gently and cups my chin.

“Welcome home,” he whispers and bends down for a kiss.

When we’re alone, there’s no hiding from the fact that kissing always leads somewhere.

Wordlessly, Monte turns me around and swiftly opens the zipper down the length of my back. He pushes the dress down and delicious goosebumps break out on my arms at the feel of the satin fabric falling.

I’m not embarrassed at all, not ashamed to show myself to him. I can feel my husband’s eyes looking at my naked skin with love and desire. Even the bandages on my right side don’t make me flinch. There will be scars left behind but these too are part of me.

After Monte removes my slip and my bra, I reach for his belt.

“My turn.” I open his pants and start to unbutton his shirt. The motor skills on my right side still aren’t great so when I get half the buttons undone he helps out by reaching behind his head and pulling the shirt off. His pants fall and I kiss his chest, hungry for more of him.

His hands roam everywhere and he lifts me up, settling my legs around his waist for the short trip to the bedroom.

In the three weeks that have elapsed since the carnival shooting, our sex life has been gentle. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other completely because that’s impossible, but Monte is always mindful of my healing body.

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