Page 18 of Married with Mayhem

But I should have factored in the way my sex drive would spontaneously combust at the feel of her tits pressing against my back while I held her legs around my waist. My cock got hard enough to dig against the zipper of my jeans and my balls ached while I pretended all was well and babbled stupidly about horseback riding.

That can’t be helped now and what’s done is done. At least we’re finally here at Gino’s.

I hold the door open and motion for Sabrina to walk right in. A second later, the place erupts.

“Look who’s here!” my father bellows. He has returned from his Brooklyn trip and swiftly abandons the cans of peeled tomatoes he was stacking to give Sabrina a warm welcome.

“Hi, Sal.” She leans into his quick hug and grins up at him.

He beams at her. “Nobody told me the Empress of New York was back in town. How are ya, kiddo?”

Sabrina barely gets the chance to answer because Nico charges over here. My brother actually shoves me out of the wayto get to her. The way he grabs Sabrina and spins her around as she squeals with laughter leaves me with a feeling that’s inexplicably close to jealousy.

The drive from the airport was a nonstop explosion of Sabrina’s animated chatter while she leaned out of the window and pointed out city landmarks like a tourist. Then she abruptly switched gears and launched into a lengthy description of the menstruation-themed game she planned to invent and how she’d just decided to call it Crimson Cave.

All the while, I tried to keep up and occasionally grunt out responses. But the real challenge was the supreme effort to quit sneaking looks at her bare legs as she constantly squirmed around in her seat.

I should have let her sit in the back to avoid the distraction. Instead, she was inches away. Within a minute I felt like a starving man who’d been served his favorite dessert but was ordered not to touch it.

Sabrina Barone is still in a class by herself. With layers of long brown hair to get lost in, soft hazel eyes framed by thick lashes and a wide, tender-lipped mouth, she’s beyond adorable whether she’s smiling or pouting.

And don’t even get me started when it comes to her body. Her shape is a fucking funhouse. An outrageous rack, curvy hips, and an ass that deserves its own fan club. She looks like a vintage pinup girl no matter how she tries to cover up her curves with weird clothes. She’s also highly intelligent with a sharp wit that is often difficult to match.

Yet Sabrina’s vulnerability always catches me off guard. And it’s what keeps me in check. She’s too sheltered, too naïve. I’m not convinced she’s ever touched a flesh and blood dick. For all Sabrina’s snappy comebacks, there’s a shy uncertainty about the way she moves through the world, almost like she’s afraid of it.

When she rushed into my arms in front of the airport terminal I thought I might dissolve into the concrete. A crazy thought skated through my mind that I would wade through lava for this girl if she asked me to. No hesitation.

Now as I stand back and watch, it’s clear she’s found her fan club. My dad hasn’t stopped smiling since we walked in. In the days when I was Sabrina’s acting bodyguard, I’d often bring her here. She always managed to charm everyone in sight. My father, who can be a tough judge of character, seems ready to adopt her on the spot. He leads her to a table with a promise to deliver a massive homecoming feast with all her favorites.

Even Nico is practically giddy. I’m not sure he’s even noticed I’m in the room as he drops into the chair across from Sabrina. The two of them instantly become engrossed in a rapid conversation featuring obscure video game references. Unlike my brother, I’m not an avid gamer. I’m not used to feeling left out. I don’t like it much.

But for the first time I see that we’ve got company.

Angry company.

FUCK.

Rochelle never left.

She and Livy are huddled at the same table and keeping tabs on the scene. Rochelle’s seething eyes fire invisible daggers at Sabrina, who is oblivious as she laughs with Nico. Rochelle leans over and says something to Livy. To her credit, Livy seems far less hostile. She gives Sabrina a curious inspection and then shrugs before walking over to claim the chair beside Nico.

I keep my eyes on Sabrina as Nico makes introductions. Livy smiles and Sabrina responds with a shy smile of her own. My chest tightens and an unnamed force squeezes my heart.

No one would ever accuse me of being mushy and romantic because I’m not. But the sight of this girl’s smile threatens totake me out. I’ve always been cautious with her and I intend to stay that way.

Even so, I have limits. Just because I’ve successfully fought temptation before doesn’t mean I always will.

“Oh!” Sabrina squints at her phone and starts smacking the table. “My order is ready for pickup.”

While we were stuck in airport traffic, I handed Sabrina my debit card and told her to place an order at the drugstore down the street from Gino’s for whatever she needs. Until this cyberattack mess gets sorted out, she’s without funds and there’s no telling when her suitcase will be found. In the meantime, she shouldn’t have to suffer without her favorite shampoo or whatever.

“I’ll go get it,” I say. “Be right back.”

I’m already heading for the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I catch my brother’s eye and give him a nod, meant to be a message that he’s in charge of defusing any drama while I’m gone. He returns the nod with a smirk.

I don’t know what that fucking smirk is supposed to mean but as long as he makes sure there are no catfights happening in my absence, I don’t give a shit.

Rochelle still sulks at the back table while pretending to scroll through her phone. There’s no reason for her to stick around. She ought to return to Queens where she belongs and get back to planning her wedding to that Bianco asshole. If she’s stupid enough to get in my face and throw a tantrum, I’m going to have to get nasty.

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