Page 38 of Worth the Heat
“So the second guy that Isabella dated, she tried to carry him across but couldn’t?”
“No, he didn’t even let her try. The fucker misunderstood, spouted off about her weight, and hightailed it right outta there. Isabella was completely crushed,” Luca says angrily.
“Can I havehisname, then?” I ask hopefully, making Luca laugh.
“No need. We took care of him,” he says proudly.
“Oh? How so? Hypothetically, of course.”
“Well, hypothetically speaking, there may have been a man who showed up at a Denver police precinct with half his head shaved, the other half bleached, his nipples pierced, and a tattoo that says ‘I eat ass’ as a tramp stamp. Oh, and the men who took him may have each taken a couple shots to his face and dick. Hypothetically.”
“Jesus. You Santo kids are creative, I’ll give you that.”
“And that’s why I said you better not fuck over my sister. That fucker only dated her for less than a year. You’ve been trying to date Isabella for well over five years. Close to ten, right? So this better not be some scheme just to get in her pants. If that happens, there’s no telling what my brothers will come up with as a punishment for you.” Luca’s expression is deadly, but he brightens immediately as he looks behind me toward the door. “Pixie!”
Turning my head, I see Luca’s tiny wife walk in, holding a toddler, and dragging her daughter behind her. Not even looking at me, she thrusts the kid toward me. “Here. Take this. I need a minute.”
I stare into her son’s eyes, and he grins at me, a gummy grin as drool drips over the finger he’s chewing on. A grin identical to his dad’s across the table, as he scoots over and lets Hannah sit down.
“What’s his name again?” I murmur. I know his name, but Ican’t get over how cute Melanie is when she proudly tells people her brother’s name.
“Cay-web,” the girl answers, making me grin. She drags a hand over her forehead, attempting to push her dark brown hair away. With Luca’s hair color, matching skin tone, and Hannah’s bright blue eyes, Melanie is an absolutely adorable child, and I have no doubt she’ll grow up to be quite beautiful. Those Santo genes are remarkable. I haven’t met a Santo yet that isn’t attractive.
“Caleb,” I say softly as the youngster reaches out to grab my cheeks. I vaguely hear Hannah telling Luca about how Melanie accidentally knocked over the entire display of apples at the grocery store, then something about opened containers of animal crackers, but I zone out as I look at Caleb.
In this moment, I realize how badly I want more children.
I love Camila. I adore being her dad. I’m in no way suggesting that she’s not enough. But I want her to experience having a brother or sister, and I want to experience a full pregnancy with a woman that I love, then us being an entire family together.
I want that with Isabella, and I have no idea if she even wants kids. I’ve seen her with her nieces and nephews, and she’s amazing with them. Hell, she’s great with Camila too. Watching her with my daughter as they cooked dinner together was exquisite. It was like I had a brief glimpse into what my future could be.
Caleb rubs his eyes, and I naturally snuggle him against my shoulder. He lays his head down, and I get a whiff of that wonderful baby powder scent that all babies have.
“Oh, um, hi,” I hear from a few feet away, and I see Isabella walking toward us, apron still on, and a little bit of flour dots her forehead. The bakery is a block from where I met Luca, and I imagine she had no idea I’d be here. “I was just coming to grab a drink while I finish up my muffins fortomorrow.”
Her eyes are zeroed in on Caleb, then they dip to where my arm holds him in place. I flex my hand, and watch as her pupils dilate.
“You wanna join us, Belle?” Luca asks.
“No, but thanks. I have a lot to finish, but I need a little caffeine to do it,” she explains, tearing her gaze from me to look at her brother.
“You sure? Seb can scoot over,” Luca says with a smirk. Asshole knows exactly what he’s doing, baiting both of us.
“No. I need to get back to work,” Isabella says. She grabs the large fountain drink the server left for her on the counter, and waves to us awkwardly.
Nope.
“I’ll walk you,” I announce, carefully sliding out of the booth and depositing Caleb into Hannah’s arms.
“You look good with a baby,” Hannah whispers. “You think she’ll want to be the momma?”
“Say a prayer for me,” I murmur as I wink at her and wave at her husband. Turning, I expect to find Isabella, but see she’s already through the door and speed-walking down the street. Damn, she wants to avoid me that badly?
I take off at a jog to catch up to her, calling her name. She turns, and at the same time, I notice her ex-boyfriend loitering outside the bakery entrance. Shit. I turn Isabella slightly so I’m blocking the angle, and whisper, “Do you trust me?”
“Why?” Unblinking, I see the immediate fear she feels.
“Yes or no,mi Cielo.”
