Page 28 of Spoiled by Daddy's 4 Dirty Friends

“Thanks.” I hug Holden and stand on my toes to kiss his cheek. “I think so too.”

Aaron shakes Holden’s hand, something so formal, that I give him a look for it. He shrugs. “We’re not a hugging family.”

I pounce into his arms and he catches me. I kiss him openly. “We’ll have to change that. Because I’m a hugger.”

“Well, that ruins everything. I don’t know if I can handle being married now.” He sighs.

I pinch him and he laughs. “Sophie, I’m still covered in paint, I think that’s a pretty sure promise.”

“I love you.” I kiss his nose, then scrub at the Simba mark on his forehead. The acrylic comes off easily. “But I prefer your face paint-free.”

He chuckles and sets me down. I see his ex pass us without stopping to say anything. She’s obviously upset, but I don’t care. She’s not a problem for me anymore. Holden kisses me again like he has to prove it.

“I love you,” He whispers.

Roman takes my hand and we say goodbye to his mom, Nonna, who asks me to come back and keep Gunner out of the kitchen when I do. I giggle and promise. We talk in Italian until Massimo catches on, then glares at Danny.

“You’re learning.” He says sharply.

“I have been!” She argues, then tells him he’s a cocky asshole in Italian.

But the desired affect is obviously missing. Because I recognize lust in his eyes. It consumes him. Danny takes a step back and holds up her finger. She can’t use Gio as an excuse since he’s in Roman’s arms.

“Don’t you start with that. We’re in public.”

“Do it again.” He orders, voice husky and low. “You know how much I love your compliments.”

“That wasn’t a-”

But she groans and kisses him hungrily. Massimo reaches up to try and cover Gio’s eyes but Roman rolls his eyes and bounces the baby. “You’re a happy little guy aren’t you?”

Gio babbles and then he’s passed to me. I hug him and giggle with him as Nonna asks how long until we have one of our own because she’s not getting any younger. I nearly groan under Gio’s weight.

“How are you so heavy?” I ask him. “Like a sack of potatoes!”

“Leave him alone.” Roman purrs, pulling him back. “We have big men in our family. He’s going to grow up to be a top athlete just like his dad.”

We keep saying goodbyes, even to my parents – despite Dad reminding the guys we’re all expected back at work in a few weeks, no arguments (even though my mom has more than a few objections that I wish I could unhear) – then Chase, Hunter, and Leif stand in front of us. Chase is wearing a smile that keeps flicking to Valerie.

I open my mouth, point at him, then Valerie grabs me and drags me away. “Don’t say anything.”

“You hate him?” I hiss, then bounce. “I knew it.”

“Shut up!” She says again. “Seriously.” Her eyes flick back to the guys. “I tried to get Leif’s attention first. He’s just … just so damn hard to read and Hunter seemed like he just wanted to fuck me so he got me before his brother did. I don’t know. I was so horny and it just happened.”

“Nothing justhappens.” I insist. “Are you going to see him again?”

“No!” She lowers her voice. “No. It was a one and done, an itch that needed to be scratched, that’s all. I promise.” She tries so hard to conceal the smile that keeps creeping up at the corners of her mouth.

I arch an eyebrow. Just waiting for more to come spilling out.

“I’m serious, Sophie. Don’t you give me that look.” She insists. “It was fine. Good. Whatever, maybe it was really fucking good. But there’s nothing but sex there. And I don’t fuck around enough for emotions to get involved. It’s not a thing. And I think they all want more than I can give.”

“Whatever you say.”

But I wear the same sly smile as I say goodbye to the guys and Valerie. Gunner nudges me. “You talked to Val?”

“How did you find out?”

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