Page 28 of Claimed by my Stepbrother

“You better have a second one in you because I’m not finished with you yet,” he growls.

Naturally, he has no difficulty giving me that second orgasm and even a third.

We dress and head down to the kitchen for breakfast.

“I’ll reheat the eggs for you,” I tell him as I pour his morning coffee.

“I’m not that hungry. I’ll just have some fruit. Save the eggs for the kids.”

“Are you worried about today?” I slide onto his lap and loop my arms around his neck.

“Worried? No. A bit nostalgic I suppose, but I think that’s to be expected.”

“If you aren’t ready…I mean, if you think this is a mistake…”

“No, it’s time. The family is ready for some new blood at the head of the big table. Hey, the money will still be coming in and I won’t have to make all the decisions. Besides, the kids are getting older, and I don’t want Gianni anywhere near this business. It’s best for me to get out before he starts asking questions.”

“Well, I for one couldn’t be happier. You’ll be out of danger and we can have more time together. I couldn’t ask for more than that. Every time you leave the house, I worry about you until you come back through the door.”

“That’s nice, Princess, but I told you before that you don’t have to worry about me.”

“I know. That didn’t stop me, though.”

He squeezes me and nibbles on my upper arm. “Well, after today, you won’t have to worry again. It’ll be Vito’s wife that has to deal with all the late-night phone calls and last-minute meetings.”

“I feel sorry for her, but I’m still happy for us.”

“Alright, then let me get out of here so I can get it over with. You make sure the nanny is here on time so you can get ready for the party tonight. Go get your hair done, buy a dress, whatever you girls do to show off to the other girls. You don’t need any of that but go splurge. You deserve it.”

“I love you,” I tell him.

He lifts me off his lap and sets me on my feet. He kisses me goodbye and says, “I love you, beautiful.”

* * *

My motherand father come to the house just as Giovanni arrives home. He comes into the dining room and walks directly to me.

“You look amazing,” he says, eyeing me appreciatively. Oh god, the things he can do to me with one look.

“Thank you. We have to hurry or we’ll be late,” I tell him.

“Most of the party-goers have been with me all day. Everyone is going to be late, and I’m the guest of honor so I should show up last. You know, make an entrance. With you on my arm, it’ll be one hell of an entrance at that.”

“Congratulations, son. You and I are the only heads of the family to pass the torch. Everyone who came before us died before they had the chance,” his father shakes his head.

“I don’t want to hear that kind of talk and neither does Gabby. Let’s all just be glad that you’re both officially out of danger,” my mother interjects.

I give the kids their good night kisses and we leave for the party. It reminds me of the night Giovanni took me to the gala. I remember how everyone in the place swooned when he walked through the door. He was the most powerful and handsome man in the country.

All that’s changed in the last ten years is his marital status. I can’t help but think that even after he steps down as head of the family, he’ll still be the most powerful man in the country. I know my husband well enough to know that he’ll be in charge in every way except for by name. Still, he’ll be at home with us, and that’s enough for me.

We enter the ballroom and the DJ announces our arrival. Giovanni is met with a standing ovation, and he embraces it with all the charm and sophistication of a Hollywood celebrity. I, on the other hand, feel like a fish out of water and I’m grateful when the fanfare ends.

We locate our table and the parents and I sit down, but Giovanni is instantly pulled away to shake hands and share war stories with the rest of the men in the family. As I watch them, I realize how different he is from the rest of them. He’s in better shape physically, looks much more polished, and even though he’s the one retiring, he looks a decade younger. He’s always been the sexiest man in the room wherever we go.

He returns to the table and takes my hand, leading me to the dance floor. He takes me in his arms, and as we begin to sway to the music, I tell him, “You seem relaxed and happy.”

“I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

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