Page 67 of Rosetti Family New York
When he pushes into me, it’s perfect. Relentless and raw. I wrap my arms around him and rock with his thrusts, harder, faster.
He bites my shoulder, muffling his groans. I move faster, urging him on, clenching tight. My back arches, and I see stars. I’m coming again, crying out, nails digging into his arms.
His rhythm falters, and he’s right there with me. We fall apart together, and the world disappears. Just the two of us and the wild beating of our hearts.
The windows are fogged up, and it feels like hours before I can speak. I pull my shirt back on and collapse against the seat, half in his lap, still breathless.
“That was...” I don’t even know how to finish.
“You’re welcome,” he says, eyes fierce, hair a wild mess.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Your pants are still undone.”
He shrugs, unfazed, but does them up. “The box isn’t,” he says. “I know you want it.”
I watch him, smiling happily. I’m still flushed and tingling, but there’s a nervous twist in my stomach as I reach into the backseat and grab the package. “You’re not off the hook if I don’t like it.”
“Open the damn thing.” He’s grinning, but there’s an edge to it. I think he’s worried.
The ribbon comes loose, and the box flips open. A small brown face looks up at me. It’s a tiny brown puppy, fur soft and curly, eyes wide and trusting. It leaps into my arms, licking my neck and covering my skin in tiny wet kisses. I can barely hold it, squirming and wriggling.
“Oh, God,” I say, breathless for an entirely different reason.
“You hate it,” he says. “Fuck, I knew—”
“I love it.”
He blinks, like he’s waiting for the punchline. I bury my face in the dog’s fur, let it wriggle all over me. My mind races, and my heart is a stampede in my chest.
“You’re not just saying that?” He watches me carefully, those wild hazel eyes suddenly serious.
“No.” I squeeze the animal tight, and it wiggles. My breath catches, remembering the pets I’ve lost. “I mean it, Leo. I really do.”
I can see him relax. He reaches over, ruffles the dog’s ears with his tattooed hand. “It reminded me of you. Tiny and cute, with a lot of attitude.”
“Is that right?” I smile, and the hesitation fades away.
“You’re not afraid?”
“I’m terrified,” I admit, meeting his eyes. “But I’ve learned a thing or two about surprises.” The dog bounces between us, pawing my chest, chewing my shirt. “They're not always bad.”
He grabs my face and kisses me, slow and tender. I sink into it, into him. Into the life I never thought I could have.
The car is hot and messy and loud with the sound of the city. The box and ribbon lie scattered on the seat. I watch him tie the puppy’s red bow around its neck and feel what it’s like to belong.
“Who's the cutest little man in the world,” I say, holding the dog up in the air.
Leonardo shakes his head. “You better be talking about me.”
The kitchen is loud with family. I sit between Juliet and Carmela as Nanna Toni curses at the coffeemaker. Leo and the other boys shout across the table, mouths full of pastry. We pass plates like it’s a relay race. Pancakes. Sausages. Bread. Nothing fancy, but way too much of it. Everyone eats like they’ll never eat again.
“Holy shit, hon,” Carmela says, watching me try to keep up. “You don’t have to taste everything.”
Leo elbows Dom in the ribs and grins. “That’s my wife.”
Dom shakes his head. “I’ll never know why she stuck around with you.”
The old woman turns around and points a bony finger. “Stop breaking each other’s balls and pour me some damn coffee.”
