Page 84 of Reclaimed Dreams

“I know, but it’s different helping an entire classroom of kids learn to read.”

“I just want to make sure you understand that I see what you do for this family, here at home and at Valenti Brothers, and it matters.”

“What about you, big guy?”

“What about me?”

“What’s your what else?”

“I’m going to make my wife a very happy woman?”

“Is that a question or a statement?”

“Both? I don’t know, Jo. I mean, I’ve definitely thought about leaving the business to the boys and retiring, but I have no idea what I’ll do with myself after that. Probably drive you nuts with my harebrained schemes. You know me—I don’t do well without something to do.”

“So your something to do is going to be driving me crazy?”

“Only in the ways that make you happy.” He nuzzled her neck. “Promise.”

“Hmm, that doesn’t sound too bad.” Jo leaned back. “Add that to my list of what else.”

She ran a tender hand through Dom’s hair and he leaned into her palm. She supported his heavy head, and he closed his eyes to better absorb the pleasure. She kissed him, gently at first, and then as their chemistry sparked to life, with more fervor and tongue. If this waiting up for teenagers could involve more necking like one, Dom wouldn’t complain. He slid his hand over her hip to pull her closer before sliding it under her sweater.

A choking cough and throat-clearing from the doorway breached his consciousness. Dom hadn’t heard the door open, but there stood Gabe, eyes on the ground, shifting awkwardly. Dom turned Jo’s wrist toward him so he could read the time. 12:02. He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand and decided to give their son a little grace.

“Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Night, Mom. Night, Dad. I, uh, I’ll just be going to bed now…” Their eldest son shielded his eyes and nodded as he beat a hasty retreat to his bedroom, returning the favor.

Jo looked at Dom wide-eyed, and they burst into simultaneous laughter. The giddiness of nerves releasing and the ridiculous role reversal of the situation was too much to contain, and they collapsed into each other’s arms, cackling like hyenas.

“Someday…”

“Someday,” he confirmed with a final kiss. “Now let’s go to bed.”

Yesterday

“What should we do today?” Dom asked, trailing his fingers over Jo’s bare shoulder, her hair tickling his nose as she burrowed deeper into the hollow of his neck.

“Mmhmm.”

He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. After a dinner that started at nine p.m. that involved four courses and a bottle of wine, they’d strolled back to their rental apartment in the dark. Under a full moon and the influence of said wine, Dom had serenaded her with his best Louis Prima impression, much to the chagrin of the neighborhood cats. Jo had laughed and he’d glowed with that accomplishment all the way up the stairs of their third-story walk-up.

That glow had heated to an open flame as Jo had stripped out of her pretty wrap dress the moment he closed the door. They’d barely made it to the bedroom before combusting. Drunk on wine and laughter and the look in her eyes, he’d shown his wife that he loved her every way he knew how.

He touched every curve, every soft place, every change in texture. He traced a blueprint of his beloved with his fingers, the darkness concealing and revealing her at once. This woman he’d lived with through a lifetime of joys and sorrows opened her heart and body to him once again, and he felt the blessing in that. They moved together, each knowing what the other craved and giving it in abundance until love and passion bound them in that sweet moment of release together.

As the energy ebbed, Dom had rolled, tucking Jo against his side and anchoring her there with a strong arm, so they could sleep.

Now, with the Italian midday sun illuminating the naked woman in his arms, he felt that wash of gratitude again.

“What time is it?” Jo grumbled.

“Nearly noon,” he replied, leaning back, moving his shadow to block the offensively bright light that hit her face.

She groaned and tried to hide by tugging the duvet over her head, accidentally clipping his chin with her clenched fist.

“Ouch!” He flopped back and rubbed his jaw dramatically.

Jo peered over the edge of the covers, remorse in her eyes but a grin teasing her lips. “Sorry, babe.”

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