The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Caleb

“ T his brings back memories,” I say as we swing side by side in the playground on the grounds of the estate.

“It does.” Elisa looks less troubled out here, kicking her legs out in front of her and grinning as she soars through the air.

“You used to beg me to push you,” I tease.

“You spent ages out here with me,” she remembers with a fond smile. “You were very patient with me when I was a kid.”

“You made it easy, Elisa.” I slow down, figuring she’s relaxed enough now to have the conversation we need to have. “There were times I sought you out because you were the only one who could ever bring a smile to my face.” I plant my feet on the ground as she slows down too. “I didn’t think of you as anything more than a little sister back then, and even when you got old enough, I still wouldn’t, couldn’t, go there.”

She comes to a standstill, and her eyes probe mine.

I reach out and thread my fingers in hers. “But somewhere along the way, that changed. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it was because I was in denial, but the way I love you is nothing new, Lili.” I tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear, silently fist pumping the air when a shiver visibly ghosts over her body. “I was a coward because I didn’t confront my feelings. You have always been the brave, confident one between us.”

Disbelief washes over her face. “You are the most confident, some might say arrogant, person I know, Caleb.” She shoots me a cheeky grin, and I have a sudden urge to toss her over my lap and slap her insolent ass. My dick stirs in my pants, loving that idea.

“In all aspects of my life but this. When it comes to affairs of the heart, I’m the furthest thing from confident.”

“That’s not how it’s coming across.” Her thumb sweeps the underside of my hand, shooting tingles up my arm.

“Because it’s you and loving you is as natural as breathing to me. It’s why I never realized I was already doing it.” I angle my body, and our knees brush. “What I’m trying to say is I know I have no experience of relationships or love, and you have every right to feel hesitant, but I’m telling the truth. I could never lie to you.” I stand and pull her to her feet, gently reeling her into my arms.

Her head tilts back as she looks up at me. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are bright. “I love you, Lili. I love you so much, and I want to be with you. I promise if you give me a chance you won’t regret it. I won’t let you down.” I softly clasp her face in my hands. “I can’t live without you, and our time is now. Haven’t we waited long enough for this?”

“Caleb.” Her voice is choked with emotion as she rests her palms on my chest. “I’m scared.”

“I get that. I’m terrified of failing at the one thing that is most important in my life, but if we don’t try, we won’t ever know.”

“What if I’m not good enough for you?” She bites on her lips in an obvious tell.

“What?” Shock echoes in my tone. “Why would you ever think that? I’m the one who isn’t good enough for you .”

“I’m not like all those other girls you’ve been with. I don’t look like them, and I…I—” She cuts herself off and lowers her eyes.

“Lili, look at me.” I drop my hands to her back, holding her close as she lifts her gaze to mine. “None of those girls meant anything to me. Harsh, but it’s true. You’re perfect, Lil.” I brush my thumb along her lip. “Every single part of you is perfect. There is nothing I would change. You and I were made to fit together.”

“I’m still a virgin,” she blurts, and her cheeks stain fire-engine red.

“Thank fuck for that.” I rest my brow against hers, and we stare at one another with barely any space between us. “I was praying you hadn’t given it to that piece of shit.”

“I couldn’t do it. I was always waiting for you.”

I ease back and cup her face. “It’s a gift I probably don’t deserve, but I won’t lie and say I’m not pleased when I am.”

She chews on the inside of her mouth, gulping and looking incredibly nervous, and I couldn’t love this girl any more if I tried. I wait her out, watching as thoughts churn in her mind. “What if you grow bored with me or I can’t please you?”

This girl. She slays me in all the bests ways. “Angel.” I softly caress her beautiful face. “You’re a blank canvas, my love. I will teach you what I like, and we’ll explore your desires together. You can show me what you like, and I will ensure you feel loved, cherished, desired, and wanted every second of every day for the rest of your life. But there is no rush. We will go at your pace, and I can wait until you’re ready.”

Tears glisten in her eyes as she stares at me in slight shock.

“You have enchanted me, Lili. I’m forever under your spell.” I press light kisses to her cheeks. “And you please me just by breathing, Lili. You could never disappoint me, and I will never grow tired of you.” Elisa is usually self-confident, and I curse my stupidity at helping to plant these doubts in her head. My messing around with other women has hurt her and left her feeling inadequate, and it’s my job to show her that is furthest from the truth. “You’re my soul mate, Lili. You’re the woman I was always destined to be with. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it, but I’m all in now. I am yours, and only yours, forever.”

“Caleb,” she chokes out over a sob as silent tears stream down her face. “This feels like a dream, and I’m scared I’m going to wake up.”

I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight, breathing in her sweet scent and enjoying the feel of her soft curves against the hard planes of my body. “It’s not a dream. I’m real. We’re real, and I’m going nowhere.” I tip her face up so her eyes are locked on mine. “I meant it when I said I’d be patient. You don’t need to worry about anything. Let me carry the weight, and I will wait until you are ready. Just give me a shot, Lili. Give us a chance to see how incredible we can be.”

“Okay.” She’s smiling through her tears. “I have wanted this my entire life, and I’m done waiting.”

Thank fuck.

I hold her precious face in my hands, and my heart is bursting with joy. I peer deep into her gorgeous eyes, hoping she sees and feels the truth behind these words. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispers as a beatific smile graces her lips and her tears dry.

My eyes drift to her tempting mouth. “I really need to kiss you.”

Trusting eyes pin mine in place. “I really want you to kiss me.”

Without wasting another second, I lower my mouth and brush my lips against hers. Her hands grip my waist as she tilts her head and sweeps her mouth against mine. My hold on her face is tender as I slant my mouth more firmly against hers and kiss her deeply. Her body presses against mine as she meets me kiss for kiss, and I’m drowning in euphoria and the best fucking kiss of my life. My arms band around her body, trapping her against me as we pour years of pent-up longing into every glide of our mouths.

Her lips part eagerly, and my tongue slides into her mouth, tangling with hers in a sensual dance. Every nerve ending in my body is alive, and my cock is solid as a rock, pressing against her stomach in a way she can’t ignore. That thought has me pulling back to check she’s okay.

“Why’d you stop?” she pants.

“Just checking you’re okay?” My eyes scan her face for signs of discomfort, but I find none.

“I’m more than fine.” A flush crawls over her face, and I’m very partial to it. She grabs the front of my jacket and pulls my face down to hers. “Keep kissing me, Caleb. I don’t want you to stop.”

I don’t know how long we stay kissing because time seems to have lost all meaning, and we only break apart when Rosa and Aria show up with our moms.

“You were kissing Caleb,” Aria says, giggling.

“I was.” Lili snuggles into my side, and my arms automatically wrap around her.

“Are you going to marry Elisa?” my sister asks.

“Someday,” I reply, tweaking Lili’s nose when she stares at me in shock.

“Oh my god!” Mom squeals as if she’s five. “You could have a double wedding with Joshua and Gia!”

I narrow my eyes in suspicion. “Were you talking to Cristian?”

“What?” Her brow puckers. “No. Why?”

“Nothing,” I mumble, not wanting to admit our friends have placed bets on a double wedding by year-end.

Lili’s cheeks are flushed, and she hasn’t said anything. Interesting.

“You two look so good together,” Serena says, and her genuine joy is easy to see.

“Y’all need to calm down,” Elisa says, coming out of whatever place she went to in her head. “We have only just agreed to give things a go. Talk of a double wedding is very premature.”

“We’re just really excited for you,” Mom says with tears in her eyes. “Now both my boys are happy.” She plants a hand over her heart as emotion crests over her face. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” A sob rips from her throat, and Lili instantly shucks out of my arms to hug my mother.

Serena sidles up to me. “Look after my daughter, Caleb,” she says as we watch my mom and Lili hug and whisper. Our sisters have long since grown bored and ditched us for the climbing frame.

“I will take care of her. I promise.”

She pats my arm. “Alesso wants to speak with you,” she adds, and I work hard not to roll my eyes. “You are Elisa’s choice. He just wants to know you’ll love her and protect her. Reassure him, and he’ll back down.”

I doubt it’ll be that simple, but there’s no point in worrying Serena. “I’ll talk to him later.”

“Also, Sierra said to tell you the west wing is vacant, and you’re welcome to it tonight.”

“That’s kind of her.” It feels good to have so many people rooting for us. Honestly, I’m surprised, but I’m not going to knock a gift horse in the mouth. It would be nice to spend tonight with Lili, curled up on the couch, watching a movie, and getting better acquainted with her exquisite mouth. I’ve never been more turned on just from kissing, and it’s further proof of how we have always been meant to be. I don’t care what anyone says, Lili is the one, and I’m determined to make that reality a permanent reality in the very near future.