Chapter Seventeen Callum
After we landed and exited the plane, I finally felt like I could breathe. We were home and once again on our territory. The constant feeling of being on edge melted away. Once I met with all the Neretti brothers and ironed out the parameters of our alliance, we could begin to move forward.
Since stepping on American soil, Caterina appeared to be overwhelmed with nervous energy. Even though it was almost eleven at night, she bounced in her seat while leaning from left to right to peer out the windows and take in aspects of the city. “I’ve never been to Boston before,” she remarked after I gave her an exasperated look.
“Never?”
She shook her head. “It was out of our territory, so I wasn’t allowed.”
“I’ll be sure to have one of your bodyguards give you a tour.”
She looked at me. “My bodyguards?”
“Yes, Kitten, you won’t leave the house without at least one bodyguard. Until things are smoothed over with your brothers, you’ll take two.”
“I’m well aware of having bodyguards.”
“Then what’s the question?”
She glanced down at her hands in her lap. “I just wondered why you weren’t taking me.”
“While I’m touched you’re bereft about being without my companionship, I must remind you that I have a job to contend with. One that I’ve been away from for the last week.”
Her gaze snapped to mine. With a glare, she countered, “Excuse me for thinking you might take some time off to ensure your wife gets acclimated to her new life in a new city.”
“She has you there, Cal,” Dare replied with a grin.
“Fuck off,” I snapped.
After riding along in silence for the next few minutes, Caterina’s squeal caused me to jump out of my skin. “Ooh, McDonalds!”
“What about it?” I muttered as I rubbed my chest over my shirt.
“Can we stop? I’m starving.”
Wrinkling my nose in disgust, I countered, “You actually like that greasy shite?”
She nodded. “I love it. And I haven’t had any in almost three years.”
I chuckled. “You sound like you’ve just been busted out of prison.”
“Please, can’t we just go through the drive thru?”
With a roll of my eyes, I muttered, “Fine.” After leaning forward in my seat, I said to Harvey, “Change of plans. Stop at McDonald”s for some greasy shite for my wife.”
Quinn and Dare chuckled behind me. “I wouldn’t mind some myself,” Kellan replied.
“Anyone else?” I questioned tersely.
“I’ve been a week without Lorna’s cooking, so I’ll wait,” Quinn replied.
Dare grinned. “I’ll go for both.” With a waggle of his brows, he added, “You know my large appetite.”
“Ew,” Caterina muttered, which caused Dare to laugh.
After Harvey rattled off our order of burgers and fries, we made it through the drive through. He turned in his seat to hand the bags to Caterina. She stuck her head in one of the bags. “Oh my God, that smells amazing!” she moaned.
“Hey, don’t be sniffing all over my food,” Dare protested.
She brought her head out of the bag to roll her eyes at him. “This happens to be my order.” After a brief glance in another bag, she handed it to Kellan. For the last bag, she said to Dare, “This must be yours.”
As soon as the food was dispersed, Caterina tore into her Big Mac like someone who had gone days without food. Her appreciative moans shot straight to my dick, causing me to shift in my seat.
“What?” she questioned through a mouthful of Big Mac at what must’ve been my pained look.
“Pace yourself.”
“You don’t know what it’s like to go without something you really, really love.”
“Actually, I do.”
She held a hand up before pinching her eyes shut. “Please don’t turn this into something sexual.”
I chuckled. “I wasn’t about to.”
Her eyelids peeled open to peer curiously at me. “So what was it you had to go without?”
“Supermacs was my equivalent to your McDonalds.”
Caterina swallowed her bite. “And why did you have to go without eating there?”
“Because I was in prison.”
She lowered the Big Mac to her lap. “You’ve been in prison?”
Dare snorted around his milkshake straw. “I’d hardly call it prison.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Oh, were you the one serving the time?”
“You were there to serve a six month sentence, which Da and Seamus got you out of after three.”
“Fuck off.”
“What was it for?” Caterina asked curiously.
“What do you think, Kitten?”
“There’s so many possibilities for an Irish gang member,” she teasingly replied.
“I hate to disappoint you, but it was actually for public indecency.”
A laugh burst from her lips. “You’re joking.”
I shook my head with a grin. “I was seventeen and got utterly and completely pissed. In my inebriated state, I decided it was a good idea to take a leak right in the middle of the street. The cop who arrested me didn’t have any idea who I was. My father was so angry that I’d been nabbed for something so foolish that he allowed me to sit in there and stew for a while before he lent a hand.”
After chewing a thoughtful bite of her burger, she said, “You certainly didn’t tell me you’re an ex-con.”
I laughed. “Aye, it certainly tarnishes my squeaky clean image.”
“Very true,” she mused.
Leaning over, I brought my thumb to the corner of Caterina’s lip. “You have a little ketchup.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Oh,” she murmured as I swiped the glob off. She watched with wide eyes as I brought my thumb to my mouth rather than wiping it on a napkin. “I thought you said you didn’t like it?”
“I can handle a little ketchup.”
She grinned before holding out the box of french fries. “Want some fries with your ketchup?”
“I think I’ll pass.”
“Suit yourself,” she replied.
Just as Caterina finished her food, we turned onto Beacon Street. As we pulled up to the house, Caterina peered curiously through the SUV’s window. “I know it’s hard to see in the dark, but what do you think of your new home, Kitten?”
Her eyes bulged wide. “It’s… beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t dream you lived somewhere like this.”
I smiled. “Don’t tell me you thought I resided in some shithole?”
She laughed. “Of course not. This is just so historic and classic. I guess I saw you in something more modern.”
“Wait until you see the view from the rooftop.”
Her eyes widened. “The rooftop is yours?”
“Yes, we have the 4th and 5th floors of the penthouse. The rooftop has gorgeous views of the neighborhood along with the Charles River.”
“And you all live here?”
I nodded. “Since arriving in the states, we felt there was strength in numbers.”
“That makes sense.” Caterina smiled. “Of course, I can’t imagine my brothers living in the same house.”
“That’s because they’ve lived and reigned in New York all their lives. We’re starting from the bottom.”
“That’s true.”
Harvey parked on the street to let us all out. While my brothers and a few bodyguards handled the luggage, I took Caterina on ahead. After we entered the lobby, we took the elevator up to the main floor. I led Caterina into the foyer.
Walking to the edge of the living room, I said, “The kitchen and dining room are just across the hall while the master bedroom and bath are down the hall.”
“Where’s my bedroom?”
I gave a slight shake of my head. “We only have four bedrooms. You’ll be sleeping with me.”
Caterina’s eyes bulged. “No. I won’t,” she countered.
“Yes, Kitten, you will. You’re my wife, and wives sleep with their husbands.”
“Not always.”
“In our case, you will.”
“I could give her my room,” Kellan suggested.
I jabbed my finger at him. “Mind your own business.”
After holding up his hands, Kellan pushed past me to climb the circular staircase to the second floor. Caterina tracked his movement up the stairs. Once he was out of earshot, she argued, “You didn’t have a right to turn him down. That should’ve been my decision.”
“It’s my home and my decision.”
“Stop being such a caveman.”
“We have to form some sort of intimacy. If not, we’ll never consummate our marriage, and we’ll never produce an heir.”
“Surely there are other ways to do it without sleeping in the same bed with each other.”
“Enough!” I thundered, which caused Caterina to jump. “You and I will share a room, a bathroom, and a bed.”
With a huff, she rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Fine. But I won’t like it.”
“I’m sure with your continued line of bullshit I won’t like it very much either.” Taking her by the arm, I led her across the hall to the kitchen. “I want to introduce you to Lorna.”
At the mention of another female, Caterina tensed. “Why do I need to meet her?” she questioned suspiciously.
“Because she’s our cook and housekeeper. She basically runs this house and us.”
A flicker of relief flashed on Caterina’s face. I fought the urge to laugh that she could’ve possibly thought I had a live-in mistress. Growing up with a father like hers, I’m sure Caterina was used to Alessio shuffling women around. I’d seen the same thing happen with my own. Keeping faithful was another way I planned to end yet another generational curse.
“You didn’t tell me you had a full-time housekeeper.”
“My apologies that I didn’t deem it as important as saving your ass from gunfire.”
She rolled her eyes. “I thought you expected me to do all that as your wife.” She turneded her head to me. “The whole ‘my mother put three meals on the table a day’ thing.”
“When university starts, I know you’ll be busy with your classes, so it’s best that Lorna keeps running things around here.”
“That makes sense.”
“There’s also the fact that Lorna takes care of my brothers along with me. As my wife, you’ll only be expected to take care of me.”
While I thought she might protest, Caterina shook her head. “I don’t mind doing things for your brothers. They’ve been exceptionally kind to me considering the situation.”
The mention of her taking care of my brothers sent an unusual feeling slashing through my chest. A green rage of jealousy blinded my eyes at the very idea she might be giving more to them than me. “You are mine, Caterina.”
She stared into my eyes before slowly shaking her head. “Why don’t you beat your hands on your chest to drive home the point?” she suggested.
With a smirk, I replied, “If that’s what it takes to get it through your head, then maybe I will.”
“Lucky me,” Caterina muttered.
Just as I expected, I found Lorna in front of the stove. I’d texted her we would be arriving late, and she could leave some food out for us. I should’ve known she would’ve insisted on staying to ensure we were all fed.
At the sight of me, she smiled. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you.”
Glancing passed me, Lorna stared at Caterina with interest. “And who is this?”
“This is my wife, Caterina.”
Lorna’s green eyes bulged comically wide. “Your wife?”
I couldn’t help grinning at her reaction. “Aye, as of today.”
Taking a tentative step forward, Caterina offered Lorna her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Lorna eyed it somewhat contemptuously before she pulled a shocked Caterina into her arms. “It’s so very, very nice to meet you.” Peering over Caterina’s shoulder, Lorna demanded, “You left five days ago without even a girlfriend to speak of, and now you’re coming back with a wife?”
With a laugh, I replied, “It’s an arranged marriage.”
Lorna pulled away to peer at Caterina. “The angels sure were shining upon you to be blessed with such a beautiful wife.”
As red flushed Caterina’s face, she replied, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, lass.” Although she let Caterina out of her embrace, Lorna kept her hands in hers. “Aren’t the two of you going to make some stunning wains together?”
At Caterina’s furrowed burrows of confusion, I said, “Wain is Northern Irish slang for a child.”
“Oh, I see,” she replied, with a shy smile.
“You can’t imagine how happy I am for the two of you. This house has needed a woman’s touch for such a long time.”
“I hope you’ll be willing to help me. I don’t know much about running a house.”
“Of course you don’t, sweetheart. You’re so very young.” Lorna gave me a stern look. “Aren’t you a little old for her?”
For fuck’s sake. “There’s barely ten years between us,” I argued. What the hell was Lorna’s problem? Acting like I was some dirty old man just because there was an age difference between Caterina and me.
“Why, she’s practically a wain herself.” With a wink, Lorna added, “But I suppose her age will work in your favor when it comes to getting up the pole.”
“Excuse me?” Caterina asked.
Before Lorna could respond, I replied, “It’s Irish slang for getting pregnant.”
Caterina squeaked before flushing pink. Since I knew she was desperate for a subject change, I said, “Caterina has some culinary skills.”
“Is that right?” Lorna asked.
With a nod, Caterina replied, “I would love to help you cook sometimes.”
Lorna grinned. “And I would love to have some help. The Kavanaugh men certainly go through the food.”
“I can only imagine.”
Wagging her finger, Lorna said, “But for now, you need your rest. Callum, take your lovely wife to bed.”
While Caterina’s face flushed at the insinuation, I jerked my chin at the stove. “I’ll get Caterina settled and then come back for a plate.”
With a knowing smile, Lorna replied, “Take your time.”
Placing my hand on the small of Caterina’s back, I guided her out of the kitchen. As I led Caterina down the hall to my bedroom, she dragged her feet as if she was a lamb being taken to slaughter. Cutting my eyes over to her, I growled with a mixture of anger and frustration. “Stop it.”
“What?”
“Stop acting like I’m about to throw you on the bed and take your virtue.”
“I know you aren’t,” she replied softly.
“Then why are you acting so frightened?” Refusing to meet my gaze, she merely shrugged. “Don’t tell me you’re that nervous about sharing a bed with me?”
She jerked up her chin defiantly. “I’m sure it’s hard for someone like you to imagine, but yes, I am nervous. I’ve never shared a bed with a man. Not even my brothers.” Before I could open my mouth to reassure her, she shook her head. “Let’s also not forget it’s my first night in my new house in a new city after a day where my own father shot at my vehicle on the pretense of kidnapping me to force me into a marriage with an abuser.”
When her chin trembled, I felt like an unimaginable bastard. I ran my hand over my face with a ragged sigh. “I’m sorry, Kitten. I should’ve realized how overwhelming all this was for you. Just like you’re not used to being around men, I’m sure as hell not used to having a woman around.”
Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “You’ve never lived with a woman?”
“Not since my mam and Maeve.”
“You haven’t had women here?” she questioned softly.
“You’ll be the first woman to share my bed.” When her eyes bulged in shock, I added, “My bed in my home.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“If I’m honest, it’s been awhile since I’ve shared my bed overnight.”
“You could make it a little easier for me by spending the night on the couch,” she said
“Not on your fucking life,” I countered.
She rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised,” she muttered before going over to her luggage that had been brought up. After grabbing her suitcase, she hurried over to the bathroom and disappeared behind the door. At the sound of the shower turning on, I headed back to the kitchen.
Lorna handed me a heaping plate of my favorite Shepherd’s pie with a giant slice of soda bread. With my stomach rumbling, I practically inhaled the mouthwatering food. Lorna huffed at my clean plate. “Did you even chew?”
I laughed. “I’ve missed your food that much.”
She grinned. “I’ll make you another one.”
With another plate filled to the brim, I said, “I’m going to eat this in my room.”
“Aye, can’t leave your blushing bride for too long, can you?”
“I was going to see if she’d like to try some.”
“Sure you were,” Dare said around a mouthful of food.
I gave him the middle finger before starting down the hall. When I got there, Caterina was still in the bathroom. Despite what Dare said, I had planned on getting Caterina to try the pie.
When I tried the door, I found it locked. I pounded my knuckles into the wood. “What?” Caterina called.
“I had some food for you to try.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Of course she wasn’t. “Also, I just want you to know that no lock will keep me out.”
Her huff of frustration could be heard through the door. “You’re such a brute!”
I couldn’t help chuckling at her outrage. “One might argue that as my wife I have every right to see you naked. I should just break down this door.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“You’re right.” I went over to the nightstand and grabbed the key. After I returned to the door, I called, “I’ll use the key instead.”
“Callum!” she shrieked.
When I jerked open the door, Caterina stood in a pair of silky pajama shorts that hit mid-thigh. Her arm draped her pajama top across her breasts. As her chest rose and fell, a mixture of rage and mortification resided in her eyes. “How dare you!”
I put my hands on my hips. “How dare I enter one of the rooms in my own home?”
“That’s not what you were doing, and you know it. I should have a right to my privacy.”
“I needed to get ready for bed,” I replied as I began to unbutton my shirt.
“You could’ve gotten ready in the bedroom or waited until I was finished.”
After pulling off my shirt, I argued, “I’m exhausted and ready to sleep.”
“I would assume that this isn’t the only bathroom in the house. You could’ve gone to–” Caterina’s voice cut off when I unbuckled my belt. Her eyes popped wide when I stepped out of my pants and stood before her in my briefs. With a flush on her cheeks, she ducked her head.
I joined her at the sink. She remained frozen as I started brushing my teeth. I jerked my chin at her. “Aren’t you going to put your top on?”
“Not with you in here.”
With a smirk, I replied, “Would you like some help?”
“Why are you being such a jerk?” she demanded.
“It’s just part of my charm, Kitten,” I replied with a wink. After bending over the sink, I spit out some of my toothpaste. When I righted myself, Caterina gave me a death glare in the mirror. “Seriously, Kitten, after that first night of seeing you in a white, drenched nightgown, I promise I’ve already seen everything you have to offer.”
“You’re still a jerk.”
“Yes, I am because I’m seriously enjoying this.”
After meeting my gaze in the mirror, something dangerous flickered in Caterina’s eyes. Almost immediately the hairs rose on the back of my neck. I’d been trained on how to read people, and I could read that my wife was just about to react. And it wasn’t going to be good.
With bated breath, I watched her as she removed her arm and the pajama top from covering her breasts. A low groan reverberated through my chest at the sight of her bare tits. Normally, I would’ve expected her to hurriedly put her top on. But I’d known from her change of expression to be prepared for the unexpected.
My kitten was about to bare her claws.
And fuck me did Caterina bring the unexpected. She went one step farther to torture me. Taking her sweetass time, she examined the fabric of the top, picking off invisible lint and turning it inside out. All the while her fabulous rack magnetized my attention, causing my cock to rise.
When it pounded in my briefs, I gritted out, “Aren’t you going to put your top on?”
I never knew how devious my wife was until she had the audacity to grab a lotion bottle out of her suitcase. With my toothbrush frozen in my mouth and toothpaste oozing over my lips, I watched as she began to lotion up her arms and upper chest. It sent a shimmering sheen across her skin. All the while her tits bounced with her ministrations, causing my cock to throb.
Just when I thought I might come in my pants like a horny teenager, she quickly threw her top over her head. Caterina once again met my gaze in the mirror. “All done,” she replied with a sickeningly sweet smile.
I thought she couldn’t possibly have any more cheek, but then her hip brushed against my crotch as she walked out of the bathroom, causing me to hiss. There were two ways I could handle this: one would be to jerk it out in the shower, which was incredibly creepy with Caterina just a few feet away, or I could just get in bed and wait for my traitorous dick to go back down.
I chose the second option. After rinsing, I stalked back into the bedroom. Caterina already lay against the pillows watching me curiously. Her eyes trailed down my body to my crotch. With a grunt, I threw back the covers and climbed inside the bed. “Goodnight,” Caterina said softly.
“Goodnight,” I huffed.
After turning out the light, I rolled away from her onto my side. The moment I fanned the covers Caterina’s intoxicating smell invaded my nose. With a groan, I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and willed my dick to go down.
But it didn’t. Being so close to a beautiful and sexy woman had it pulsing with need. I don’t know how long I lay there, aching and frustrated. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I slung back the covers with a frustrated grunt. Rising out of bed, I grabbed a pillow.
Caterina’s voice echoed through the dark. “What are you doing?”
“Going to the fucking couch.”
“But I thought–”
I laughed mirthlessly. “Don’t act innocent, Kitten. We both know you brought out the claws with your little peep show in the bathroom. So, enjoy your victory.”
I could practically hear her smiling in the dark. “Sweet dreams,” she replied.
I bit my tongue from telling her to fuck off. Instead I ignored her and stormed out of the bedroom. I didn’t know how, but one day, I would pay her back.