10. Hazel
CHAPTER 10
Hazel
"Tell me about him," Becca asks as we sit on the sofa, a bowl of popcorn between us, our legs covered in the Christmas blankets we've had for years. It's just the two of us, our parents are in bed, they've had an eventful day, to say the least. I finally let them know that I'm pregnant.
"He's—" I pause, trying to find the right words to describe Joe. "Elegant, handsome, smart, amazing, and dangerous."
She raises a brow, a smile playing on her lips. "He's part of the mafia, I'd say danger comes with the territory. Where is he?"
"He's in Denver," I tell her.
His grandson was taken and Gabriella was beaten to a pulp while they were in New York. I've met Gabby and Anthony, they're both amazing, and Gabby is so sweet, she's not what I thought the daughter of a notorious mafia boss would be like. Instead, she was genuinely sweet and welcomed me with open arms.
Thankfully, Anthony was found and he's back with his mom. Joe called to tell me he had something to take care of in Denver and he'd be back soon. I know whatever brought him back to Denver isn't good, but that's not a part of him that I dare to ask about. Denver is where he's the Boss, where the danger lies and it's such a contrast to the man that I know.
“What about the baby,” she says. “You said he’s married?”
I sigh. “He said he’s divorcing her but she’s dragging her feet. At this stage, I have to believe that what he’s telling me is true.”
She reaches for my hand. “Does he love you?”
I nod. “Yes,” I grin. “He does and he shows me all the time.”
She grins back at me. “Then trust him, Hazel, trust that the love you two share is enough. It won’t be long until the baby’s here.”
She’s right, I’m four months along now and my baby will be here in no time. Not to mention a few weeks after I become a mom, I’ll become an auntie too. Becca’s also pregnant. “It’s going to be a busy time, both of us becoming mom’s and aunts.”
Becca’s eyes light up at the mention of being a mom. “I can’t wait to meet your little one,” she says, her voice bubbling with excitement. “And for our babies to grow up together, just like we did.”
We were the best of friends growing up until we hit our teenage years, we drifted apart, but right now, we’re closer than ever and I’m so happy that she’s going through this journey with me.
I squeeze Becca's hand, grateful for her support. "Thank you, Becca. I don't know what I'd do without you." I’ve had a few wobbly moments with Joe being in Denver, I’m a little hesitant of what it means. I thought him moving to Kentucky meant that he was moving away from the business, but the way he sounded on the phone, it was clear that he’s not ready to give up on what he worked so hard to build.
She smiles, her eyes filled with understanding and kindness. "You'll never have to find out. We're in this together, remember?"
We are. We're in this together and I know that if things go wrong, I'll always have Becca and our parents to fall back on.
I had been worried, unsure of where this life will lead me, I’m pregnant and while expecting my baby is something I’m excited about, I can’t help but feel as though my life is tangled. I’m in love with a man that’s cheated—repeatedly—on his wife. I’m having a baby with a man that is probably one of the most dangerous in the world and he’s also my boss. I couldn’t get any more tangled if I tried.
But the love that I feel for Joe and the love he has for me, something that he has shown me time and time again, it’s real. I know it is. I can feel it deep within my bones that what we have isn’t just to pass the time, it’s deep and soul-searing love. One that only comes once in a lifetime. Some people don’t get to feel this and I’m going to give it my all, I’m all in with Joe, but he cheats or fucks up, I’m gone. I’m not putting our child in danger because of him. I won’t allow it.
But having space between Joe and I has given me the time to think. I was able to internalize everything, and I finally realized what I had. I know how special it is and now that I have decided to be all in, it's as though a huge weight is lifted from my shoulders.
I miss Joe, I really miss him, and I can't wait for him to come home.
I strip out of my clothes, my heart racing as I hear the door closing downstairs. He’s here. He’s home. I've officially moved in with him for a week. But I’ve been here every night since we got together.
I stay still, straining to listen, waiting for any sound to let me know he’s on his way to me. I hear the creak of the floor as he steps into the room. He comes up behind me and slides his arms around ,y small bump. I smile, he’s home. God, he’s home.
He’s been gone for almost a month; he missed Christmas and I’m not angry nor am I upset. He was helping Gabby recover from her ordeal and spending time with Anthony. I love that he’s there for his family, it’s one of the many reasons that I love him.
He called me the night he’d got to Denver. He didn’t hesitate to let me know what had happened. Christina set Gabby and Anthony up. She’s the reason that Gabby was hurt and that Anthony was taken. Joe didn’t miss a beat when he let me know that Christina was no longer a problem. I didn’t have to ask him what he meant, she’s gone and that’s that.
“Hey honey,” I say thickly. I’ve missed him.
“Sweetheart,” he growls. “Fuck, baby.” He spins me around and kisses me. I’m putty in his hands. I become mush, all I can do is cling to him for dear life and let him have his way with me.
His hands slide up along my body, not missing an inch of it, he’s leaving heat in the wake, I’m burning for him. He’s usually much more controlled, but I love when he isn’t, and I have a feeling that this is one of those times he isn’t.
He pushes me back until I’m at the edge of the bed, he helps me down onto the mattress before he continues.
I’m wet. Soaking wet for him. Just as I always am. I need him, it’s been so long. God, too fucking long.
I blink in surprise as I see that he’s stripped out of his clothes.
He hovers above me, his cock thick and standing to attention. God, I want him. My body is humming with need. “Please, honey, I need you.” He slides a finger into my pussy as he brings his fingers to my nipple, I groan, loving the pleasure that spikes through my body. I grind down against his finger, my body burning for him.
“Going to fuck you now, baby.” His lips descend on mine as he lines his cock up at the entrance. He doesn’t hesitate, he thrusts deep inside of me, his cock stretching me, adding a little pain to the pleasure. Something that I love. “God, Joe,” I cry out as he slowly withdraws his cock from me before thrusting deep once again.
Over and over again he fucks me slowly, it’s torturous, but I love it. “Joe,” I whimper. “Please honey, I need you.”
He pulls out of me and flips me over so that I’m on all fours, he doesn't give me a second to adjust, he just plunges back inside.
“God,” I cry out as he thrusts into me, his cock stretching me even more. There’s something about doggy style that just hits different.
He pounds hard and fast. His strokes hitting the edge of my cervix, he knows what this does to me. I’m clawing at the sheets, mewling like a cat. I’m so close.
“I want to feel you, Hazel, let me feel you come.”
I can’t hold back, it’s like a tidal wave as it washes over me. I cling to the bedding as my orgasm hits me.
“That’s it, baby, more, don’t stop.”
I couldn’t even if I wanted to. My body no longer belongs to me. Once I come down from the high, he flips me back onto my back. A cocky fucking grin on his face. “I’m not finished, baby, I’ve missed you,” he tells me thickly, his eyes crinkled at the corners, but they hold so much love that it takes my breath from me.
“Joe,” I cry. “I love you.”
“Love you, Baby,” he growls as he presses a kiss against my lips. “With everything I am, I fucking love you.”
I smile at him. “I love you, too.”
He twists his hips and this time when he thrusts, it’s short hard thrusts and I know that there’s not a hope that I’ll be able to hold off from having another orgasm.
I match him thrust for thrust, knowing that it’s all going to be over soon. “Honey, please,” I plead with him as my pleasure starts to hit its peak. I'm about to shatter once again, this time I need him to join me.
“Not leaving you again,” he snarls as his lips slant against mine.
I can’t hold it off. My fingers claw at his back as my orgasm takes over. I cry out, my body arching, and I see stars. I cum long and hard, unable to continue to hold onto him any longer, I’m tired, utterly spent. He’s fucked me into oblivion.
I watch as he grits his teeth, his fingers digging into my flesh at my hip as he thrusts hard and fast into me.
I moan, loving the feeling of him thickening inside of me.
“Fuck,” he snarls as he thrusts deep into me one last time before he stills above me, his cock jerks, and he unloads his cum inside of me.
“Fucking love you, baby.”
I sink into the mattress, my arms still wrapped around him. “I love you, too.”