Ten
ANGELO
B adum. Badum. Badum.
Angelo was in a trance, his senses heightened as he followed Allison out of the doctor’s office and into the parking lot, just minutes after their appointment concluded. But while the world around him faded, his mind was captivated by that beautiful sound.
Each beat reverberated in his chest, a rhythmic pulse claiming his heart as its own, a reminder that life was beginning anew. With every thrum, he felt a surge of hope and determination.
All his doubts and moments of second-guessing were washed away by the exhilarating rush of possibility coursing through him. The air around him felt electric, charged with potential, and he embraced that feeling, allowing it to fill him with the confidence that he could care for this baby.
My baby.
As if drawn by an invisible force, Angelo’s hand instinctively reached into his pocket, seeking the small picture of his little miracle tucked away there. The image felt warm against his fingers, a tangible connection to the future they were embarking on together. He could almost envision the tiny fingers and delicate features of his miracle, and with each heartbeat that reverberated in his mind, he realized that he was ready to embrace the joys and challenges of fatherhood.
I can do this. I can be a father.
Angelo’s heart swelled with an overwhelming rush of emotions as he stroked a finger over the tiny blob on the small picture.
A rush of fierce protectiveness washed over him, overwhelming his senses. Angelo swore to himself and his unborn child that he would care for it, safeguard it, and love it with every ounce of his being.
He cradled the photo like it was a delicate piece of glass, convinced that if he blinked too hard, it might shatter. In that instant, he felt like the luckiest man in the world, even if he did have to remind himself not to shout “Mine!” like a child at a birthday party.
“Angelo?” The sweet woman in front of him broke him out of his reverie. “Is everything okay?”
He slowly lifted his gaze from the picture, his heart racing as he beheld the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Allison’s worry etched deep lines across her heart-shaped face, drawing attention to her striking green eyes, which shimmered with a mix of concern and hope. Her soft, sandy hair framed her face delicately, and for a moment, everything else faded as he became entranced by her presence.
“Yes. Everything is perfect.”
A radiant smile spread across her face, and Angelo couldn’t help but notice how it complemented her delicate features. The warmth of her joy transformed her expression, illuminating her eyes and giving her an almost ethereal glow. It was as if a weight had been lifted, revealing the vibrant woman he knew was beneath the surface.
“We’re having a baby,” Angelo whispered, his gaze flicking between her sparkling jade eyes, drinking in every detail.
“Yes, we are,” Allison replied after a few moments of joyful silence. Her smile widened even more, her pearly whites flashing as laughter bubbled up within her. “We’re having a freaking baby!”
Overcome with excitement, Angelo wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her as if his very life depended on it. A boisterous laugh escaped him, echoing the joy that surged through him—he felt like the happiest man on Earth, and in this moment, he truly was.
To his delightful surprise, Allison wrapped her arms around his neck and leapt into him, her legs encircling his waist as she returned the embrace with all her strength.
“We’re having a baby!” He twirled around, cradling her tightly against him. “Our baby, Pinkie!”
As their laughter gradually faded, Angelo slowed down, still holding her close, his heart racing wildly in his chest. He looked up at Allison, captivated by her radiance.
A lingering smile danced on her lips, her chest rising and falling with the remnants of their excitement, while a lovely flush colored her cheeks. But what held his gaze the longest were her eyes—those beautiful, jewel-like orbs sparkled with such intensity that they seemed almost illuminated from within.
His eyes lowered instinctively, catching the slightest movement as her tongue slipped out to moisten her lips. In that moment, an intense desire surged within him; he longed to savor the taste of her sweetness once more.
The thought terrified him.
He was accustomed to the feeling of want, to the familiar ache of longing for something just out of reach. But this was different—this was an intense, raw need that coursed through him, a hunger he had never before experienced. It was as if every fiber of his being craved her.
The mere thought of not having her ignited a fury within him, a burning desire to scorch the world around him. But then, a different notion flickered through his mind, one that made him burn for an entirely different reason.
What if she were mine?
He knew that Allison would be in his life for years to come, yet the thought of her dating other men and eventually marrying someone else stirred a deep-seated unease within him. A green monster emerged, whispering doubts into his mind.
Angelo didn’t typically get jealous; he was confident in his own qualities—both intellectual and physical. He only pursued women who recognized and appreciated what he had to offer. So, he cursed in his head at his own foolishness.
I’m jealous of men who don’t even exist.
“Yet,” the little green monster taunted, a persistent reminder that it lurked in the shadows, waiting to pounce no matter how many times he tried to dismiss it.
Angelo tightened his grip on her waist, a fierce possessiveness igniting within him. The urge to imprint himself on Allison’s body surged, a primal desire to mark her as his for life. Every fiber of his being longed to claim her, to create a bond that would intertwine their lives forever, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that she belonged to him and he to her. He leaned in slowly, inch by torturous inch, aching to kiss her. The air around them crackled with anticipation as he yearned to stroke her tongue with his own, to possess her mouth as completely as she owned his thoughts. The world around them faded, leaving only the intoxicating desire that pulsed between them.
Allison took a deep breath, the movement drawing her even closer to him as she began to speak. “Angelo, I—”
But a loud horn suddenly blared, startling her into silence and extinguishing the fire that had ignited within him. Angelo cursed the driver who had chosen that exact moment to park in such an inconvenient spot, frustration flooding through him as Allison unwrapped her legs from around him.
She wasn’t looking at him as they shifted out of the way, but he could vividly picture her flushed cheeks and the way she bit her lip in a mix of embarrassment and fluster. She was mumbling something under her breath, words he couldn’t quite catch. Driven by a need to reconnect, he inched closer to her, hoping to bridge the gap that the interruption had created.
“…sorry, this was inappropriate of me. I shouldn’t have done that, and—”
“Allison,” he growled roughly, cutting her off.
He wasn’t angry; far from it. In fact, Allison’s flustered rambling was both cute and sexy, reigniting the fire within him that only intensified. Every word she stumbled over made him want to silence her with a kiss, to reclaim the moment and drown out her insecurities with the heat of his desire. He could feel the urgency building, a longing to taste her and make her forget the world around them.
Angelo reached for her, longing to pull her back into his embrace, but she swiftly moved away. She kept her gaze downward, so he knew it wasn’t intentional, but an unexpected wave of awkwardness washed over him.
What the fuck am I doing?
He pulled his outstretched hands back, raising one to rub at his nape in a rare moment of nervousness. His palm grew sweaty, the tension in the air thickening, and just then, Allison chose that exact moment to look up at him again. Her eyes met his, a mix of uncertainty and something deeper swirling in their depths, leaving him momentarily speechless.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly.
Huh?
“For what?” Angelo asked, genuinely confused. After all, he was the one who had initiated this whole incident between them.
“Jumping you, basically.”
Angelo wanted to laugh; the absurdity of her apology struck him as both endearing and amusing. But he sensed that now wasn’t the right moment for humor, so he kept his laughter in check. Instead, he looked at her with sincerity. “Sweet girl, if you jumped me, then I’d be the happiest man in the world.”
His tone was teasing yet honest, hoping to lighten the mood and reassure her that there was nothing to regret.
Allison blushed once more, her cheeks turning a shade deeper, and Angelo’s hands itched with the desire to touch her, to hold her, to feel her warmth against him. Somewhere not far away, the distant wail of an ambulance pierced the air, a stark reminder of reality.
Realizing he needed to create some space, he took a step back, forcing himself to regain control. He couldn’t risk doing anything stupid again—like trying to kiss his fucking business rival’s daughter. The tension hung thick between them, a volatile mix of longing and restraint that made the situation all the more complicated.
“Right,” he cleared his throat lightly, “the next ultrasound is January—”
“24th, yes. I was there when the assistant made the appointment.”
Angelo huffed a laugh, a mix of admiration and amusement rising within him. Her claws were back, sharp and ready to defend her ground. He found her tenacity both charming and infuriating, and it sparked an undeniable energy between them.
If he was being honest with himself, he missed her claws.
“Good to know I’m not dealing with a complete amnesiac,” he teased, raising an eyebrow. “I just meant to say I’ll check up on you in the meantime. Okay?”
“Okay, you’re free to contact me whenever you’re available, Mr. Taylor.”
Fuck, why does that sound so inviting? And why is my cock awake again?
Angelo physically bit his tongue to keep from saying anything he wasn’t supposed to. He forced himself to focus on her words, trying to maintain a semblance of his usual professionalism. He reminded himself who she was, that he was looking for ways to stop the merger and possibly buy out Lockwood Inc. The playful banter from moments before faded, replaced by the realization that this was a delicate line he had to tread carefully.
“Sure thing, Allison,” he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind. “I’ll be in touch.”
She straightened, slipping her professional mask on as she nodded silently. The playful spark that had ignited their earlier conversation faded into a more businesslike demeanor. Allison’s posture shifted, signaling a return to formality as she composed herself.
Angelo nodded, recognizing the shift. He could see the focused determination in her eyes, a reminder that beneath the playful exchanges lay a strong, ambitious woman ready to take on the world. Without another word, he turned on his heel and headed to his car, the weight of their earlier connection lingering in his mind.
As he walked, he couldn’t shake the feeling that their dynamic had shifted in a way he hadn’t anticipated. He reached for the car door, his thoughts still swirling around the blend of professional boundaries and personal desire, wondering how their paths would intertwine in the days to come.
Forty minutes later, Angelo walked into his brand-new apartment.
It had been less than three months since he moved to Seattle from Athens, and although the space was fully furnished by now, it still felt strange to think of it as home. The modern decor and sleek lines were all carefully chosen, but they lacked the warmth and familiarity that comes with years of memories.
He had been living in Athens for the past decade. He had a house, a company to run, and his mom and sister.
His mama, Lia—her full name was Amalia Papadopoulou, but unless you were Greek, you likely wouldn’t even attempt to pronounce it—had divorced his father when Angelo was twelve. Before the divorce, their home had been a battleground, filled with screaming matches and a palpable, lingering sadness that seemed to seep into every corner of their lives. Their marriage had been fraught with unhappiness long before Angelo came along, but when they discovered they were expecting, they both panicked and decided against divorce, thinking a child might mend their broken relationship.
Obviously major mistake.
The constant demands of parenthood only intensified the discord; the late-night cries and endless exhaustion fueled their arguments. Just when Angelo had reached an age where he could grasp the chaos around him, his parents found themselves grappling with the same issues yet again, and just as they began to seriously consider divorce, his mother unexpectedly became pregnant once more.
They definitely tried to have a baby often. Vigorously. At all sorts of inappropriate times.
And then came his baby sister, Katerina—evil, devious, and scarily smart. She’d been a pain in his rear ever since she was born, always stealing his toys, spilling his cereal on the floor, and when she’d grown up, fucking his friends.
He had nightmares about that. One time he had just gotten home from basketball practice, was minding his own business, and just when he’d gone into his bedroom he heard his baby sister moan. And he had been stupid enough to go check where that sound had been coming from. Turned out his smart, gorgeous, nerdy little sister had been riding his best friend’s cock while eating out her best friend. Safe to say he’d left the house faster than he ever had in his life. Nobody wanted to find out his sister’s sexuality that way.
Fucking gross.
Not as gross as finding out the best fuck you’ve ever had in your entire life is your antagonist’s daughter.
Huffing, Angelo strode toward his spacious black walk-in closet, heading directly for the drawer where he knew his underwear would be neatly folded and perfectly organized. He grabbed a pair, snatched a towel, and made his way to the bathroom, his mind still tangled with the events of the day.
The tension from his earlier conversation with Allison replayed in his head, mingling with thoughts of the challenges ahead. He turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade down, hoping it would wash away the remnants of the day’s frustrations and uncertainties.
How the heck did I end up in this mess? I drink once, and someone ends up pregnant.
Entering his expansive shower—large enough to comfortably accommodate about five people, though he’d never have that many—he tried to unwind. As he stood beneath the stream, he couldn’t help but reflect on Allison’s determination and the unexpected spark between them. It was a distraction he hadn’t anticipated, yet it lingered, making him question his own mind.
With a sigh, Angelo tried to clear his thoughts, focusing instead on the soothing sound of the water. He attempted to quiet his mind, to hit the off switch, to stop thinking about her. But when his hand traveled south, he knew it was a losing game.
Am I really about to jerk off in the shower like some high school boy?
He wrapped his fist around his cock and the first image in his mind was sandy blonde waves and jade green eyes.
Yes. Yes, I am.
One hand went on the shower wall for support, the other squeezing his aching member harder. A grunt left his lips as he held his cock roughly and pictured the woman occupying his every thought on her knees.
His hand moved slowly, teasingly, as his head slumped forward against the shower wall. The contrast between the cool tiles pressing against his forehead and the scalding water cascading down his back was almost too much to bear.
Almost.
He saw green eyes looking up at him, a hot mouth enveloping him. Tears gathered in her eyes as she took him deeper.
Angelo squeezed his dick harder, his fist stilling as he started moving his hips instead. He fucked his own hand as he would fuck Allison’s face; roughly and mercilessly.
He increased his pace, his movements growing wilder, his breathing erratic, punctuated by grunts and groans of pure pleasure.
The image in his mind turned clearer and clearer, until Angelo could smell her scent, hear her voice.
The pleasure was building now, an intense fire spreading from his lower belly, sending waves of heat coursing through his veins, until he was burning, utterly consumed by the flames.
His muscles tensed, every nerve ending alive with searing sensation as the fiery ecstasy engulfed him completely. He threw his head back, eyes shut tight as his seed painted the shower wall, before being washed away.
All evidence of his desire went down the drain, as Angelo chuckled at his own actions. He had just masturbated to the thought of Allison Lockwood.
I’m so fucked.