Chapter Twenty-Two #2
By week twenty-one, it’s not just my body shape that’s changing though.
The cravings intensify, but I don’t want anything that’s readily available to me.
That would be too easy. And naturally I don’t crave healthy food.
I want garbage foods. Fast food tacos, and cheese fries from my old employer Duffy’s.
I must talk about those cheese fries a lot more than I realize because one day Carlo walks in with a thermal bag full of them. He saunters into the sunroom where I’m hanging out with Fabio, and drops the bag in front of me onto the couch.
“Special delivery,” he says drolly.
“Is this what I think it is?” I squeak, opening the bag. Inside, still warm, packed in layers of foil and paper, are the cheese fries from Duffy’s. I inhale the salty, fried goodness and it makes my mouth water. I grab the plastic fork in the bag and begin to eat like a ravenous wolf.
Fabio laughs as he watches me. He’s sitting at the other end of the couch, a mystery novel open on his lap. Despite the cooler temperatures outside, it’s warm in the sunroom and he’s wearing shorts and a loose-fitting T-shirt.
“Would you like some?” I offer, mouth full.
Fabio shakes his head. “No thanks. I worry I’d lose a finger if I get too close.”
Carlo laughs and he glances at Fabio, running his gaze over my brother’s bare legs. “How are you feeling, Fabio?”
“Pretty good.” Fabio’s smile is shy and he buries his nose in his book again.
Fabio’s not used to alphas giving him attention.
But working out with weights is changing his body.
He’s filling out in all the right places, and he even has a six-pack now.
I’ve noticed Carlo comes to talk to me more than he ever did before Fabio came to live here.
I’m not sure if I like that or not. I definitely don’t want Carlo trying to seduce my brother.
“Did you see I got Elio fries from Duffy’s?” Carlo puffs out his chest. “Wasn’t that nice of me?”
Fabio glances up. “Did Marcello make you do it?”
Carlo frowns. “Well, he asked me to, but I’d have done it if Elio asked too. Don’t you think I would?”
Fabio hesitates. “No, of course you would. I didn’t mean anything by that.”
“I would hope not.” Carlo studies Fabio. “I’m a very nice guy.”
“I know you are.” Fabio grimaces, cheeks pink. “I mean, I don’t really know that because I don’t know you well, but you seem nice enough. For someone I don’t know.”
Carlo glances at me. “Elio, I’m a nice guy, right?”
My mouth is full of cheese fries, so all I can do is nod. I have no idea why Fabio is turning bright pink or why Carlo seems to care so much why Fabio thinks he’s a nice guy.
Thankfully, Carlo’s phone buzzes. “Oh, it’s the boss. Gotta run.”
He leaves the room and I glance at Fabio. He’s watching Carlo go with a funny expression. But then he goes back to reading as if Carlo was never in the room, and I decide not to worry about anything but my cheesy fries.
Later that night, I’m tucked away in bed with Marcello. After spending a few minutes each night feeling the baby kick, Marcello likes to read to the baby. It’s a sweet tradition that I find endearing. Tonight, however, the book he’s chosen is The Godfather.
“Are you sure that’s a good book to read to the baby?” I ask politely, trying to keep criticism out of my voice.
He frowns. “What’s wrong with it? It’s got a lot of character development and action.”
“Right. But, isn’t it a little on the nose? You being a mob boss and all?”
He shrugs. “It’s a classic. Plus, I’m uniquely qualified to explain the inaccuracies.”
“Maybe, but it seems like a pretty violent book for, you know, an unborn child.”
He glances at me and he smiles. “Don’t worry, Elio. I skip all the bloody parts and the sex scenes.”
“Is there any story left after taking all that out?” I murmur.
He laughs. “Don’t be judgy. It’s a good story.”
I sigh and turn toward him, cupping my belly. “Okay, go ahead. We’re listening.”
Marcello leans in and kisses me. When I open my mouth to his tongue, he moans and sets the book aside. He tugs my pajama bottoms down and I laugh.
“What about the book?” I ask, grinning.
His eyes glitter with heat as he rolls me onto my back. “We’ll get to the book in a minute. Right now, I think you need my undivided attention.”
“Oh, do I?” I put my arms around his neck, feeling warm slick oozing out of my hole. I feel breathless at the way he looks at me. It’s like he wants to consume me inside and out.
“Yes.” He kicks off his pants and climbs on top of me, nudging my thighs open. “God, you make me crazy, Elio. Need you all the time.”
“Yeah?” I whisper. “You want to fuck me?”
“You know I do,” he rumbles. “Can’t get enough of you.”
I groan as I feel the wide head of his cock breaching my hole. “Fuck, my teachers were right. Reading really does bring people closer together.”
All laughter has left his eyes as he begins to thrust inside me. His lips are parted and his gaze intense as he pumps in and out of me. I dig my fingers into his muscular biceps, moaning as I take him deep into my aching body.
Every single day I fall deeper and deeper in love with my alpha.
I can’t believe there was a time when I thought I hated Marcello.
When I thought he was a monster. Now, as we both groan and come, me spurting against his stomach, and him spilling inside my quaking hole, I’ve never felt more complete.
He lowers himself carefully over me, his face buried against my neck, and I wrap my arms around him and hold on.
I know exactly who Marcello is now. He’s dangerous, complicated, and far from perfect, but he’s also the man I love.
He’s the alpha I’ll do anything for. He’s the alpha I’ll never let go of.