Feeling nervous because I know how important tonightâs guests are, I check all the platters of food before I walk to the living room, where voices are rumbling.
I pause before the entrance and take a deep breath.
Via places her hand on my shoulder. âAre you okay?â
I nod and give her a smile. âDonât leave my side.â
âI wonât.â
When I step forward, she places her hand on my lower back so I can feel her.
The moment I walk into the living room, Francoâs eyes lock on me. He comes toward me and gives Via a nod before he wraps his arm around my waist.
âCongratulations on your engagement, Samantha,â Dario says.
âThank you.â
My eyes dart to the only other couple, and Franco says, âMeet Angelo and Vittoria.â
âItâs nice meeting you,â I murmur, glad thereâs another woman here tonight.
While Angelo looks as intimidating as the rest of the men, Vittoria gives me a friendly smile. Seeing her baby bump, the need for my own child increases.
Yep, I officially have baby fever.
I glance at Renzo, and knowing how important he is to Franco, I say, âItâs nice to see you again, Renzo.â
His features soften as he nods.
When I turn my attention to the last of the men, a shiver creeps down my spine, and I move closer to Franco.
âThis is Damiano, capo dei capi. Heâs the boss of bosses.â
That explains a lot.
My voice quivers slightly as I say, âNice to meet you.â
âThe pleasure is mine,â he murmurs.
Franco presses a kiss to my temple, then Renzo holds up a tumbler of whisky, saying, âTo you and your mystery man.â
âShut up,â Franco grumbles, which lightens the mood a hell of a lot as everyone chuckles.
When the men return to their various conversations, I look at Franco and say, âJoin your friends. I want to get to know Vittoria better.â
I pull away from Franco, and as I walk to Vittoria, her smile widens. âHi.â
With Via right behind me, I take in the beautiful woman as I say, âIâm so glad youâre here. Iâd feel out of place with the men.â
She lets out a chuckle. âYouâll get used to them.â
âSo youâre married to Angelo?â When she nods, I ask, âHow far along are you?â
âTwenty-six weeks.â
I scrunch my nose. âAnd in months?â
She lets out a soft chuckle. âSix months.â
âI hope I look as good as you when Iâm pregnant,â I compliment her.
âYouâre sweet.â
âWhat are you two whispering about here in the corner?â Franco suddenly asks from behind me.
âBabies.â I turn around and grin at him. âI want one.â
âExcuse me for a moment,â Vittoria says before she walks to Angelo.
âHmm.â Franco pulls me into his arms. âThen stop taking the pill.â
My eyes widen and I feel a burst of excitement. âReally? Are you okay with it?â
He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. âOf course.â The corner of his mouth lifts. âWhat my woman wants, she gets.â
Lowering my lashes half-mast, I give him a seductive look. âThe more sex we have, the better our chances will be.â
His eyes darken. âBaby, Iâll fuck you twenty-four-seven if thatâs what it takes.â
âI look forward to it,â I say, my tone playful.
Pulling away from Franco, I let out a chuckle when I hear him mutter, âThanks for the hardon, baby.â
I glance over my shoulder and wink at him. âYouâre welcome.â
Via quickly moves closer to me as I walk to where Milo is standing by the sliding doors.
âCan you have a couple of the men bring the platters to the veranda, please?â
âSure thing.â
Iâve gotten used to Marcello and Milo and can even be alone with them, which Iâm taking as a huge win.
When Franco notices the food is being carried to the table out on the veranda, he says, âLetâs head outside.â
Everyone finds a seat, and Iâm glad when Vittoria claims the one to my right thigh.
Franco grabs the chair to my left, and taking hold of my hand, he places it on his thigh.
With the table providing cover, I move my hand until my palm brushes over the outline of his cock.
I squeeze and massage him through his pants, which earns me a grumble by my ear. âIf you keep going, Iâll throw you over my shoulder, carry you to the restroom, and fuck you raw.â
I squeeze him hard before I pull my hand away and grab a salmon puff from the nearest platter.
Soon, everyone is enjoying the food and laughter fills the air as the men joke with each other.
I turn my head, and seeing the smile on Francoâs face, I say, âWe should make this a regular thing.â
âI agree with her,â Dario backs me up.
âWe can host a dinner next month,â Vittoria chimes in. âRight, Angelo?â
âSure.â
Franco rests his arm around my shoulders, and leaning closer, he murmurs, âThank you, baby.â
âAnything for my man.â
His eyes roam over my face, then he asks, âHow are you holding up?â
âIâm fine.â I press a kiss to his jaw before I add, âI have you by my side.â
His features soften with a loving look. âAlways, baby.â