Chapter 24

Gabriele

I turned around in the bed to wrap my arm around Heather but she was just nowhere and I was grabbing at air. I dropped my arm down. I lifted up my head to try and see, a few rays were streaming through the curtain. I bolted up when I saw the time, I had work.

I ran downstairs looking for Luca frantically because when I checked in my rush he wasn't there. I stopped at the kitchen when Heather stood there making breakfast. She was already dressed and looked very sexy. I shook my head remembering that I was late. She turned around to face me when she heard my loud footsteps.

"Good morning sleepy head." She smirked.

"Where is Luca-I'm late damn!" She gave me a smile.

" Safely at school dear, I didn't want to wake you since the party was draining and I was up early. Oh, and he has a soccer practice this afternoon that we can watch. After that, I have to go to a class, so I'll be home late. I made breakfast and called your work, they said that you had one meeting this morning that they moved since I told them that you would be coming in lunch time."

I stopped my rushing and walked to beside her, she continued grilling. I moved her hair from her neck and trailed a kiss on her collar, she giggled and pushed me away.

"I'm cooking here, or would you like me to burn your food?"I kissed her on the lips.

"Good morning. I can't believe you did everything this morning while I was sleeping."

"You're a heavy sleeper you know. I dropped my bag on the floor right in front of the bed and you kept sleeping like a dead man. Tristen gave me a note yesterday to give to you. What have you two been scheming?"

She handed me the envelope I've been waiting for, I opened it and my breath hitched. I didn't even answer Heather.

"What's wrong, Gabriele?" Heather asked alarmed, this wasn't bad news at all, actually, this was the best news I could get.

"We are going to Italy." She started plating the food and then stopped mid-sausage placing.

"We...so you and Luca and I are just randomly going to Italy...please elaborate why we are." She continued cooking and placed a plate in front of me.

"I have a new client and I and a group of executives are going over there. I want you and Luca to come with because some of my family is there, besides that Italy has a great leather shop." I hinted about the cuffs she bought.

"Stop hinting, play time is tonight. You know I have finals coming up next week.I need to study." I finished my breakfast the exact time she did.

" I know but it's only in a month's time after finals and we'll be back before graduation. Play time... sounds delectable. I have to get dressed, I'll be at Luca's practice this afternoon. Thankfully his cast is gone, and the whining about practicing can stop. I'm happy it was just a fracture that healed quickly, another month of whining would have me climbing the walls."

I stood up but Heather stopped me, wagging her finger at me like I was some naughty child.

"I'm going to busy while you leave so let me say goodbye to you."She told me to sit sternly and I obliged.

"What are you doing?" She sat on my lap and wrapped her legs around my waist. She ran her hands through my scalp and I could feel the blood rushing around in my head.

She kissed me slowly and down my neck, tugging at my hair to give her more access. I groaned and she continued to kiss me. Talk about a goodbye.

"How about we take this to the shower?" I asked as she released breathlessly. It's like she got even more courage now and might sometime be dominating me.

"We should," I stood up and wrapped my hands beneath her bottom hoisting her up, she wrapped her arms around my neck and continued to kiss me, like this I walked upstairs feeling the tension build. I plopped her down on the bed and walked to the shower turning on the water so that it could heat up.

She looked at me and smiled deviously, she slowly took off her clothes and I just stood there and watched. I felt the water and it was fairly warm, Heather strutted into the bathroom, without a piece of clothing on. My jaw dropped at how confident she looked, she was usually reserved and only let me see her like this when we were making love.

I quickly streaked from my pj pants. She was waiting for me, I stepped forward and grabbed her waist walking her into the shower. Our lips collided with a furious spark, yearning and soft.

I pushed her against the tile wall and she groaned as I let my lips trail over her neck. She slowly ground against me.

"Stop teasing," I commanded hoarsely, she took it as an opportunity to let me. The water trickling between us made it unbearable. I stopped instantly, forgetting about a certain something. She looked at me confused as I stopped.

"What's wrong?"

" I need to get something."

"No, we're covered." I felt relief flood through me, the last thing we could face was an unexpected baby. We were not there yet.

I muttered a 'good' and continued to push into her, she started to shake and quiver beneath me and her climax hit hard, she was collapsed on me just after I climaxed. I leaned against the wall and she just held onto me. The first time in a while that I didn't do it by binding someone.

She released from me and stood upright staring into my eyes.

"I can't help loving you." She replied breathlessly. I smiled and put my thumb beneath her chin to stop her from looking away and retreat into her shy demeanor.

"And I can't stop loving you." I kissed her again but released since I had to actually get some showering done. I lathered her up and she did the same with me, standing under the shower to rinse off our soapy selves caused another intense session. Talk about morning cardio.

When I finally got out of the shower it was almost lunch time. I wondered if Heather planned to do all that this morning. I got dressed but struggled with my tie as I tried to tie it. I was already later than lunch and I didn't want to struggle. I let out a frustrated breath.

"Can I help you?"I shook my head, Heather was also dressed and was packing her bag and started making lunch for Luca. His practice was after my meeting thankfully.

She pushed my hands away and pulled on my tie to tighten it. She smirked and continued to get ready to leave. I pecked a kiss on her cheek as I rushed out of the house grabbing a stack of papers and my keys. My new car wasn't like my sleek BMW but it wasn't shabby either, I like Porche.

I finally reached my building, I quickly parked and ran the stairs like my life depended on it. When I reached my office I walked in slowly looking composed as my assistant trailed in behind me.

"Sir, your appointment starts in ten minutes and Mr. Hemmingway hasn't arrived yet. There aren't any important messages except Mr. Jackson asked if you got the envelope."

"Call Mr. Jackson back and tell him that he did some excellent work and that I'm happy about the answer. Tell me when Mr. Hemmingway arrives, thank you." I continued to sift through the work and my new client came in. It was a big portfolio for me, one of the biggest I've handled in a while. The meeting was just done when I left. This is one of the best things about being the boss now; I can come and go when I want as long as I get my work done.

I drove to Luca's school where they were practicing and I could watch. I was mostly there for motivation. I cursed myself when is stepped out of the car. I forgot to change again, so I'll be sitting there in the bleachers in my suit, out of place and in the line of sight for every drooling single mother. I just don't know why they fawn over me. It's just a suit but it could also be a symbol of power and money. I really don't know.

My phone started buzzing, it was Heather.

"Hey, I'm here and I'm walking to the bleachers. Where are you ?" I asked.

"I've saved you a seat, see you now." I hung up and quickened my pace. I saw Heather and took my seat beside her. I wrapped my arm around her. All the ladies at the top let out a sigh of frustration and others gave Heather a death glare. It was actually very entertaining to watch.

I watched Luca play and every time he skidded on the grass and fell face first I cringed and muttered an 'oof' in sympathy with his pain. Heather clenched her hands together. I could see her eagerness to run to him and help him with his boo boos. He was a resilient little boy; all those days he dove from my bed and landed with a loud thump prepared him for this. Training the jawbone.

I'd kiss Heather on the cheek every now and then just to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. She'd gently push me away and cheered Luca on when they played a small practice match. (No pun inteneded). When the match was done, Luca handed me his bag and we walked to the car. I remember the first time I met Heather. She saved Luca from oncoming traffic after he bolted for an ice cream stand.

Thank god she found me, if she hadn't then today I would still be a single father running around trying to juggle work and parental obligations. I'm very thankful that I found her as a nanny and my better half.

Heather excused herself because she had to go to class so I drove back home. When we arrived he bolted to the bathroom to take a bath and I started making dinner. Luca was just done when he came into the kitchen.

"Daddy, when are we going to visit uncle Stanza in Italy?"

" In about a month's time, why?" He eagerly smiled.

"I think Heather will love the surprise you have for her. " I smiled at his eagerness, I'm going to need his help with this. I was planning on surprising Heather in Italy because of how things have been lately.

Things haven't been the same since the accident. Heather was shaken up and things seem to be fine after that but I couldn't shake a feeling that she was still in pain. Not physical pain no, but emotional, some nights I'd see her laying beside me clenching her arm that still had a scar and sobbing silently so that she could hide it.

I know how she feels. I still have nightmares about her lifeless body in the car and how they told me she died several times in surgery but pulled through. I hoped that my surprise was the right timing and that this might help her, ease the pain. I loved her so much but knowing she was hurting had me feel her hurt-to be honest it was the worst feeling ever.

"Let's hope she likes it. You better use those cute cheeks of yours to help buddy." He puffed out his cheeks and agreed. That's my boy.