The last few days had been like a dream. They’d worked together, come home together, and spent time together…like a family.
It was hard as hell not to get swept away, carried into the vortex of things Maddie was afraid to want. She’d tried her best, pinning her caution to the forefront of her brain, but it was getting harder to maintain.
Gio had unpacked Jake’s room with him, and even helped her organize the kitchen. Working beside him in that capacity, in making their place home…well, it made her think.
Thinking, concerning Nico Giovanni, was…bad.
Very bad.
Their son and Jamie were only in town until Wednesday morning, and her sister had a few job leads she’d wanted to chase down before they moved there full time, in about a week. She’d even had an interview Monday.
Maddie wanted her to reenroll in college, and she was considering it. Her sister was somewhat of a free spirit, and had dropped out a few years ago in Chicago, with three or four semesters away from a bachelor’s degree in business, but Jamie wasn’t interested in that anymore.
Jake’s school had been closed Monday, and she filled out paperwork for withdrawing him, and was sending them back with Jamie to hand in. He’d missed school on Tuesday, but it wasn’t every day a kid met his dad for the first time, so she didn’t care so much. He’d be in a Las Vegas school soon enough.
Jamie even took him to see his new school yesterday morning, and Maddie was relieved he was more excited than dreading the move. He’d made her promise he could Skype with his two best friends, Owen and Charlie. Her sister had told her she would coordinate with their moms, as she often handled Jake’s playdates.
Nearly all the boxes were gone, and Gio had hauled them out to the dumpster without being asked.
The apartment finally looked lived-in, complete with the requisite kid stuff Jake left in his wake.
Vegas was starting to feel like home.
Something she’d never expected.
It was going to be hard to put them on a plane in the morning, but Gio had said he wanted to go to the airport, too. The flight was early enough, before they needed to head into the PD.
Work had gone okay Monday and Tuesday, and she’d been eager to get home to Jamie and Jake, and Gio had felt the same.
He hadn’t really been back to his own place since Friday. He’d gone home to grab clothes, but Maddie was still scared shitless of his declaration, and didn’t dare consider his things in her place a permanent fixture. He wasn’t moving in.
It just couldn’t happen.
He could see Jake daily if he wanted, but the sleepovers—in her bed—really should stop.
They hadn’t talked about it; the declaration or the sex, other than admitting the weekend had meant something.
To both of them.
She was trying to convince herself it didn’t matter. They could take things one day at a time, at home and work. Which was why she’d told him she didn’t know what she wanted from him. With him.
Of course she knew. Just couldn’t say it out loud.
Everything had been on the tip of her tongue that day.
Why she couldn’t open her mouth and have a real conversation with him about their future was a mystery. She was usually really direct.
Maddie watched him with their son all day, and her heart pounded, but she couldn’t ask him what any of it meant.
Maybe she was too afraid to believe him. Despite what he’d said, that he wanted to be in her life, too, she was afraid of a real answer.
Had that been real? Had he really meant what he’d said?
If he didn’t…she’d be heartbroken.
Of course she’d be shattered. However, it wasn’t the organ in her chest she was concerned with. She had to protect Jake.
If it all fell apart, and that was inevitable, wasn’t it? When it all fell apart, where would their little boy be left?
She’d kill Gio if he hurt Jake.
It was difficult not to contemplate overwhelming love-like emotions when she saw him and their son interacting. Then even more so, when he kissed her, showed her open affection around her sister and Jake, and took her when he was in her bedroom.
She especially didn’t want to think about when he was in her bed.
Maddie pushed the ideas away for later, and contemplated all she needed to get done in the morning, after the airport.
They didn’t have arrest warrants yet. The judge wanted more concrete evidence, but since Elise was one of the parties they’d likely have to bring in, she wasn’t in a hurry. Couldn’t bear the idea of betrayal on her pretty face when she had to cuff her.
Her stomach churned.
Just a matter of time.
Gio’s father was still in the hospital, and they could go talk to him there, but it wasn’t on the agenda yet.
They still hadn’t figured out the mystery of Marco Fratelli. Maddie had done more digging that afternoon, to no avail.
Gio had been correct that “Marco’s” arrival coincided with when the money laundering had started, but other than that, they still didn’t know his identity, and hadn’t been back to the casino to question him.
Paul Allemand—The Giovanni’s high powered ball buster—had collected the PC Affidavits and imparted veiled threats about coming onto casino grounds, using the words ‘harassment’ and ‘slander,’ so the team was treading carefully.
They couldn’t leave it forever, despite what the attorney had said. “Marco” was the key to her case, no matter Gio’s family’s roles in the crime.
Her hopeful heart wished he was right for the first time since the FBI had looped the Marshal’s Service into the case.
She didn’t want to admit she was a little distracted with the personal stuff; even if the work stuff also included Gio. Maddie had never been bad with balancing before. Jake and her job, not to mention her sister, were equally important, and they would always stay that way.
Just because Gio was now a factor in her “family” changed nothing.
Right?
The team still pored over financials, and she still waited on a call back from Nash Grey to discover any progress with Cesare Fratelli. Grey was the FBI Special Agent in Charge out of Chicago, and her liaison for the case.
If the FBI had managed to get the CPA to talk, no one had told her. Maybe she should reach out in the morning.
“Why’re you so quiet?” Gio whispered.
He was in her bed for fifth day in a row, and her heart skipped.
“Just going over the plan of attack for tomorrow.”
“Well, stop it.” His warm hand cradled hers, then he dragged their joined fingers downward. “You can do that over your first cup of coffee.”
Maddie smiled against his neck when he’d stopped his journey. He’d settled her grip on his cock, adequately distracting her.
“Trying to tell me something?” she asked, nibbling the stubble under his chin.
She felt his chuckle rumble against her breasts, she was tucked in so close.
“Maybe,” he whispered and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“You’re usually more direct.” She lifted her head and met his eyes.
He was carefree and relaxed, and there was a twinkle in those glinting sapphires visible even in the nighttime dimness of her room.
“Putting your hand on my dick isn’t direct?”
Maddie grinned. “Maybe. I guess I’ll have to get to work then.”
Just a few tugs and he was granite in her palm.
Gio tilted his head back, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. He groaned when she pushed her thumb into the underside of his sensitive tip and rubbed.
“Damn, Mads. Don’t stop.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” She stroked and squeezed him with just the right amount of pressure, from root to tip.
When their gazes brushed, he dipped down and took her mouth, dominating her lips and tongue like he always did.
She got swept away, despite the hand-job going on below, and moaned into the lip-lock. Desire smacked into her, settling low and hot, her burn slowly working its way into a searing char from the inside out as he continued to kiss her. Harder. Deeper. Her sex throbbed and she bumped her pelvis into his.
Gio growled, and shoved her shoulders into the bed.
Maddie kicked the sheets away when her feet got tangled and reached for him as he loomed above her. She lifted her hips to meet his, but he didn’t take her.
“I want you,” he panted.
“That’s the point.”
He grunted by way of answer and grabbed his erection.
She watched him guide himself to her center. It revved her up even more; the sight erotic, with the arch in his back, the strain in his chest, stomach and arm muscles, the intense determination in his handsome face.
He was incendiary.
The man oozed sex, and he didn’t have to be naked for her to see it. She was going to combust before he even reached his goal.
Then he was there, filling her with a jarring thrust. Gio wasn’t gentle, but Maddie didn’t need soft lovemaking. She needed him to answer the call boiling her blood. She needed him hard and fast. Rough and raw.
Completely Gio.
He took her mouth again, pushing deep to rub his tongue against hers.
She kissed him back until she couldn’t breathe, and lifted her hips over and over to meet his downward strokes.
Their pelvises slammed together, making skin-slapping sounds that betrayed his speed.
Maddie was covered in sweat, but didn’t care. She was on fire.
Gio grabbed her hips and drove forward even harder, his fingers digging in, but she kept up with him until she exploded.
She threw her head back and called his name as her orgasm smashed into her, making all her muscles contract and tremor. Her vision went in and out, spinning in a chaos of ecstasy. She had to pant to get air down.
He said her name and stilled above her. His cock jerked inside her as he came, too, then Gio buried his face in her neck.
His way-past-five-o’clock shadow scratched against her skin, shooting tingles down her spine, making her want more.
She snuggled closer, wrapping herself around him even as his sex slipped from hers.
Her detective pulled her to him, nestling her into his side, and slipping his leg between hers. “That was hot,” Gio whispered.
Maddie’s belly fluttered. She caressed his rough face and dragged her thumb across his kiss-swollen bottom lip. She’d put the color in his cheeks, and the plumpness in his mouth. “I loved every minute of it.”
And I love you.
She almost startled as the little revelation settled in her head and she couldn’t shake it.
Wasn’t she just trying to convince herself to take things one day at a time, and worrying about his new constant place in her bed?
She’d loved him eight years ago.
Not now.
Right?
Her heart sped up, as if it hadn’t calmed from the frantic pace of Gio’s lovemaking. Hard or soft, that was what they’d done together.
Making love.
Love.
The day Jake and Jamie had shown up, she’d worried her heart was already involved, after all the sex they’d had over the weekend. But Maddie had been able to talk herself out of it, hadn’t she?
Evidently not.
She loved him.
Again.
Had she ever really stopped?
She fought the urge to close her eyes. Didn’t want to know the answer.
Gio’s stare didn’t waver. His gaze darted all over her face as he studied her. Like he was a human lie detector.
She wanted to squirm. Maddie was a glutton for punishment. Or maybe just a glutton for Nico Giovanni.
Idiot.
He cupped her face, his hold gentle but fierce as his eyes commanded hers. “I hope it wasn’t too rough. I don’t want to hurt you, Mads. Ever.”
Too late.
That was her own fault, not his.
She shivered in his grip, but couldn’t pull away. Couldn’t lose the physical contact. She was starved, as if he hadn’t just rocked her world.
Twice, because they’d had sex right when they’d come to bed, less than two hours before. Right after making Jake call it a night, around eight p.m.
Her core was already throbbing; an ache, not arousal, but she’d do it all again as soon as his body was ready for another round.
You really are an idiot.
What was it about this man that made her a giant hormone?
She’d always felt a connection with him. Of course, they shared a child, so there was always that sentimentality in the back of her mind, even before Gio had known about Jake, but…
He’d always had this magnetism Maddie hadn’t been able to resist; even when he’d been more boy than man at twenty-three.
Maybe he scrambled her brains.
Or maybe I’m just crazy.
“It wasn’t too rough, Gio. I promise.”
He finally relaxed into the bed and tugged her close, like she had been before he’d played wandering-hands.
“You locked the door, right?” he asked after a few moments of silence.
Maddie lifted her head. “Yeah, why?”
“You were…loud.” He smirked, and it was as delicious as he was.
Heat of embarrassment kissed the back of her neck and scorched her cheeks. “Jake and Jamie’s rooms are on the other side of the apartment.”
Gio chuckled. “But your place isn’t that big.”
She groaned. The last thing she needed was her sister giving her shit if she’d heard them. Nor questions from their son, who was often too smart for his own good.
“I’m sure couples have sex with their kids down the hall all the time. If not, there wouldn’t be any siblings,” Gio mused, tucking his arm behind his head and closing his eyes. “I mean, people have to make the babies.” He gave a soft laugh.
She stilled, but tried not to show it. Their bodies were so close, he’d feel the slightest movement, and she didn’t want him to sense how her heartrate had kicked back up.
Siblings…babies.
He probably hadn’t meant anything by it, but it only made her think of when she’d been pregnant with Jake. Maddie had known then she didn’t want children with more than one father, so her baby…his baby…would be an only child.
Could that change now? Did she want it to?
She’d always imagined a little girl with her golden curls and big hazel eyes, like she and Jamie had had when they were little.
Jake had asked for a younger sibling, too, as kids were prone to do.
She really needed to stop this.
First, realizing she loved him, and now a second kid?
It blew the one-day-at-a-time thing out of the water.
I am an idiot.
“Mads? What’s wrong?” Gio asked. He cupped her cheeks and caressed them with his thumbs.
“Nothing.”
He paused, studying her. “Are you sure?”
“Oh yeah, how could something be wrong?” Maddie leaned up and brushed her lips against his mouth. “You’re here with me and…” she gestured between their bodies.
He flashed a lopsided grin, then sobered. “Can I ask you something?”
Her heart skipped, but she nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Why’d you leave me, Mads?” Gio stroked her shoulder and down her back. “I thought what we had was good.” He tried not to cringe at the emotion that made his voice shake.
He’d wanted to ask since she’d told him she’d answer any questions. He just hadn’t worked up the balls until now. He should drop it, let it be. After all, it was in the past, and he himself had said to move forward. But damn, he burned for the truth regarding his broken heart…and his son.
She tried to sit up, but he held her fast. Maddie tugged, then shoved, and he let his hands fall to his sides. “You really want to talk about this now? While we’re naked, after what we just did?” She averted her eyes and his heart sank a little.
“Yes. Don’t I deserve to know?”
She nodded. Then those hazel orbs he loved so much swung around to pin him with a look that was almost a glare. “You don’t remember that night?”
Maddie didn’t need to specify. It’d been exactly three weeks after his mom had died, and two since her funeral. His father had picked a fight, pointing out all sorts of things that were correct about the path he’d been going down, and they’d had a huge blowout, less than an hour before he was supposed to meet her in the VIP bar at The Giovanni.
Gio had waited for her, but not alone. He’d had all the scotch he’d wanted, and had already downed a full bottle before she’d arrived.
She’d texted she was running late. He’d had plenty of time to mull over Big Tony’s accusations, and how he wasn’t good enough for much.
Including Madison Granger.
“I remember I was drunk and we had a fight. At the bar.”
“A fight?” She scoffed and averted her eyes again.
Damn, if he made her cry, he’d want to shoot himself.
“That’s all, Nico?”
He stilled when she said his name—something she never did.
“Hey,” he whispered. Gio grabbed her wrist and tugged. “C’mere.”
Maddie shook her head, making her honey locks dance. “No. I can’t have you touch me if I’m going to say this.” Her words wavered with a sob and a tear slipped down her cheek.
He tried to wipe them away, but she leaned out of reach. “Mads?”
“You told me you weren’t good enough for me, Gio. You told me I was better off without you because you couldn’t get your life together. You might’ve been drunk, but you didn’t give me a chance to talk, to defend us. And damn, I wanted to. So I blurted I was pregnant, and you laughed. You laughed. You broke my heart, Nico Giovanni.” She inhaled, and instinct told him she needed it in order to continue. “I ran out of there, because I couldn’t take it, because…I loved you.”
A cold flush oozed over his head—hell, maybe that was why things started spinning—and went down his chest, making him freeze, despite her thigh touching his in her bed. His limbs started to quiver, and even his teeth chattered.
Gio remembered the massive fight with his father; the real reason for twelve or thirteen too many shots in the private high-roller lounge in the casino. Where the bartender wouldn’t dare cut him off.
He didn’t remember more than a fight with Maddie, and she’d fled.
She’d told him she was pregnant?
He couldn’t breathe. His chest burned and his limbs kicked up their tremors, like he was having a mini-seizure.
He’d abandoned her?
Because Gio had been so drunk he hadn’t recalled she’d told him the most important news, ever?
“No.” The denial came out as an agonized whisper, and when he had the balls to glance at her she had more tears streaming.
Maddie nodded.
Neither of them spoke for a long time.
Maybe he was going to puke before he got words out.
“I don’t know what’s worse, you never told me you loved me, or that I couldn’t fucking remember being told I was going to have a kid. Jesus Christ, I’m the biggest asshole in the universe.”
She stared, then one corner of her mouth shot up. Maddie laughed. It was small, but somehow as lovely as she was. “I’ve felt guilty enough for the both of us for not trying harder to tell you, so you don’t have to feel like an asshole. I’m an asshole, too.”
“I loved you, too,” he blurted. “Back then, I mean.” He stumbled over the clarification, because the truth wasn’t something he was ready to admit.
Still do.
He should tell her, especially when she was looking at him like that, and they were having this moment of honesty, but the confession wouldn’t form. He’d told her he wanted to be a part of her life, as well as their son’s but Gio hadn’t fathomed how that would work.
Maybe he didn’t know. Maybe he was afraid to hope she’d agree. After what she’d just told him, it was no fucking wonder.
Her gaze sharpened on his face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was a stupid kid that drank too much and had shitty family issues. That part hasn’t changed.” He didn’t want to talk about the case or his dad’s cancer.
“None of that mattered. Still doesn’t. Jake’s a Giovanni, too. I was never ashamed of that.”
A wave of emotion hit his stomach, and warmth rose, chasing away the chill in his bones. He kind of wanted to cry like a pussy.
“Gio?”
He settled his hands on her upper arms, since he didn’t have the guts to bare his heart. Tugged her into his chest and claimed her mouth.
If he couldn’t tell her how he felt, he could sure as hell show her.
Gio let his hands wander, cupping her perfect breasts and thumbing her nipples until Maddie moaned into their kiss and the taut peaks pushed back.
She didn’t fight him when he urged even closer.
“Ride me, Mads,” he begged, pushing the plea into her mouth, and pulling her thigh across his waist.
Her sex hit his hardening cock, giving his body all the remaining encouragement it needed.
She broke their lip-lock, and arched upward, her delectable ass landing right where he needed it, but his dick wasn’t in the right place as his lover started to rock her pelvis against his.
He groaned. “Don’t tease me, baby. Take me.”
When their eyes met, Maddie flashed a wicked grin. “Why not?”
“I’ll get you back later,” Gio growled.
“Promise?”
He chuckled and flicked her clit. “That’s a preview.”
She hissed and grabbed his wrist. “You better be glad I need you so bad.”
He tilted his head back and smiled. Grabbed her hips and helped Maddie lift up.
She palmed his cock and stroked him a few times, squeezing his tip until he writhed beneath her and rocked his hips.
“Mads.” His voice was half-demand and half-plea.
She put him out of his misery by lowering herself onto him, but she was in no hurry as he filled her inch by painfully-slow inch.
Gio grabbed her ass and yanked her down at the same time he thrust up.
Maddie gasped his name and braced herself on his chest.
He leaned up so he could kiss her as they started to rock together, finding a rhythm that teased more than satisfied. “Harder, Mads. I need more of you.”
She whimpered in answer, but put her hands on his shoulders and started to ride in him earnest, revving him higher and higher with each slap of her ass on his thighs.
When she started to tire, Gio held her waist and helped her move up and down, until she started circling her pelvis as she undulated, and the sensation was too much.
“I’m gonna come,” he groaned.
“Me too,” Maddie moaned. She lifted up once more only to slam down on his lap and cry out. She threw her head back, closing her eyes as her sex clenched around his.
He exploded inside her, panting, as his vision danced and his head spun.
It was always so intense with his Mads.
Gio caught her as she collapsed on top of him. His mouth found hers, because he had to taste her again.
Their kiss melted into something languorous and meaningful, and emotion pricked behind his eyes. Damn, he wanted to tell her how he felt about her. Everything.
Eight years ago, they’d never admitted feelings for each other, but tonight they both revealed it’d been true.
Would it be such a stretch to tell her it was still true now?
Maddie had finally admitted they made love, not fucked.
Could she feel the same way about him as she had once? Or was there a reason she’d said it the way she did?
Because she didn’t love him now?
Gio ended their kiss and gathered her closer, even as his softening dick slipped from her body.
Her closed eyes revealed pleasure and contentment, which made him lose his nerve.
Was it because he wasn’t ready to say how he felt? Or because Maddie wasn’t ready to hear it?
He gulped.
Those hazel orbs, still amber with passion, opened and zoned in on his face. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.
“I had a massive fight with my dad that night,” he croaked. He cringed internally. His father was the last thing he wanted to talk about while holding the woman he loved after she’d made him come hard.
Why had he blurted that?
Maddie’s expression cleared of her post-coital haze and she settled against his chest, snuggling close. She maintained eye contact and cupped his cheek. “I know.”
“You know?”
“I mean, I’d always guessed that was why you were doing all the ‘I’m worthless’ bullshit talk.”
Gio nodded and turned his head to press a kiss to her palm. “I don’t ever want to make Jake feel like that.”
“You won’t.”
“How can you be so sure?” He fought a wince at the obvious self-consciousness in the inquiry.
Her eyes were so serious. “You’re not Big Tony, Gio. You’re a great guy. You’re already a great dad to Jake. Even after only a few days, he adores you.”
“I adore him, too.”
Maddie’s face lit up and it took all he was made of not to tell her how much he adored her, too.
He loved her more than his own life.