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I share his breath, drag his scent into my lungs, and my entire core clenches. I lean in to deepen the kiss when.
"Get a room, you guys!"
Seb’s voice sounds behind us.
Michael groans. "Ignore him," he murmurs as he presses his lips to mine. I open my mouth and his tongue sweeps in. He deepens the kiss and my belly trembles. He hauls me up against him, and I pull my hand out from between us and wind it about his shoulders. He pushes his hips forward and the thickness between his legs stabs into my core.
A whine bleeds from my lips and he swallows it down. He grabs my arse, squeezes, and heat jolts up my spine. I press myself into him and my breasts flatten against his chest. He nibbles on my lips and I can’t stop the moan the spills from my lips.
"Michael," I gasp, "we need to stop. Your brothers... Your family will be here soon."
"The fuck I care?"
"Michelangelo!" Nonna calls out, and both of us freeze.
Michael steps back, peers into my face. "To be continued," he smirks.
Then, as if he can’t stop himself, he leans down and presses a hard kiss to my lips. He slides around to stand behind me, then places his hands on my shoulders. I glance toward the entrance where Nonna stands, a knowing look on her face. Seb and Massimo flank her. Seb smirks. Massimo looks like he’s about to say something, then seems to change his mind.
Nonna walks toward us and I stiffen. Not that I am afraid of her, but I am definitely wary of her. Despite the fact that the last time we met, she seemed almost friendly. And of course, I am the Don’s wife now… But she’s the Don’s grandmother, so in that sense, she still has influence over my husband. Still, I know Michael’s too smart to let his grandmother manipulate him into anything, but Nonna’s w-a-a-y too astute. It’s why I am not sure what to make of her yet.
Michael wraps an arm around my waist, still keeping the lower part of his body hidden behind mine.
"What are you doing?" I hiss. "Why don’t you walk forward and meet her?"
"Because if I did that, everyone would know just how aroused I still am from kissing my wife."
"Oh." Heat flushes my cheeks.
"Exactly," he chuckles and the sound pulls at my nerve endings. My toes curl and I have to glance away. Damn it, I am turned on and his Nonna is watching us with a curious gaze as she approaches us.
She pauses in front of us, then takes my hand in hers, "Thank you for organizing this delayed Christmas get together." Her lips tilt in a smile that is—dare I say, quite genuine?
"Thank you for coming, Nonna." I step forward. Michael removes his hand from around me and I kiss Nonna’s cheek. Her skin is papery thin, and she seems more fragile than when I last saw her.
Guess burying a son can do that to you? Michael had decided to bury his father with full honors. I hadn’t been in Sicily to attend it, but I’d heard that the funeral itself had been attended by all the clan leaders. Cassandra had mentioned to me that Nonna had been pale-faced and ashen throughout the funeral, but she had managed to stay dry-eyed until the end. Maybe she had shed her tears in private. She seems genuinely pleased to be here though, so that’s something.
"You don't think that this was too soon after what happened with Xander do you?"
She pauses, a considering look on her face, "Perhaps for a more traditional person it might seem that way," she murmurs. "And it's not that I don't mourn him," she swallows, "but I also know that Xander would not have wanted us to dwell on the past. He was an artist, a dreamer, a visionary, even. He would have wanted us to celebrate his life and look to the future."
I peer into her features, take in the intent expression on her face, "You mean it, don't you?"
"I never say anything I don't mean, Karma." She smiles. "In fact, I am going to follow your example." Her eyes gleam with that devilish glint that is so familiar. Something I have seen in Michael's eyes, too.
"You are?" I frown.
"Absolutely." She glances between us, "This family has been through so much, we need a fresh start. A chance to know each other all over again."
Oh, hell, do I even want to know where this is going?
"What are you thinking of, Nonna?" Michael asks.
"A Christmas getaway."
"Christmas is over," Michael points out, "and we’re already having this delayed Christmas get together to make up for not being able to celebrate Christmas."
"It's not enough." Her lips firm. "It will take more than a few hours to mend the fractures left behind by your father. It's time we came together and found a way to heal, don't you think?"
