AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She screws her face up at me and snatches the brush out of my hand. “You are not brushing my teeth. I’m not an invalid.”
“No, but you are mine. If I want to help you brush your teeth, I will.”
“Nope, not happening.” She stands and leans on the counter as she brushes her teeth. I flush the toilet and close the lid so I can take a seat and watch her.
“You are seriously the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. You know that?” I tell her honestly. She’s standing there, wearing nothing but one of my shirts. I can see the swell of her breasts, her nipples poking at the cotton. The long red mass of curls hangs freely down her back.
“Really, right now? That’s your thought process? I’m covered in sweat, and I stink like a bucket of prawns in the sun.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks?” she questions.
“Come on, put some pants on.” I look her over. “And a bra. You need to try to eat something.”
“Really, why do I need to get dressed to go eat breakfast?” she complains.
“Because I don’t feel like gouging the eyes out of every fucking soldier under my employ when they can’t help but stare at you, which they sure as fuck will if you walk out wearing just that shirt.”
Holly rolls her eyes. “You wouldn’t gouge their eyes out for looking at me. That’s a tad dramatic and psychotic, T.”
“Well, dolcezza, I guess you’re married to a dramatic, psychotic man.” I slap her ass and lead her into the closet.
ChapterEighteen
Tand I walk into the dining room, hand in hand. I feel like absolute crap still and would much rather be in bed. The space is full of people. Angelica and Isabella, Neo and his dad, and Gloria. I do a double take. T’s mum is here. She jumps up and practically runs to us. I drop his hand, thinking she’s going for him, but to my surprise, she wraps her arms around me. She says something in a string of Italian that I have no chance of understanding.
“Ma, English,” Theo snaps.
“It’s fine. I like the way it sounds.” I shrug when Gloria pulls back.
“Thank you.” She kisses me on both cheeks before moving to her son and offering the same. “Theo, you look skinny. You need to eat. Come, sit,” she demands.
It’s nice to be surrounded by family, although I can’t help but wish for Reilly to be here. It would have been nice to have her help me furniture shop for the new house. She would have loved it.
“What are your plans today, Holly? We should go to the spa. You deserve to relax and be pampered.”
“Have the spa come to the house, Ma. You can’t go out today,” T answers before I can.
“Why can’t I go out?” I argue. You’d think he’d know by now that when he says I can’t do something, it only makes me want to do it so much more.
“Because I said so. No one is leaving the house today.” Theo looks around the table. “We will talk about this later,” he says into my ear. I don’t bother arguing or giving him the piece of my mind that I want to. I’ll wait until we’re behind closed doors. Instead, I dig into the pile of food he placed in front of me. The nausea seems to have passed and I’m absolutely starving.
“Izzy and I are going back to Italy tonight,” Angelica says, breaking the silence.
T snaps his head up. “Are you sure that’s safe?”
Angelica shrugs. “Izzy has school. I can’t keep her away forever.”
“So, get her school to send her work. She can do it from here,” he commands.
“Theo, she needs stability, her friends, teachers. I’m not homeschooling her.”
“I can help. I mean, if you wanted to stay longer. I can help her with her schoolwork,” I offer. It’s not like I have anything else to do. I also have a feeling T is either not ready for them to leave, or there’s another reason he wants them to stay. Either way, I will always back my husband one hundred percent. His hand lands on my knee under the table.
“See, it’s settled. Holly happens to be the best teacher I know.” T smiles proudly.
“I’m the only teacher you know. Right?”
