AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Yet, that night with Matt, she’d found herself wanting to—Jesus—obey him. Even the mere thought of that word left a bad taste in her mouth, but there was no denying that when it came to sex with him, she’d felt herself softening, responding to his demands, even longing for them. She’d wanted to put herself completely in his hands, and for some insane reason, she genuinely trusted him to take care of her.
After Matt insisted she spend the entire night with him, she’d lain next to him, only managing an hour or two of restless sleep before she woke up and freaked out. She’d gotten out of his bed in the middle of the night, anxious to escape his overwhelming presence in hopes of coming to her senses.
That hadn’t happened yet, and she was beginning to lose hope it would.
The worst part was they had to work together, so it wasn’t like she could lay low until she did get her shit together. Something told her she could avoid Matt Russo for ten years and still not get him out of her system.
“You okay?” Keeley said softly, nudging Liza’s thigh with her foot. “You’ve been quiet tonight.”
Liza nodded, the response a lie. She hadn’t told a single soul about her faux pas following the gala. Not because she was embarrassed by it. Hell, she couldn’t truly convince herself it was a mistake. For the last couple of days, she’d actually begun to wonder if she should call him. They were both single adults and they’d shared a strong sexual chemistry. What would be the harm in expanding on that? Exploring it?
No, it wasn’t shame or even that silly feud keeping her quiet with her friends and family. It was simply that she couldn’t find the words to accurately describe that night and what it had meant to her.
Best night ever just didn’t feel strong enough.
Keeley didn’t look convinced, but fortunately, before she could press for more, the doorbell rang.
Luca rubbed his hands together gleefully. “Nothing I like more than dinner and a show.”
Liza rolled her eyes, grinning, then she rose and walked over to answer the front door. Nonna and Nonno got there first.
Nonna pulled Penny and Gage into the living room, out of the cold, giving Penny a big hug.
“Merry Christmas, Nonna,” Penny said cheerfully. While Nonna had countless grandkids, that didn’t stop her from acquiring “adopted ones,” including Kayden and Keeley, whose parents were killed in a plane crash, as well as Rhys and his sister, Penny, Aldo’s girlfriend, Hazel, and one of Liza’s best friends—who was now her sister-in-law—Gianna.
Nonna was the greatest hugger on the planet, her squeezes tight and warm and wonderful. When she released her, Penny smiled, then introduced her to Gage.
“This is my husband, Gage.”
Gage held out his hand. “Mrs. Moretti, it’s a pleasure to meet you. It was very nice of you to invite us for dessert. Penny has told me so many great things about you.”
Nonna frowned as she looked at his outstretched hand and, for a moment, Liza and Luca shared a surprised glance, especially when she put her hands on her hips. Because nobody had put money on Nonna.
“If she told you about me, then you’d know to call me Nonna, like everyone does. And we don’t shake hands in this family, young man. We hug.”
The Russos, unlike the Morettis, were low on family. Like, way low. She and Gage had discussed it once, and Gage admitted the only family still living that he knew of were his two brothers, Matt and Conor. Apparently, they’d never met their mother’s family at all, and their paternal grandparents had both passed away.
So Liza didn’t miss the outright shock on Gage’s face as Nonna pulled him into her arms. Nor did she miss the way it quickly morphed to absolute delight. Gage was a jovial guy, rarely without a smile, but she’d never seen him so moved.
When the embrace ended, he said, “Thank you, Nonna,” in a thick voice that had Liza blinking a few times to beat back tears.
Nonno must have noticed it too because something softened in his stiff posture. He gave Gage a genuine smile. “I’m Nonno Moretti.”
Those introductions set the tone for the rest of the family, and it became apparent immediately that no one was going to win the betting kitty. Not that anyone cared because it was Christmas Eve, and the party was just getting started.
Her father and Nonno brought out their accordions, the wine glasses were either refilled or—for some—exchanged for coffee cups. Dessert was served and even though Liza was so full she thought she would pop, she managed to put down enough tiramisu to choke a cat. Her annual diet always started the day after New Year’s Day, as she was forced to drop the five pounds she gained in this single night.
Liza walked over to join Penny and Gage on the couch, laughing at Gage, who looked shell-shocked as he took in everything—the table overflowing with food, the noise level driven by the music and the nonstop talking, as well as the laughter, hand gestures, and hugs.
“You hanging in there, Gage?” Liza asked.
He nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “Penny tried to warn me, but until you experience it for yourself…” He paused, shaking his head. “Your family is awesome.” He’d spoken loud enough for Liza to hear over the din, which meant Uncle Frank and Uncle Tommy, who were standing nearby, had also heard, both giving Gage approving nods.
“How was dinner?” Liza was aware that the couple had arrived here following their annual Christmas Eve dinner with Gage’s brothers. Liza told herself she was asking because she was interested in her friends’ holiday, but the truth was, she was fishing for any tidbit she could get about Matt.
Not that she was worried Matt would kiss and tell about their evening together. She suspected he’d been as blindsided by it as she had.
“It was good,” Gage said. “Though I was glad for the invitation to have dessert here. I swear to God, Matt’s goal every year is to find a restaurant that charges more money for less food. I was hungrier when we left than I was when we got there.”
