In the end, its Him & I

38. A Step in the Right Direction

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "Thank you, but I beg to differ," I whispered in his ear.

"Is that so?" he asked pulling away.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Yup, can't be your slut if you won't even touch me."

"Don't start." He warned.

"Grey, you-"

"I said don't. You don't know how terrified I was that night; it still haunts me to this day. I can't, I won't."

"Grey, it wasn't your fault."

"Maybe not, but it was my fault that you got pregnant. I'm not touching you until I'm 100% sure you're okay."

"That isn't your fault, and you know it. It takes two to tango."

"Please, I just need you to understand."

I nodded, "I'm sorry"

"Let's go home, Xile's cooking for us, and she'll have our heads if we're late." He said as he stood.

I closed the box and put it in the bag before I stood and took his hand.

I sat, no, he made me sit in his lap the whole way home. And like the times before, I loved every second of it, even if he did start tickling me halfway through.

When we arrived home, we were greeted at the door by Emilio dressed in a white button-up, black dress pants, and shiny wingtips.

"Mr. & Mrs. Valentino, please return to your chambers to get ready for tonight's festivities." He said, one hand behind his back and the other pointing in the direction of our room.

"What the heck I going on?" I ask puzzled as I took off my shoes and placed them on the rack.

"I've learned not to ask questions in this household, just go with the flow," Grey said as he led me down the hallway to our room.

I shook my head as I looked back to see Emilio scurrying away.

The clothing rack placed over by my vanity instantly caught my eye as Grey opened our room door.

Grey walked over to it as I placed my handbag on the bed next to a gold-plated tray with a note on it, two champagne glasses, and a bottle of champagne in a stainless-steel bucket filled with ice.

"There's a note," I said as I picked it up.

Carefully handpicked outfits have been chosen and displayed on the clothing rack beside the vanity. The accessories to go with it are on the vanity.

Get dressed & while you're at it, have some bubbly.

It'll certainly make you feel bubbly!

I read it out loud as I walked over to Grey. "This has Xile written all over it," I said handing him the note.

"Well, you heard the lady, have some bubbly and get dressed." He said as he placed his arm on the small of my back. "She's so bossy"

"She's your daughter," I said as I turned and sat on the bench in front of our bed.

He stood in front of me with one of his legs in between mine. He leaned over, grabbed the champagne bottle, and popped the top. He poured me a glass before doing the same for himself.

He finished his glass in one go, tore off his shirt, and unbuckled his pants. "Care to join me, mama?" he asked taking my free hand.

I titled my head back and let the champagne run down my throat. I licked my lips and nodded my head as I placed the glass back onto the tray.

He smirked and swept me into his arms.

As he removed my clothes I desperately hoped he would touch me in some other way that wouldn't suggest I was fragile, and I'd crumble with the slightest touch.

I tried pushing my hand into his pants, but he grabbed me and spun me around. "Get in," he said slapping my ass.

I rolled my eyes as I stepped into the shower and turned on the cold water. This wasn't only punishment for him but also because it was the only thing that would draw me from that mind space and make that oh-so-familiar taunting feeling of yearning for him go away.

His belt buckle sounded as it hit the ground and I pressed the control pad, turning on all of the shower heads as he stepped in.

He cursed in Italian as the freezing water hit his skin.

I laughed as I backed myself into the corner, covering the control pad with my body as he tried to turn it off.

He grabbed onto my ass and lifted me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and crashed my lips on his.