“Okay. That was easy.”
Tio sat up slowly. “Some things will be, and others will be harder. But we’ll deal with them together.” He rolled over and kissed Chase, pressing him against the mattress, heat rising between them in an instant. “Amore mio,” Tio whispered.
“I love it when you speak Italian.”
Tio said some more, but Chase didn’t understand it. He was about to ask what he said, but Tio kissed him harder and then proceeded to spend a good portion of the night showing Chase exactly what he meant. And damn it all, Chase never knew Italian—or any language—could be so damned hot.
“Tell me more,” Chase asked, he had no idea how much later, covered in sweat as Tio stretched over him, moving slowly, filling him. Tio whispered in Italian, his tone deep, the words falling over Chase. It didn’t matter what he said—all thatcounted was the deep, rich voice, the heat between them, and the feel of Tio as he moved deep inside, touching his heart just as surely as his fingers stroked his chest before wrapping around his length, stroking him and sending Chase on a journey of passion that he hoped to God would never end. This was a beginning for them, and it was one hell of an amazing way to start.
Chapter 20
“WILL YOUbe home tonight?” Mamma asked as Antonello got ready for work. He had stopped at the family home to get a few things.
“I doubt it,” he told her.
“You’ve spent much of the last month away,” she said.
“Because I’m happy there.” He grabbed a bag from his closet and began filling it with the things he’d need for a few days.
“And you aren’t here?” she pressed.
“Mamma. You have to understand that I am forging my own life, and that will be what I say it is. I have asked Chase to marry me. He will be my husband, and you need to accept it. Papa has. I am not going to live the life that you want or according to your wishes. I won’t. I’m staying with Chase and Ricky because they are the life I want.” He set the bag aside. “I know you are having a difficult time with this, but it’s like swimming upstream when the Arno is flooding. You get nowhere.” He took her hands. “I want your support. I really do. You’re my mother. But I won’t beg for it, and I won’t change my mind. We want you to be part of our family.”
She shook her head. “You don’t. You want everything as you will.”
“Yes. And this is my life, mine and Chase’s, and that’s how it will be. There are things in this world that none of us get to decide. But this is something I got to choose, and I won’t back down.” He lightly squeezed her hand. “This is not yourdecision to make. The only thing you get to decide is whether you will be part of our lives… and your grandson’s life.” Ricky and Antonello’s father were already fast buddies. His father had joined them for some of their outings in the city, while his mother had demurred. And every Sunday, Ricky and his Nonno went for gelato together, just the two of them. “That’s what we all want… and I know you do too, even if you’re too stubborn to admit it.” He kissed her cheek and went back to packing.
“Okay. I will try,” she said.
“That’s all I ask.” He smiled at her.
“I wonder what people are going to say.”
That was an admission Antonello thought he would never hear his mother make, and he relaxed a little at her honesty. “They will take their cue from you. So if you’re supportive, they will be as well. After all, you are Contessina Glorioso.” He grinned, and his mother finally broke a smile. “Chase’s mother is coming next week, and I want her to meet the two of you.”
His mother nodded. “I think I’d like that.”
“Good.”
“And maybe I can join your father this Sunday when he takes Ricky for gelato.”
Antonello let out a silent sigh of relief. “I’m sure Ricky would love to get to know his nonna.” He closed his bag, and after giving his mother a hug that seemed to surprise her, he left the room and headed out to the office.
USUALLY ANTONELLOand Chase had lunch together, but Chase had things he needed to do, so Antonello brought him something back and placed it on his desk. “What is it?” he asked at Chase’s stunned expression.
“Just a minute,” Chase said, setting down his phone. “Dave, I’m here with the head of Glorioso. Do you want to explain what’s going on to him?”
“Of course,” Dave began. Antonello knew Dave as the head of the project, a coworker of Chase’s, but they had never actually met. “Dewey, our supervisor, was let go yesterday. He wasn’t performing the way that was expected, and he was walked out of the office toward the end of the day. I have been asked to replace him.”
Chase nodded. “You deserve it.”
“Thanks, Chase. I knew this was coming because I was already felt out, but I could say nothing.”
Chase nodded and seemed to understand. “Of course. Does this change what we’re doing here?”
“No. We still need you there in Florence. This project must continue and stay on track. It’s been the only bright spot in the mess I’ve inherited.”
“I see.” Chase motioned Tio over and took his hand.
