Sasha was laying on her side, her back to Rin and the warmth of his body behind her was admittedly a thing she could get used to. His hand at some point during their sleep had slid up under her t-shirt and he was stroking her skin softly, his thumb making small circular motions on her belly
He must have felt the change in her as he nuzzled her neck, “good afternoon, topolina.”
“What time is it?”
“Would you believe it’s almost three?”
“No way! I slept so long?”
“We both did. I think we needed the rest. It’s been a weird few days.” His hand slid up her shirt and cupped her breast. “Since you’re awake,” he let his voice trail off as he pressed his warm lips to the back of her neck.
She shivered, “Rin,” she gasped when he pinched her nipple through her bra.
“From now on, no bras in bed.” He gave a deep chuckle at her
Sasha was sitting cross-legged on the sofa in Rin’s office reviewing her emails and reports. Sonny was laying down in his room before dinner. Dinner was in the oven being baked off and she and Rin were sitting in the office with the door open to listen for any silliness his family might attempt to start. She prayed the quietness which had descended in the late afternoon continued into the evening. Her mind was too overwhelmed to deal with much else.She suddenly scowled furiously as one of her managers of a clothing boutique had emailed to say they were short staffed yet again.“Why the fuck is it so hard to find decent staff?” she muttered under her breath.She looked to Rin, “I need to make a call.”“Make it,” he didn’t look up from his computer. “It’s not disrupting me any.”She debated doing so. She knew he didn’t know she was the owner of Gina’s and the woman behind
Sasha entered her office in the club unable to stop the smile curving her lips. Before leaving the house, Rin had kissed Sasha breathless before gently putting her bemused and befuddled body into the passenger seat of Achilles’ car and warning him to make sure she stayed safe. Achilles had been very quiet, not saying a word and she had been lost in her own thoughts of her current situation. Chastity was waiting in her office. “Girl, you need to give me the details and now. You sent me a text message saying you were marrying Rin just before I started my shift at the hospital and then nothing since!” “You got off at six and I was finishing dinner with Sonny, Rin, and Viviana. I knew I’d see you here and tell you everything.” She looked to Chastity and frowned noting the sadness in her eyes, “Where’s Orion tonight?” “She’s back and took him from me. Showed up to pick him up at school. I had arranged for him to attend the after-school program until I got off, but she
After Chas was gone, Achilles closed the door and flopped onto the sofa beside Sasha. Achilles looked to Sasha, “my apartment was clean. No bugs or wiretaps.” “So false alarm?” “No. Tyrone followed him a bit after I came into work tonight and caught him meeting with the agent, I thought he was with. He got a recording of the agent telling him we’ve been back and forth from the Allegretti house which means I’m conspiring with mafia. He also threatened him to get him the information or he’s going to jail which means he has dirt on him.” She sighed, “how do you want to handle this?” “I’ll end things with him in the morning. I already sent the boys over to change the locks in my place. I could ask for his key back, but he could have made a copy for all I know and given it to the feds.” “True,” she smiled sadly, “I’m sorry Achilles.” “Me too,” he shrugged. “The agent went too far and it’s clear he’s got a guy watching the Allegretti house if he knows I’ve
Sasha was in a pair of jeans and a pretty pink silk blouse and frowning. “He said comfortable.”“But he gave you no other instructions?” Achilles leaned against the door of her office.“Nope. Just told me he was picking me up and to dress comfortable.”“Are you comfortable in the blouse?”“It’s a date, Achilles. Our first date. I don’t want to go out there in yoga pants and tank top.”“But are you comfortable.”“I’m not uncomfortable.”“You are difficult,” Achilles groaned. “No wonder he wants to tie you up and beat you.”Sasha put her a pair of running shoes on and grabbed her laptop bag and purse. “Let’s just go.”He motioned for her to lead the way out and after she set the alarm and locked the doors, he escorted her to the waiting escalade.Rin was leaning against the
Sasha gasped when the moment the words left Bosco’s lips, a dozen puppies were immediately awake and bounding towards them. They surrounded the trio, yanking on pantlegs, pulling shoelaces, and yipping and yapping at them.“They’re instantly awake,” she giggled unable to stop herself.Rin scooped a puppy up in his hands, the round wiggling belly fitting in his palm and he laughed as he let the dog lick his face enthusiastically. “Which one are you keeping, Bosco?”“Princess,” he motioned to one particular puppy who sported a polka dotted. “The rest of the pups have solid collars but hers is dotted.” He leaned down and picked her up, “she’s just a perfect little girl.”“Come on Sasha. Our goal is simple. We need to play with the puppies to figure out which one will keep Sonny distracted when we’re sleeping during the day.”“Wait, what?” she lo
They had picked a puppy. Rin wondered what Sonny was going to say when he and Sasha showed up to give him his medicine at six with a puppy in tow. The dog was now curled up in a crate secured on the back seat of the car next to Sasha. Sasha was tucked under his arm, her head resting on his shoulder as they sat quietly contemplating the last hour. “Coffee?” Rin asked her suddenly. He wasn’t ready for their date to end. “I have a favorite little coffee spot I usually stop at on my way home. They’re open twenty-four hours. They make a dark roast which reminds me of the one I get back in Italy.” “Great,” she agreed with a nod. “Do they make pastries?” “They do but not like you do,” he kissed the top of her head before knocking on the partition to let the driver know to stop for coffee. “Have you always baked?” She nodded, “I was about six when I got into trouble for stealing those prepackaged cupcakes from a local store in the neighborhood. The owner caught
Sasha knew her cheeks were red as she tucked under Rin’s arm and let him escort her into the coffee shop. The place was empty except for the staff and a single patron working on his computer in the far corner of the room.She knew from the way the men were standing it was someone they were familiar with because none of them seemed too concerned. She considered Rin kept as many men around him as her grandfather did, easily double the number her father did and she couldn’t help but wonder how often anyone tried to hurt him.“What are you thinking, little mouse?” He whispered in her ear as he moved to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle protectively.“You have a lot of security with you,” she frowned. “Are you often in danger?”“I bring the danger,” he chuckled hotly in her ear before nipping it. “This is my favorite coffee shop and anyone who knows me or my patterns will kno
“Oh, please do,” Marcello was excited. She approached Rin and the woman and smiled, “Hey Rin, who is your friend? What’s her name? You should introduce us.” Marcello’s guffaw told her she had played it well. Rin glowered, his lips twisting as he pointed at her, looking first back to Marcello knowing he’d tattled and then back to Sasha, “it might be a riding crop for you.” “I prefer the hand but I’m game to try anything.” She winked at him as he fought the upturn of his lips at her comment. “Who are you?” the blonde tried to push past Rin who blocked her. “Who is she Rin?” Sasha smiled sweetly and then looked to Rin, “introduce us. Surely you can introduce me to your friends. I can tell she is a friend by the way she keeps clutching at you.” He glowered at the blonde, “I told you to stop.” “She’s very grabby,” Sasha giggled as the woman’s fingers clenched and unclenched as if struggling to keep them to herself. She was quite out of control. Sasha found herself wondering if the