LOGINMy dad greets him with such genuine joy and excitement that it makes my heart swell with joy. They talk for a few minutes about Dominic’s day before dad gives him a little nudge back towards the gate where Kent and I are waiting. Dominic gives dad a kiss before running ahead again. My dad waves to
“Papa!” Dominic shouts, startling me out of my reverie as he drops my hand and darts down the road. I look up, a huge smile breaking out on my face again as I see Kent on the sidewalk just ahead. His back is to us as he speaks companionably with the butcher, a heavy bag of his purchases already hung
As I walk down the street towards the little Italian kindergarten, the whispers start around me, as they always do. I listen to all of them, a big German Shepherd padding quietly at my heels. “Is that her?” “Yes, that’s the one – I heard she was her husband’s mistress before he married her – tha
Both Kent and I laugh, but Don Bianci – across the baptismal font from us – snaps his eyes up, perhaps not liking the joke as much as we do. But I just ignore it, because dad’s right, frankly – and it’s too happy a day to care. After the final blessing everyone applauds Dominic – he likes that, bl
“Well, it didn’t seem to affect your first very badly,” Ivan says with a shrug, peering around Kent to where Daniel is laughing with an arm around Jerome’s shoulders. “So…maybe keep it up.” I smirk, squeezing Ivan’s hand once more before standing and moving to Kent’s side, tucking myself against h
“Hey, gorgeous,” Ivan says, his mouth turned up in a smirk as I cross the churchyard, beaming at him. “Look who’s talking,” I say, laughing and reaching for him when I come close enough. Ivan wraps me in a hug, dropping a kiss to my cheek as I hold Dominic a bit to the side so he doesn’t get squis
My whole body starts to shake now – just a little bit – and I’m a little bit at a loss as to why. I’m not scared, I know that. It must be anticipation – or the completely new experience of knowing that Kent Lippert is keeling behind me as I bend half naked over his desk – and that he’s looking at –
I lay back on my bed for…way too long. Just laying there, frustrated, staring at the ceiling. I am also exhausted – I know this by the fuzz that I feel in my brain, the lethargy taking control in my limbs, and my very slightly grumpy mood. It’s been…one hell of a 48 hours, if I’m being honest with
“What happened?” Kent asks, taking a step closer to me, glowering down at me so I have to tilt my head back and look up at him. “Did he touch you?” I frown at Kent then, a little defiance curling in my stomach as he glares at me. “Was he…not supposed to touch me?” I ask. “It was a date, Kent. You
“It’s time, miss,” he says, his voice serious. “He wants you home. Now.” “Oh?” I ask, biting my lip with disappointment. “No breakfast?” Slowly, the guard shakes his head. I turn my attention back to Ivan, but his eyes are on the guard. “Can you give us a minute?” Ivan says to Kent’s man, u







