Four Week Fiance 2(25)

“And an apple pie with ice cream for dessert.”

“Okay, I’m sold. No more insults.” I paused. “For the day.”

“TJ Walker.” She laughed. “Come on now.”

“Come on now, what?” I grinned. “What are you going to make for the dinner party?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I was thinking of grilling some steaks.”

“Steaks are always good.” I nodded. “Who’s coming, again?”

“Sally and Cody,” she said as she closed the oven door and went to the fridge.

“What about your parents?” I asked. “And Nonno.”

“Nah, didn’t invite them,” she said with a shake of her head. “We can have them over soon.”

“Have you spoken to Nonno recently?” I asked hesitantly.

“Not really.” She shook her head again. “I’ve been busy.”

“So you’ve not seen him, either?” I frowned, my heart feeling heavy. I was the one who was keeping her from him.

“No, I’ll see him soon.” She smiled at me. “I’ve been busy trying to turn this place into a real home. Maybe we’ll have my folks over and your dad.”

“Yeah.” Over my dead body.

“And is your dad seeing anyone? We can invite his latest paramour as well.” She giggled. “I swear that man goes through women like some women go through underwear.”

“I’m not sure what he’s doing right now or if he’s still dating the same lady, or one or more ladies.” My mind immediately flew to Barbie and I could feel myself growing uncomfortable. What would Mila say if I told her that Barbie was sleeping with my dad? If I just dropped it casually into the conversation like it was no big thing, would she react as if it were no big thing? Would she smile and say, “Oh really? That’s funny. Wow, Barbie really gets around.” I half-smiled as that thought crossed my mind. Yeah, right. There was no way that my Mila would ever act that calmly. She’d go quiet first, thinking about what I’d said and then when she processed everything and realized she’d heard correctly, she would lose it. Maybe she’d start shouting. Maybe she’d cry. But I knew that she’d be anything but calm and accepting. That was not a small lie that I could just sweep under the rug.

“Aw, yeah, who can keep up with him,” she said as she took out a bag of Brussels sprouts from the fridge. “Do you have any kosher salt?” she asked me as she started rinsing the sprouts in the sink and scrubbing them.

“I have salt.” I shrugged. “I have no idea what kosher salt is. I’m not Jewish.”

“Oh, TJ.” She rolled her eyes at me. “Pass me the olive oil and black pepper and all the different salts that you have. I’ll check.”

“All what different salts?” I laughed. “I have one regular salt and that’s it.”

“Fine.” She sighed. “Just pass me that as well, then.”

“Yes, boss.” I saluted her and she laughed. “What’s all this for?”

“The Brussels sprouts,” she said and held up the bowl she was holding. “I’m going to roast them with the seasonings. It will be delicious. Trust me.”

“I’m sure everything you make is delicious,” I said. “Just like you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She winked at me. “Joke, it will get you nowhere.”

“Damn it.” I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her towards me. “I want it to get me any and everywhere.”

“Sorry about your luck.” She giggled as she wriggled away from me.

“Oh yeah?” I leaned down and nibbled on the top of her ear as I brought her ass back up against me so she could feel my hardness.

“TJ, I’m cooking.”

“So?” I laughed and kept my arms around her, moving them up to her breasts and gently squeezed them. “Didn’t you know that kitchen sex was good for you?”

“Oh?” She giggled again and she moaned as I squeezed her nipples.

“Yeah, it’s like a workout before pigging out. Burn those calories early.”

“Hmm, are you calling me fat?” she said and then laughed as I froze. “Got ya.”

“Mila,” I murmured, laughing with her as I turned her around to face me. “I don’t care how fat you are.”

“That’s not a good response.” She made a face at me and I leaned down to kiss her long and hard, sliding my tongue into her mouth. She tasted sweet and she melted into me, kissing me back eagerly. Her hands flew to my hair and I held her face, caressing her cheeks as we kissed. I felt happy, calm, and like this was how it should be. The moment was everything that I’d never thought I could ever have. It was the stuff of fairy tales and, while I knew fairy tales were fiction, I wasn’t going to ruin the moment. I was just going to live in it. The nightmare would be here soon enough.

Right then my phone beeped and I grabbed it from my pocket to see who was texting me. The text was from my dad and it made my heart freeze.

“I need an update. Chinese want the deal to go through ASAP. Do you have the power of attorney papers?”

I deleted the text quickly, put the phone back into my pocket and held Mila close to me again. Hell on Earth was going to be here sooner than I’d hoped.