Page 102 of Irreplaceable

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Iwoke up with the scent of almonds clinging to my skin and a warm body curled next to mine. Harper.

She was cradled in my arms, my hard-on digging into her ass. Sunlight tried to peek through the edges of the curtains, and I closed my eyes and breathed in this moment. She’d been gone again this past week for work; I wanted to soak in every detail.

I pulled her closer to me, letting her feel the effect she had on me. The effect she always had on me. “Buongiorno, amore mio.”

She turned in my arms so she was facing me and yawned. “Buongiorno, tardigrade.”

I smirked. “You think you’re so cute, don’t you?” I teased, thinking back on our first night together in Bali when she’d compared me to that hideous water bear. “You are. But you’re also too far away.”

These past few months had been an adjustment. Between my games and travel and Harper’s hectic work schedule, we barely saw each other. Then you added in a pregnancy and a new house, and life was very busy right now. Busy but so, so good. I had a lot to be grateful for.

I’d worried that in our time apart, we’d lose the momentum we’d gained. But instead, the opposite seemed to be true. We made time every day to talk, and I looked forward to hearing her voice. Still, it wasn’t enough, but it would have to be for now. Until both the season and the World Cup were over, I had to stay focused on soccer.

I needed to tell her that I’d been selected… I’d been trying to figure out how to break the news.

The Leatherbacks had made it to the play-offs, and as soon as the season ended, I’d be flying out to Italy for some last-minute training before the World Cup. It was everything I’d ever wanted, but…not the best timing, considering how close we were getting to the baby’s due date.

“I’m right here.” She yawned, but when I pulled her to me, our bodies flush, she gasped. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.” I grinned.

I trailed my hands along her back, down over her ass, cupping her cheeks to pull her closer. She lifted her leg, draping it over mine and inviting me in. And boy did it feel good, sliding between her wet heat, sinking into home.

“You feel so good. I could stay here forever,” I said, kissing her. “I missed you this week.”

“Enzo,” she sighed. “I missed you too, but we can’t stay in bed all weekend.”

“Why not?” I nuzzled her neck, holding her tightly as she rocked into me.

“The rug company is coming this morning.”

We’d moved in to the new house as soon as we had the keys, even though it wasn’t fully decorated at the time. Since then, room by room, it had become more complete. Every time I came home from an away game, our house was closer to done. Closer to becoming a home.

I arched my hips. “Let Nico handle it. It’s his job.”

“I need clean clothes. I haven’t even unpacked from my trip yet.”

“So? I prefer you naked.” I burrowed beneath the covers and sucked her nipple into my mouth. She let out a gasp, and I took that as my cue to continue. “And we can pay someone to do your laundry or buy you new clothes for all I care.”

Her muscles tightened beneath my hands, her body stiffening. “I can wash my own clothes, Enzo.”

“I know you can, but why not hire someone else to do it? Especially if it reduces your stress and gives us more time together. Time is more important than money.”

I rolled us so I was on top, though I was mindful of her growing belly. I hated that I’d had to miss the last appointment because of training. Even though Harper had assured me it was no big deal, it was to me.

I grabbed her wrists, linking them over her head. Her eyes flared with desire, and I grinned. “Don’t you want more time for this, uccellina?” I bent forward to tease her ear, rocking my hips against her.

“Yes,” she sighed. “Yes, Enzo. Just like that.”

I knew she couldn’t refuse me now. Not when I was making her delirious with pleasure. I silenced any further protest with my lips, mimicking the motion with my hips, until we were both panting and sated.

I was still coming down from the high, when she rolled away from me.

“Hey,” I growled when she pushed out of bed. “Where do you think you’re going?”

She turned back, leaning over the bed to give me a peck on the lips and the most tantalizing view of her body. “Unpack. Laundry. And I promised Juliana we’d finish the baby registry today. The baby shower is coming up.”