her. At the six freckles splattered on her nose. At the way she pursed her lips when she was asleep. At the way she sighed when I touched her, and she didn’t even know it.
She was perfect—perfect for me.
“Hmmm,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering open. She stretched her arms out, nearly hitting me in the face, but she was totally oblivious to it.
“Mornin’,” I greeted, grinning down at her.
She gasped, her head whipping around to face me. “Dammit, Mateo. I hate that you do that.”
I shrugged. “You wanted me in our bed.” I pushed some hair out of her face, wanting to see her eyes when she was focused on me. “This is what happens. You just gotta deal with it.”
She rolled over, throwing her arm and leg over me in the process. “If it’s a deal breaker…” She placed her chin on my chest. “Then I’m not so sure—”
I flipped her over, grinning at her squeal, and settled between her legs. “No take backs.” Some of my hair flopped forward, tickling her face. “You’re stuck with me now.”
Her lazy grin begged me to kiss her, and for the first time. I didn’t hesitate. We were married. I wanted her. She wanted me. And if I was honest, I was never good at denying what I wanted. What was the point in stretching out the inevitable. We couldn’t get away from each other. We were stuck in this situation. But the difference was, I wanted to be stuck with her.
“How are you so happy in the morning?” she asked as I pulled my lips away from hers.
I winked. “It’s the way I am, baby.” Pushing on my hands, I lifted off of her, knowing that if I my body stayed on top of hers any longer, we wouldn’t get out of here today.
And I had plans.
Big plans.
“Come on.” I tapped her ass. “Up you get.” I strolled around the bed, straightening up my shirt. I’d already been awake for two hours, and the kids had been fed and dressed, now they were watching cartoons until we had to leave for school.
“I don’t wanna,” she groaned, star fishing on the bed. “I could skip classes and we could spend the day in bed.”
I raised a brow, glancing back at her as I got to the door. “No can do, darlin’. I got things to do.” I tilted my head. “Kids are ready. We’re just waiting on you.”
“Ugh. Fine.” She sat up, rolling her shoulders. “I’ll be ready in ten.”
“I know you will.” I walked away, still amazed at how quickly she got ready. She didn’t mess around when she needed to get out of the door.
By the time I’d gotten Cardo and Chiara into the back of the SUV, she was walking out of the front door, locking it behind her. That didn’t stop me heading over to check the door though. It was a habit I’d developed since we moved into this neighborhood. It was so much safer than where we’d lived all of our life, but that didn’t stop me from being vigilant.
The drop off line to the kids’ school was quick and pain free, and so was the ride to the mansion. Aida was waiting outside for us, and she jumped into the back once I’d stopped in front of her. Both Luna and Aida chatted up a storm, but I was caught up in my own head, my gaze flicking to my glove compartment.
My stomach rolled as I pulled up to my usual spot on the college campus. I’d been preparing for this day for years—nearly eight to be exact—and now it was finally here. The documents stowed away were like a calling card, begging to be brought out into the light.
“I’ll see you later,” Luna said, unclipping her belt and leaning over the center console. Her lips pressed against mine, soft and gentle. She pulled back, her brows lowering as she stared at my face. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I answered, way too quick to seem normal. She could tell something was going on with me, but I wouldn’t tell her. I wouldn’t jinx what I was about to do. “I’ll be here when you finish.”
She didn’t move for several seconds, waiting me out, but deep down she knew I wouldn’t tell her what was going on. If I wanted her to know before I did it, then I would have told her. “Okay.” She pulled back completely, grabbed her backpack out of the footwell, and exited the