Chapter 3
She felt him smile against her lips as she tried to pull away. She planted a hand on his chest and pushed, forcing him to relinquish his hold on her enough to allow her to separate them, but only just. 'What?' She raised a brow as she took in his smile completely.
'I'm just wondering why you stopped?' He teased, his expression adoring. 'What is it you need now little mouse?'
Dani's head tilted at his question, spoken with the self-assurance, the confidence only Nico would have in this moment. 'What makes you think I need anything?'
He let the smile widen at that, his eyes now dancing with mischief as his hands lingered on her back, his fingers playing with her spine. 'It's been exactly five minutes.'
'Five minutes?' She felt her own brow furrow in question.
'Give or take a couple of seconds.' He nodded, enjoying this moment, his opportunity to tease her entirely too much. 'So I am assuming that you are now wanting something else.' He watched the realization dawn in her eyes, her expression morphing from confusion to one of mock chastisement.
'You were timing.' She slapped her hand on his chest, her palm landing the blow and then staying in place to soothe her imagined damage to his body. 'You jackass.'
'I was indeed timing.' Nico wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest, successfully bringing her attempt to slap him again to a halt. He stood then, dragging her from the water with him, his arms holding her close, his lips pressed against her temple brushing over her skin as he spoke. 'It's your wedding night. I promised to give you anything.' He turned her in his arms to look down at her, their gazes connected. 'And that means catering to your every need. Your every passing fancy.'
She giggled then. 'My passing fancy?'
'You were letting me kiss you.' He stepped from the tub, ignoring the water dripping from his body onto the floor as he reached for her once more and lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. 'And then you were trying to stop me.' He lowered her feet to the floor and once certain she was stable he reached for a towel, wrapping the soft fluffy white bath sheet around her body. He saw her shake her head, her eyes closed, her lips pulled into a smile.
'Oh, you silly man.' She opened her eyes as she placed a hand on his cheek, her thumb brushing against the slight stubble gracing his jaw now that the day was late, a new day almost upon them. 'I was stopping you only so I could tell you I love you.' She used her hand on his cheek to drag his mouth to hers as she stood on her very tiptoes to kiss him once more. 'You're never going to be a passing fancy Nico.' She shook her head again to emphasis her words. 'Never.'
'Never is a long time Dani.' Nico smirked, his hands rubbing up and down her back, drying her as he exercised his need to simply keep touching her. He saw her expression soften, her countenance now serious, sincere.
'Never isn't nearly long enough.' She held his gaze as she made her declaration. 'Not even close.'
'I love you too Dani.' Nico tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his hand lingering against her cheek for a moment as he watched her close her eyes and lean further into his touch.
'That's good.' She smirked then, her eyes still closed. 'Because you were kinda right. I do want something else.' Her eyes shot open as his fingers found her ribs, his desire to tickle her now surfacing. 'Now. Not before. I swear.' She panted between laughter, her hands shifting from pushing against his chest to trying to shove his hands from her body, to stop his tickling.
He grinned then as she managed to twist from his grip. 'Well that was unexpected.'
She took a few steps backwards as she discovered she was free, her towel left in his hands. She dropped her head forward and looked at him through her lashes, the corner of her lower lip caught between her teeth, her expression pure sin as she took a few more steps backwards towards the doorway.
Nico watched her progression across the bathroom floor. He observed as her countenance shifted as his hands released the towel, letting it fall to the floor. He saw the flicker of surprise, of realization that she was in big trouble at his action, his predatory expression. He took a slow step forwards, matching the pace of her single step backwards, his stride so much longer than hers, closing the distance between them considerably. He fought back the chuckle that threatened to escape as she let out a small squeak at his new proximity. He saw her spin then and retreat further from him. He smirked as she paused just under the doorframe to glance back at him over her shoulder, the smile on her face, the love and adoration in her eyes catching his breath, stripping him of all inclination to torment her any further. He closed the distance then, catching her in the center of their suite, sweeping her into his arms as his mouth found hers. He swallowed her soft gasp, her giggle as he held her to his chest as his mouth devoured hers, enjoying the way she responded to him, returned his attention, her lips moving forcefully under his. He shifted them, carrying her the small distance towards what was to be their wedding bed. He placed a foot on the wooden step surrounding the base of the bed and angled his body under the curtains framing their luxurious king-sized bed to place her gently in the center, his body hovering over hers as he looked down at his prize, his bride, his life. He closed the distance between them, lowering his body to completely cover hers as his mouth descended to claims hers once more. He smirked against her lips as he felt her freeze, the sound of once of their twins' distress bursting into the sanctity of their marriage bed. 'Saved by the bell Mrs Santino-Careles.' He growled softly as he withdrew, standing to hold down a hand for her to take.
Dani placed her hand in his, letting him pull her towards the edge of the massive bed. 'I don't think that was a bell Mr Careles. I'm pretty sure that was your daughter.'
'My daughter?' Nico grinned and he pulled her to her feet.
'My daughters are sleeping peacefully in other rooms with their grandparents and their great-grandfather.' She shifted past him, lifting her robe from the chaise at the end of the bed as she headed for the door, intent on going and soothing the child crying from the other room, determined to capture and calm the infant before she woke her sibling.
Nico grinned widely then. 'You don't know they're sleeping. They could be plotting world domination or eating obscene amounts of sugar for all you know.' He watched as she rolled her eyes, laughing softly before disappearing into the depths of their suite. 'Besides, how do you even know it was my daughter and not your son?'
His jibe followed her softly as she entered the room their twins were currently supposed to be sleeping in. She stepped up next to the crib, letting the light from the nightlight in the corner illuminate the babies. She smiled as she took in her son's wide eyes, his little fist waving in the air. Beside him, Lyra's face scrunched as she prepared to make her presence known once more. She felt Nico step up beside her, his unannounced arrival causing her to jump ever so slightly despite the fact that she knew in her heart that he would be unable to resist helping. He had done every midnight feeding, every predawn diaper change. He had been hands on in every facet of their newborns existence. In the early days, when she had been tired, sore from delivery he had been the one to bring the infants to their bed. He had cradled one child while she had fed the other. He had changed more nappies in three months than Sam had changed in his entire life. He had been everything a father was expected to be. And then he had been more. He had never complained about missing hours of sleep when the twins had refused to settle. He had never once sent her to deal with the children on her own, despite the many times she had offered, knowing he had a long hard day following. He was constantly handing her glasses of water or juice to keep her fluid intake up. He was forever rubbing her shoulders or her feet, just because he knew she liked it. She felt him shift imperceptibly closer to her as he leant forward to look at the occupants of the crib. 'You were saying?' She couldn't resist the opportunity to prove that she had bene right, it had been their daughter to interrupt their celebrations.
'I know. You were right.' You always are.' Nico spoke quietly as he reached for his daughter, lifting her to his eyes level, his hands gently cupping her head, her tiny feet braced against his stomach. 'You hear that Lyra. Your mother is always right.'
Dani smiled as she cradled Flynn against her chest, her eyes shifting from her son's tiny face to lock onto Nico's gaze. 'You know I don't think they're hungry. I only fed them a little over an hour ago.'
'I think they just wanted to celebrate with mommy and daddy.' Nico smiled softly as Lyra gurgled happily, her crying forgotten now that she was cradled safely in his arms.
'Is that what you think?' She spoke softly, watching as the infant in her arms yawned widely, his dark eyes screwing shut, his tiny nose crinkling as he snuggled himself tighter against her breast. 'I think Lyra woke her brother.'
'Because she wanted a cuddle.' Nico rocked his daughter, subconsciously mimicking the action Dani had started with his son. He re-angled Lyra, pulling her against his chest as he rocked her, watching her eyes blink slowly as she tried to fight off sleep. 'You need to go back to sleep little one. I have to give mommy cuddles too.' He whispered against his daughter's head, his lips brushing over her soft curls, his eyes locked onto Dani's.
'He does. He promised.' Dani held his gaze. 'It is our wedding night after all.'
'It is.' Nico whispered, his eyes falling to the baby now asleep in his arms.
'I feel a little like Déjà vu.' Dani quipped softly, shifting to place Flynn back in his crib. 'Only there are babies involved this time round.' Once her son was settled she reached for her daughter, lifting her carefully from her father's arms.
'Cute babies.' Nico wrapped an arm about her waist as she leant forward and placed Lyra in the crib next to her brother, pausing briefly to kiss both of their foreheads.
'They are cute babies.' Dani acknowledged, straightening to lean against Nico as they watched their infants take a few breaths, as they settled into sleep once more.
'Just like their mother.' Nico pulled her closer to him as he turned his head and pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
'Oh, I don't know.' Dani took a step away from him then. 'That little Lyra, she is as wicked as her father.'
Nico spun on her then, wrapping her in his arms, lifting her over his head before angling to drape her over his shoulder. He chuckled softly at her surprised gasp. 'Shhh. You'll wake the babies.' He tapped his hand on her ass as he carried her from the room and back towards their bed.
'I'll wake the babies?' Dani giggled as she wriggled around, trying to get him to let her down. 'Me?'
'Yes you.' Nico nodded as he set her down on the edge of the bed. His hands trapped her body between them, his palms flat on the mattress, his face just inches from hers.
'I didn't do anything.' Dani held his gaze as he leant forward, bring his mouth closer to hers.
He saw her eyes close to half as she tried to maintain eye contact, her line of sight thwarted as he dropped his head lower, his lips finding her pulse point, his hands lifting from the bed to undo the tie that held her satin robe closed. He released the knot and let the two halves of the fabric slide from her body, her skin shining in the moonlight filtering in through the open glass doors, the cool ocean breeze that accompanied it playing with the loose strands of her hair. 'Not yet you haven't.' His mouth ghosted the words over her collarbone. He felt the way her body trembled under his lips, his touch. He grinned for a second before sinking his teeth gently into her shoulder, the gasp she emitted music to his ears.
'Nico. Please.' She whispered, her hands finding purchase on his biceps. She tried to use her grip to lift him from her throat, to bring his lips to hers, to bring his body closer.
He straightened and stepped away. 'Please what?' He locked his eyes on hers, watching the tumultuous emotions swirl through their depths, her lust darkening her eyes, her surprise at his distance widening them and furrowing her brow. He kept his voice low, smooth. 'What is it you need little mouse?'
'I don't need anything.' She reached for him once more. 'I just want you.'
He stood his ground. 'You got me.'
'I want you.' She slid backwards on the bed before dropping to recline on her elbows. 'Here.' She awkwardly pointed to the mattress beside her. 'With me.'
'Do you?' He took a few steps towards her, bringing his body over hers once more as he climbed to kneel on the bed, his knees either side of her thighs, an arm braced, palm flat beside her ribs. He let his free hand trail over her cheek before running his fingers down her throat and across her chest, ending his travels with his palm against her. He felt the deep breath she took expand her abdomen under his hand. He could see the goosebumps he had left in the wake of his touch. He smirked down at her then before dropping to lie on his back beside her on the bed his eyes closing, his hands resting under his head, the smile still pulling at his lips. 'Well, here I am.'
'Jackass.' Dani moved as quickly and gracefully as she could manage, shifting from lying beside him to straddling him, her robe brushing the tops of his thighs, her hands braced on his wrists, holding his hands down.
'Well now you have me.' Nico quirked an eyebrow up as he opened his eyes to look up at her.
'I do.' Dani smiled gently as she watched him. His expression shifted then from acceptance of his position under her to one of pure evil.
'And just how long do you think you'll have me?' He let his voice, his words challenge her. He smiled as she dropped back to sit on this abdomen, her hands falling from his wrists in defeat.
Her head dropped forward, her eyes falling to his chest. 'Oh for as long as you'll let me.'
He started to laugh at her crestfallen tone, her demeanor. 'So forever then.' He reached a hand up from under his head and tucked her hair behind her ear, his action seeing her lift her eyes back to his, a dazzling smile spreading across her face once more. 'You're irresistible Dani.' He used his hands to push her robe from her body, letting it drop onto his legs. 'But oh so easy to rile up.' He grinned then as her eyes narrowed, as she attempted to reach behind her for the robe once more. He caught her wrist gently and guided it to his lips, his eyes locked on hers as he pressed a kiss to her pulse point.
'You know I'm not even sure I want you anymore.' Dani attempted to keep her face serious, her voice severe.
'Well now that's too bad.' He shifted suddenly, his free arm wrapping around her back. He used his hold on her wrist to pull her down to his chest as he rolled them, landing her on her back under him, her body stretched out as his was cradled in her thighs. 'Because you got me.' He dropped his head to run the tip of his nose up between her breasts, ending his travels with a quick kiss on her lips. 'And I got you.'
Dani caught the corner of her lower lip in her teeth as she smiled up at him through her lashes. 'I'm hoping I'm going to have more of you in a minute.'
He quirked an eyebrow as he brought a hand up to rest against the underside of her breast, his thumb stroking across her hardening nipple. 'Are you?'
'I am.' She shifted slightly at his ministrations, the continuous stroking of his thumb send shockwaves straight to her core. She brought her legs up to wrap about his hips, dragging him towards her now tilted center, the new angle allowing her to brush his erection across herself with very little movement at all. 'Please Nico.'
He dropped his face forward, his lips finding hers as his hands found her head, his palms stroking over her forehead, his fingers tangling in her hair as he held it back away from her eyes. His tongue thrust into the warm depths of her mouth as she offered up the opportunity, her mouth opening further as she panted her desire.
She felt him re-angle his body, his rhythmic gently thrusts serving to further tease and stimulate as he stroked gently across her heated flesh but failed to sink into it. A soft whimper escaped her as she caught his shoulders in her hands, her nails digging in as she grabbed for something concrete to help her in her mission to ease her frustration, to help her angle him to where she desperately wanted him to be.
He smiled against her lips as he felt her nails rack across his back. He shifted his mouth then, repositioning from her mouth to her nipple, his tongue rasping across it as he evoked yet another desperate gasp from her.
She heard the growl leave her throat as she dropped her hand from his back and tried to wedge it between them, to grasp him and guide him, with force if needed, to where she had been trying to move him.
He chuckled against her skin as her hand that had found him, her fingers that had wrapped around his shaft released as she threw her head backwards with a hiss, his mouth having found the perfect spot for distracting her from her mission, his tongue running against the underside of her jaw as he sucked gently.
Her hands dropped beside them to fist in the sheets, his torture of her so complete, so exquisite. 'Please Nico. I can't. I need. Please.'
He relented then, giving up all pretense of teasing, of drawing it out as he heard the need and the desire in her voice. With a tilt of his hips he sunk home, her muscles shifting around him, under him to accommodate his welcome intrusion. He lowered his mouth to hers, swallowing her whimper as he began to move to stroke them both to completion. His hands slid under her shoulders as he held her close, her breasts pressed firmly against this chest. He lifted his head, dragging his lips from hers to look in her eyes as he continued to thrust. He swallowed at the intensity of her gaze, the depth of her passion. 'I love you.' He managed to force out through his teeth as her muscles tightened on him, restricting his movement, attempting to both force him from her body and strangle him as they drew him unbelievably deeper. Her heard his name fall from her lips on a sigh as her eyes glazed over as she surrendered herself to him, her body clamping down as she tumbled over the precipice he had driven her towards. He let his head fall forwards, his forehead resting between her breasts as he too followed her over the edge, the pleasure ripping through him with such potency his arms shook under his weight, his breath came in harsh gasps.
Dani took a moment to regain her senses, to slow her breathing and refocus on the incredible man currently struggling to support his weight above her. She wrapped her arms and legs more tightly around him, dragging him to her chest, forcing him to collapse against her. She turned her face to bury it against his throat, smiling against his skin as his hands slipped up from behind her shoulders to tangle in her hair once more. 'I love you.' She whispered, knowing he would hear her words over his ragged breathing, his racing pulse.
Nico heard her words register, his attention brought from his internal struggle to recover from passion to his immediate surrounds. He could feel her body, hot and wet from exertion trapped under his, cushioning him, supporting him in his recovery, her breasts crushed against his chest, her legs wrapped tightly about his thighs. He could feel his own pulse beating in time with hers, both slowing as they returned to normal after their intimacy only moments before. He rolled to the side, taking her with him, pulling her against his chest, tucking her head under his chin. 'I love you too Dani. Everything about you.'
She lifted a hand and pushed his hair back from his eyes, letting her lock her gaze on his. She saw the subtle change in his expression as he noticed hers. 'There are a few things I don't love about you Nico. A few things I'd like to change.'
He raised a brow as he looked down on her. 'Such as?'
'Such as.' She ran her teeth across her lower lip. 'I don't appreciate having to beg over and over to have you completely.'
'Patience my dear doctor. Patience is key.' He smirked down at her.
'I don't always enjoy your self-control.' She grinned. 'You should be unable to keep your hands off of me.'
'I'm still touching you Dani. I have to keep touching you.' He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear before leaning forward to press a gentle kiss against her lips. 'I want to…'
'And before?' She held his gaze, her expression mock serious.
'You're complaining about foreplay?' Nico chuckled then. 'Now, I have heard it all.'
'Not all.' She placed a hand on his cheek, her eyes dancing.
'Not all?' His voice was mock-incredulous then, his eyes wide, exaggerated as he waited for her next revelation.
'Well,' she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and finding his gaze once more. 'You're just so you and I can't let you think you're perfect. When I'm not.'
'Dani?' His face shifted slightly, his concern registering now.
'Hear me out please.' She smiled then, letting him see that she was still teasing.
'Go on.' He gave a small nod, his face stoic, his eyes giving him away as they shone in pleasure. 'Please. By all means.'
'My real concern. The change that I do insist on.' She blushed then. 'I want you to do what you just did.' She saw his brow rise, the cockiness of the expression causing her to smile again. 'The last bit. More often.' She placed a hand on his chest, holding him back as he leant to capture her lips in a kiss, to reignite the passion. 'And…'
'And?' He held her gaze as he brought his lips impossibly closer to hers, closing the distance until he was a mere whisper apart. He watched her eyes close as he drew nearer still. He felt her tense once more as a cry sounded from the other room. He let out a chuckle, his head dropping to rest on her shoulder. He heard her giggle as she shook her head against him.
'And, I want you to make sure the next time you knock me up, we don't get twins.'