Page 89 of Ruthless Roses
Memories from last night are fuzzy. Salvatore had taken me out for a date night, and I’d had a couple glasses of wine. He’d made love to me, and I’d fallen asleep not long after…
The space in bed next to me is empty. Before I can even wonder where he is, the door opens and he walks in, still shirtless in his sweatpants.
An immediate smile graces my face. One that Salvatore returns, handsome and amused.
I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s the guilty look for?”
“What guilty look? Can’t a man enter his bedroom in peace?”
“A man can.Youon the other hand…”
He laughs as he comes over and drops a kiss on my brow. “How’d you sleep?”
“A little too good. Why didn’t you wake me?”
“You looked so peaceful sleeping. Why would I?”
I push the duvet cover away. “Because Dominic and Serena—”
“Clothed, fed, and playing in their playroom.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“As always. I know you so well, I knew what you’d be thinking about.” He sits beside me on my side of the bed and strokes my cheek. “There’s something else I thought ahead about.”
My brows draw close in question. “Which is?”
“Stay put.”
“Jon—”
“Stay where you are,” he says, rising from the bed. He strolls over to the bedroom door. “Okay, guys, now you can come in.”
I watch with a surprised flutter of my heart as he draws the bedroom door open and in walk Dominic and Serena, clothed as if they got dressed in the dark. They’re accompanied by Stitches, who carries a breakfast tray. Dominic proudly holds a slender glass vase of red roses in his puffy winter jacket and mismatched socks. Serena’s wearing her Halloween kitty cat costume as she clutches a piece of paper.
My lips break out into a thrilled smile. “What’s going on here?”
“Happy Mommy’s Day, Mommy!” Dominic exclaims.
“Breakfast in bed for the lady.” Stitches delivers the tray in dramatic fashion like only he can. He sets it down on my lap and then takes a sweeping bow as if he’s a butler-for-hire.
I can’t stop smiling as Salvatore helps Dominic set the vase down on my bedside table. He hoists both kids up to their giggles and plops them down next to me on the bed. Serena crawls closer, batting her long lashes at me, looking the part of a shy doll.
My heart melts as I ask my baby doll what she’s holding.
“For you,” she squeaks, presenting the sheet of paper.
I take hold of the sheet and admire the artwork—a cartoon drawing of the four of us. Dominic and Serena have gotten creative, using a variety of colors and shapes. They’ve even drawn Olive, Salt, and Pepa (or did their best at drawing a dog and two cats).
If I were an emotional mess before, I’m a total wreck now. I sniffle and reach for Serena and Dominic, bringing them close for hugs.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
“I… I drawed it myself,” Dominic brags.
Serena pouts. “Me too!”
“I did more!”