Chapter 512 - Never This Warm

Angela's toes curled as she screamed Gael's name and he pumped hard into her three more times before letting out a deep growl, his cock jerking deep inside her with his release. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, both of them sweaty and flushed and entangled in bed—her under him with her legs still shakily wrapped around his waist.

They stayed in the same position as they came down from their high and she could feel him softening inside her. He pulled out and grinned at her, pressing a chaste kiss on her lips before getting out of bed and into the bathroom. There was a sound of water running from the faucet, shutting off, and then he padded back into the bed with a washcloth in hand. Gael always took care of her after sex and she loved it every time. 

They arrived back at the apartment about an hour ago from Bliss. She had been too anxious on the drive home, rehashing her encounter with her grandfather back at the bar. Angela was so worried about what would happen, but Gael reassured her that everything was going to be okay. "They'll have to get through me first," he'd said before leading her down on the bed and doing his way with her and making all her worries disappear.

Gael tossed the dirty washcloth into the hamper and climbed back to bed, pulling her into his arms. "I haven't told you today yet. Thank you… I really appreciate it."

"For what?"

"For being there for me and my family. They also appreciate your help this week. You didn't have to, you know?"

"But I wanted to. They're my family now too, aren't they?"

A smile ghosted his lips and he kissed her hair. "They are."

"So there's no need for thanks. I only did what I'm supposed to do for family and because I wanted to."

"How did I get so lucky?" He quirked a brow.

"Oh, I don't know. I guess you bumped into a crazy one during a wedding on an island."

Gael laughed and the sound made her belly flutter. It was the first carefree laugh he had in a while. Too bad she had to leave soon. She would definitely miss this man. 

"Can't you come with me?" Angela bit her bottom lip, already knowing what his response would be, but she still wanted to try.

His face fell and he sighed. "I really wish I could, Angel. But I'll follow you in two weeks. I promise."

She groaned, nuzzling her face against his neck. "Now I'm rethinking about going. What am I going to do when I wake up and you're not next to me?"

"Then you call me. Call me before you go to sleep and as soon as you wake up."

"Won't you be bothered? You might be busy at night and I might disturb your sleep or work in the morning."

"Never too busy to answer your calls." He tipped her chin up with his fingers and stared into her eyes. "I'll be waiting for the next time you call. I expect to hear your voice day and night. Understood?"

Angela nodded and tightened her arms around him.

Gael's fingertips ran up and down her bare back as he told her, "You've been through a lot the past few weeks. You need this break, Angel. Besides, you have a lot of things to do when you go back to Mayne."

He was right. There was the foundation, the orphanage, her book, her family, and the new house! The thought of doing all those things lifted her spirits and she began to feel excited again. "You're right. I'm so over guns and body bags. I prefer them in books and not reality." The casual answer brought her mind back to the two people she killed and for a second, she felt that familiar heaviness in the pit of her stomach.

As if knowing what was going through her mind, Gael lowered his lips to hers and kissed her slowly, sucking her lip and dipping his tongue into her mouth, making her moan. That ought to push her dark thoughts away. "I want you to call any time you need to hear me, okay?"

She nodded, a small smile lifting on her face. "Okay."

Gael stared at her for a moment but wasn't saying anything until Angela probed, "What?"

"I'm just thinking… Instead of flying back tomorrow, how about Monday morning?"

"Why?" she asked but was already grinning wide at the suggestion.

"I just don't want to miss you tomorrow. I want to spend the whole day with you before you leave. If you fly on Monday, I'll see you off at the airport before I go to work and then I can busy myself and hopefully miss you less. What do you say?"

"Hmmm…" Angela pretended to think but she couldn't help the happiness off her face. "I don't know. Should I?"

"We can go to Nonna's for dinner. The whole family will be there. Gabby will also join us before they fly back to Chicago."

"Sunday dinners… Hmmm… Why don't you convince me more?"

Gael narrowed his eyes on her. "You need more convincing?" he asked as his fingers trailed between her thighs, the tips brushing over her clit and sliding down her already wet folds. "I don't think I need to, seeing as you're already dripping wet for another round. But I'll be very happy to oblige."

Her mouth fell open—and so did her legs as if on instinct—when he pushed two fingers inside and began pumping. "Yes, I do," she whispered breathlessly. "And you need to do it…hard…er"

A sexy smirk formed on his lips as he complied. "Whatever my future wife needs."

It was only a matter of seconds until Angela uttered her first loud yes—and it wasn't, particularly, for agreeing with him.

***

Sunday — March 31

"I think Nonna hates me." Angela rubbed the top of her head where Nonna hit her with a ladle, her face scrunching up as she turned to Gael for comfort. She only asked Nonna when she'd sear the meatballs.

Nonna then proceeded to mutter animatedly in Italian as she stirred the big pot of tomato sauce and some of Gael's family in the kitchen laughed.

Even Gael chuckled. "She said if you want this family to eat, you have to learn how she cooks her food. Nonna doesn't brown her meatballs."

Angela knitted her brows and it was Alice who clarified, "Nonna cooks the meatballs directly into the sauce and let them simmer—not brown them in a pan. She's very particular with her methods." Alice gave her a pointed look.

"Did she have to hit me, though?" Angela frowned, but otherwise, she felt warm at the grandmotherly gesture—Nonna glanced her way and laughed.

"She loves you," Gael whispered above her head as his hands went around her waist. 

"She hits people she loves?" Angela gasped playfully. "Nonna… I didn't know you were a sadist…"

Nonna's eyes went wide and Gael's family burst out laughing. "She really is!"

"What's a savist?" Elisa, Alice's daughter, asked aloud.

Sebastian chortled as he picked up the little girl and tickled her tummy, making her squeal and kick around. He brought her out of the kitchen, away from the adults' conversation.

Angela had so much fun with Gael's family during dinner. There was a bit of sadness whenever they remembered Pietro, but they smiled with tears and enjoyed the night. 

After eating, they all moved to the living room, crowding all the chairs and the floor space around the fireplace as everyone listened to Alessandro tell some of their family's famous stories that went way back centuries ago in Italy. It was very interesting to learn Gael's background. She snuggled up in Gael's arms as she sat on his lap in an armchair, a blanket covering over them, making it cozier.

Angela scanned the room, seeing everyone so engrossed in the story-telling that they had probably heard a few times over the years already. Gabby and Mariano sat close to each other on the sofa, her leaning against his side. Mariano seemed to feel a little out of place there sometimes, fully aware that his family brought so much pain to the De Lucas, but Gabby hadn't left his side and it made it a little easier for him to be here.

Meanwhile, Giovanni was glued to his phone, texting whoever it was that kept him busy the past few days. The corner of his lips twitched into a small smile, but he schooled his expression, suppressing it as he looked up…only, he met Angela's curious gaze. 'Who has he been texting?' she wondered. The idiot stuck his tongue out at her like a kid before shoving his phone into his pocket. Whatever he just read, it made him happy.

Angela loved Gael's family. Being here with them just felt right. The Su Clan back in Esmea was huge, but it was never this warm. She was envious of their bond, but she was also thankful that Gael shared his family with her.

Gael cocked a brow. "Why are you smiling?"

"I'm just happy to be here." She leaned against him and his arms tightened around her.

"I'm glad." He pressed his lips to her temple.. "Tomorrow… I'll bring you to meet Mom."