Chapter One Hundred and Eleven

Gen’s gaze drifted across the room, landing on Matteo. His dark brown eyes, flecked with green, had widened the instant she stepped inside. She knew she wasn’t doing a great job hiding her emotions. That much became obvious when even Frankie inhaled sharply as Gen smiled up at him. Although she wasn’t entirely sure what was happening in Matteo’s office, it didn’t take a detective to realize he was making moves, working tirelessly to protect his entire family. The tension had been wound tight all weekend—searching for Noah, locating Becca’s body, deciding what to do about Michele, and caring for his ill girlfriend. Matteo’s eyes remained fixed on her as Frankie quietly exited the room. Gen waited for the soft ‘whish’ of the closing door before speaking.

“Can I talk to you?” she asked softly.

Matteo blinked, as if she’d snapped him out of a trance. His fingers flew over his phone screen, typing rapidly. “I’m really sorry, but I have to step out for a bit and don’t have much time right now. I need to meet with O’Brien and make some arrangements. Can we talk when I get home tonight?” he asked.

Gen swallowed hard. “Depends—when will you be home?” she pressed.

He tilted his head, thinking it over. Clenching his fist, he began composing a new message on his phone. “Maybe late. Around two or so.”

Gen shook her head, her impatience bubbling up. She couldn’t wait that long. “No, I need to talk to you now. Matteo, please?”

Matteo stopped typing and looked her over carefully. Setting his phone aside, he nodded. “I’m sorry. What’s going on? Are you okay?”

Taking a few steps deeper into the office, Gen began, “I figured out why I haven’t been feeling well.” The smile she’d been fighting threatened to break free.

“Good. What is it?” he asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he gave her his full attention.

“I took a test in the bathroom.”

“You took a test in the bathroom?” His surprise was evident. She nodded. His eyes searched her face, trying to understand. “Was it a Covid test? Do you have Covid?”

Gen laughed softly and shook her head. “No, not a Covid test. I, um…”

She closed the distance to his desk, unfolding a small, rolled-up piece of toilet paper to reveal one of the four tests she’d taken. She placed it gently on his desk. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment before dropping to the test. His gaze remained neutral as he stared at the single word printed boldly on the strip: PREGNANT.

“I know this isn’t the best timing. It’s definitely not something we planned, but…”

“You’re pregnant.” His voice was low, flat, almost void of any emotion. Gen’s stomach clenched as she tried to read his feelings. His eyes stayed locked on the test in front of him.

“I saw a warning on a pill bottle you gave me and realized I hadn’t gotten my period. So, I went to the pharmacy and…”

“You’re on the pill,” he said quietly, still giving nothing away.

“I am, but I was thinking about it. If you stop taking it even for a day, it can mess up its effectiveness and…”

“The days you were kidnapped,” he finished for her.

“And the days I was in the hospital after, until I remembered. Once things started happening between us, it completely slipped my mind…”

“You’re carrying my child?” he finally asked, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

Gen felt tears prick at her eyes as she caught the flicker of hope shining in his light brown eyes. She nodded. “I know the timing sucks, and with everything else going on, this isn’t what you needed…”

Matteo pushed himself up from his chair. “I should have remembered and used more protection when…”

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. The kiss began intense, possessive, and consuming, but the smile spreading across his lips transformed it into something lighter, playful, even laughter-inducing. When he finally pulled away, he pressed his forehead against hers, his hands tightening around her face before one slid down to rest gently on her stomach.

“You’re giving me a baby?” he asked again.

Gen smiled through tears, laughing softly as they began to fall. She bit her lip and nodded. “We’re having a baby.”

“Oh, fuck, Gen,” he whispered, shaking his head. “Just when I thought my life couldn’t get any more complicated, you come in here… and make everything simpler.”

Without hesitation, Matteo slipped his arms under her thighs and lifted her onto his desk. He shoved papers and clutter aside to make space as he laid her back. Gen wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer as his lips captured hers. The tenderness of the moment shattered like electricity hitting water. He groaned as his kisses shifted from sweet to greedy. She gasped sharply when his teeth caught her lip and his hands roamed hungrily over her body. Matteo pushed her skirt up her thighs while Gen tugged at his belt. The familiar sound of a gun being set down on the desk beside her made her smile against his lips, a sound she’d grown used to.

Her smile vanished as Matteo’s lips became more aggressive, driving her head back against the desk and positioning himself at her bare entrance. With one possessive thrust, he entered her. His body trembled with need, desperate to take her roughly. Instead, he gripped her arms, holding himself back. Slowly, he pulled out completely before sliding back in again. Over and over, he tormented her with his relentless restraint. Each stroke was a promise—of a lifetime, of so much more.

His lips never left hers as he claimed her womb with smooth, methodical thrusts. Low sounds of desperation escaped him as he controlled his body in a way he never had before. He ground his hips against her, hitting her clitoris and making her gasp. He groaned at the soft sound she made and kept the steady motion with every drive to the hilt. It was pure torture, especially in the confines of an office.

“Matteo, please…” Gen begged, rocking her hips against his.

He bit down on her lower lip while sucking it between his teeth, his hips jerking back and slamming forward with a harsh smack. Gen’s head whipped back as his pace quickened. The sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the room. Her gaze drifted to the window, staring absently at the building across the street, wondering if anyone there could see what they were doing. Her legs tightened around his waist, pulling him closer as he drove himself deeper.

Matteo gripped her chin firmly, turning her head back to face him. His eyes were not wild or lost—instead, they were focused, determined, and filled with pride. He bent to kiss her again, and she ran her hands up his shoulder blades as his thrusts continued to push the desk back inch by inch. His movements slowed but remained sharp as he reached his climax. He rocked against her clit and exploded, sending waves of pleasure that rolled from her toes all the way to her eyes. She clung to his dress shirt as he released a long, low groan. Kisses traced along her cheek and down her throat as they caught their breath.

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted to do that?” Matteo murmured against her neck.

“Get me pregnant or have sex on your desk?” she teased with a soft chuckle.

His lips curved into a smile as they brushed hers. His eyes crinkled with pleasure, and his dimple appeared in full force.

“I suppose both have similar answers,” he admitted.

Matteo sat back, watching her intently as he pulled up his pants and fastened his belt. Gen remained sprawled across his desk, feeling too giddy to stand. Once he looked presentable again, he leaned over her and kissed her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him close. When he tried to pull away, she tightened her grip and wrapped her legs around his waist. He stood anyway, lifting her with him. Finally, he managed to break the kiss, and she smiled at the red lipstick smeared across his mouth.

“I don’t want to leave you, but I have to go,” he said softly. Releasing her, she slid down his body with a pronounced pout. Matteo circled his desk and grabbed his suit jacket. “I have to get a few things sorted and organized. I won’t be out as late as I said, I promise,” he vowed, throwing on his jacket.

He buttoned the bottom two buttons and returned to stand in front of her. Holding her head gently in his hands, he seemed to want to memorize every detail of this moment—the moment she changed his life forever. Squatting down, he pressed a small kiss to her stomach, where their family was already beginning to grow. She gripped his wrists as he looked up at her from his bent position.

“I’m sorry you only get a few months of being the only love in my heart, Weakness.”

—

D Darci Mello

I love his reaction.