Between The Flames ⚜️Il Paradosso Book Two⚜️

Chapter twenty-two

I missed the feeling of Antonio's warm embrace comforting me for the three days that he had been gone.

The spacious king size bed was cold without his large body to wrap around me, at times squishing me into the far end of the mattress.
But I was a hopeless insomniac without him and I longed for the sound of his breathing next to me. Although it spiked irritation with all the hormones raging inside, it brought a sense of tranquility and peace to my heart.

"Wow, your belly's really getting big!"

Kenny laid to my right on one of the lounge chairs by the indoor pool, eyeing my swelling abdomen.

"I know, right? I'm five months along now, and it's really showing," I said while rubbing my fingers along the protruding bump and smiled at the tiny flutters that felt like butterflies beneath the layer.

"And my breasts have gone up two sizes, none of my regular bras fit me anymore and everything pops out at all angles," I remarked, glancing down at my chest that was bulging out of the baby blue bikini top.

"They're bigger than mine!" Amanda exclaimed and Emma sniggered, pulling her dark locks into a high ponytail and adjusting the straps around her neck.

"I barely have any," she pouted while pushing her boobs together in attempt to make them seem larger and we all had a good laugh.

"I bet Antonio digs them," Amanda stated, her strawberry blond hair dripping with water as she rested her chin on her arms at the edge of the pool.

"He sure does," I muttered under my breath while a tingling feeling spread through me and my cheeks become warmer, a wave of wantonness taking over my entire body again.

I needed him to come home.
Raising my head I met Amanda's stare and for a split of a second there was a strong glimmer in her blue eyes before she flashed me a smile.

"So... Amanda," I began, watching her hands run over her curvaceous hips as she stepped out of the pool.
She had the perfect body.
"Anything new going on in your love life?"

Her shoulders shrugged as she wrapped the big white towel around her waist.

"It's nothing really, just a stupid obsession with this guy I've had my eye on."

"Oh?" I mouthed, standing up to reach for the pitch of lemon water but was beat to it by Kenny, offering to fill my glass.

"Here you are, your majesty," he joked and I couldn't help but giggle at his playful choice of teasing.
Niccolo's blaring voice echoed through the mansion and we all froze, stealing a quick glance at one another.

"Why do you always have to be so loud, motherfucker?" Another man's voice resounded from beside him as they both entered the poolside.

"Ehi, bellisima ragazza!" The familiar face now came to view as his tall figure loomed over Amanda, grabbing her hand and placing a kiss on the top of it.

His Colgate smile was the first thing that I noticed and immediately acknowledged who it was.

"You remember my cousin Vinnie?" Niccolo spoke as he nodded my way, which I mirrored in recognition.

Vinnie's smile grew broader as he leaned in to take hold of my hand in the similar gesture.

"I might have underestimated you that night, little lady," he said while taking note of my belly, "looks like you've got quite the treasure there."
He whistled at my stomach. "Those Lucchese genes are strong! You got two in there?"

I felt slightly uncomfortable by his words and abstained myself from recoiling when his mouth pressed onto my hand.

"You better watch where you put those lips, Vinnie." The sexy voice ignited something inside my heart that no words could describe when it spoke from behind me and I felt the weakness at my ankles. The smooth but demanding tone vibrated across the room.