Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Chapter 72

So, at first things were a bit awkward between Harry, Liam, and myself. Whenever Harry was around me, Liam would watch him intently. During those first couple weeks, Harry and I would be uneasy around each other. I finally had a talk with him, convincing him that if we just acted like ourselves, then Liam would see there was nothing to worry about. Once we started doing that, I could see Liam relax.

We are now three months on from that news article. Liam and Harry's friendship has returned to normal. Well, as normal as it could be now.

There is a small break in the tour. Liam and I have decided to spend it in Italy at the villa. Ella is nine months old now, able to enjoy the villa a bit more. All that room to crawl around and explore.

I wake up alone, looking at the clock I see it's late morning. Guess I didn't realize how tired I was. Making my way to the kitchen for coffee, I see Liam and Ella.

Leaning against the door jamb I watch Liam pulling back Ella's copious amount of hair with a Batman barrette. It goes quite well with her jeans and pink Batman shirt.

Ella spots me first. "Mu mu."

Liam turns towards me, a smile creeping across his face. Lifting Ella off the counter, he comes to give me a kiss. "Good morning, Beautiful."

"Good morning, Handsome." Then I give Ella a kiss. "Good morning, my sweetie."

"Tired this morning? Did someone wear you out last night?" Liam says with a smirk as he puts Ella down.

I wrap my arms around his neck. "Yes, Daddy." I bite my lip, causing Liam to growl. "You did, I'm still sore."

"Mmm, is it Ella's nap time yet?" Liam whispers in my ear before biting the lobe.

I grin. "You like it when I call you Daddy?"

He smirks. "Yes, in multiple ways."

I laugh as I see Rosa enter the kitchen. Ella crawls to her.

Liam grabs my ass, squeezing.

I whisper huskily in his ear, "We'll have to continue this later...Big Daddy."

"Mmm." Liam moans as I move to greet Rosa.

"Ella, did you tell Zia Rosa, buongiorno?" I ask her.

I think the Z is hard for Ella. All she manages is to blow a raspberry with her lips.

Rosa laughs. "Close enough, Bambina."

"Buongiorno, Rosa. Would you like some coffee?" Liam asks.

"No grazie, Liam. I came over to offer to watch Ella tonight. I thought you two might like to have some time at the cottage...alone."

Liam moves quickly from the counter to behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Yes, Rosa. Grazie."

Rosa and I both laugh. "I guess that is a yes. Thank you, Rosa. I know Ella will love spending time with you and Antonio."

"I will see you later, Bambina." Rosa tells Ella as she hands her back to me.

I put Ella in her highchair as Liam fixes her snack.

Putting my hand low on his stomach, I ask him, "So, can you wait until tonight now..." I lower my hand to the front of his sweats. "Big Guy?"

He sucks in a breath loudly. I turn to leave the room.

"Not if you keep talking to me like that. You tease." He yells to me.

I pop my head back around the corner. "It's not being a tease if you follow through, every time."

I grin as I hear him mutter. "Damn, Babe."