On entering the foyer of the penthouse, a mouthwatering aroma greeted me, wafting from the kitchen. My stomach growled in response, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. Following the enticing scent, I found myself in the kitchen doorway, watching as Giuseppe bustled around with pots and pans.

He was humming a cheerful melody, bobbing his head and moving his shoulders, completely absorbed in his own little world. The sight brought a warm smile to my face. I loved that he enjoyed what he did. "Smells amazing." I let out, making my presence known.

Giuseppe turned. His dark eyes twinkled. "Ah, la nostra bella moglie!" He rushed to me. "You back. Have you eaten? Are you hungry? I cook something very special for dinner tonight. Will be ready soon."

I smiled. His English was improving, but his thick Italian accent still colored every word, making his speech melodic in its own way. "What are you making?"

"Is... how you say... famous dish from Italia. My mamma used to make it for me. It is called Osso Buco."

"It sounds wonderful, Guiseppe. I can't wait to try it."

He grinned. "Grazie. Your day must have been tired. Go on, refresh yourself."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Freshen up, Guiseppe. You mean 'freshen up.'"

"Ah, che palle." He sighed, shaking his head. "English hard sometimes."

"You're doing just great," I reassured him.

"Ah, wait!" He suddenly snapped his fingers. "A letter." He wiped his hands on a towel and reached into his apron pocket, pulling out a neatly folded envelope. "It came for you today."

"Oh," curiosity piqued, I accepted the letter from him. "Thank you."

"Prego."

I smiled once more before stepping out of the kitchen.

As I started up the stairs, I carefully tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. The header read "Briarwood General Hospital," which made my heart start to race.

I had been anxiously waiting for their response to my application for weeks now.

My stomach churned as I read the contents:

Dear Sienna Bardot,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted for the position of Auxiliary Nurse at Briarwood General Hospital. Your application and qualifications have impressed us, and we believe you will be a valuable addition to our team.

Your training is scheduled to begin on the 16th and will span five days, during which you will be introduced to our procedures, policies, and the various departments within the hospital.

Please report to the Human Resources office at 9:00 AM to complete your onboarding process.

We look forward to welcoming you to Briarwood General Hospital and wish you the best in your new role.

Sincerely,

Dr. Emily Roberts
Director of Human Resources
Briarwood General Hospital

My lips parted with a sharp breath. Oh my God. I couldn't believe it—they accepted me! A surge of happiness bubbled up inside me. This day just kept getting better.

Ooooouuuu!

When I reached our bedroom, I carefully hid the ultrasound photos where I knew they would be safe.

Needing the comfort of a hot shower, I walked to the bathroom. As I stripped off my clothes, my eyes caught my reflection in the mirror. Weeks ago, my skin had been a canvas of bruises and pale patches. Now, it had regained its color, and the bruises were gone, save for that one stubborn blotch on my abdomen which now served as a constant reminder of how close I'd come to losing everything.

My fingers brushed gently over it. I was so grateful the ordeal hadn't affected my baby. Or rather, my babies. I smiled faintly. It still felt surreal to think I was carrying twins.

My fingers lingered on my stomach. It amazed me how it could still be this flat and unremarkable at thirteen weeks. Turning slightly, I took in my side profile. Shouldn't there be something by now? A small swell, a tiny bump, a sign that they were growing inside me?

Though Leah had assured me my babies were fine, I couldn't help the worry that gnawed at the edges of my thoughts. I was aware that most women showed later than others, was that going to be the case for me? Or was something terribly wrong that I didnt know yet?

My thoughts suddenly took a dark turn, making me shudder.

I shook my head swiftly, pushing it aside. Fretting wouldn't change anything. I took a deep breath, calming myself. Leah said the babies were healthy, and I had to trust that.

I reluctantly tore my gaze away and stepped into the glass stall. As I pressed the rain button, warm water sprayed out in a soothing cascade, flowing over my hair and shoulders. I tilted my head up, letting the warmth seep into my muscles. Just as I closed my eyes to savor the moment, I heard a faint sound of the bedroom door opening.

My ears perked up and my heart gave a little flutter.

Tristan.

His footsteps were soft but unmistakable as he moved through the room.

He was back earlier than usual.

The bathroom door creaked open quietly.

With my back turned to the entrance, I couldn't see him but I could sense him. Even if he didnt announce himself, I knew he was there, standing just beyond the threshold, watching me silently.

Pretending not to notice him, I pushed my fingers into my hair and arched my back, letting the water slide down the curves of my body in a tantalizing trail.

I knew his eyes pursued those droplets. I could feel the heat of his gaze burning into me through the glass door. It was palpable, sending shivers down my spine that had nothing to do with the hot water.

I continued, letting my hands roam across my body in an exaggerated and sensuous motion. The thought of being the center of his attention thrilled me. I reveled in the imagination of him standing there, his eyes dark and his body tense with barely restrained lust as he fought the urge to join me, to touch me, to feel.

I imagined his hands clenching and unclenching at his side, wishing they were the ones trailing over my curves, the ones cupping my breasts.

I released a soft sigh of pleasure as I kneaded them. It drove him crazy to see me touch myself, I could tell by the harsh breath he released behind me. But I pretended not to hear it as I slowly bent over to wash my legs, giving him a full uncensored view of what he'd been deprived of for weeks.

That did it.

An impatient growl ripped out of his throat, and the next thing I knew, the shower door was flung open with a force that made my heart leap.

I straightened up and turned just in time to see him step into the shower, fully clothed. The spray soaked through his shirt and pants instantly, but he didn't care. He pulled me flush against his chest and crashed his lips against mine.

The fierceness made me gasp and grip his shoulders. He kissed me hungrily, his mouth moving roughly over mine. It was frantic, searing, filled with a primal need that had been building for what felt like an eternity. I surrendered, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him back with a fervor that nearly equaled his own.

When he pulled back, his eyes were as dark as a tropical storm. "God. I'm so unhinged with you." He breathed, his voice husky and raw.

I smiled, unable to hide my pleasure. For a moment, the anxiety of my secret faded away, replaced by the simple joy of being with him. "I like having that effect on you." I admitted, brushing a wet strand of hair from his forehead.

He captured my hand, bringing it to his lips. He kissed each finger, his eyes never leaving mine. "You knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you?"

"Maybe," I purred. "Did you enjoy the show?"

His response was a rough groan. "I should take you over my knee for that."

Heat rose to my cheeks. I tangled my fingers in his hair and leaned in, whispering against his mouth. "I've been a very very bad girl, haven't I, sir?"

His erection hardened in his pants, straining between us. He growled. "Keep teasing me, Sienna, give me a reason to spank your ass till you're in tears."

Giggling, I kissed him again.

It was slower this time, more deliberate, each movement a dance of seduction and surrender. I savored the change in pace, letting my hands roam over his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath the soaked fabric. It clung to him like a second skin. He was all so wet and looked like a primal male specimen ready to be screwed senseless. So provocative. My hands found the hem of his shirt. I tugged it upwards, eager to touch him, to be skin-to-skin.

Understanding my silent plea, he broke the kiss just long enough to peel it off. The wet fabric landed with a heavy thud on the shower floor. He took my lips again, pressing his bare chest against mine. Skin to skin, heat to heat. Overwhelmed with the need to touch him, I reached out, gliding my hand over his wet skin. I explored and caressed it, committing it to memory as if it were the first time.

His body was a masterpiece, every line and contour a testament to his strength and vitality. It wasn't fair for someone to be this perfect. Everything about him seemed to be created carefully to perfection with not a single flaw.

My hand trailed down the hard, defined planes of his slick chest, feeling the taut muscles clench under my touch. I wandered lower, eager to reach the spot where I knew he ached for me the most. But before I could get there, he grabbed my hand and spun me around, making me face away from him. "Tell me, wife of mine," he murmured. "How was your day?"

For a moment, I was too lost in the heat of his touch to think clearly. How was my day? I contemplated telling him about the ultrasound, about the tiny lifeforms I'd heard on the screen. But fear kept my lips sealed. "It was good," I said. "Candice and I went to the mall, did some shopping, and had lunch at a new place in Harlem."

He wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close against his chest. "I'm surprised she didn't drag you to a brothel this time."

I released a raspy laugh. "She's not as bad as you think."

He cupped my breasts in his hands, kneading them. "I just don't like her for you."

My nipples tightened under his touch. I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder. "She's a nice girl once you get to know her, I promise."

He hummed skeptically, circling the pads of his thumbs over my nipples. I knew he didn't believe me but he just decided not to push it.

"How was your day?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Exhausting," he murmured, trailing kisses from the nape of my neck to the edge of my shoulder. "Meetings were dragging, and I could barely get any real work done at the office."

"Why?"

"Blue balls."

I almost laughed. "You don't say."

He groaned. "It's torture. I haven't seen your pussy in three weeks and it's driving me freaking nuts. I feel like my balls are going to explode any time soon."

I held in my laughter as I swirled in his arms, facing him. Poor thing. Part of Dr. Jones's discharge conditions had been that I avoid any physical activity that could risk triggering a second impact syndrome. According to him, sex could affect the time it took me to recover from my concussion. Personally, I felt he'd just said that out of spite, and to be honest, I didn't expect Tristan to last three days under those conditions, but he'd somehow managed three weeks.

For a man as sexual as he was, three weeks without sex must have felt like an eternity, and the fact that he was willing to endure such suffering made me love him even more.

But he didn't have to suffer anymore.

"You know..." I started, placing my hand on his chest. "We can do this now. I've healed."

He shook his head. "No, we'll wait until your next appointment to get an all-clear."

"But I'm perfectly fine." I protested.

"You still have dizzy spells, Sienna."

"It was just one time."

He gave me a look.

"Okay it was more than once, but it doesn't matter, I'm fine now."

"You're not."

"Okay just a little bit then?" I persisted, roaming my hand over his chest, trying to rekindle the spark. "We don't have to go all the way."

He caught my wrists, holding them firm. "I can't be inside you and not go all the way, Sienna, I don't have that type of control."

Heat rushed to my face. "We'll be careful, I promise."

"No."

"But—"

"No, Sienna."

"We could—"

"I said no, Sienna."

Fuck. "Alright fine," I conceded. He was already in so much discomfort, I didn't need to make this harder for him. "No sex."

He exhaled in relief. "Thank you."

"But—" I continued, staring down between us at his straining erection. "That needs to be taken care of."

I didn't wait for him to respond, I simply lowered myself to my knees in front of him and began to work open his button fly.

The deep, rumbling growl he released when my hand brushed against his shaft traveled straight to my center, making it tingle. "Sienna," he called in a strained voice. "What are you doing?"

"The only thing I can,"

He grabbed my hand, stopping me. "Get up. You don't have to do this."

"I want to."

"Sienna—"

"Let me help you."

He opened his mouth but pursed it shut. I could see the battle waging in his mind, the fear and desire clashing. It played out in his eyes, making my heart ache. "Please, Tristan," I begged. I couldn't do this if he didn't consent. "I want to do this."

A long, silent moment stretched between us.

Looking away from me, he muttered a curse and nodded, just once.

Yes!

My fingers worked deftly to unbutton his fly and yank down his pants before he had a chance to change his mind.

His hard cock sprang free, almost whacking me on the face. Damn. My mouth dried at the sight of it. For a second there, I had forgotten just how massive and intimidating he really was.

I grabbed him in my hand and stroked him. He was so hard that I could feel the thick veins throbbing beneath the silky skin. Leaning forward, I licked the side of his cock from the base to the tip, just the way I knew he liked it. He hissed above me, his heavy sac bunching up in response. Galvanized, I cupped them in my hand, kneading them as I licked him all the way to his swollen, velvet tip.

His cock swelled even further, oozing pre-come. "Sienna," he croaked, his voice thick with need. He pushed his fingers through the wet strands of my hair. "That's enough torture."

A thrill ran through me at his appeal. Smiling, I perked up and met his hot gaze. The way he looked at me made me feel powerful and desired, and I reveled in it. "I love the way you respond to me," I crooned, catching another drop of salty pre-come with my tongue. "Almost as if you can't help yourself."

His hips flexed. "That's because I can't." He tugged hard on my hair, making me wince. "Now stop your cute little games and suck my cock."

Goosebumps broke over my skin.

Even with the most vulnerable part of him in my hand, I was still completely at his mercy. Heeding his command, I wrapped my lips around him and took him fully into my mouth.

He grunted and groaned, tilting his head back to the ceiling.

My mouth stretched painfully around his girth. He was so big and too long but I didnt let it deter me. Fighting against my reflexes, I hollowed my cheeks and began to move my mouth up and down his length.

His hips bucked involuntarily, his groans of pleasure deepening with every pass of my lips. My hand joined in shortly, wrapping around the base and stroking in time with my mouth.

His groans grew louder, his breaths coming in quick, uneven bursts. "Just like that," he panted, his fingers gripping tightly on my hair. "It feels so good baby... don't stop."

His words were like pure sin, wrapping around me like a vice. I quickened my pace, using every trick I knew to milk him fast and hard.

"Oh God, Sienna," his breathing came in short, desperate gasps, and I could feel the tension in his body, the anticipation coiling inside him like a spring ready to snap. "Yes, baby, like that...deeper." His cock pulsed in my mouth, growing harder. He was close. The salty liquid pouring into my mouth was a telltale sign. "Deeper angel." He bit out, thrusting his hips an inch deeper into my mouth. I gagged. He didn't stop. He grabbed the nape of my neck, holding me in place, and the low curse he released was the only warning I got before he shoved his cock all the way down my throat, so deep that the tip of my nose touched his hard abdomen.

My stomach coiled.

Jesus.

I choked and tried to push back, but his tightened hold on my neck kept my head still. "Breathe." He commanded hoarsely, flexing his hips roughly into my throat. "Don't fight."

I shook my head. I couldn't do this. He was too big, too overwhelming, stealing every breath. My nails bit into his hard thighs as I tried to break away. He hissed, pulling back to allow me a single breath before he was back to choking me with his cock again. "You have to relax your throat for me, baby, or it will hurt."

He was right, for my own sake, I had to. It took several seconds to calm myself, and then I tried to do what he'd asked, to relax my throat, but I only heaved violently.

"Go on, princess," he urged between grunts. "You're doing great, try again. Let me in." His voice was strained as if he was in pain. "Be a good girl and take me deep."

I was shaking, nearly blacking out from the lack of oxygen but I tried again, eager to please him. Breathing harshly through my nose, I took control of my reflexes and forced the tight ring of muscle on the back of my throat to loosen up.

It relieved tension slightly and Tristan growled in satisfaction. "That's it, angel," he lauded, sliding his cock smoothly down my throat. "You're swallowing all my cock like a good girl. Does it feel good?"

Tears streaked down my cheeks, melding with the water. The pain was excruciating. He was too deep into my throat, almost ripping it apart. yet I nodded, or at least tried to nod.

A sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I didnt expect to like this. To have my mouth so ruthlessly ravaged for his own pleasure shouldn't be this exciting but it was. I was terribly wet, my pussy salivated, throbbing with the need to see him come apart.

"So pretty like this, princess." He grated out, his gaze now pinned on me, hot and wild, making my insides quake. I could feel the bulbous head of his cock thrusting through the delicate skin of my throat, over and over again. It shouldn't be physically possible for him to go that far, yet he did, and he kept going, he kept fucking my mouth, each thrust deep and demanding, until the pleasure built to an unbearable peak, and with a final, powerful thrust, he shattered, exploding.

The intensity of his release left me gagging. He bowed over me, his free hand gripping my shoulder to steady himself as he spilled down my throat, spurt after spurt, filling up my mouth to the point it was hard to swallow but I forced it down, savoring every sweet and salty drop.

Finally, when the gushing torrent seized and there was nothing left to give, he let go and collapsed against the shower wall, spent and breathless.

I inhaled deeply. Seeing him like this made a strange sense of pride overwhelm me. Definitely worth the pain.

"Hell." He cursed, his chest heaving violently. His eyes glided to mine and they gleamed. "Have I ever told you I love you?"

I smiled, licking the remnants of him off my lips. "No, I don't think you have."

He gently pulled me to my feet, his hands cradling my face. "I made it worse, didnt I?"

I shook my head. "You didn't hurt me. I feel fine."

He stared at me for one awed moment and then he hugged me tight. "Thank you," he murmured. "I really really needed that."

I smiled. I needed this too. "My pleasure, Larsen."