That's Amore by Erin McCarthy Read Free Book Online Page A

the shower and
leave
him? She knew they would wind up killing Gina’s baby. Hadn’t Jeff heard that babies can drown in inches of water? Didn’t he ever watch Oprah?
    She flung the shower curtain back, her heart in her throat as she prepared to face tragedy.
    What she encountered was not a tragedy.
    It was a gift to woman kind.
    A very naked, very muscular, very wet Jeff was holding a smooth skinned Justin on his hip while he doused them both with the spray.
    Water was dripping off Jeff’s nose and jaw, running down his broad chest to disappear into his… ohmigod.
    Paige fell back against the bathroom wall, rattling the towel bar as she clung to it for support.
    Jeff turned and his eyes went wide. “Paige! What are you doing?”
    “I thought you were going to give Justin a bath.”
    He shrugged, which sent a ripple effect throughout his shoulder, bicep, and chest. “I thought this was easier.”
    She couldn’t think of a thing to say, just stood there in pure female adoration for the irresistible combination of a masculine man cuddling with a chubby naked baby.
    “Did you need something?” he asked after a second, his eyebrow going up.
    “No, I just was worried that Justin was in here alone.” Then without having any control over them whatsoever, her eyes dropped below his waist.
    Holy cannelloni.
    “We’re getting water all over the floor.” Jeff shifted Justin to his other arm as they both stared at her in question, their black hair sticking up in matching spikes.
    “Oh, right, sorry. I’ll let you get back to
things
.” Paige reached out and pulled the curtain closed, her face burning in embarrassment.
    In a semi-comatose state she wandered into the living room and sank onto the couch, the image of Jeff hot, hard, and wet playing repeatedly in her mind. Her mental VCR seemed to be stuck on rewind and play. Over and over she saw him, Justin’s little naked bottom resting on Jeff’s solid hip.
    Reaching for her purse, she flipped the stomach of her shirt up and down to create a breeze. She was sweating like Johnny Romano in his silk shirt.
    Paige dragged her cell phone out and dialed Gina’s number.
    “Frank?”
    “No, it’s Paige.”
    “Where the hell is Frank? That bastard hasn’t even called looking for me once.”
    Paige was distracted from her own problems by the pressing nature of Frank’s jerkiness. “Does that surprise you, Gina? Frank takes you for granted.”
    Gina sniffed. “Poop. I think you’re right. If he doesn’t start showing some concern pronto, that’s it. I’m cutting him off.”
    “Are you serious?” Paige asked in astonishment. In four years she had never heard Gina even so much as suggest ending things with Frank.
    “Yeah, I’m serious. I’ve got a kid now. I need to show him how to act. Better he see me in no relationship than in a messed up one.”
    That statement alone almost made seeing Jeff naked recede from her mind. Almost.
    “That’s great, Gina. I’m proud of you.”
    “So how’s it going? You and Jeff doing some tonsil tasting yet?”
    Gina had such a unique talent for turning everything into something crass.
    “Listen, that’s why I called. I need you to get me out of this. I’ve got to either take Justin to your mom’s or you’ve got to let your brothers come and rescue you. I can’t stay here with Jeff.”
    “Why not?”
    She darted a glance towards the bathroom. The door was still tightly shut. “I saw him naked,” she blurted into the phone. “And I liked it!”
    There was no sound for the next three minutes but Gina’s hysterical laughter.
    Then her alleged best friend, sister of her heart, and lifelong troublemaker, said quite clearly, “I’m not telling you where I am. There’s still time for Frank to come around. Besides, you and Jeff are like pizza and pepperoni. You’re meant for each other. Ciao.”

♦ Chapter Five ♦
    EFF WRAPPED JUSTIN in a soft, white towel and rubbed his arms dry absently. He eyed the spiky hair on