Page 138 of Thin Lives

“Fine as in you have it handled, or fine as in you will handle it?”

Honestly, Calisto wasn’t sure.

It was a big step.

One he’d worked his people and men into slowly.

Emma, that was.

And whatever relationship he wanted to have with her.

Calisto’s only goal was to make sure his lover was safe from judgment and shame after the story circulated of her husband running off with his only word of doing so being the divorce papers he left behind. Emma needed someone to care for her, her son, and her home. He was the one to do that, and while it looked innocent enough, that didn’t stop people from talking.

He couldn’t have that.

And so, he’d worked into it all with care. Never staying the night, always being appropriate and respectful in front of others, and never allowing even the slightest hint of affection to be shown toward Emma from him when they were in public.

Then, those things had started to change. He stayed the night, he took her out, and he allowed people to talk.

To an extent.

Now, Calisto had a choice to make—a big one.

“I have a few months,” Calisto said.

“The Commission is a stickler for rules.”

Calisto blew out a quiet breath, knowing Wolf was right. The Commission—a group of North American crime syndicates that made up a ruling table of bosses—would be meeting soon, and it would be Calisto’s first time attending. To be considered for a seat at the table as Affonso had once been, he needed to do one simple thing.

Have a wife.

He only wanted Emma, but Calisto wondered …

Was it too soon?

Would it cause a problem?

Did he even care if it did?

“Wake up,” Calisto murmured against Emma’s neck.

She mumbled something unintelligible, giggling into her pillow when his fingers tickled up her side under the covers. She was naked—all soft, warm skin under his fingertips.

Christ.

He loved her like that first thing in the morning.

“Where is—”

“Cross is still sleeping—heavily, I might add.”

Emma sunk further into the bed, sighing happily when Calisto’s hand sneaked in between her thighs to stroke her bare sex.

Hot.

Wet.

Tight.