I was uncomfortable all the time because of my ridiculously big belly. The chair was hard on my back, and I couldn’t sit close to the table because I was too big. But it was nice to get out instead of sitting at home and waiting for the baby to come.
Hades glanced at the menu before he lifted his gaze and looked at me. “What are you getting?”
“Everything.”
The corner of his lip rose in a slight smile, a rare event for someone like him. He set down his menu and continued to look at me.
I missed seeing him wearing his wedding ring. When he used to wear it, he didn’t attract so much female attention. But now most women looked at him, trying to figure out if he was available or not.
I had that pregnancy strength, so I would knock them out if they tried.
He continued to watch me with his brown eyes, the same eyes that looked into mine when he was on top of me in the darkness of my bedroom. There was always a slight hint of affection in his gaze, his heart on his sleeve.
The waitress came over and took our orders, then we were left alone again.
We spent so much time talking about us, I never asked him about him. “How are things in Florence?”
He took a long time before he answered. “The same.”
“And things with Maddox…?” I never asked about that man because I despised him, but I wanted to know that Hades was okay.
His gaze darkened noticeably, and his mood soured like he’d been provoked. “I don’t want to talk about that.”
“Why?”
He shook his head slightly. “I just don’t.”
“You can always talk to me about anything.” I knew he didn’t have Damien at his side anymore, and Ash was here in the city. If Hades wasn’t sleeping around, then he had no one to share his life with. Regardless of what happened between us, I would always be there for him.
“Maddox is crazier than I ever thought he was. He’s smart, calculating…but his greatest asset is his unpredictability. I’ve never met anyone like him. Now I understand how he’s survived so long.”
“You talk about him almost like you admire him…”
Now, he looked consumed by rage. He was dead silent, so rigid it looked like his muscles would tear. It seemed like he wanted to say so much in response to my observation, but the only thing he managed to get out was a simple response. “No.”
I knew I should let it go because he was so angry, he couldn’t see straight. The thing keeping us apart would keep us apart forever. I wanted to go home to Florence and move back into my bedroom, but then I realized I’d made the right decision staying in Rome. I could never go back…not while that psycho was in charge.
“Don’t ever ask me about him again.”
I held my silence and didn’t provoke him. Maybe he was right. Maybe we could never talk about this. I grabbed my glass of water and took a drink, my lipstick smearing on the glass. When I set it down, I rubbed my hand over my stomach. “I can’t believe this is almost over. I’ve loved being pregnant, but I’m so ready for it to end. I can’t wait to see if he looks like you, if he has your eyes or mine.”
“I’m sure he’ll be perfect.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Why would I be? I’m not the one who has to push him out.”
I smiled at the comment. “I’m not worried about that. But raising a son…that’s a big deal.”
He nodded slightly then fell into a quiet composure. His eyes drifted away, and he looked at nothing in particular as he remained deep in his thoughts. Minutes passed before he turned his gaze back to me. “You’re going to be a great mother, Sofia. I have no doubt.”
I lay beside Hades in bed, our naked bodies tangled up like cords in a drawer. Our faces were close together, and my fingers brushed through his hair as I listened to him breathe. I treasured the sight of this beautiful man because I knew I wouldn’t be able to much longer. I loved everything about him, from his strong chest to his soft heart.
One of his hands rested on my stomach, and it remained there when he fell asleep. He’d been spending more time with Andrew in the last week than he had throughout my entire pregnancy. He slept with me every night, made love to me like I was his wife, and kissed my belly like he couldn’t wait to be a father.
Knowing this was nearly over almost made me cry.
I didn’t want to close my eyes because I didn’t want this memory to pass. But my eyelids grew heavy, and I fell asleep with my hand against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat against my palm, strong as a horse.