“We can’t have that.” He put up his hands. “I’ll behave.”

“You have my permission to kick him, Kate.”

“Mom!” six-year-old Rafe exclaimed. “You said no kicking!”

“Your mom’s just kidding, Rafe. Kicking’s wrong,” Dominic said, grinning at his sister.

“So is embarrassing someone,” she said sharply. “Now, who wants cake?”

After the cake had been demolished, the children went to their rooms and the adults had time for a drink before the party guests arrived.

Dominic took a seat in one of the chairs by the windows, pulled Kate down on his lap, drew her back against his chest, and wrapped his arms around her. Matt and Melanie sat side by side on the sofa, Melanie tucked against Matt, his arm draped over her shoulder.

A small quiet descended in the aftermath of the dinner hubbub, only the sound of waves washing up on shore soft background noise.

Dominic smiled. “Really nice party, sis. Too bad all the others have to show up. Maybe we could turn out the lights?”

“You like some of the guests, Nick.”

“I don’t know about like.”

“Inhospitable crank,” she teased.

“Hey, all I do is deal with people twenty-four/seven. It’s nice to take a break. We might not stay long.” He dipped his head toward Kate. “Unless you want to, babe.”

“It’s up to you.” Kate was being polite; her greatest pleasure was having Dominic to herself.

“Fair warning, sis, if you don’t see us around. By the way, my staff from Lucia will make sure the kitchen is clean as an operating room before they leave since Mrs. B got on their case last time.” Dominic glanced at his watch. “They should be here soon. My security crew will be coming and going once everyone arrives.” He didn’t mention the added force that had arrived after them to patrol the perimeter. “Leo’s a fanatic. Sorry.”

“Not a problem,” Matt replied. Dominic had explained the situation to him when the children were busy with their presents. Neither man wanted the women to know the extent of the threat. “Guys with global empires need security,” Matt added with a grin. “Unlike local contractors.”

“Speaking of local contractors.” Dominic pointed west. “Leo saw security at one of the houses they were remodeling up the block. They were checking the workers’ IDs before they let them into the yard. Do we have a Russian oligarch in the neighborhood?”

Melanie lifted her brows. “A talk radio notable.”

“With enemies?”

Matt grinned. “Or paranoia.”

“Hmm, a different kind of enemy,” Dominic murmured. “I hear the food trucks driving up.” He whispered to Kate, lifted her from his lap, slid her to one side, and rose from the chair. “I’ll get the door. I haven’t seen Rudy or Slim for a while.”

Kate discovered that Dominic owned one of the city’s celebrated restaurants and Lucia catered Melanie’s birthday each year. Soon the kitchen was bustling with chefs and servers, delicious aromas were beginning to waft through the house, and Dominic returned, carrying a tray of martini glasses.

He offered drinks to Melanie and Matt first, then set the tray on a table by Kate’s chair. Lifting her up, he sat back down with her in his lap, handed her a glass, took his, and raised it in a toast. “This is a drink Katherine and I had our first night in Hong Kong compliments of Po at the Ritz-Carlton. To good memories.” After they drank some of the martini, Dominic turned to Kate, kissed her cheek, and whispered, “The best memories, baby. Are you my girl?”

She nodded, too choked up to speak.

“You better be. You really look nice tonight,” he added softly. “I always have the most beautiful girl at the party.” Then put his mouth against her ear. “How’s the bra?”

“Uncomfortable.”

“I’ll take it off later and kiss my tits, one by one, for suffering on my behalf.” His voice dropped lower. “I suppose your nipples are all squished under that green lace. They’re going to need some consolation. I’ll suck on them until they’re happy again. And when your nipples are stiff and throbbing, I’ll spread your legs and put my hard dick inside you so slowly you’ll be begging me for more. But I won’t, I’ll make you wait until I give you permission to come. And if you’re very—”

“God, Dominic, don’t… please—your sister.” She dragged in a shaky breath as her body liquefied, melted, instantly keyed up into do-me mode.

“Sis can’t hear. Do you want me buried deep inside you? Just nod,” he softly teased.

“Jesus, stop,” she hissed, the fierce ache between her legs ratcheting up. “I mean it, Dominic! We’re not alone!”

“I can fix that, baby.”

“No! Jesus, no!” she hoarsely whispered, raw desire spiraling outward from her core, streaking up her spine.

“Can you feel me?” His breath was warm against her ear, his swelling erection nudging her bottom. “You’d like to feel me inside you, wouldn’t you? Come on baby, say yes. There’s plenty of time.”

“Absolutely not!”

He grinned. “Now that they heard. God, I love when you blush. Do it for me again. They’re looking at us. Tell me how many times you’d like to come. Two, three? We might even have time for four.”