“I know that look, Luc. Don’t even think about it. As nervous as I am, we’re going in to meet your parents. Won’t have me explaining why we didn’t show up.” Mindy shakes her head and pulls me toward the front door.
“You know I still have a bedroom here.” I smirk at her, and she chuckles.
“You’re so manish,” Mindy chuckles.
“What does this word mean? Manish?” I frown, my accent coming out more.
“It means you’re getting fresh with me. Wanting to do grown people stuff in your parents’ house.” She eyes me up and down, then bites her lip.
“Do I need to remind you how grown I am? And I know what that look means— you want to see my bedroom. Don’t you?” I whisper, leaning in to kiss her once again.
This time she moans, and I almost say fuck it and drag her little ass back to the car, but the door opens. My Mama is standing there with a look of awe on her face. She probably never thought I’d bring a woman home. It’s most likely why she kept inviting random women over here.
“Ciao, Mama. Non spaventarla, lei e nervosa,” I warn my Mama in Italian not to scare Mindy off.
Lucia Dalonzo has made it her mission to get us all married off. Roman looks to be halfway there already, so I know she’s got her sights set on me. I know that she won’t be able to control her enthusiasm at the fact that herspecialson found someone to love outside of his immediate family.
“Non preoccuparti bambino. Non ti mettero in imbarazzo,” my Mama answers that she won’t embarrass me.
“Non potresti mi mettermi in imbarazzo, Mama.” I make sure my Mama knows that she could never embarrass me before pulling Mindy in front of me. “Mama, this is Mindy. Mindy, this is my Mama, Lucia.”
“Hi, Mrs. Dalonzo. It’s so nice to meet you,” Mindy says, sticking out her hand.
My Mama shoos her hand away and pulls her into a tight hug, “We hug around here, and forget this Mrs. Dalonzo stuff. I’m Lucia orMama,” Mama says, winking at me, and I shake my head.
When we walk into the dining room, all talking stops. I frown when I see my brother and his girlfriend Erica, Niro, and Paolo. None of them are supposed to be here. As a matter of fact, I specifically asked them not to come. I’ve been able to disguise my crazy for the most part, but I know it will be on full display with all of us together.
“Luca,figlio. I’m so glad you could finally introduce us to your… how do you say… uh…girlfriend,” my Papa smirks at me.
He speaks perfectly good English, and he knows exactly what he’s doing. Instead of responding, I pull him into a one-armed hug while continuing to hold Mindy’s hand. I know she’s in good hands with my family, but I know she needs my support.
“Papa, this is mygirlfriend, Mindy,” I introduce her.
My father slaps me on my back, then quickly lets me go. He pulls Mindy into a hug and squeezes her before whispering in her ear. He holds her out at arm’s length, and she smiles at him.
“Molto bella.” My father nods.
“Very beautiful indeed,” I repeat, so Mindy can understand.
Her beautiful brown skin reddens a little. I kiss her cheek as I pull out her chair. We sit down, and right away the shenanigans begin. Paolo is regaling the table with his inappropriate exploits. Unfortunately, all the women at the table find him charming, and they giggle at him.
“Paolo reminds me of Jules. Except Jules at least tried to pretend he wasn’t a womanizer. I don’t think Paolo could even think about pretending,” Mindy whispers, and I scoff.
She pinches my side, and I chuckle, pulling her in for a kiss. The table quiets again, and I stop mid-smooch. I reluctantly look around the table and into the amazed expressions of my family. I know they have never seen me so free. Probably because I’ve never been this open in my life. I don’t think I knew how.
Mindy notices everyone staring, and she clears her throat, “Sorry, I can’t say no to Luca’s kisses. He’s so affectionate.”
You could hear a pin drop in the once noisy dining room. I pay it no mind. I know why my family is shocked, but I don’t plan on explaining it to Mindy. I don’t want her to know the emotionless Luca.
“Excuse us, I’m going to give Mindy a tour of the house.”
“We’ll have dessert in thirty minutes, Luca. Don’t make me come find you!” My Mama yells after us.
I don’t acknowledge her, but I quicken my steps. My Mama is no nonsense, and she will be looking for us in thirty minutes. So, this quickie will have to hold me over until I can get Mindy back home.
I make it to my bedroom and close and lock the door. Mindy walks further inside. She turns and gives me a wicked smile as I stalk towards her.
“I hope you know I’m not about to have sex with you. Your whole family knows what we’re up to.”
