“Yeah,” I said, watching him approach.
“You look beautiful.” He kissed my temple, wrapping me in his arms.
I closed my eyes, letting myself enjoy the feel of him against me. “James, we can’t do this at my parents’,” I whispered against his chest.
“Do what?” he asked, rubbing my back with his palm.
“Touch like this,” I responded, pushing him away. The feel of him had become too much with what I knew I had to do.
“I’m not fucking you, Izzy. It’s only a goddamn hug.” He crossed his arms, looking down at me.
“My parents are old-fashioned,” I lied. My parents were used to my touchy-feely brothers and their girls. Hell, even my parents were prone to public displays of affection. It was one loving and nauseating family.
“Okay, Izzy. I’ll keep my hands to myself if it makes you happy.” He smiled weakly, his shoulders falling as he exhaled.
“Good. That makes me happy.”
“That’s all I want. Your happiness is my highest priority.”
Fucker. Why did he have to be nice? I’d rather him be an asshole and tell me to get down on my knees and suck his dick. That would make tonight so much easier.
“Ready to go?” I asked as I grabbed my coffee cup and set it in the sink.
“Yep. I’m starving.”
I smiled, knowing that he’d enjoy the food my mother had prepared. I was sure word had spread like wildfire about his appearance at Sunday dinner. She’d probably spent all night preparing a feast for the guest of honor. I prayed my brothers hadn’t spilled their guts about what they’d seen in the shop yesterday, but they all had loose lips.
“We’re taking my car,” I told him as I locked my front door.
“Whatever you want, Izzy.” James headed toward the passenger’s side door of my Infiniti as I unlocked the doors.
We didn’t speak on the trip, as I turned the radio volume up high enough to make it impossible. James toyed with my fingers and stroked my arms as I drove. I fought everything in me to not close my eyes and get lost in the feel of him against me. His simple, loving touches were almost enough to push me over the edge and pull the fucking car over and beg for his cock.
I dragged my hand away from his as I parked the car on the street in front of my parents’ home. Turning the radio down, I said. “We’re here.”
“Finally,” he replied as I shut off the car. We climbed out at the same time, making our way to the front door. “Wait,” he growled, grabbing me around the waist. “I want to kiss you before we go inside. It’s a long time not to be able to touch you.”
I nodded, biting my lip as I stared up at him. His eyes matched the color of the leaves that had just bloomed on the tree behind his face. His dark olive complexion made his eyes seem brighter than they were. Before I could reply, he kissed me, wrapping his arms around my back as he drew me in.
I melted into him, moaning slightly at his taste. James’s kiss was like a hit of a crack pipe for an addict. “Stop,” I mumbled against his lips. “Someone will catch us.”
“Shh,” he whispered before delving deeper inside my mouth.
Just then, the door popped open and I heard, “Oh heavens.”
Fuck.
My mother had caught us red-handed. I pulled back, heat creeping across my face as I looked at my ma.
“Sorry, Ma.”
“Oh no, child. Nothing to be sorry about.” She laughed, looking between James and me. “James,” she crooned, smiling at him and holding out her arms.
“Mrs. Gallo. It’s nice to see you again,” he replied, hugging her.
“It’s very nice to see you again, and with my Izzy too.” She winked at me over his shoulder, still tightly holding on to him.
“Ma, we’re not together.”
“Looks like it to me, dear.” Her smile grew wider as she watched me and released him. “Let me get a good look at you, James.” She snickered as she held his arms and drank him in.
“Ma, you’re embarrassing him.” I crossed my arms over my chest, watching my mother rape him with her eyes.
James laughed, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek. “It’s always a pleasure, Mrs. Gallo.”
“Oh, sweetie. The pleasure is all mine,” she whispered, looking over her shoulder at me. She linked her arms with his and ushered him into the house. “James is here!” she yelled as I closed the door.
I’d already known this was going to be a long-ass day, but having my mother catching us in a lip lock made it that much worse.
“Me too!” I screeched, feeling a little left out.
Suzy and Mia both rounded the corner from the family room with giant smiles on their faces as they looked at James.