Back at the office, it was hard to focus on her afternoon clients. Thankfully, they were more than eager to talk about their issues with minimal input from her. What she missed, she’d play back on her recording device.
As she made her way home, her stomach flip-flopped with anticipation of her impending date with Dante. Though she wasn’t a fan of one night stands, the reality of it had set in during the two weeks of no contact. Seeing him again ignited a fire within and sent her heart fluttering. She had a date. A real date.
*****
Dante showered and changed into more casual attire: jeans and a polo shirt. He’d been all smiles since running into Mandy at the park. How many times had they’d run and never crossed paths? Or had they and he just didn’t notice. He shook his head. She was a woman he’d remember anywhere.
“You’re a bit upbeat for happy hour.” Aaron sat glued to his usual spot on the couch, no doubt looking for the next woman to take him out. “Did I hear you singing in the shower?”
“This smile isn’t for happy hour. I happened to run into that special someone while on my run.”
“Please tell me you’re not going out with ‘Miss Desperate’? You’re asking for trouble. Any woman who is that fine and doesn’t have a man in her life has issues.”
“Basta! Stop it! Just because a woman is single means nothing. Maybe she just hasn’t found the right one. I’m single. What does that say about me?”
“Man code. There’s nothing wrong with us being single.”
Dante shook his head. “I think you’re the one with issues. Later, man.” He made his way out the house and off to his date.
With the help of his navigation system, he found her house with ease. He pulled up at a nice ranch style home a block away from the hills. The well-trimmed yard donned a large stone walkway surrounded by beautiful landscaping. He couldn’t imagine Mandy pushing a mower or yielding a weed whacker and assumed she hired help.
The door opened on his way down the path. Under the threshold, an angel stood. Mandy brandished a smile and wore a pink button-down dress. She greeted him with open arms and a light kiss. As beautiful as she looked, it was hard for Dante not to pick her up and carry her back into her bedroom. He wanted nothing more than to spread her legs and relive the experience of exploring the jewel in-between them.
“You look great.”
“Thank you. Not so bad yourself.” Her smile so bright it could light a dark room.
“Are you ready?”
She waved her clutch bag. “And willing.”
Was it him or did the comment have a double meaning? Hopefully he’d get to find out by the end of the night. He held out his arm and led her to the car. Dante waited until she was comfortably seated until closing the door and making his way around the vehicle to his side. “I hope you like seafood.”
“I do. Great choice.”
He started the car and took off. Her dress rose up her knees, giving him a peek of her thigh. Dante gripped the steering wheel with both hands in an effort to remain focused. His body was in conflict. Part of him wanted to take it slow and court her, and the other wanted to pull over on the side of the road and ravish her.
After the longest thirty minutes of his life, he pulled up to the valet parking of his favorite restaurant, the Blue Plate Oysterette. A smiling hostess greeted them at the door, and soon they were escorted to their seats, thanks to his thinking ahead and calling for a reservation.
“I didn’t even know this place existed.” Her body relaxed against the tan soft leather bench seat.
“It’s one of the city’s hidden gems. Not a big tourist attraction but we locals love it. They have the best seafood. Muy buen.” He glanced over the menu but already knew what he desired. “Are you a fan of oysters?”
She scrunched up her nose. “Not really.”
“Dicen que no es así. Say it isn’t so.”
“What? I can’t get past the texture. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t like Jell-O either.” She laughed.
“There goes my trying to spice things up. Oysters are an aphrodisiac you know.”
“As if you need one.”
“Qué? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately? I’m sure you have enough women fawning over you.”
She’d completely missed the point he’d tried to make. Aphrodisiacs were meant for lovers, not fly by nights. His voice deepened as he looked deep in the brown caverns of her eyes. “I’m looking for quality, not quantity, and the woman before me is pure quality.”
A hint of rose flashed beneath her brown skin, and she averted her eyes. “Thank you.”
He couldn’t resist not touching her any longer. Dante lifted her chin and placed a gentle kiss on her succulent lips. “I’ve thought nothing but of you since Chicago.”
The gentle touch of her hand rubbing the side of his face sent chills down his spine. It had been far too long since a woman had this effect on him. His manhood stiffened.
“I need you to figure out what you want, or I fear we won’t eat at all, love.”
Her lips curled up into a sly grin. “Who says I want to wait?”
Dante instantly registered the hidden meaning. He grabbed her by the hand, and they made their way back to her place. Mandy had barely put the key in the door before he started disrobing her. He’d have his full course meal and then some.
Chapter Thirteen
Mandy stuck a freshly manicured nail in her mouth and caught herself just before scraping off the polish. Her nerves were getting the best of her. Three weeks in and Dante announced she’d be meeting his parents and the rest of his family. The days had seemed like a whirlwind. Dante had been by her side nearly every day as they’d both kept normal business hours.
When they weren’t having picnics in the park or taking in the movie, he’d made it a point to explore the inner makings of her body. Last night’s episode topped them all.
“Be honest with me. Have you ever been aroused by any of your clients stories?” Dante had held her hand as they strolled down the path.
Their walk later than normal, their only companions at the park were the stars twinkling above. Mandy enjoyed the beautiful background. “I have.”
“What was it that turned you on?
Her cheeks flushed. “You seriously want me to answer? My clients come to me in privacy.”
“I’m not asking for names. I only want to know what it is that made your panties wet. No seas tímido. Don’t be shy.”
Speaking his native language always got her. No matter what he said, it was how it rolled of his tongue that was sexy. “There was this one couple who always found themselves having sex in public places.”
“Were any of them parks?” His voice was husky in the night air.
She leaned into him. “None that I recall.”
They’d reached the small clearing for where his car was parked. It sat vacant in the night, hidden from the side street by a row of tall bushes. She stopped and waited for him to open the door, only looking in his face when he didn’t move. Instead, Mandy was greeted with a devilish grin right before his lips found hers. Their kiss deepened as he slowly walked her a few steps back until her rear pressed against the passenger side door.
She took in his scent. The normal smell of spice mixed in with Eucalyptus trees surrounding them as their tongues danced. His hands found their way up her summer dress, stopping at her thongs. A tingling sensation rolled up her spine as his hands glided across the satiny material, instantly making her moist.
Giving her lip one last tug, he dove his head beneath her dress. His tongue now danced between the sweetness of her thighs until they found her bud. He lapped at her until her juices formed a puddle at the base of her opening, yearning to be free. Just as she thought she’d explode, he inserted two fingers, pushing them deep inside.
Her body gave way, rocking to the rhythm of his hand. In one swift motion, he removed his hand and turned her around. Her
legs a few feet from the car, he bent her over and brought his mouth to her puckered bud again.
“Ah,” she gasped. Mindful of her surroundings, she struggled to keep her voice low. The pleasure overwhelming, she released, her juices spilling down her thighs and onto Dante’s eagerly waiting tongue.
“That’s it. I love when you come for me.” He undid his pants as he rose.
She shivered as he entered her tight opening from behind. His rod slid in slowly until it was completely covered with her vaginal walls. With his right hand at her chest, he slowly pushed her upright while thrusting from behind. The curvature of his shaft allowed for it to be the perfect position.
Her nails dug in his waist as she desperately gripped him for balance and not to scream. With each pump, his steel stroked her G-spot. Mandy’s body was ablaze. She arched her hips back, meeting him in the middle. They worked in unison until she came again.
Mandy’s mouth watered. She needed to taste him as he’d her. She pushed him out of her and maneuvered him against the car. Lowering herself to her knees, she focused on his cock glistening with her juices in the moonlit night. She ran her tongue the length of his shaft before taking him all in. Her mouth collapsed around the width of him as she sucked him while making waving motions with her tongue.
“Oh shit! It feels so good. Eres una niña mala.” His hands gripped the side of her hair as she controlled him.
Smooth, yet hard, his rod stood at full attention as she sucked him. Up and down, she pushed him inside of her as far as she could before reversing and repeating the action. Her fingers toyed with his balls. Squeezing gently, she pulled his balls away from his body, delaying his urge to cum. With the other hand, she cupped his shaft, stroking with veracity while focusing on the head of his penis.
“I need in you!”
Dante hosted her up, and she wrapped her legs around him as he lowered her down on his throbbing rod. Within the confines of her walls, he pushed in as deep as he could. She tossed her head back, ready to accept all he had and release her orgasm at the same time.
Palming her ass, he thrust in and out.
“Oh God! Baby, yes!” she screamed. Her pelvic muscles flexed and pulsated as his body jerked. Together they came as one…
Her mind focused on the here and now as they turned off the highway. Even with his assurance the dinner wasn’t a big deal, she couldn’t help but worry. Did he tell them she was black? Better yet, were there any customs and courtesies she should know? Her stomach did a summersault as the outline of small bungalow homes whizzed past.
What am I getting myself into? Gripping the handle, she contemplated opening the door and doing the dive roll out the car and escaping. A gentle hand stroking her thigh loosened her hold. Dante was all smiles as he drove.
“Calma. Todo irá bien. Calm down. Everything will be okay.”
Even his soothing tone couldn’t settle her nerves. The mere thought excited and frightened her. Meeting the parents meant he planned on keeping her around awhile, but it was meeting his parents. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat as he turned down a dead end street.
Chapter Fourteen
“Hola, hijo!” Dante’s mother waited at the door with open arms. She gave him a big hug and kiss as Mandy stood by.
“Hola, madre. Esto es Mandy.” Dante gave Mandy a gentle shove forward.
“Hello, Mandy.” The elderly woman enveloped her in a soft embrace. Mandy immediately saw were Dante got his good looks and charm from.
“Hello, Mrs. Perez.”
“Rosa. Please call me Rosa.” She was all smiles.
“Hello, Rosa.”
“Come on inside. The family is all here.” She waved them in behind her as she headed in the house.
Realizing his mother spoke perfect English eased her tension a bit. Being born in Spain, she’d expected more of a broken dialect. In the living room awaited more smiling faces: two couples and three kids. The patio door opened, and an older man accompanied by the delicious smell of barbeque entered. He looked in Mandy’s direction and beamed, the same grin as Dante, and continued into the kitchen with a pan of food. She assumed he was his father.
“Everyone, this is Mandy.” A coy grin spread across her face. “Dante’s new lady friend.” His mother headed into the kitchen.
“Hola, Mandy!” A gorgeous pregnant woman approached her. “I’m Dante’s sister, Isabella and this…” She pointed to slender man. “Is my husband Hector.”
“And I’m Maria, his aunt.” The other woman waved. “This is Louis.”
They all began speaking to Dante in their native tongue. Mandy was only able to pick out a word here or there, but her Spanish I and II classes from high school did nothing to help with the conversational language. She simply smiled and nodded. Dante cast her an apologetic look.
“Dinner’s ready and stop being rude,” Rosa called from the kitchen.
Mandy followed Dante’s lead into the dining room. The table was a smorgasbord of dishes tapas-style centered around a main dish of grilled lamb chops and fried potatoes. Her mouth watered.
Dante pulled out her seat and took his place next to her while Rosa and his father sat at opposite ends at the head of the table. The others positioned themselves in between.
Though she and Dante never prayed together, she knew better than to just dig in. Her mother would smack her if she dared. Mandy patiently waited and followed suit when everyone closed their eyes for the blessing of the meal.
“Nos bendiga, Oh Señor, y estos tus dones, que estamos a punto de recibir, de tu bondad, a través de Cristo, nuestro Señor. Amén. Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.” His father repeated in English, no doubt for her benefit, and made the sign of the cross when finished.
“Mandy, are you familiar with our food?” Rosa asked as she passed her a dish with square Honey Dew melons wrapped with meat.
“Not particularly from Spain but it looks delicious.”
“Ah, Dante, I like her already!” Rosa laughed, showing gold fillings in the back of her mouth. “Eat up, dear.”
Mandy welcomed each dish passed her way. She’d never been one to shy away from food but would make up for the over indulgence by taking a late evening or early morning run. Her nervousness subsided as she witnessed the playful banter of the family. It brought back thoughts of hers and how she wished her family didn’t live in another state and how it would be to have a sibling. As an only child, meals were quite boring in comparison.
“So, Mandy, if you and my brother were to get married, do you have a problem with a traditional Spanish wedding?” Isabella’s eyes bore into hers even though she was smiling. “And do you want children?”
Mandy coughed, almost choking on the grilled shrimp she’d swallowed.
“Isabella?” Rosa chastised. “It’s too soon for wedding plans, but…do you want children?”
“Yes. I’d love to have children once I’m with the right man and we’re ready.”
Dante patted her thigh.
“Is my Dante the one?”
She looked to Dante. As she spoke, her heart warmed, knowing she spoke the truth. “I can say I’m very happy he walked in my life.”
Rosa clasped her hands over her heart. “Aw.”
“Rosa,” his father spoke up. “Leave the poor girl alone. Can’t you see she’s embarrassed?”
She waved him off, but the questions subsided, at least for her. “How’s Aaron doing with his acting?” Rosa directed to Dante.
Mandy smiled on the inside. A week earlier and she’d met her original date. Narcissistic ass were the perfect words to describe the piece of work. Aaron had made it a point to tell her how he’d been her first choice and how he’d graciously given up the date to Dante. Then he went on and on about his acting roles as if they were more than one to two minute slots in small-budget movies. The issue wasn’t him being an actor, but if he was so huge and well known than why was i
n sleeping in Dante’s spare bedroom? Although Dante did warn her beforehand, seeing him in person was a bit much.
She doubted they would have survived the reunion. Well, him. He probably would have found himself in Lake Michigan and swimming back.
“He’s actually working on a commercial today and tomorrow.”
Rosa gave a nod of approval. “Good. Hopefully he gets more so he can get his own place. I love him pero yo no entiendo his lack of motivation for working in between. Alberto has no problem letting him help with the landscaping business.”
Dante’s father smiled. “Sí, siempre es bienvenida.”
“I’m sure Aaron knows he always has a job with you. He just doesn’t want to do anything other than acting.” Dante put his napkin on his empty plate. “This was wonderful. I can’t eat another bite.”
Mandy took note of how easily Dante deflected conversations back toward peaceful topics. He was right—all the food was wonderful and his family warm and inviting.
“How about you, Mandy? Are you still hungry?” Rosa asked, ready to put another spatula full of food on her plate.
“No thank you. I’m stuffed.” Her stomach pressed against the buttons of her slacks. One more bite and it was sure to pop off.
“It’s sangria time then. Isabella, take Mandy with you to the kitchen and fix the drinks. Maria and I will clear the table.” Rosa shooed the men out her way as Mandy followed Isabella.
“How far along are you?” Mandy asked as Maria grabbed the glasses out the cupboard. She looked ready to explode.
“A few more weeks.”
Mandy didn’t envy her in the least.
“Soon you and Dante will be joining me, no? I see how my brother looks at you. He’s in love.”
Love? It was way too soon for that, or was it? The feelings she experienced whenever he was near or even when a thought warmed her heart, the ache she felt when he was away, were all something she’d never encountered. Thinking of it made her swoon.
“Ah, I see he’s not the only one.” She placed a tray of drinks on the counter in front of Mandy. “Go give your man his drink.”
Fateful Renuion Page 7