by Ella Frank
He was also greedy enough to want to make it permanent. Something he knew was weighing heavily on Priest’s mind.
“Princesse? Why don’t you tell us a little bit about your family, since we’re going to be meeting them soon.”
Robbie scrunched his nose up and then let out a long-suffering sigh. “Well, you already met my ma, even though it was brief and you were super busy. And the rest, well, they’re just as crazy. There’s so many of them, mostly females, and everyone talks over everyone else.”
“Which explains your motor-mouth,” Priest said.
“It does, actually.” Robbie poked his tongue out. “If you didn’t speak up, you weren’t heard. So if you’re expecting a quiet weekend, you are in for a shock.”
“We certainly are not expecting that,” Julien said. “But what about your sisters? We’ve met Felicity, and she seems very similar in personality to you.”
Robbie cocked his head to the side. “Meaning what, exactly?”
“Nothing bad. Just that you’re both rather…” Julien looked at Priest, and he shook his head.
“Don’t look at me. You’re on your own with this.”
Julien shoved Priest in the arm, but then turned in his seat to smile at Robbie. “I just mean that you both seem close and rather…mischievous, is the word I think I’m looking for.”
Robbie narrowed his eyes for a second, but then grinned. “I suppose you’re right. I have three sisters. Penny, Valerie, and Felicity. Felicity and I are the youngest and the—”
“Troublemakers?” Priest suggested.
“The closest, is what I was going to say,” Robbie said. But then he gave an impish wink. “And the most fun.”
“A.k.a. the troublemakers.”
“That’s a lot of women,” Julien said.
“Huh, tell me about it,” Robbie said. “Growing up with them was a lot of fun, though. Never a dull moment in the Bianchi household. Only colorful ones.”
Priest raised his eyes to Robbie’s in the mirror. “And are they protective of their baby brother?”
“Why?” Robbie said. “Scared?”
“Do I seem scared to you?”
Robbie huffed out a breath. “They’re protective, yes. Like lionesses. So you better watch yourselves. They wanted to track Nathan down and cut his dick off after what he pulled.”
Priest grunted. “Seems we’ll have that in common, at least.”
“Um, if it’s all the same to you,” Robbie said, “I’d rather you don’t go anywhere near his dick.”
Priest snorted. “Noted.”
Robbie leaned forward so he could kiss Julien quick on the lips. “You, I’m going to have to fight them off of. Felicity and I weren’t kidding when we told you the Bianchi women were fans. They’re going to be all over you and your accent. And Priest, you might want to keep an eye on Val.”
“Why?” Priest said.
“Oh…nothing bad,” Robbie said, but Julien didn’t buy that for a second. Not with the twinkle in Robbie’s eyes.
“Why do I feel like there’s more to that comment than what you’re letting on?” Priest said.
Robbie shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Uh huh,” Priest said. “If you aren’t going to tell the truth about that, then why don’t we go back to the topic of Nathan for a minute?”
“Uh, why?” Robbie said. “I’d rather just forget he exists.”
“So would I,” Priest said. “But there’s something about him that we want to discuss with you, and you always avoid it.”
Robbie slumped back in his seat, but it didn’t escape Julien that some of the shine in Robbie’s eyes had faded—and Julien hated Nathan for that alone.
“Okay,” Robbie said. “What do you want to know?”
Julien sensed how difficult this was for Robbie to revisit. But they knew this crétin de Nathan had caused a few insecurities once upon a time, and they didn’t want them to pop up this weekend—or ever, for that matter.
“Did your parents ever meet him?” Julien asked.
“Nathan?” Robbie let out a derisive laugh. “Are you kidding?”
“Non. I’m serious.”
It was clear Robbie could see that too, because he quickly sobered and said, “No, they never met him. He said we weren’t ‘serious’ enough for that step.”
Robbie picked at a piece of imaginary lint on his shorts, then raised his eyes to Julien. “I’m glad for it now, though. He was an ass. And not in a good way. He made me think that being me was, I don’t know, somehow less.”
“Je suis désolé,” Julien said, a frown forming between his eyebrows. He didn’t like seeing Robbie like this. But both he and Priest knew this conversation had to be had.
Robbie had mentioned several times over that he’d never been in a real relationship, one where he felt truly loved for who he was. And they wanted to make sure it was one hundred percent clear that when they arrived in Oshkosh today, they wanted the real Robert Bianchi to arrive with them. Not some polite young man that he might think they want. The Robbie his family loved.
“Don’t be,” Robbie said. “It was my own fault. I made several stupid decisions all at once because I’m a genius like that. And it caught up to me.”
The car fell silent for a moment, except for the music that was softly playing in the background.
“When did you break up with him again?” Priest asked.
“A few weeks before I got in an elevator…with you.”
Priest nodded.
“What?” Robbie said. “What are you thinking right now? And don’t say ‘nothing,’ because I can see your mind working.”
Priest eyed Robbie. “I suppose I’d always wondered at the change between that first day in the elevator, and when I met you later with Vanessa and your nonna.”
“Change?” Robbie said.
“He means your personality, princesse,” Julien said. “When you two first met, he told me you were a little more—”
“Subdued,” Priest said. “You used to dress like you were going to a funeral.”
Robbie’s mouth fell open, making Julien and Priest laugh. “I did not.”
“Yes. You did. Do you need me to remind you?” Priest asked. “I remember exactly what you were wearing. How you smelled. How much I wanted to push you up against the wall and strip you naked, with no names needed.”
“Ah, okay…wow,” Robbie said. “You totally just redeemed yourself.”
Priest winked at him, and Robbie shook his head.
“But as for Nathan,” Robbie continued, “his problem was more with himself than me. He didn’t accept who he was, and then tried to make me someone I wasn’t. I let it go on for a little too long, and before I knew it, I didn’t even recognize myself when I looked in the mirror.”
Julien reached back to take Robbie’s hand in his. “Promise us something this weekend.” Robbie turned those wide eyes his way, and Julien squeezed his fingers. “Be you. Don’t be someone you think we expect or want. Be you, and enjoy your family. No matter how crazy and wild they are. You’ve been away from them longer than you should have been because of us, and we don’t want you to feel you have to censor yourself just because we’re here.”
Robbie’s eyes glistened, and he nodded. “Je vous aime. Both of you.”
“Nous t’aimons aussi,” Julien said, and punctuated that with a kiss to the back of Robbie’s hand. “Now, about these road games. Have you got any favorites?”
WHEN PRIEST MADE the final turn into his childhood street, Robbie’s heart began to tap-dance and his palms grew sweaty. The trip up there this morning had been… Well, it had been really wonderful. But now that they were closing in on their final destination, Robbie’s stomach was tying itself in knots.
He’d never been so damn nervous in his life, and the only reason he could think of as to why he wanted to bolt was because of how much he cared for the two men sitting in the front of the vehicle.
He still couldn’t believe it’d bee
n nearly eight months since the three of them had started dating. Only eight months since Julien and Priest had walked into his life and upended it. It seemed impossible, because it felt as though Robbie had known them his entire life.
Priest, with his dominating presence that was larger than life when he turned his full attention on you, and Julien, with his easygoing personality and compassionate nature. They were a potent combination, a force to be reckoned with, and now Robbie had to somehow act normal around his family while both of them stood there looking all sexy and kissable.
Sure, this is a great idea. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
“Eleven seventy-six. Is that right, Robert?”
Priest’s voice cut through Robbie’s musings, and he nodded and pointed to the white two-story Craftsman off to their right. There were several cars parked in the driveway, and when Priest pulled up to the curb, Robbie shut his eyes and took in a deep breath.
This is crazy. I’m out of my mind. Why did I agree to this again?
“Princesse?”
Robbie’s eyes flew open, and he knew he must’ve appeared slightly manic, because Julien undid his seatbelt and reached for his hand.
“Breathe, mon cher petit. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Robbie licked his lips, not sure if he wasn’t about to faint as he looked out at his childhood house again. “Umm… Shit, I just… Give me a second. I’m trying to remember how I was going to introduce you two. It’s not like I can just walk in and say, ‘Hey, everyone, this is Julien and Priest, they’re married, but we all live and sleep together and I’m in love with them.’”
“Why not?” Priest asked with such a straight face that Robbie felt close to apoplectic.
“He’s joking,” Julien said, and shook his head.
Robbie pinned Priest with a murderous stare. “Not the right time, Joel.”
Priest’s lips twitched. “You and Julien, you both tend to use my first name whenever you’re—”
“Pissed off at you?” Robbie suggested.
“Yes. I like that,” Priest said, and then shoved open the car door and got out.
“He likes— Of course he likes that,” Robbie said. “And where does he think he’s going? I still haven’t worked this out yet. Tell him to get back in the car.”
Julien laughed. “Oh, princesse…”
Robbie blinked a couple of times before focusing back on Julien.
“Everything is going to be okay. We’re going to be right there with you. We’ll go inside, you can introduce us to your mother and father, and then see how you feel. If you want to leave, we have the hotel booked down the road and can check in after three. Okay?”
Robbie rubbed a hand over his face and nodded. Julien was right. Everything would be fine. And if it wasn’t, well, they had a backup plan. “Okay.”
“Bien. Then let’s go,” Julien said, as Priest walked around to their side of the car. “It’s been years since we’ve been around a happy family. This is going to be a real treat for us.”
No pressure, Robbie thought, as Priest opened Julien’s door and then reached for Robbie’s. He just hoped that a happy family was what the Bianchis delivered—not an insane one.
Priest looked inside the car when Robbie didn’t move. “Are you coming? I know you think this is going to be awkward, but it might be even more so if two strangers knock on your parents’ door and tell them that their son won’t get out of their car.”
Robbie squashed down his nerves and climbed out of the Range Rover, and when he saw Julien looking over at the house with a smile on his face, Robbie decided that if Julien and Priest were looking forward to a happy family get-together, then that was what they would get.
The Bianchis might be crazy, but that house had always been full of love, and no matter how damn nervous Robbie might be, he had to believe that wasn’t about to change now.
Chapter Eight
Four nosey Italians and a kitchen?
We’ve got this ~ Julien & Priest
JULIEN STARED UP at the home with the blue shutters. It was the quintessential family home, one you would see on TV or in a movie, where kids ran around in the front yard with a dog yapping at their heels.
It was cozy and inviting, unlike the palatial mansion where he’d grown up that sat on several acres and was surrounded by a gate to keep those less fortunate away.
Oui, this place was like a warm hug, and he had a feeling that whoever was behind that door would welcome you with one of those, should you need it.
When the three of them reached the front door, Robbie went ahead of them and then paused and looked over his shoulder. Julien smiled, trying to be encouraging.
But when Priest flashed him a grin, Robbie’s eyes widened and he whispered, “Don’t do that. You look like a wolf at Grandma’s house. Just…I don’t know, be normal.”
Julien scoffed, and then looked at Priest, who said, “I’m not sure normal is achievable in this situation, sweetheart.”
Robbie was about to say something when the front door opened wide and Sofia Bianchi came into view. With her hair styled into lovely brown and blonde waves, her face lit up with joy when Robbie whirled around to face her.
“My beautiful boy,” she said with a warm smile as she held her arms out. “Come give your mother a hug.”
As Robbie wrapped his arms around her, Sofia kissed his cheek, and her eyes shifted to the two men her beautiful boy had brought home with him. Robbie straightened, and when he did, Sofia slipped her arm around his waist, and he hugged her into his side.
“It’s been too long, young man,” she said as she angled her head to look at her son. “But it’s so good to have you home.”
“I know. It’s great to be here, Ma. Really,” Robbie said, and kissed her head. Then he turned and swallowed, nervous, as though he’d forgotten his lines in a movie. “You remember—”
“Mr. Thornton and his husband, Mr. Priestley? Yes,” she said, and Julien wondered exactly how this was going to play out.
Were they about to be told they couldn’t come in? Quite possibly. But then Sofia placed a hand on Robbie’s arm and patted it as she looked first to Julien and said, “It’s a pleasure to be able to cook for you today, Mr. Thornton. Especially after the wonderful meal I had at your place earlier this year. My only hope is that cacciucco isn’t too common for someone as fancy as yourself.”
Julien stepped forward, took her hand in his, and brought it up to his mouth to kiss. “Bonjour, and please, don’t worry yourself. I’ve been looking forward to your cooking from the moment Robbie described your fettuccine con carciofi. No matter how many cooking classes one might attend, nothing beats a home-cooked meal passed down from one generation to the next.”
A blush filled Sofia’s cheeks, like Robbie when he was pleased—or embarrassed—and Julien looked at their princesse, who had an expression full of relief stamped all over his face—until his mother turned to Priest.
“And Mr. Priestley. It’s lovely to see you again too.”
Priest offered up a less wolfish grin than the one he’d joked with around Robbie, and the charm and charisma Priest rarely unleashed was set free on Sofia.
“It’s lovely to see you too, Mrs. Bianchi. Thank you for having us.”
“Please, both of you. My name is Sofia. And it’s only right that we look after the young man who helped out Vanessa when she was in such a tough spot. It’s the least we can do.”
Robbie looked at Priest, and Julien wondered if they were thinking the same thing. Under any circumstance would they ever think of Priest as a young man? The answer to that was simple—no.
Sofia let go of Robbie’s arm and stepped toward Priest, and Robbie’s eyes widened. But before he could say anything, she was wrapping her arms around Priest in a hug that made Robbie’s eyes close to fall out of his head.
Priest embraced her, and she said, “I wanted to do this at the restaurant that night, but I got sidetracked with all the glitz and glam. Thank you. Thank
you so much for helping our Vanessa.” Priest aimed his eyes at Robbie and mouthed, See, not awkward at all.
“It was my pleasure to help,” Priest said. “Plus, it’s how I got to know Robert, and that is thanks enough.”
“Yes, my Robert is quite a treat. But…”
Robbie narrowed his eyes at Priest, but quickly lost his attitude when Sofia pulled away and spun around on him.
“You are in trouble, mister,” she said, and pointed a finger at him.
“Me?” Robbie said. “It’s my birthday. I can’t be in trouble.”
“It is not your birthday. That was two weeks ago, which is why you are in trouble.” She swatted Robbie on the arm, and then said, to Priest and Julien, “Please. Come in. Come in. Robert’s father has just gone up to the store to buy the drinks for tomorrow’s party. Penelope’s running a little late, but Felicity and Valerie are in the kitchen, and they are just dying to say hello.”
As she walked ahead of them, Robbie said under his breath, “Brace yourselves. She’s just the welcoming committee. The whirlwind is about to take place.”
“She’s wonderful,” Julien said, as he watched Sofia disappear down the hallway.
Priest said, “Don’t you worry about us, Robert. I’m rather looking forward to this.”
Robbie rolled his eyes, and when he turned around to head inside, Priest brushed his hand over Robbie’s ass, making him startle.
“Just reminding you how my hand feels right here, should you feel the need to get bratty like that later.”
“Stronzo,” Robbie muttered.
As he walked off, the other two followed, and Julien looked to Priest and said, “I don’t think that was very nice, whatever it was.”
“I don’t think so either,” Priest said, and winked. “Remind me to ask him about it…later.”