Her Man: An Interracial Romance (The Bentini Brothers Book 2)

by Jaye McCloud

  I guess we were taking too long because my Aunt Barb yells out, “Times up! Half the day is gone and we still haven’t met him yet!” Aunt Barb likes to exaggerate, especially when she’s had a couple. “Yall better go on over there before steam starts coming out their ears.” My cousin Lionel jokes laughing and playfully punching my cousin Walter in the arm. As we begin walking, my Uncle Joe calls out, “Hey, Tony, don’t tell them nothing you don’t want the world to know!” The men roar with laughter and start another round of jokes and lively debate, this time about sports.

  Once we finally make it to the banquet tables where my grandmother and mom are I give them both a hug and a kiss, then quickly make the introduction they have been so patiently waiting for. “Antonio, I’d like you to meet my grandmother, Mrs. Annie Johnson. The wisest and most gracious lady I know.” My grandmother beams at the praise. “Grandma, this is Antonio Bentini, my special guy.” It seems the more I introduce Antonio as my guy, the easier it gets.

  My grandmother eyes him up and down shrewdly before offering her hand. “Young man, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “It’s my pleasure Mrs. Johnson, Tiressa speaks very highly of you.” He greets, taking her dainty hand and placing a gentle kiss on the back.

  “Antonio, this is my wonderful mother, “Alice Hawkins.”

  “Hello Mrs. Hawkins, I’m happy to finally meet you. I can see where Ti gets her beautiful looks.” He’s definitely a charmer when he wants to be. And my mother isn’t opposed to being complimented by a handsome man, no matter what color he is.

  “Have a seat you two, we won’t hold you for long. I’m sure you have more visiting to do, but we’d like to spend a little time getting to know your young man, Ti.”

  If Antonio’s going to be an important part of my life, then it’s important that he gets to know my family, and they get to know him. I told Antonio that my family doesn’t have a problem with me dating a white man, and that’s true –for the most part. But, the older generation—primarily my dad and some of my uncles—continue to struggle, on some level, accepting black women with white men. But like many black men, they don’t have a problem with black men dating any race they please. It’s a ridiculous and unfair contradiction. Which is why I’m so proud of my dad and granddad, as well as my uncles. I can tell that they are still iffy about Antonio. But they talked with him and are willing to accept him, because he’s the man that I choose to be with. Now, Antonio is sitting with the matriarchs of the family.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that she’s mentioned her family to you, Antonio, because for some reason—and I don’t understand why—she has failed to mention you to her family.” My mom says looking at me disapprovingly. Antonio calmly looks to me, as if to say ‘I told you so’. I look at my mother and responding a little defensively. “That’s not fair Mom, Antonio and I just started dating.”

  “Not according to Helena; who claims that she’s known about Antonio for almost a month now. Tiressa, how could you keep this from me? I’m your mother!” Apparently, my mom is irked that her sister knew before she did; and is hurt and probably a little embarrassed. “Mom I didn’t tell Aunt Helena. I didn’t tell anybody…well, almost nobody –not until recently.”

  “She didn’t, Alice. Danece told me.” My aunt clarifies helpfully. But my mom is still a little miffed.

  “Well how come Mya didn’t tell me?” My mom demands.

  “Because Mom, Mya didn’t know until just recently.” I half-lie.

  “Alice, leave the girl alone.” My grandmother, the grand matriarch, interjects and then smiles at me as she takes my hand. “We’re just glad to have Tiressa here; her and her nice, handsome young man.”

  Just then, my sister strolls to the table smiling and greeting everyone. She makes my cousin move over and sits across from me and Antonio, stabbing him with a fierce frown –and I just know she’s not even going to try to be civil. “I see it didn’t take you long to track her down.”

  “Mya, please. Not here.” I send up a silent prayer for her to keep quiet. But apparently, my prayer isn’t to be answered. “Tiressa, he shouldn’t be here; he doesn’t have the right to be at our family event, when his family—”

  “Mya shut up!” I shout at her, bringing all eyes immediately to me.

  “What’s going on?!” Our mother asks, clearly upset by the sight of her only two children fighting. It’s so unlike Mya and me to be mad at each other. “Nothing Mom, nothing is going on. Mya?” I silently implore her to go along with me on this. “Ti’s right, nothing is going on Mom.” She reluctantly agrees. Looking at the shocked faces of my relatives, it’s obvious that no one believes for a minute that we’re fighting about nothing. But thankfully, they aren’t poking and prodding to get at the truth –at least not yet.

  My Aunt Jacquie, known as the man-basher of the family, sights her eagle-eyes on Antonio and inquires, “So Antonio, what do you do for a living?”

  “Damn Jacquie, the man hasn’t even had a chance to warm his seat!” My Aunt Sandi says acting as if she’s surprised. But I can see that she’s just as curious; they all are.

  Antonio smiles at my Aunt Jacquie–who isn’t impressed with his winning charm—and answers willingly. “I don’t mind. I own a security firm. We help businesses keep the criminals out, and if they do happen to get past our security measures, then we find out who they are, and track them down.” The way he says it, with such complete and absolute confidence, I know with certainty that Antonio would have found me, no matter what.

  My mom, aunts, and cousins take turns asking Antonio questions, while my grandmother sits back and observe; occasionally asking a question of her own.

  “Have you been married or engaged before?” My Aunt Yolanda asks.

  “Yes. I’ve been married before.”

  “How many times?” My Aunt Emma asks.

  “Antonio…You have…When?” My eyes big with surprise.

  “Umm-huhh…somebody got secrets.” My cousin Jemar says to his boyfriend, and several of the women mumble their agreement.

  “Once, ten years ago.” Antonio replies to my aunt and then bending down, so that only I can hear, he whispers, “We’ll talk about it later, okay?” I’m a little taken aback that he was married and didn’t even bother to tell me; but he’s right, now is not the time to have that discussion; so, I silently agree.

  “Do you have any kids?” Ask my Aunt Traci.

  “No. No children.” He looks down at me intensely as he says, “Yet.”

  “So, Mr. Bentini. We know you come from a good family with lots of money. According to Ti, you’re a good guy. We can see that you have a great head of hair and good manners. We know you have a good time with my sister. But we’d like to know if she’s good enough for you to marry?” Mya’s still angry, and it shows. “Yeah. Exactly what are your intentions?” My cousin Danece chimes in with just as much saltiness.

  “Grandma, please make them stop.” I plead, my eyes shining.

  “No, grandma. He needs to tell us what his intentions are. Ti’s already been seriously hurt. And we all know how long it took her to get over that jerk.” Mya is referring to my ex of course. “Yeah mama. We don’t want to see her hurt.” One of my aunts add her two cents.

  “I’ll answer just about any question you have, if it’ll help you feel better about me and Tiressa being together. I love her and I want to marry her, but she isn’t making it easy for me.” Some of the women hoot at that last part, and my Aunt Barb throws out, “I know that’s right girl, make him work for it!” Everybody laughs at that sage advice and some add a few words of advice of their own.

  “Here’s another question for you, Mr. Bentini.” Mya sneers getting to her feet, eyes filled with righteous indignation. “How does your family feel about you dating a black girl?” Staring Antonio straight in the eyes, daring him to tell this table of black mothers the truth about his mother.

  “Mya don’t, please. You promised!” I implore her.

  “I kn
ow I promised, Ti. But this is too important.”

  “It’s okay, Tiressa.” Antonio assures me. Then looks at everyone, including Mya. “My mother is having trouble accepting our relationship.” Overlooking the mumblings, scowls and pursed lips, Antonio continues. “But we’ll work it out. My mother does not get to decide who I fall in love with.” He leans down and gently caress my lips in a feathery kiss. Antonio’s declaration of love seems to ease most of the family’s trepidation. But Mya isn’t buying it.

  Before any of them could take up with the interrogation again, Georgie, Ray and my other cousin Ricky saunters up to us. Georgie kisses grandma’s cheek and says. “Sorry, grandma but we need Antonio, we’re about to play ball.” He raises his brows in question to Antonio, who is glad to have an out. “Yes.” He says getting to his feet. “Ladies, I promised to play; please excuse me. As interrogations go, this one went pretty-well don’t you think.” He says, smiling at everyone around the table, before giving me a quick peck and walking away with the cousins teasing him.

  “Ti?” Mya looks at me, now with some regret in her voice.

  “Excuse me.” I stand up and kiss my grandmother’s cheek. “I’m going to get something to drink.” I walk away and into the house –not knowing that Mya is following me. “I’m sorry if you’re mad at me. But I was doing the right thing. The family should know how his family feel about you…how they treated you.”

  “You humiliated me and embarrassed Antonio, Mya! The family doesn’t have to know everything! And it’s not ‘they’, it was his mother. Besides, we don’t know how things are going to turn out! So, you see, it wasn’t necessary for you to tell them anything. I don’t want the family disliking Antonio because of his mother’s actions. Is that fair, Mya? Is it fair that he be judge because of the things his mother said and did?”

  “No, I suppose not.” Mya grudgingly concedes. “I’m sorry, I guess you’re right. It’s just that, I can’t bear the thought of you being mistreated by anyone.”

  “I know, Mya. I realize I’m taking a big chance with Antonio. I don’t know if this thing between us will work out, but I love him and I want to try. So please, let up on him.”

  “Okay, lil sis, for you.”

  “Thanks. I love you big sis.”

  “Love you too.” We hug for a few seconds, then Mya makes a great suggestion. “Let’s go watch my husband and your man play ball.” We go back out to the yard and walk over to the basketball court, where the men are warming up and already starting to trash talk. A group of us sit at one of the umbrella benches, set several feet from the edge of the court. I’m so proud of my guy, he fits in well with my family; they accept him. I wish his family were more diverse; maybe his mom wouldn’t have such a hard time accepting me.

  ***

  The sound of my bedroom door slowly creaking open startles me out of a fitful sleep. I don’t relax until I see the familiar silhouette of Antonio. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I can’t sleep in the same house with you and not share your bed.” Antonio says, getting under the covers.

  “Did anyone see you?” I whisper, dismayed at the thought.

  “No. I was careful.” He says sliding his arms around me. “Come here Baby, it’s been too damn long since I’ve held you.”

  “We’re not making love in my aunt’s home, Antonio.”

  “Why not?” He asks as he rolls me onto my back and braces himself over me. Before I can answer, he nibbles my chin, then my lips, and then takes my mouth in a long mind-numbing, passion-filled kiss. All I can hear is our moaning and panting until I finally pull away. “That’s why not Antonio, we are way too loud. They will know because everyone, including the neighbors, will hear us.”

  “I don’t care.” He retorts as he quietly wrestles me out of my nightgown and tosses it to the floor. Cradling my breast, he roughly sucks a plump nipple into his warm wet mouth causing it to instantly bead. “Umm…” I squirm, already I can feel myself becoming wet. “No Tony! I mean it.” I whisper fiercely pushing his head back until he releases me. I hurry to cover my breasts and turn onto my side, away from him. “You may not care, but I do. This is my family and you are trying to make me embarrass myself and my parents.” Although he can easily overpower me and take what he wants, I’m relieved when he doesn’t.

  “Okay Baby, you’re right.” He says hugging me from behind. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve missed you so much. I need you so much.”

  “Antonio, I miss you too.” I whisper honestly. “I want you too, but we have to wait; my family’s very old-fashion...so not here. Okay?” I try to pacify him, rubbing his solid muscular arms. “Okay Tiressa, but I’m hard as hell and I don’t know how long it will take for it to go down, so don’t freak out if you feel my rod against your warm ass at five in the morning.” He capitulates, snuggling closer and kissing my neck. “Baby, this will only work if you cradle me between your thighs.”

  “No Antonio.”

  “It has to go somewhere Tiressa, you choose –pressed against your luscious ass, or between your soft thighs.”

  “Neither. Press it into the mattress, Antonio.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I want to hold you Tiressa. I need to hold you.”

  Antonio

  Damn. Two hours later and I’m still hard and horny. I can’t sleep like this and I’ll be damned if I take a cold shower at three in the morning. With my shaft nestled at the junction of Tiressa’s hot thighs, all I have to do is open her up a little, pull my hips back, position my rod at just the right angle, and slowly ease up inside Tiressa’s sweet warm essence. Oh gawd, it feels good to be inside her tight heat again. I can’t suppress a throaty groan as I gently pump my hips, inching my way in.

  Tiressa comes fully awake and tries to move away from me, but I stop her with a strong hand on her belly and the other on her thigh, keeping her open as I continue gently stroking into her.

  “No Antonio…” She pants her denial with a hesitant quiver.

  “Tiressa, I promise to be quiet.”

  “No, Antonio. Stop.” She whispers softly.

  “I’m not going to stop Tiressa. You may be saying no, but as usual your body is begging me for more.”

  Ummm. He’s right. He feels so good inside me. I’m gonna have to bite my pillow. “Okay Tony…” I moan softly, pressing down and rotating my hips in a circular motion. Now he’s trying to stifle his groans as he lifts my leg higher and slowly drives deeper into my body, stretching me wonderfully with his hungry shaft. Oh gawd, I’m gonna come. Antonio bends low and sucks on one of my chocolate nipples, while his fingers gently roll the other’s hardened peak. I grab my pillow and press my face into its softness, moaning a little louder.

  “Ummm.” Antonio grunts, thrusting slow and deep. “Oh gawd Baby, I’m not going to last much longer.” He growls into my neck as he pumps his hips faster; his thrusts becoming wilder and rougher until he suddenly tenses and collapses behind me.

  “I love you, Ti.” He mumbles sleepily, holding me close.

  “I love you, Antonio.” I’m asleep within two minutes.

  Chapter 24

  “Everyone is glad that you and Antonio stayed for a couple of days after the rest of the family left. It’s given us time to get to know him a little better, although I already think he’s a cool dude and I know Ray likes him a lot.” My cousin Danny and I are sitting on the swing on the front porch talking. Antonio and I will be heading back home in a few hours and I’m really going to miss being here with my family. “You and Ray have to come visit more often.”

  “Oh yeah, who’s place will we be staying at, yours or Antonio’s?”

  “You’re such a smart-ass.” I laugh, swatting at him. “Nah cuz, I don’t mind visiting you, but I want to hang out with Antonio too. I know he knows where the hotties are.”

  “You are such a dog, Danny.” I try to sock him in his rock hard stomach. “You’re not dragging my man all around the cit
y looking for women.”

  “She’s the only beautiful woman I’m allowed to look at.” Antonio jokes coming out onto the porch with Ray. They had been playing some kind of football game on the Xbox. “But I have brothers.” He smiles at Danny and Ray. “When you come to town, they’ll be more than happy to show you a good time.”

  “Alright, that’s what I’m talkin’ bout; I knew you had the hook up.” Danny, Ray and Antonio do their macho fist bumps and make plans for a future visit. The only time I’ve seen Antonio this relaxed is when he’s with his brothers. He really is a man’s man.

  ***

  “I really enjoyed meeting your family.” Antonio glances over at me for a second before putting his eyes back on the road. “I’m glad. They like you too.” I’m glad we live less than two hours away from my Aunt Helena and Uncle Joe’s. I’m tired and anxious, I just want to get home to my babies. “I miss my babies, and I can’t wait to see them.” Antonio told me that he thought about asking Angela to keep the pups while he was out of town, but he didn’t want the kids becoming too attached to them, so he put them in one of those pet hotel places. It had better be the best one in town and they better be taking real good care of my babies! “How soon can we pick them up from that place?”

  “Don’t sound like that, that place is top-notch, Mrs. Fuller wouldn’t have found some shabby dump to place them in, you know how thorough she is.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, it’s just that I regret leaving them.”