by Mia Madison
Besides being very long-lived, Adamos are a chatty bunch, which I never would have guessed from talking to Antonio. I barely have to say a word as the people around me go on about the food, the weather, their kids, their jobs, and pretty much every detail of their lives. I get plenty of smiles and offers of food or requests to pass something, but there must have been some prime directive sent out to cut me a break, because the evening is full of curious glances directed my way, but very few questions.
Except one. “So Caitlin, what are you studying in school?” Alonzo asks. I feel Antonio's attention on me, and am suddenly self-conscious.
“Um ...” I say. “Well ...”
“Spycraft,” Tonio cuts in.
Titters sound around the table. I stare at him. He's been on the quiet-and-serious side all evening, but now he's decided it's time to tease me? “No,” I say slowly, drawing the word out.
His eyebrows go up. “No? It was something about crafting. Popsicle sculptures?”
I'm not sure whether to glare or laugh, and then I decide to just go with it. “Not crafting,” I say, “carafting. The art of making great coffee on whitewater trips.”
His mouth quirks. “Sounds tricky,” he says.
“You have no idea. It takes a special bean that's only grown on one mountain ...”
I trail off because his eyes are warm and hot at the same time, and for a moment I think he's going to kiss me right in front of his family. Then the silence hits me. The table has gone quiet, and a room full of Adamos is staring at us.
7
From a Distance
My face is instantly burning up, but Lucia saves me. “Time to go,” she announces, and just like that all the adults start clearing the table. In no time at all they've cleaned up the kitchen, too, and the house looks like dinner never happened.
As all the visitors file out the door, one of the toddlers sets up a fuss. I'm standing right next to them, and his mother turns to me, a baby in her arms. “Could you hold him for a second?” she says. She doesn't wait for an answer before she hands him over and turns back to big brother.
“Well, hi,” I say, settling him on my hip. He has dark hair, enormous dark eyes with long lashes, and a face that is already pure Adamo male. After regarding me doubtfully for a moment, he grabs a handful of my hair and stuffs it in his mouth. “Are you teething?” I ask him. “Do you want a binky?”
I glance up and Antonio's watching me. The look on his face makes me blush and turn quickly away. The baby is yanking on my hair now, so I gently unwind it from his grasp in time for his mother to stand up and take him back from me.
“Thanks,” she says with a smile. She doesn't look like an Adamo, so she must be married to one of the cousins. I wish I knew her name; I met too many people too fast to remember them all.
“No problem,” I assure her with an answering smile. Then she and her family go out, and Antonio closes the door behind them. After all the clamor, the sudden stillness feels strange.
A sudden yawn strikes me, and I clap my hand over my mouth. “Sorry,” I tell him. “That came out of nowhere.”
“You've had a big night,” he says. “I better get you home.”
Disappointment is a lead balloon in my stomach. “Tonio ...”
“It's all right, babe. One more night won't kill us.”
“I suppose,” I say grudgingly.
He grins, and the white flash of his teeth sends a shiver through me. “You on the pill?” he asks.
I shake my head, ignoring the butterflies doing cartwheels in my stomach. With the way everything has happened so fast, there's been no time to tell him about my lack of experience. I hope he won't be too upset.
He's watching me keenly, reminding me of his father for a moment. “It's been a while?” he says.
I take a deep breath. Now or never. “A lifetime,” I say, and watch his face change.
“Fuck.”
Hurt lances through me. I jerk away, but I've scarcely moved before he hauls me close and wraps his arms around me. “Not a complaint, bella,” he says softly.
“But you—”
“I'm about ready to blow my load right now at the thought of being your first.”
Oh. The tension in my body melts away, turning into tingles up and down my spine. I snuggle closer and he tilts my face up to his. “I'm glad you told me. I've been tested and we've got no worries there, so I don't want anything between us. Yeah?”
I nod, the shivers turning into full-body tremors. “First thing tomorrow,” I promise. “Or, well, I'll probably be at work tomorrow, so as soon as I get off I’ll go to the clinic.”
“All right.” He leans down and kisses me softly. “Let's get you home.”
We're quiet on the drive back, but it's a comfortable silence. Tonio holds my hand when he isn't shifting, and warmth steals through me, filling me with a kind of contentment I've never known. It lasts until he reaches my street, and pulls up in the darkness outside the house next to mine.
My stomach is in instant knots. I'm sneaking around with my dad's boss who's twice my age, we're planning on doing every naughty thing possible, and I'm about to go in and lie to my parents. Piece of cake.
“I'll see you tomorrow,” Tonio says. “Message me and let me know how you're doing.” He curls his hand behind my neck and tugs me close for a goodnight kiss. Hands get involved, and when we pull apart we're both breathing hard.
“Sleep well, bella.” He looks like he wants to say more than that, but he doesn't.
I doubt I'll sleep at all. “You too,” I say, and get out. The walk to my parents' front door only lasts a few seconds, but it seems to take forever.
My feeble hope that my parents will already be in bed dies immediately. They're watching tv, as they usually do in the evenings, though both of them are also reading. They turn to look at me, and as I close the door I hear the quiet purr of Tonio's car driving away.
I can just imagine what I look like. I tidied up in the bathroom at Antonio's, but then we got hot and heavy in the car again. There's a long silence, and I can't even bring myself to put on a brave face and pretend.
Then my mother says, “Who is he?” There's just enough disapproval in her tone for my rebellious instincts to kick in.
I fold my arms. “A guy.”
“Is he married?” my dad asks.
“Dad!”
“Is he?” His face is serious, almost stern. I was prepared for a grilling from Mom, but not him.
“No, Dad. Jeez! I can't believe you'd ask me that.”
“You left us a note that said you were out with a friend,” Mom says, smoothly picking up the tag-teaming handoff, “and you come home having quite obviously not been with any of your friends. Unless you're trying to come out to us as a lesbian.”
I giggle, and the tension in the room eases. “No,” I say. “Still hetero here.”
“But you don't want to tell us about him,” Dad says.
“Dad,” I say in my best patient tone. “When do people my age” – I avoid calling myself a kid for obvious reasons – “ever want to tell their parents about their dating life?”
“You've never brought a boy home,” Mom says. “Never dated anyone, never mentioned anyone, and then suddenly you …” She doesn't finish, but her eyes take in my appearance. “It just seems a bit abrupt. A bit … extreme.”
I'm tempted to tell them, despite what Tonio and I agreed on. But I'm honestly not sure how they'll take it, and we've had enough family interference for one night. So I lift a shoulder in a half-shrug. “You guys had all the talks with me years ago,” I say. “Now, it's time to let me live my life.”
This does not go over well with Mom. “Just because you're a legal adult doesn't mean we've lost the right to be concerned about you.”
“Fine,” I say, throwing up my hands. “Be concerned. From a distance.”
“Jen,” Dad says before Mom can go off on a tear.
She sighs. “Tell me you're using protection.”
>
“Mom!” I am so not telling her that going on the pill is at the top of my agenda for tomorrow.
“Don't 'Mom' me.”
“Jen,” Dad says again. And then to me, “Go to bed, sweetheart.”
I waste no time in following that directive. “Night, Dad. Night, Mom.”
“Sleep well,” my mom says, and then I'm out of the kitchen and through the living room and down the hall and in my bedroom. I know my parents are talking about me, but I don't care.
After I get ready for bed, I'm too restless to sleep. My mind won't stop thinking about Tonio and what we might do tomorrow. I settle on my back, slide my hand inside my panties and cup myself, letting my fingers tease my sensitive folds. My hips arch up as I imagine my man touching me, his warm skin against my most delicate flesh.
I spread myself open with two fingers, coating them in my wetness and drawing them up over my clit. My toes curl and my hips move again, sensation spiking through me, building fast. “Tonio,” I whisper, and the climax explodes, lashing me over and over with hot bursts of pleasure.
I'm still coming down when my phone rings.
8
More Than Warm
It's Victor. Damn, I forgot to call him. “Hey Vic,” I greet him, hoping I sound normal.
“You good to come in tomorrow?” he says without preamble. He doesn't sound mad, but he doesn't sound like his normal self, either.
“I'm fine.” I hesitate, then add, “Are you okay?”
There's a long silence before he says, “Are you happy?”
My eyes squeeze shut. “Yeah,” I answer softly. “I am.”
“Good. See you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight,” I tell him, and then he's gone. Putting the phone down, I turn on my side and stare into the darkness. Sleep is a long time coming.
The next day I wake up late. My dreams had me tossing and turning all night. Some of them were hot Antonio sequences, but in at least one of them, I was running down an endless path with Victor and Darrel Crane chasing me.
I have to hurry to get ready for work, and I forgot to wash my uniform yesterday because of everything that happened. Fortunately, it's still pretty clean and doesn't smell bad, but I'll have to be sure to wash it tonight. I put on my most flattering black pants, just in case Tonio happens by the café, and spend most of what little time remains doing my makeup, for the same reason.
I pull my hair up into a loose knot that looks casual but sexy, grab my purse, and head for the door. Mom and Dad are in the kitchen eating breakfast. “Can one of you drop me off at Revved?” I ask. “The police still have my car. I can call a friend if you can't.”
“I'll take you,” Dad says. “I want to get in early today; I've got meeting with Mr. Adamo.” I can't help flinching and hope neither of them notice.
It's another silent drive, this one not so comfortable. I keep expecting Dad to ask me about my mystery man, but he seems preoccupied with his own thoughts. Then, as we near Revved, he says, “Is it Vic?”
“What?” I say, startled.
“You don't usually wear makeup to work, honey.” I can't believe he noticed. Aren't guys supposed to be oblivious to that stuff?
Dad takes my blush as an answer. “Isn't he a little old for you?” I wince, and he says, “I know, I know. Mind my own business.”
He pulls in, puts the car in park, and turns to me. “I just want my baby girl to be happy. Is he good to you?”
“Dad …” I say desperately, feeling like I'm about to cry. I hate that I have to hide things from him. He studies my face, and whatever he sees does not reassure him.
“I'm going to have a word with him,” he says, and starts to shut off the car.
“No!” I yell, and he looks at me sharply. “Please, Dad. That is, like, the most uncool thing ever.”
“Being cool isn't everything, Catie,” he says gently.
“Dad, please.” I will just die if he goes in there and treats Victor like he's my boyfriend. Then Vic will not only be confronted with whatever feelings he might have for me, he'll think I'm using him to cover up the situation with Antonio.
“Look me in the eye, Cait, and tell me everything's all right with him.”
So I do. “I promise, Dad. I'm stressed about my car. I have no problems with Vic.” God, I hope that's true. “Everything is fine in … that department.”
“Okay, hon,” he says after a moment. “Just be careful.”
I'm not sure what that means, but I'm not about to ask. “I will. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, Catie. Have a good day.” I jump out of his car and head inside, relieved but guilty.
Erin and I are on together. I shoot her an apologetic look as I hurry into the café, putting my purse away in the office. Fortunately, it was her job to open today, so she's the one who had to be here super early getting everything ready, but I always try to come in and help out when I'm on in the mornings.
I'm only a few minutes late, so we have everything done before we open the doors to the early-morning rush. Victor comes in about half an hour after opening. He's reserved with me, and it hurts. Fortunately, we’re swamped so I can stay busy and try not to think about him.
For the next three hours we're on the run with scarcely a break, keeping a packed restaurant fed and happy. Some people just want coffee and a muffin to go; some want to sit and eat, or drink their coffee at the counter and read the paper. I'm in the zone, taking orders like a waitressing ninja, keeping coffees and waters topped up before customers can even ask for a refill. My tips are great, which always helps.
When I finally have the chance to sit down and eat, I text Antonio. When should I come over? I hesitate, hit Send, and sit huddled, arms crossed over my stomach.
Even though he was very definite about things last night, he might have changed his mind. Decided that I'm too young, too inexperienced, too … something. Maybe me texting him first is being too forward, since he clearly likes being in control.
My phone pings. Be here at six. Come hungry. I'm not sure if it's meant as a double entendre or not, but my mind goes there regardless. I can't help squirming in my chair at the prospect of our mutual hunger being satisfied.
Erin comes over and leans on the counter. “Did you see you-know-who yesterday?” When I nod, she lowers her voice. “Did anything happen?”
“Not everything,” I tell her, “but some things. And I'm going over there again tonight. Speaking of which … can I borrow your car?”
“Of course. I can use one of my dad’s.” She grins at me, then turns serious. “Do your parents know?”
“Not yet.” I look around to make sure it's safe to talk, then fill her in on all things Victor, including the awkward conversation with Dad.
“Oh my god,” she whispers when I'm done. “Vic has a thing for you? Not one, but two hot Adamo men are after you? I think I'm jealous.”
“Trust me,” I say. “You wouldn't be jealous if you were in my shoes right now.”
“Oh, I think I might.” She grins and moves off to take care of customers.
When I get to Tonio's place just before six, he's waiting for me astride a Harley. “Oh my god,” I practically squeal as soon as I'm out of Erin's car. “You have a bike!”
“You ever been on one?” he asks. I shake my head. “It's your lucky day, then. Come here.” When I'm close, he pulls me down for a long, hot kiss with lots of tongue.
As usual, by the time we're done I'm ready to forget everything else and go straight to the wild monkey sex. But Tonio apparently has a plan for the evening, and a bike ride is part of the foreplay. He gives me a sweatshirt to pull on over the sexy little dress I wore, and then a helmet to put on.
“Hold on tight,” he says when I'm sitting behind him, and then we're off. He takes us up into the mountains, where the stars shine brightly through the darkness. I cling tightly to him, my arms around his waist, my hair whipping out behind me from under the helmet.
It's the most exhilarating, and at the
same time, most peaceful thing I've ever done. I'm wide awake and soaking up the energy from our ride, but I don't have a care in the world.
Being up here on the back of Tonio's bike, with the trees all around and silver moonlight shining down, makes me feel like nothing bad could ever happen. Not so long as we're out here together, the miles melting away as the road unwinds before us.
He finally pulls off under some towering pines. I have no idea where we are. Even though it's summer, the air is cool at this elevation and I'm glad he thought of the sweatshirt.
Out of his saddlebags come a big, thick blanket and a bottle of wine. He leads me a few feet from the bike and spreads out the blanket, and I realize we're in a small natural clearing. We settle on the blanket, and he pours me a glass of wine, just a little like last night.
I gulp it down and hold my glass out for more. “It's not water, babe,” he says lightly, but he pours me another small portion and I force myself to sip at it. I'm too nervous and excited to act cool.
It's been hours since I ate, and the wine goes right to my head. I crawl over to Tonio and push him down on the blanket. He lets me climb on top of him, his hands roving under my dress to find my ass while I lower my head to kiss him.
Me being on top doesn’t last long. Tonio tugs off my sweatshirt, then rolls us over. I'm instantly warm again. More than warm.
9
My Time Now
I can feel him through his jeans, thick and hard. He grinds himself against my clit, circling his hips, his tongue in my mouth. I moan, frantic, as pressure builds in my core, fast and hot, and then explodes.
My hips buck against him, and he doesn't stop moving until my hold on him relaxes. I'm panting when he breaks the kiss. He buries his face in my neck for a long moment before he says, his voice like gravel, “Wanna fuck you right here.”