I hadn't stroked my bare skin or brought up a lap dance.
"I can't control myself with you. That's...new territory for me."
"Hmm. I like knowing I affect you that way since I self-combust the second you touch me," I confessed. Touching my hand to his forearm, I traced the vein that popped out the top, watching as his hair raised in response and the muscle tightened at my touch. Rebel's sharp bark was the only warning before the sound of beeping from the front door keypad came from the other side of the door. Seconds later, a crowd of people stepped inside, already chattering among themselves as they invaded Enzo's home like they were totally and completely comfortable in his space. Enzo chuckled in that deep voice of his as I stilled at his side.
Somehow nobody had spoken to him as they dropped bags and purses on the kitchen island. The smallest of the children was the first to notice us where we sat, squealing as she raced over. "Puppy!" Throwing her arms around Rebel, she squeezed her tight and my heart filled when Rebel wagged her butt excitedly and licked the girl's face over and over as she giggled. "Who's this, Uncle Enzo?" she asked, abandoning Rebel to throw herself into Enzo's lap and hug him just as tightly.
"This is Sadie," he said, tapping the girl’s nose affectionately. "How is my littlest girl?"
She giggled in response, tapping his nose in return while she grinned. Missing her two front teeth, she turned that bright smile my way and lunged off Enzo's lap to land in mine. "You're pretty," she said, ignoring Enzo as he laughed and stood from the couch. I got up to follow, wanting the safety that my nearness to him would offer as I glanced up from the girl in my arms to find the other people staring at me in shock.
"Gabriella, you don't just jump on people you've never met. Where are your manners?" one of the women asked as I hefted her up to hold her more firmly. She wrapped her legs around the side of my hip as I supported her, even though she was far too big to be carried. I couldn't bring myself to put her down even if I didn't want to stay where I was either.
"The little terror in your arms is Gabby if you didn't guess," Enzo laughed. I turned my face down to hers, returning the bright smile she leveled me with. How anyone could resist that toothless smile was beyond me. I'd probably act a fool to make her laugh. "The woman scolding her is her mom Gianna. The asshole next to her is her husband Tad," Enzo laughed as he walked over to kiss his sister's cheek. "The runts hiding behind the counter are my nephews Barrow and Lakely. Their parents are lurking in the corner whispering. That's my oldest sister Mia and her husband Mauro. Then there's Aria, Sienna, and Elisa—no kids or husbands for them." He pointed them out individually, making me wave awkwardly and wonder how I'd remember all the names.
I would so get even when the time came for him to meet my disaster of a family.
"And my mom Bianca," he added, kissing his mother's cheek fondly. She moved away from him quickly, darting under his arm as she made her way to me. Gabriella squirmed in my arm as the boys raced from around the island and into the living room, leaving me with no choice but to set her down so that she could chase after them.
"Oh, Mimmo!" Bianca said, stretching out her arms as she approached. Hands touching either side of my face, she studied me intently with tears brimming in her eyes. "She is beautiful."
"Si, Mamma," Enzo laughed. "Maybe don't scare her off before I put a ring on her finger or you'll never get your grandbabies."
"Sorry," she chuckled, releasing me and stepping back. "My Enzo has never introduced us to a girl before. He didn't even tell his poor Mamma he was seeing anyone."
I giggled nervously, glancing to Enzo and considering my words. "We haven't known each other for long," I said. "I don't think either of us saw this coming."
"Ah well, he is Italian, yes? They know what they want. His father knew he planned to marry me within days! The shit that he was." She leaned in, dropping her voice down to a whisper. "Poor Mia was knocked up within a month."
"I can hear you, Mamma,"