Page 58 of Highball and Chain

Shanna

The den,as Enzo called it, was the biggest man cave I’d ever seen. Besides the oversized brown leather sectional and wide-screen television, it had a pool table, air hockey, and three pinball machines.

“This is like guy-nirvana.” I wandered to the floor-to-ceiling shelves to check out a model boat.

“That’s a replica of the family yacht.” Enzo shoved his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. He’d seemed off since the conversation in the car, but I doubted his nerves had anything to do with bringing a girl home to meet Mom. One, we weren’t actually dating, and two, his parents were on another continent.

He’d shocked me with his honesty. Given the nature of the family business, I’d expected him to be his normally elusive self. That he seemed concerned I would think less of him touched my heart. It made me believe he’d meant it when he said he was in this with me.

“Eve’s Delight?” I giggled because deep down I had the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old boy. Plus, I hoped a little silliness would snap him out of his dark mood.

“My father named it.”

“I figured. Conjures up all sorts of disturbing images, doesn’t it?” I wiggled my brows.

“Thanks for that.” His ears turned red.

I never would have believed it possible for a Marchionni to blush. I took it as a challenge to see if I could make his ears turn magenta. “Funny though, I thought Eve’s Delight would be bigger, longer, maybe more girth.”

“How can someone so cute have such a dirty mind?” He draped his arms over my shoulders and gave me a real smile.

“It goes with my filthy mouth.” I motioned back to the model. “How big is the real thing?”

“Forty-seven feet. It’s great for getting around the Gulf. Big boats are hard to get into small ports.” He leaned in to kiss me, but stopped and arched a brow. “What?”

I bit my lip, fighting to hold in more laughter.

He pressed his lips together as if to keep from grinning. “I’m almost afraid to ask…”

“I was just thinking…I bet you’d do a splendid job fitting your vessel into my small port.”

“Keep talking like that, and I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and take you upstairs.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Understatement of the century. After what felt like weeks of foreplay, I was more than ready.

Enzo lunged for me, grabbed my hips, and lifted me off the floor.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and arms around his neck. “What happens upstairs?”

“I plan to put your dirty mind and filthy mouth to good use.” He captured my lower lip in his teeth.

The nibble sent a shot of electricity from my mouth to my toes and everywhere between. “Isn’t Hildie making us lunch?”

“She’ll leave it in the kitchen.” He leaned in to kiss me again, and his phone rang. “Damn it. It’s work again.”

I squirmed until he set me down. “Go ahead.”

He frowned at the screen. “I’ll be quick.”

I left the room to give him some privacy. After wandering the halls and taking several turns, I doubted I’d find my way back to him without a map. I should leave a trail of bread crumbs.

In the end, I followed the scent of Cajun seasoning to the kitchen.

Hildie glanced up from the stove and smiled. “Do you need something?”

“Water would be great.” I pointed to the fridge. “May I?”

“Help yourself.” She dumped two handfuls of shrimp into the pot and stirred. “Where’s Enzo?”

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