Page 23 of Reckless Desire

“You always know what to say to make me feel better. You finished? I’m ready to clean up so I can cuddle with you.”

It didn’t take long to get everything washed and put away with Dominique’s help. When they were done, they relaxed on the plush sofa. He pulled her feet onto his lap and began rubbing the soles.

“Not only are you a great cook, but you give the best foot massages. How did I get so lucky?”

Vincent squeezed one of her feet firmly. “Uhh, I think we should be thanking our Sky Daddy for making this possible.”

“And your mama for teaching you how to cook ‘cause …” Dominique kissed her fingertips. “Così bene!”

“Oh,Mia Regina,I love it when you speak Italian. But you can tell my mama yourself.” Vincent leaned over and grabbed his phone from the end table. A moment later, his mother’s face appeared on the screen.

“Hi, sweetheart. Your dad wanted to speak with you, so I’m glad you called. Hang on.” She shouted away from the phone. “Vincent! It’s Alessandro on the phone.”

Vincent glanced over at Dominique. Her face seemed to flush when he stared at her intently. It was hard not to. With the exception of his mom, she was one of the most beautiful women he knew. It might’ve been too soon for someone else, but Vincent wanted his parents to see the woman who’d had their son completely smitten.

“Hey, what’s going on, Alessandro?”

His dad’s voice snapped him out of his trance. He swung his eyes back to the phone. “Hey, Dad, not too much. Just relaxing with my lady.”

“Your lady?” his mother squealed. She popped her head back into the screen.

Vincent chuckled. “Yeah, Mama. That’s why I was calling. She wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?”

He gestured for Dominique to sit up. She removed her feet from his lap and moved to sit right beside him, where they could see her on the screen.

“Oh, my goodness, Alessandro, she’s … I’m sorry, where are my manners. I’m Sefina Moretti. You’re so pretty. I love the lip jewelry and nose ring. Sexy,” his mother complimented, making Dominique blush. She spoke to his dad. “Vincent, did you see Alessandro’s girlfriend?”

“How, FiFi? You hopped your ass right in front of the phone.”

Dominique giggled.

“Oh hush. You act like we can’t share the screen. Don’t mind my husband. Anyway, what’s your name, sweetie?”

“It’s Dominique Benoit. Nice to meet you both. I just wanted to thank you for teaching Vince how to cook lasagna. He made it for dinner tonight. And it was absolutely delicious.”

Vincent interjected. “No, tell them how you said it.”

He watched her face turn another shade of red, but she looked right into the phone at his parents and kissed her fingertips. “Così bene!”

His mother answered with a surprised tone. “She speaks Italian?”

“A little bit and some of what I’ve taught her.”

His dad leaned closer to the screen. “Uhh, that was my mama’s recipe. God rest her soul, but my wife’s version has always been better.”

“I told you.” Vincent looked at Dominique and snickered.

His dad asked, “Told her what?”

“What you just said about Grandma’s cooking. You’ve always said Mama’s food tasted better.”

“That’s because I use seasoning,” his mother chimed in.

Dominique covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

His mother winked at her. “You already know, Dominique. Now, they may look like their daddy. But if anything, they were gon’ get from me, it was gonna be some soul.”

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