by Chelle Bliss
After the hour of awesomeness that was the receiving line, I wanted a drink and nothing more. I didn’t feel like flirting or small talk.
“Jack, straight up,” I said without cracking a smile.
“Single or double?”
“Double, please.”
As he walked away to pour my drink, I turned and took in the room of people. The wedding was massive. Between Suzy and my ma, I think they had all of Tampa Bay crammed in the room.
“God, I need a drink,” Mia said as she walked toward me.
“As bored as I am?” I asked as I leaned back, taking the pressure off my feet.
“At least you know all those people,” she replied, motioning toward the bartender.
“The fuck I do. I know maybe half, and even then, I’m sketchy on their names.”
“There’s a small army here,” she said. “Martini, please. Make it dirty with two olives.”
“Someone looking to get a little buzzed, like me?”
“Just need to take the edge off,” Mia replied. “Weddings make me itchy.”
“Like you’re allergic?”
“No, Izzy.” She shook her head and laughed.
“Well, what the fuck? Clue a sister in.”
We turned toward the bar, picking up our drinks and clinking them together.
“I feel I’ll always be a bridesmaid and never a bride.”
“You have Mike.” I sipped the Jack, letting it slide down my throat in one quick swallow.
Mia sipped her martini and winced before her lips puckered. “I could be an old hag before he finds just the right way to ask me to marry him.”
“Fuck tradition. Ask him already.”
“He’d die,” she said, bringing the glass to her lips and looking at me over the rim.
I held up my hand, snapping my fingers for a refill. “He’ll get over it. Make a deadline, then. If he doesn’t ask by a certain date, then you ask him.”
“Maybe,” she replied, setting her drink on the bar. “I wouldn’t walk away if he doesn’t ask. I love him too much.”
“He loves you too, Mia. It’s really sickening how often I have to hear about you.” I laughed, tapping my fingernails against the wooden surface as I waited for my drink. “I love you, of course, but Jesus. The man talks about nothing else except for you and the clinic.”
She hit my shoulder, causing me to laugh. “Would you rather him talk about Rob and working out all the time?”
Rob was my brother’s trainer before he quit fighting. Rob and I had had a “thing” for a short time. It’d ended badly. Mostly for him, though, since my knee had found its way to his balls and he’d ended up on the floor.
“Well, lesson one is don’t refer to women as bitches.”
“I’m sure he learned his lesson,” she said, and laughed. “I’ve heard more than once about your wicked, bony-ass knee. I think he still has a thing for you, Izzy.”
I turned, holding my glass near my lips. “Ain’t no way in hell am I ever dating him. Never. Ever. He’s a total asshole.”
Mia’s laughter turned into a fit of giggles as she held on to the bar to maintain her balance. Tears streamed down her face and her dark eyes twinkled in the lighting. “I know he is. Total douche, but he has a soft side.”
“Mia, stop trying to get me to hook up with Rob.” I sipped the Jack Daniel’s, the feeling of the first shot already making its way through my system. My legs felt a little wobbly and my core warmed. “I don’t want a boyfriend and I certainly don’t want him.”
“Someday, Izzy, you’re going to meet that guy. One who makes your belly flip and toes curl. The electricity between you two will be undeniable. You just haven’t met the right one.”
“He’s like a unicorn, Mia. Totally fictional bullshit.”
She shook her head, finishing the last sip of her martini. “He’s not. You just haven’t found him yet. I feel those things when I’m with Michael.”
“You’re obviously mentally impaired,” I chortled.
“I can’t wait to see the day someone has you all in a fluster. You’re going to be totally fucked.”
“Mia, babe, there ain’t no man tough enough to handle all this,” I said, motioning down my body.
“Uh huh,” she clucked, her shoulders shaking from laughter. “I can’t wait to see the damn day.”
“It’s dinnertime, ladies,” my ma sang as she walked through the bar area. “It’s time to take your seats.”
“I could use a little food and a damn chair,” I said, wondering how I’d make it to the table with my feet feeling like someone was rubbing hot coals on them.
“Me too,” Mia said, following behind me.
We both walked gingerly toward the table that was placed on the dance floor and facing the entire room. I felt almost like a zoo animal as I sat down and looked around the large ballroom.
I ate my food and chatted with Mia throughout the dinner. Joe and Suzy were interrupted so many times with clinking glasses that I didn’t have any idea if they were able to consume half their meal. It was cute, and at some point, I thought Joe would tell them to use their fucking forks to eat, but he didn’t.
Suzy did that to him. She chilled him out at times when he was ready to burst. I knew he wanted the day to be special, and did everything in his power to make sure it was perfect. Even held his tongue when I know he had to be biting it so hard that he drew blood.
“I’m hitting the bar again after dinner,” I told Mia, hoping she’d join me.
“I’m in,” she replied. “Until Michael drags me on the dance floor.”
“I wish you luck with that.” I laughed, placing the last bit of pasta in my mouth.
I didn’t get up immediately. My mother would have given me the stink eye if I’d looked too eager to run to the bar. I sat there staring at the crowd, smiling, and making small talk with the others at the table. Sipping my wine, I counted the minutes until I could stand again on my aching feet and drink myself into oblivion.
Weddings, even my brother’s, were bullshit. There was no fucking way in hell I’d be standing on the dance floor later, knocking over girls to get a bouquet of flowers. I wasn’t looking for some symbolic nonsense that I’d be the next one walking down the aisle and giving up my freedom. Fuck tradition.
Chapter 6
After downing countless drinks and chatting up Mia and all the long-lost family members who’d shown their asses at the wedding, I turned to see a very red-faced Suzy enter the ballroom. Joe stood by her side, but he looked calm—besides the small smirk on his face.
“Hey, sister,” I said as I walked toward her. “I’m so excited to be able to say that and it be true. I’ve always wanted a sister.” I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her a little too tight.
“Can’t breathe,” she whispered.
“Man up,” I said, releasing her.
“I’ll be back, ladies. I’m going to grab a drink at the bar with my boys,” Joe said before he kissed her cheek and left us alone.
“Where’s your sister?” I asked, looking around the crowd.
Suzy had a sister, but they weren’t close. The Gallos were closer to her, and more of a family than hers would ever be. I felt bad for her, but it made me love her more.
“Don’t know and don’t give a shit either.” She shrugged and looked at the floor.
“You know you’ve turned into a badass with a potty mouth, Suz.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “City. It’s all his fault.”
“I’d like to think I played a part in it, too.” I laughed.
“You’re always getting me in trouble, Izzy.”
“Me?” I asked, holding my hand to my chest.
“Always.”
A man cleared his throat next to us and we both turned in his direction. “Excuse me, ladies. I don’t mean to interrupt.”
“Well then don’t,” I slurred, looking the stranger up and down. Handsome, well built, great hair, and totally doable. Maybe I shouldn
’t have been such a bitch, but then again, Jack was talking after I’d consumed more than necessary.
“Don’t be rude, Izzy,” Suzy said, turning to face him. “How can I help you?”
“I’m a friend of Thomas’s, and he asked me to drop off a gift on his behalf.” The man held out an envelope and waited for her to take it.
I took this moment to study him further. His muscles bulged underneath his suit as he held out his hands. His eyes were green, but I couldn’t tell the shade. His jaw line was sharp and strong.
“Is he okay?” I asked. I hadn’t seen my brother in so long, and information wasn’t freely flowing lately. He worked undercover for the DEA and was in deep with an MC in Florida. I wanted him home, safe and sound.
“He is, and he’s very sorry he couldn’t make it,” he said, looking down at me.
“Don’t mind her,” Suzy said to him, her eyes moving from me to him. “Thomas is her brother.”
“Ah, you’re that Izzy,” he said, his lips turning up into a smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
What the fuck did that mean? I snarled, not entirely liking the shit-eating grin on his face. “And you are?” I asked, holding out my hand for him to take.
“James.” He slid his hand along my palm and stilled. “James Caldo.”
“Never heard of you, Jimmy,” I said, trying to knock him down a peg. I didn’t like that he had heard of me, with his “that Izzy” comment, and I’d never even heard his name.
He brought my hand to his lips and placed a kiss just below my knuckles. “Perfect.”
His lips scorched my skin. An overwhelming sense of want came over me. I felt the urge to jump into his arms and kiss his very full lips. My toes curled painfully in my shoes as I stared at his mouth against my skin. As he removed his lips from my hand and brought his eyes back to mine, I wiped all evidence of want from my face.
Suzy coughed, ruining my fantasy and bringing me back to reality. “Thanks, James. I’ll give this to Joseph for you. Why don’t you stay and enjoy the wedding?” She smiled at the man.
“What?” I asked, turning toward her. Suzy played dirty. Her angel act was just that—an act.
“We have plenty of food, and I’m sure the Gallos would love to talk with you about their Thomas,” Suzy said, grinning like an idiot.
I gave her the look of death. What in the fuck was wrong with her?
“You can keep James company tonight, Izzy. You didn’t bring a date.”
She did not just say that. If it weren’t her wedding, I swear to shit I would’ve smacked her. I could feel my cheeks turning red as his eyes flickered to mine.
“I’d love to stay. Thank you. Izzy, would you like a drink?” he asked, still holding my hand in his.
“Only because Suzy would want me to be a gracious host,” I said, looking at her out of the corner of my eye.
“I don’t want to put you out or anything. I’m a big boy and can handle myself. I just thought you could use a drink to unwind a bit. You feel a little tense, and that mouth of yours could get you into trouble.”
Obviously, he was full of himself. Trust me when I say I can smell a cocky bastard from a mile away. I grew up with enough of them to sniff them out across a room.
“I don’t need a babysitter, Jimmy, but I’ll take the drink.”
“It’s James,” he said, squeezing my hand.
“You two kids play nice,” Suzy said before she waved and walked away.
“Bitch,” I mumbled under my breath as I turned back toward the bar.
“Excuse me?” he asked, gripping my arm as he pulled me backward.
I stopped and faced him. “Are you going to release me anytime soon?”
“Highly unlikely.” He smirked.
“Jimmy, listen. I don’t know what your deal is or who the fuck you think you are, but no one touches me without permission.”
With that, he released me, but not before squeezing my arm. “You’ll be begging for my touch.”
I glared at him, floored by his cockiness. “Obviously you know nothing about me then.” I left him in the dust.
I leaned against the bar, feeling him behind me as I motioned to the bartender. At this point in the evening, I no longer had to verbalize my order. He knew it.
“Like what you see?” I asked as I kept my eyes forward.
“Your brother didn’t do you justice.”
Resting my back against the bar, I asked, “What exactly do you think of me?”
He smiled, stepping closer as he invaded my personal space. He brushed the hair from my cheek, running his fingertip down my face. “You’re prettier in person. You are tough as nails, just like your brother said, but I can see the real Izzy underneath.”
I snarled, feeling all kinds of bitchy. “There’s no hidden me underneath. This is who I am. I make no apologies for my bitchiness or candid comments.”
“Oh, little girl, you’re so much more than a smart mouth.” He leaned in, hovering his mouth just above mine.
I held my breath, silently debating if I wanted him to kiss me. I had to be crazy. There was nothing about this man I liked, besides his face. His words were infuriating, his attitude was obnoxious, and the fact that he thought he had me pegged made me want to slap his face when he spoke.
His eyes searched mine as I stood there not breathing and just keeping myself upright against the bar.
“You’re an asshole, Jimmy.”
He didn’t back away. Instead, he held his ground, pressing against my body. “It’s James,” he murmured.
I swallowed hard, my stomach flipping inside my body like I’d just gone down the giant hill on a roller-coaster. “Still an asshole,” I whispered, my tongue darting out to caress my lips and almost touch his.
“Doll, I never claimed to be nice.” His lips were turned up into a grin so large that it almost kissed his eyes.
“Can we drink now?” I asked, wanting to move our bodies apart. The heat coming off him was penetrating my dress and causing my body to break out into a sweat. The pop and sizzle I felt inside was more than just the alcohol. James, the asshole, did naughty things to my body, and I needed distance between us.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” he asked without moving out of my personal space.
I placed my hands against his chest and pushed. He didn’t budge or falter as I pushed again.
He tipped his head back and laughed. “Is that all you got?”
“Fucker. First off, I have more, but I don’t want to cause a scene at my brother’s wedding. Second, I haven’t had enough. You aren’t my father and you don’t get to tell me when to stop drinking. Last time I checked my driver’s license, I was old enough to make that choice for myself.” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to put some space between his torso and mine.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Isabella.” His hot breath tickled the nape of my neck as he put his mouth against my ear and spoke. “I will have you in my bed tonight.”
I rolled my eyes and pursed my lips, trying to hide exactly how excited that statement had made me. I didn’t want to date the man, but shit, I wanted to fuck him.
“You’re quite sure of yourself, Jimmy.” I emphasized his name, knowing it would drive him crazy.
“There are things I’m very sure of.”
“Like what?” I spat.
“From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to be inside you. When I touched you, I felt something, and I know you felt it, too. There’s something between us. I think I need to fuck you out of my system.”
“Is that the best line you have?” I hissed, feeling his lips against my ear. I groaned, closing my eyes to let the feel of his mouth on my skin soak into my bones.
“I don’t need lines, Izzy,” he growled, with his teeth caging the flesh of my ear.
My toes curled inside my heels; I felt him all over my body. No one had ever affected me in this way.
“I’m down for a challenge.”
“Doll,
there’s no challenge with a willing participant.”
I pulled back, feeling his mouth slip from my skin, and looked him in the eye. “I was referring to your ability to keep up with me.”
Again, he laughed and held his stomach. “Izzy, Izzy. Baby, if you can walk right in the morning without still feeling me inside you, I’d be shocked. I have no doubt I can keep up with you. You’ll never be the same after I’ve fucked you.”
“You better buy me a drink, then. I’ll go easier on you.” I smiled, turning my back to him and facing the bartender. Then I snapped my fingers, pointing in front of me as he smiled and grabbed the bottle of Jack.
Over my shoulder, James called out, “Make it two.” He placed one hand on the bar to my right and stood to the left of me. His forearm pressed against my back, holding me in place and leaving me no escape. “What shall we drink to?” he asked.
“My brother,” I replied. Thomas was our link. The connection that James and I shared. “What did he say about me?” I asked.
James smiled, turning his head to face me. “That you’re his favorite sister.”
“Jackass, I’m his only sister.”
“I know.” He laughed. “He told me you’re hard to please.”
I shook my head. “I’m not. I’m just picky and I don’t settle.”
“Can’t fault you there. He’s proud of you.”
“For what?” I asked, looking at him, stunned.
“He’s proud of the strong woman you’ve grown into, and I’d have to agree with the little bit of you I’ve experienced.”
“Ha,” I said. “I learned everything I know from my four brothers.”
The bartender placed our shots on the bar and started to walk away.
“Hey, can we get two more?” I asked before he could get too far.
He nodded and grabbed the bottle, making two more drinks.
I lifted my glass, waiting for James to pick his up before I spoke. “To Thomas.” I tipped my drink, clinking the glass with his before downing the liquid.
I watched over the rim as James swallowed it and didn’t wince. His features were so strong and manly. I mean, what the fuck was that? I’d never thought of any one as manly. Maybe I shouldn’t have another drink.
“Tell me who you really are,” James said as he placed his empty glass on the bar.
“What you see if what you get,” I said before I licked the Jack off my lips.
“I know there’s the Izzy everyone sees and the real woman underneath.”
“James, what you see is what you get.”
“Are you always so hard?” he asked, brushing his thumb against my hand as it rested on the bar.
“I don’t know. Are you always so damn nosy?”
“I think you haven’t found the right man to tame your sass.”