[Men of Inked 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set

by Chelle Bliss

  Not in a million years did I think we’d be in this situation when I sat there staring out the window sipping my coffee. I figured I was through with Michael Gallo, but after a kiss and mind-blowing sex, the craving was back worse than ever.

  My vision blurred as I thought about all we’d been through the last couple of days. I didn’t think the Tammy situation was over, but Michael said he’d handle her. I had no doubt in his abilities, but her craziness couldn’t be planned for. She was the most dangerous form of opponent.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked as he turned over, stretching out across the bed. He slid his hand under my body, pulling me to him.

  “I don’t know what to think.” I snuggled into him and let the tears flow.

  “Hey, hey. Don’t cry. I know it was good, but I’ve never brought a girl to tears before.”

  “You ass,” I said, smacking his chest. “I’m scared, Michael.”

  “Of what?”

  “You, Tammy, this,” I said, waving my hand over his body.

  “Don’t worry about Tammy. She’s being dealt with. Don’t be scared of me or us. We got off track, thrown off by a person nuttier than a Snickers bar.”

  I bit my lip to stifle a laugh. “You have such a way with words.” I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I laughed and buried my face in his side.

  “Well, how would you describe her?”

  I looked up at him, and the tears of worry turned to those of uncontrollable laughter. “You hit the nail right on the head.”

  “That’s enough about her. Let me just enjoy the feel of you in my arms. No more talking, doc.”

  I snuggled into his side and closed my eyes. I’d never slept so contently as I had when I was in his arms. Closing my eyes, I let his warmth and steady breathing lull me to sleep.

  25

  Michael

  I stroked her arm until her breathing deepened and soft snores fell from her lips. I didn’t know if I should be proud or a little disturbed at how easily she slept in my arms. I’d do anything to keep Mia in my life and make her happy. I wasn’t anywhere near ready to get down on one knee and propose, or to whisper the words “I love you” in her ear, but I cared for Mia and didn’t want to be without her.

  I slept for a short time and watched her sleep after I woke. She had small, faint freckles on her sun-kissed cheeks. Her eyebrows were thick and dark, but neatly groomed. Her nose fit her face and had a delicate, narrow shape. Her lips were luscious and thick and were made for kissing. The filthy things she said to me this morning had almost made my heart stop. All blood in my body went to my dick as she smacked me around a little.

  “Hey,” she said in a drowsy voice.

  “Sleep well?”

  “Like a rock.” She yawned and nuzzled her cheek against my pec.

  “What do you want to do today, Mia? I want to spend the day with you.” I brushed the hair from her eyes.

  “I’m going to the clinic for a couple hours this afternoon.”

  “Can I come?”

  She looked at me and smiled. “Yes, but it won’t be a happy day. Have you ever noticed the real poor people in this area?”

  “I have seen the homeless people on the corners.”

  “They’re the tip of the iceberg, Michael. It’s the ones that you don’t see that are the most heartbreaking. The little kids that come in dirty and in need of basic medical care.”

  “If it’s that sad, why do you do it? Why not just stick to the ER?”

  “It’s rewarding, and I feel I’m making a difference. The ER has its own type of rewards, but mostly it’s filled with sadness.” She sighed as she rolled out of my arms. She sat up, pulling her knees against her chest.

  I sat up, running my fingers across her damp cheeks. “Why don’t you find a way to work at the clinic, then?”

  “There’s no money; it’s all volunteers. We get some money from the state and county, but it’s minimal, laughable actually.”

  “Maybe my family could help. What would you guys need to fund the clinic?” I pulled her in my lap and wrapped my arms around her.

  “I don’t even know. I haven’t looked at the books.” She sagged against me, resting her head on my shoulder.

  I kissed her shoulder. “You give me a figure and I’ll see what I can do to make it happen.”

  “What is it exactly that your family does to have all this money, Michael? I’m all for charity, but if it came by criminal means then I’d have to decline.”

  “You mean like the mob?” I laughed. Stereotyping at its finest.

  She turned her head, looking me in the eyes without smiling. “Ah, yeah. I couldn’t take dirty money.” She shook her head.

  “You just made my day.” I laughed, squeezing her tightly. “Totally stereotyping, but funny as hell, Mia.” I held her chin in my grasp and kissed her on the lips. “We own a vineyard in Italy. It’s been in our family for generations.”

  “Why do you work at the tattoo shop and fight, then? You could just sit at home all day.”

  “My parents didn’t raise us to be lazy. We were taught to work and be appreciative of what we have. I fight for the fun and challenge. The shop feels more like a hobby than a real job.”

  “I get it. I couldn’t sit on my ass all day either.”

  She turned in my lap and the friction against my dick made it start to harden. She held my cheeks in her small hands and stared in my eyes. All the craziness of the past week had vanished.

  All that mattered in this moment was us.

  “You have a big heart under that Superman exterior, Michael. You’re a big softy.” Her fingertips rubbed against the five o’clock shadow on my face, and I could feel every hair move under her touch.

  “Don’t tell anyone. You’ll ruin my reputation.” I laughed. “What’s pressing against your ass isn’t soft.”

  She giggled as she rested her forehead against mine. “It’ll have to wait until we get done at the clinic. There are needy people waiting for me.”

  “I’m needy,” I said as my dick twitched against her ass. “Real needy.”

  “You’re horny, there’s a difference.” She smacked my shoulder.

  Her smile made my heart ache. I’d do whatever I could to help her make her dream of working at the clinic full-time a reality. She deserved to have that smile every day.

  “Tell that to my cock.” I took the opportunity to kiss her neck as she tipped it back, laughing. Her heartbeat thundered against my lips as I inhaled the sweet vanilla scent.

  God, I wanted to eat her.

  “Remember, I have a needle for that problem.”

  “You and the fuckin’ needle, woman.” I pushed her off me. “Get up, let’s go, or I’m not letting you out of this bed all day.”

  She snickered as she climbed off the bed and walked into the bathroom.

  It felt like we hadn’t missed a day together. The air between us had been cleared, and Tammy was an inconsequential part of the past. I climbed off the bed and threw on my t-shirt and shorts, and went into the kitchen to wait for her.

  I helped myself to a cup of coffee, since I knew she’d take more than a few minutes to get ready. Her cheeks had been tear-stained and her hair had that “I just got fucked” look. I called the one person I knew who would be interested in helping me make Mia’s dream a reality.

  “Hey, Ma,” I said, and sipped the black, velvety liquid.

  “Hey, baby. How are you?”

  “I’m great, actually. I’m over at Mia’s and I think we patched things up.”

  “Hmm,” she said with a small laugh. “You’re a big boy.”

  “That’s what she said, Ma.” I chuckled at my wittiness.

  Her laughter grew loud until there was silence and static. She must have covered the phone so I wouldn’t hear her giggling. “Son, there are things a mother doesn’t need to hear, and I changed your diapers so, I know. That poor girl.”

  “All right, enough about that. I know we’re pals, Ma, but I called
you for a reason.” I sat down, placing my cup on the table, and stared at Mia’s neatly manicured yard.

  “What is it, baby?”

  I explained to my mother the work that Mia did at the clinic. I shared all the information I knew and told her about Mia’s dream to work there full-time and help the people in the area.

  “What do they need?” she asked without hesitation.

  “Money.”

  “I know that.” She laughed. “How much?”

  “I don’t know. They get some funding from the government, but not enough. The doctors that volunteer help pay the rent, and they get some medicines for free.”

  “Find out all the details and come see your father and me. I’m sure we can work something out. I’d love to help any way I can.”

  “Thanks, Ma. I’m going to spend the day there snooping around, and I’ll stop over when I get a chance.”

  “Hey, how’s the training coming? Your fight is soon.” She sighed into the phone. I knew she hated the violence and could never understand why I chose to enter the cage.

  “Really good, and now that Mia and I patched things up, I can finally focus on kicking that guy’s ass.”

  “Make sure you stay focused. I don’t want to see my baby hurt.”

  “I’m like a brick wall, Ma.”

  “Don’t be too cocky, son. Your father is calling me. He wants a cup of coffee. He’s lucky I love him.”

  I wanted a love like theirs—long-lasting and unbreakable.

  “You’d go pick the beans if he asked just to make that man happy.”

  “Let’s not give him any ideas, Michael. Call me later, okay?”

  “Love ya. I’ll talk to you tonight.”

  “Love you too.”

  Mia wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing my cheek. “That better have been your mother or I’m getting that needle ready as soon as we get there.”

  I grabbed her hands and leaned into her kiss. “It was. You’re dying to stick a needle in my dick, aren’t you?” I laughed.

  “Just remember that it’s always an option.” She laughed against my ear, and I closed my eyes and let the happiness sink in.

  I stood, grabbing my keys off the counter. “Let’s go, Dr. Jekyll. I’m driving.”

  “We can take my car.” She stayed by the table.

  “Nope, I’m the man, so I drive.” I opened the door and waited for her.

  As she walked by me, she said, “Let’s not start the macho bullshit.”

  “My dad drives my mom around all the time. I just grew up with some beliefs. Let’s not kill them yet. You relax and talk and I’ll be your chauffer.”

  She sighed but nodded. I opened the truck door for her and waited for her to get situated before I closed her in and jogged around to my side. Her eyes were glued to me as I made my way around the truck.

  “You really have the chivalry thing down,” she said as I sat.

  “It’s one thing my ma always taught me. How to be a gentleman when necessary.”

  We held hands and listened to music, stopping on the song “Happy” by Pharrell to sing along. How could I not shout the words at the top of my lungs?

  “Is this it?” I asked, as I pulled into the parking lot.

  “Yep. I know it’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.” She shrugged.

  “Yeah. This place doesn’t look like much, doc.”

  “I know. The people that come here deserve better.”

  “I hope you don’t pay a lot in rent.” I stared at the old brick façade. A tiny sign that read GS Health Clinic hung above the door, but the average person driving by would miss it entirely.

  “No, we rent the space for pretty cheap. The owner gives us a deal because he likes what we do.”

  “Does the inside look any better?”

  “It’s old but clean. We spend the money we have on rent and supplies.”

  “Let’s get inside. I want to check it out.” There wasn’t an open spot in the parking lot, and that told me that there was a need for this clinic.

  “How do you know the people really can’t afford medical care?”

  “They have to bring in their government assistance paperwork and proof that they’ve been denied Medicaid.”

  “Seems fair, and keeps it legit.” I followed Mia into the building and a bustling waiting room. People of all ages and races sat patiently in the space.

  Mia stopped and smiled at the woman behind the desk. “Cammie, this is Michael. He’s going to hang out here today.”

  Cammie looked at me with the warmest smile on her face as she held out her hand. “It’s always nice to have an extra set of hands around. Especially ones as big and strong as yours.” She laughed as she stroked my fingers.

  “I’m all yours,” I said as I looked at Mia.

  The stress that was evident on her face at the hospital was gone. Her demeanor at the clinic was different…she was radiant.

  “You just offered yourself up to the devil,” Mia said, laughing.

  “I can handle her,” I said, winking at Cammie.

  Her face flushed before she cleared her throat. “We have a full house today. Lots to do, Mia. You leave this hunk in my hands, child.”

  Mia picked up the schedule and studied it before she replied, “He’s all yours. I know you’ll take good care of him.”

  “Mm hmm,” Cammie said.

  Mia kissed my cheek and started to walk away. “You’re just going to leave me here?” I asked.

  “You’ll be just fine. Cammie knows the most about the clinic. Pick her brain if you want to know about the finances.”

  “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you, doc.” I patted her ass before she stepped out of reach.

  “One second,” Cammie said as she held her finger up. “Mr. Johnson,” she called into the waiting room.

  Leaning against the desk, I watched Cammie interact with the patients. She had a way with people, making them feel important. She was the beating heart of the clinic. She’d be my link to getting this place on track and keeping it running like a well-oiled machine.

  “So, what can I help you with, Michael?” Cammie asked as she swiveled her chair in my direction.

  “I want to talk about funding, Cammie. I want to help the clinic financially and see about having Mia here full-time. She loves this place.”

  She clapped her hands. “Wow, I think I just fell in love with you. If Mia wasn’t my girl, I’d snatch you from her.”

  I laughed at the ease with which she spoke to me.

  “You know anything about accounting, handsome?” She winked.

  “I do. I have a business and I do the books.”

  “Perfect. I’ll let you in the office and you can take a look. It may be easier and quicker than if I told you everything. We’re so busy today that I couldn’t give you my full attention, no matter how badly I wanted to.”

  “That would be fine, Cammie. I can see what’s going on and how I can help.”

  She showed me to a tiny office in the back. I could hear Mia speaking with a patient in the next room. The words were muffled, but it was her voice. Cammie had the office organized and the files up to date, which made the task of determining their financial need easier.

  They had a couple thousand dollars in the bank, and Cammie said that rent was the biggest expense. The place needed to be rehabbed from the inside out.

  I searched the filing cabinet for the rental agreement. They paid a thousand a month, which was cheap for commercial space. I made a list of needs with an estimated cost to keep the place in check, with some extra financial padding. The first step would be purchasing the building and the land it sat on, then giving the place a facelift.

  It certainly was doable, and it wouldn’t take much financially to make this a stable non-profit that wouldn’t have to scrape by to make ends meet.

  As I was rubbing my eyes, the door opened and Mia walked in. “How’s it going in here?” she asked, wrapping her arms around my neck and settling in my lap.<
br />
  “Good. I have a plan and just spoke to my ma and the landlord.”

  “Oh?”

  “We’re going to make it happen, Mia. I already have the wheels in motion.” I leaned back in the chair, lifting her to move with me.

  “You don’t waste any time, do you?” She rubbed her nose against the tender skin of my neck and inhaled.

  I cupped her ass and squeezed. “You’re going to owe me something big for all this.”

  “What do you want?” She smirked.

  “I’m going to think long and hard about that before giving you a definitive answer.”

  “You do that. I just wanted to say hi. I have to go. There are a bunch of people out there waiting to be seen.” She patted my shoulder before trying to climb off my lap.

  I pulled her back down, running my lips down her jaw. “I want some sugar first.”

  She laughed and rolled her eyes. “Only a kiss.”

  “What else would I mean?”

  The kiss was soft and sweet. I smiled as she winked at me before walking out the door.

  I spent the afternoon jotting down notes, making lists, and calling everyone I knew to help make this place the best it could be. It would be Mia’s dream and her little bit of serenity.

  26

  Mia

  It was finally the night—Michael’s MMA match.

  I wanted to look stunning.

  Picking through my closet, I found my favorite black pencil skirt, a white cami, and my kickass Jessica Simpson peep-toe heels. I spent extra time on my makeup, and straightened my hair.

  I felt tense as I drove to the arena to see him before his fight. I sat in the car for a few minutes to calm my nerves before I made my way to the doors. My stomach gurgled as I followed the extra-tall security guard through the backstage area to a door that read “Michael ‘The Iceman’ Gallo.”

  After knocking on the door, I smoothed my skirt, wiping my hands against the soft material. My legs were wobbly as I waited for someone to open the door.

  Why in the hell was I so nervous? I didn’t like the thought of Michael fighting another man, but my stress level was high enough that someone would think that it would be me stepping in the cage.