by Chelle Bliss
“Will it be a nursery?” Mrs. G looked at me with hopeful eyes.
“Maybe someday.” I smiled, my stomach in knots.
We weren’t ready for a baby, not just yet. I had too much City left to enjoy.
“No worries. I have all the faith in you, my sweet Suzy.” She released me and walked toward the gown.
My body warmed from her sincerity and love as I took in the most important women in my life, all in one spot and without our testosterone-laden other halves.
“This is stunning,” Mrs. G said, running her fingers across the lace skirt of my wedding gown.
“Joey is not allowed in this room anymore. I can’t risk him seeing my dress.” I shook my head. He begged me to wear it for him, he wanted to dirty it—his words, not mine—before I walked down the aisle. That wasn’t going to happen.
“Good idea,” Mrs. G said, smiling at me.
I watched them as they looked at every detail I’d laid out across the expansive space. I had a seating chart that looked more like an invasion plan for a war, tables and sticky notes everywhere in different colors to represent our two sides. Izzy eyed the party favors while Mia grabbed my wedding shoes and studied them.
“These shoes are amazing. Everything is going to be beautiful, almost magical.” Mia placed the shoe back in the box. “You’re so organized. I thought I was anal, but babe, you have me beat by a mile,” she said with a small laugh.
“What needs to be done?” Mrs. G asked, staring at the seating chart.
I stood next to her, looking over my work. “I just need to make sure I have everyone seated correctly. I don’t know most of the people on here. Joey said this person couldn’t sit near that person. I’m so confused and don’t want to mess it up.”
She touched my hand, looking at me with a smile. “I’ll inspect it, but from what I see so far, it’s perfect.”
“Thanks, Mrs. G.”
She looked at me, her mouth set in a firm line.
I gulped, realizing my mistake. “Mom. Thanks, Mom,” I quickly corrected.
She smiled, her face growing soft as she turned back to the poster board.
“Let’s talk about the bachelorette party while Ma is busy.” Izzy grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the small table on the other side of the room.
“Maybe she wants to come,” I said, looking at Mrs. G.
“Nope, she’s staying home with Daddy. I have everything planned out.”
“Izzy,” I warned, my eyes snapping to her face.
She smiled, looking overly pleased with herself. “Don’t worry. I have it all under control,” she said, winking at me.
“That’s what I’m worried about.” I said, leveling her with my stare.
“As a bridesmaid it’s my duty to give you a kickass bachelorette party. Whatever happens, just blame it on me. I can take care of those boys.”
“Give us the rundown,” Mia said, not letting me respond to Izzy.
“Okay, well, we have a party bus picking up all the girls here on Friday night and the boys will have their own,” Izzy said. “We’ll be spending the evening at Shepard’s Beach Resort. I reserved the top floor, where the suites are located, and we’ll party our asses off. They have a dance club set up at night and we can drink till we puke and crawl to our rooms.” She bounced up and down in her chair. “This shit is going to be so kickass.”
I looked down, twisting my fingers in my hands. “No stripper, Izzy.” I wasn’t asking. I wanted to make it clear that I didn’t want any half-naked men touching me.
“Don’t worry,” she said, her smile growing wider as my stomach turned over.
“Izzy, I’m serious.” I stared at her, holding her with my gaze.
“Relax, Suz.”
“I’m looking forward to a girls’ night out,” Mia said, squeezing my arm. “Michael doesn’t let me out of his sight much. Well, really he doesn’t let me out of his bed.” She laughed, her face turning red.
Izzy winced. “My ears are going to bleed or my brain will explode with that image. Do not mention my brothers and sex. Ever. Ick,” she said, sticking out her tongue like she was going to throw up.
“What about Flash?” Mia asked, smirking.
“He’s just a friend.” Izzy frowned, looking to her mother.
“He looks like he wants to be more than friends,” I added. “You’ve never brought anyone around for family dinners, let alone a holiday, Izzy.”
“Eh, he was in town and he doesn’t have any family in the area. We hang out sometimes but it’s nothing more than that.” She drew in a breath. “He’s not right for me, and the guys, well, they’d never allow him to be part of this family.”
“What are you girls talking about?” Mrs. G asked as she sat down with us.
“The monsters that you’ve created,” Izzy said quickly, changing the subject.
“Ah,” Mrs. G said, turning to me. “Suzy, everything looks perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing on that seating chart.”
I smiled, happy that I hadn’t messed it up. “So Ma,” I said, the words still foreign on my tongue. “You were going to share your pearls of wisdom with us about how to handle our boys.”
She laughed, her eyes twinkling. “Well, it’s taken me many years to hone my skills and learn how to get what I want. It’s a fine line, though, ladies. You can’t let them know you’re the one silently controlling the strings from the background. They like to think they’re the puppet master, when in reality we hold all the strings.”
“Still not giving me details,” Mia said, shaking her head.
“Michael and Joseph are tough boys, and Izzy, any man that steals your heart will be just as tough as your brothers, if not more. This information will be for all of you to file away and use when necessary.”
We leaned forward, waiting to hear her next words.
“Always remember to make them think they’re in charge.” She smiled and laughed. “That’s the key. Don’t ever make them think otherwise. Love them hard, ladies. Smother them with your love. Be fierce when necessary and never back down. Once you give in, they’ll expect it always. When they won’t give you what you want, well, that’s when you deny them the thing they want most.” She paused, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Oh my God, Ma. I don’t even want to think about you and Pop having sex.” Izzy stuck her finger in her mouth, pretending to gag.
Mia and I broke into a fit of laughter.
Mrs. G shook her head. “Deny them food, Izzy.” She laughed. “Your mind is always in the gutter, child.”
I couldn’t control myself. I sagged into the chair, hysterical, with tears streaming down my face. Izzy glared at her mother, unconvinced by her pearls of wisdom. Mia put her head down on the table, her body shaking from the giggles we’d all developed.
I sobered, sitting up in my chair and leaning my elbows on the table. “That won’t work for me, Ma. I don’t do the cooking. It’s hard to deny a man food when he does all the cooking.”
“Well then, you only have one other weapon.” She smiled, patting Izzy on the leg.
“For the love of God, Ma. Really. My ears are going to explode and I’ll never be able to have sex again if you keep talking.” Izzy closed her eyes, rubbing her fingers roughly against her skin. “No more. I can’t listen.”
“Izzy, dear. I was going to say that Suzy shouldn’t snuggle with Joey. Snuggle, Izzy.”
“Snuggle?” Izzy looked at her ma with wide eyes. “Really? Who the hell snuggles?”
My laughter returned, worse than before. Izzy and Mrs. G were the cutest two people I knew. I could listen to them talk all day.
“All Gallo men snuggle, Izzy,” Mrs. G stated calmly and matter-of-factly.
“Bullshit,” Izzy coughed. “Suzy?” She looked at me for confirmation.
“I’m sorry to blow the image you have of your brother, but he loves to snuggle. He’ll never use those words, but there’s not a night that goes by that I’m not required to fall asleep in his arms.”
>
“You’ve ruined the image I have of my brother being the big bad wolf.” She shook her head, turning her attention to Mia. “Michael too?”
Mia nodded. “Yep, but there’s no place I’d rather be. I feel so safe in his arms. He’s like an overgrown security blanket. I don’t think we’ve ever fallen asleep without our bodies being entangled.”
Izzy rubbed her forehead, looking to the floor. “My mind is blown. Jesus. I know there’s no way in hell Anthony is a snuggler. No goddamn way.” She shook her head and looked at her ma. “You did this to these men, Ma.”
“I snuggled them since the moment they were born, just like I did you. Even as little babies, their fingers would tangle in my hair, playing with the strands.”
“I’m not a snuggler,” Izzy interrupted, holding up her hand. “Never have been and never will be.”
“You will, my dear. When you find the right man.” Mrs. G swept her fingers across Izzy’s cheek, tilting her head and smiling. There was so much love between the two women, it radiated off of them.
“Nope. I like my space. I’ll never give in. Who knew I was really the one with the penis after all these years?” Izzy laughed, hitting the table.
“Don’t let the boys hear you say that,” I said, grinning at her.
“What are they going to do? Cuddle me to death?” she asked through her laughter, her body slipping from the chair in hysterics.
4
City
“Get your ass up and help, Sam. We aren’t done. You may think you’re a guest, but you help like the rest of us. Earn your meal, friend,” I bit out, trying to hide my obvious dislike of the man.
He sat at the table like a king, watching us as we cleared the table and started to clean up dinner. “Really? Izzy said I was a guest.”
I walked over and leaned over the table so only he could hear. “I don’t give a fuck what Izzy said. This is my house and you ate my food. Get your fuckin’ ass up and help.”
“I knew you were a prick,” Sam said as he stood, grinning. “I don’t remember your mother treating a guest like this in her home.”
“I’m not my mother and I don’t like you. Never have and sure as fuck never will.” I leaned farther across the table, coming eye to eye with him.
“What the fuck did I ever do to you?” Sam glared, not breaking eye contact.
“I don’t like you being with my sister. It’s that simple.”
“Izzy and I aren’t together.” He crossed his arms.
“I don’t give a shit what you say. I don’t like her even being near you. You’re trouble, Sam.”
“I’m not trouble, Joe. You know me. I’ve never done shit wrong.” He walked around the table, coming to face me without a barrier.
“I know you’re prospecting with the Sun Devils. They don’t play games, Sam. They’re the real deal. I don’t want my sister involved in their bullshit.” I snarled, fisting my hands at my side.
“They’re good guys, Joe. I never take your sister around them. She and I spend time together when I come to town to see my parents or go on a run. Nothing more than that.” His eyes softened as he stared at me; the glare had vanished. “I’d never hurt your sister. We’ve been friends since we were little kids. She’d kick my ass anyway. I mean, seriously, Joe, your sister doesn’t take anyone’s shit.”
I shook my head as I laughed. “Good, Sam. Remember that. If she doesn’t get ya, I sure as fuck will.” I placed my hand on his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. “There’s a whole line of Gallo men that have my back. Don’t get her involved in that MC, you hear me?” I raised an eyebrow as my laughter vanished.
“I got ya, man. Your sister is the only girl that has ever earned my respect. I would never do anything to endanger her,” he said as he held out his hand to me.
I stared at him, trying to judge his sincerity. “I’m going to hold you to your word, Sam.” I gripped his hand, squeezing it between my fingers, letting him know that I could easily overpower him.
A hand landed on my shoulder as Michael said, “What’s going on over here? While you two ladies chitchat, the real men are doing all the work.” He looked at Sam before turning to me.
I smiled, increasing my grip on Sam’s hand. “We’re done, Mike. Just having a little heart-to-heart about Izzy.”
Sam gritted his teeth and tried to pull his hand away. “I got it, guys. I’ll treat your sister right.”
“Damn right you will,” Michael said, taking a step forward.
“What the fuck? I’ve never done anything to her.”
“Keep it that way, Sam, and we won’t have an issue,” Michael said.
“Boys, get your asses over here and clean some shit. Football’s on and I’m not going to miss the game. Move it,” Pop yelled, causing us all to turn.
“Coming, Pop,” Michael said over his shoulder. “Let’s go. I think Sam has a clear enough picture of what’s at stake.”
“I do.” He nodded, shaking out his hand after I released it.
I grabbed the remote, turning up the volume on the football game that was just about to kick off. We finished clearing the table, loaded the dishwasher, and polished off the pots and pans while we listened to the game.
Just as I put the last pot away, the girls walked back down the stairs. Their laughter filled the space, overpowering the sports announcer on the television. The guys had piled into the living room, making themselves at home on the couch.
I captured Suzy’s wrist, pulling her against my chest. “What’s so funny, sugar?” I asked, rubbing my nose against her temple.
“Just girl stuff. Did you boys have fun?” she asked, staring up at me, tears hanging in her eyes.
“You okay? You look like you’ve been crying.” I swept my fingers underneath her eyes, catching a single tear.
“We were laughing so hard, City. I love them so much.” She beamed.
“I don’t think I want to know what you girls were talking about. They love you just as much, Suzy. You’re family now.” I pulled her chin up, brushing my lips against her tender skin.
She closed her eyes, parting her mouth for me. My dick twitched, wanting to be inside of that pretty little mouth again. Grabbing the nape of her neck, I held her in place, claiming her mouth. The feel of her soft lips on mine drove me closer to the edge. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and run upstairs for a quickie. She acquiesced, giving herself to me with her mouth as she snaked her arms around my body. My dick throbbed in my pants; the blowjob earlier wasn’t enough to dull the constant ache I felt when near her.
Placing her hand on my chest, she pushed gently. “City,” she said breathily against my lips. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking back the haze. “Later. Your family is here.”
“I don’t give a fuck. They won’t notice if we disappear for a few minutes. I need to taste you, sugar. I need to sink my cock in you so deep that my balls slap against your clit until you scream.” I held her in place, staring in her eyes, watching them dilate.
“Okay,” she whispered, scrubbing her hands across my chest.
I looked over her head at my family sitting in front of the television. “Come on, let’s sneak upstairs.” I released her neck, putting her hand in mine, and pulled her toward the stairs.
“Shouldn’t we say something?” she asked, looking back at them.
“No, they won’t notice, I’ll be fast.” I winked at her as we walked up the stairs.
“We’ve gone over this. You’re never fast.”
I reached down, picking her up from under her arms and tossing her over my shoulder. She squealed and giggled.
“Everything okay in there?” Ma yelled.
“Perfect, Ma. Be right back,” I yelled down the stairs.
“You’ve given us away.”
I swatted Suzy’s ass. “Now I have to be quick. Fuck.”
She wiggled and laughed, grabbing my ass as I rounded the corner to our bedroom. Kicking the door closed, I released my grip, letting her body slide down
mine. Her soft to my hard. I wasn’t in the mood to take her gently. She wasn’t my bride-to-be in this moment. She was mine, and mine to use.
“I don’t think—” she started to say as I placed my finger against her lips.
“No talking.” I shook my head, claiming her lips as I unzipped my jeans. As she walked backward, her hands found the top of my jeans. She pulled them down at the sides; my dick sprang free, slapping against her arm.
She moaned in my mouth. “Jesus, babe. You’re so hard.”
“You did this to me walking around in that hot-ass sundress shaking your ass.” I reached under her dress, my eyes growing wide when I didn’t feel any panties. “What the fuck, sugar? No panties? You never go without,” I murmured against her lips, running my fingers through her wetness.
The silky smoothness of her cunt made my cock grow harder. The familiar ache that I’d been perpetually blessed with since meeting Suzy was almost too much to bear at times.
She rubbed her pussy against my palm. “Please, City. I need to feel you.” Her eyes fluttered, her breathing turning harsh.
Grabbing her by the waist, I spun her around to face the bed. “On your stomach, hands on the bed, sugar.”
She smiled over her shoulder, her cheeks turning pink. “City, everyone’s downstairs. They may hear or come looking for us.” She placed her palms against the crisp white down comforter.
“Then you better bend over so we can be quick.” I smacked her ass and watched her jump.
She bent over as she rubbed her ass, bringing her sundress up her legs, showing me a hint of thigh. She planted her elbows flat against the mattress and stilled as my hand caressed her ass.
My dick twitched, screaming to sink into her. I grabbed it, stroking the length as I hiked up her dress. Running my cock through her wetness, I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t be walking around with a hard-on for the rest of the night.
I pulled her hips up, lifting her slightly off the bed, my dick touching her opening.
“Wait.” Her body stiffened as she planted her face in the mattress.