Maneuver (Men of Inked: Southside Book 1)

by Chelle Bliss

  “I let her blow me.” He smirks.

  “Today her ass would end up in jail.” Daphne turns toward Delilah, already a little hot under the collar. “Go.” She waves her hand.

  “I speak three languages, I met Brad Pitt, and I was once arrested.”

  “Shut the fuck up, you met Brad Pitt?” Daphne says quickly with wide eyes. “Tell me everything.”

  Delilah laughs and pushes Daphne’s drink in front of her. “Drink up.”

  “Fuck. Seriously?” Daphne’s lip snarls as she takes the shot glass. “What the hell were you arrested for?”

  I’m just as shocked as everyone to hear the news. I never pegged Delilah for someone with an arrest record. I’d been booked into County more than once, but I was a minor and had a bad temper.

  “Public nudity.” Delilah smiles.

  There’s not a sound in the room, and everyone’s staring at the prim and proper Delilah Miles.

  “You can’t just say that and not explain,” I tell Delilah, and I am fascinated once again by my girl.

  The entire table is just as interested as I am. We all have our opinions on Delilah, and so far, every single thing we assumed about her has been wrong.

  “It’s no big deal. It was freshman year in college, pledge week.” Delilah sits up straight and twists the shot glass between her fingertips. “The sisters in the sorority thought I was a stuck-up prude.”

  “Shocking.” Michelle giggles.

  “Shut it,” Delilah tells her like she’s been here for years. As far as I can tell, the girls bonded the night they went out, but thankfully, Carmen and Colleen haven’t decided to come around. “Anyway, as part of my initiation, I had to run across the football field naked during warmups.”

  “Impressive.” Daphne waggles her eyebrows. “Never knew you had it in you.”

  “I hadn’t planned on the security guards practically tackling me on the fifty-yard line and being hauled out of the stadium in handcuffs.”

  Daphne downs the shot and clears her throat, not bothering with the lemon or sugar. “Okay.” She pauses, and I can almost see the wheels spinning in her head. “I once puked on a guy in the middle of having sex, I’ve never seen The Notebook, and I hate when guys call me baby.”

  I rub my hand down my face, hating everything about playing this game with my sister. The last thing I want to know about is her sex life. I like to pretend she’s celibate, preferring to live like a nun than the wild child she’s always been.

  “Easy,” Michelle says as she starts to laugh. “You’ve never seen The Notebook.”

  “You’re not allowed to play when it’s my turn,” Daphne tells her, pointing her skinny little finger in Michelle’s face. “You know all my secrets.”

  “Wait, you puked on someone while you were doing it?” Delilah’s mouth is hanging open.

  “Move on. I’ll go,” I say because I’ve learned way too much already, and I don’t want the gory details.

  “I once danced for money, I’ve never done drugs, and I have never lied to Ma.”

  “What about me?” Ma says as she walks down the staircase, scaring the shit out of all of us.

  “Lucio says he’s never lied to you,” Angelo tells her, throwing his hand in my direction.

  “That’s some bullshit,” Ma says, ending my round of Two Truths and a Lie.

  “You dance?” Delilah’s eyes light up as she looks at me. “Like a stripper?”

  “Don’t lie, man. You did that shit more than once.” Angelo’s so quick to throw me under the bus.

  “I was young.”

  Delilah squeezes my leg and winks. “I want to see your act later.”

  “Baby.” I lean over and touch her cheek. “I’ll show you what I got anytime.”

  “I’m gagging,” Daphne says and pretends to hurl on the floor next to her.

  “I’m done. I want to get Lulu home and my girls to bed.” I stand and hold my hand out for Delilah.

  “Damn, I wanted to play,” Ma tells me, giving me puppy-dog eyes like they’re going to work on me.

  “I’m already scared enough after tonight. My heart can’t take much more.” Delilah’s laughing as she takes my hand, and I help her up. “You guys play. I’m sure it’ll be enlightening.”

  “Nope. I gotta go. I have a date,” Daphne says suddenly.

  “Me too,” Angelo stands, and so does Michelle, leaving Ma sitting there alone.

  “One o’clock tomorrow. Don’t be late,” Ma calls out as we head in opposite directions.

  “I’ll grab Lulu. Wait down here for me,” I tell Delilah before kissing her on the lips.

  I’m halfway up the stairs when I hear my mom tell Delilah, “Once when I was younger and much more flexible, Santino would…”

  I cover my ears, taking the steps faster because no way in hell do I want to hear the rest of that sentence. There’s such a thing as too much information, and tonight, I’ve already hit my limit.

  21

  Delilah

  I’m towel-drying my hair, sitting on the edge of the bed when the music starts. I’m barely awake, not having had nearly enough coffee to be coherent or energetic for a Monday morning.

  Lucio comes sliding into the room, wearing a pair of black athletic pants, a white tank top, and a baseball cap. My mouth waters the moment I see him, and suddenly my hair isn’t so important.

  I’d know the song anywhere. It’s the theme song from Magic Mike, and based on the way he’s moving his hips, he knows the routine by heart.

  I’m mesmerized as he turns his baseball cap around, exposing his beautiful face and deep green eyes. His gaze meets mine, and my stomach flutters. All I can do is sit here, watching him as he dances around the room, thrusting his dreamy cock in my direction.

  I reach out, trying to grab a hold of his waistband, but he pushes my hands away and waves his fingers in my face, telling me no.

  He turns his back to me, teasing me as he slowly lifts his shirt over his head. The muscles of his back ripple, moving to the beat of the music. I’m impressed by his ability to control his body the way he does. Sometimes I can barely walk in a straight line, but he has such control, I’m envious and totally turned on.

  “Take it all off,” I say, careful not to scream too loud because Lulu’s still asleep. “Show me whatcha got.”

  He spins with his feet together, running his hand down his abdomen as the muscles of his arm flex and become more defined. When he grabs his crotch, I almost slide off the bed, so turned on I want to throw myself at his feet and beg for his cock.

  But then he jumps on the bed, placing his feet on both sides of me and grinds his dick in my face. I bite through the thin material, teasing him as much as he’s teasing me.

  I can imagine him doing this in a room full of women, the money flying in his direction because he’s that damn good and so freaking sexy. I grab his ass and try to pull his pants down, but he’s off the bed, dancing again before I have a chance.

  But I’m not in the mood to play fair. I pull my robe open, exposing my breasts, and palm one in my hand. His eyes are locked on my movement, watching as I swipe my thumb across my nipple. His dancing slows a bit when I open my legs and slide my other hand down, running my fingers through my wetness.

  He moves toward me and pushes me backward, dancing his way between my legs. I watch down the length of my naked body as he twists down to his knees, bringing his beautiful, lush licks right to where I ache the most.

  I close my eyes as his tongue runs over my clit, sending waves of pleasure through my entire body. My fingers close around the comforter, balling the material in my palms as he lifts my thighs over his shoulders and closes his lips around my clit.

  I cry out, loving every second of the way he loves me with his mouth. He’s an expert and has learned my body so quickly, but I’m not surprised since I’m not a quiet lover.

  When he moans, matching my own, the vibration joins his tongue in delivering a one-two punch. The orgasm comes quickly, way f
aster than either of us expects, especially me. The air in my body vanishes, and my toes curl along with my legs, burying his face in my pussy. I grind against him, smothering him, but he doesn’t seem to mind as he sucks harder. The waves crash over me like a thunderstorm rolling through a mountain valley, overshadowing everything in sight.

  “Fucckkkkk,” I moan, sucking in a breath as my head spins. “That was so…”

  “Amazing and the best you’ve ever had,” he says with a smirk, before running his tongue across his lips, taking in every last drop I gave him.

  He tries to help me up, but I push him down and mount him. “That was quite the performance,” I tell him as I rub my pussy against him with only his pants separating us.

  He smirks, showing off his stunning white teeth against his tanned skin. “Which parts?”

  He’s cocky, but damn if he hasn’t earned the right to be. “All. Of. It.” Leaning forward, I lick his lips, tasting myself.

  “But the tongue…”

  “That’s my favorite, but…” I pause and slide down his body. “I think I like this part best.” Putting my hand over his cock, I stroke his hard length through the material.

  He moans, lifting his ass off the bed just like I do when he licks my pussy. As soon as I pull down the waistband of his pants, his cock springs free, moving through the air as if it’s greeting me.

  “It’s still so fucking pretty. No cock should be this hot,” I say, grabbing it with my hand and staring at it.

  “None are,” he tells me. “Show me how much you like it.”

  My tongue flicks the piercing, and I’m just about to close my lips around the tip when Lulu starts crying. Lucio’s entire body tenses, and I freeze, praying she’ll fall back asleep. But we both know it’s not going to happen.

  “I’ll go,” he says, pulling me up his body and tossing me onto the bed next to where he just lay. “But you’re finishing this later.”

  “Naptime can’t come soon enough,” I say through my laughter.

  I almost feel bad for him as he pulls his pants up, trying to jam his hard cock underneath the thin fabric. The material does nothing to contain his erection as he stalks out of the room like he has a third arm.

  I roll off the bed, closing my robe as I climb to my feet, and I remember there’s no time for me to finish what I just started because I have an appointment with an attorney this afternoon.

  As promised, Dwight was given paperwork to sign, revoking his parental rights and any future ties to Lulu. After today, there’s no reason for me ever to see him again.

  Someday, when Lulu’s older and has questions, I’ll tell her what I can without making her feel bad. I know this is what’s best not only for her, but me too.

  “Baby.”

  Lucio lifts Lulu into his arms like he’s been doing it since the day she was born. The way he holds her makes my heart skip a beat. He’s so tender and gentle even though he’s large and covered in muscle.

  “Don’t forget I have to go to the lawyer’s today.”

  “I’m coming,” he says as he rubs Lulu’s back, trying to quiet her tears.

  “You don’t have to. I’m sure you have things to do.”

  “Delilah.” He gives me that look. The one that says I’m being crazy. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with my girls.”

  He always includes Lulu. It’s not just about me anymore, and Lucio somehow respects and embraces both of us.

  “Okay,” I tell him, wrapping my arm around his back and leaning forward to kiss Lulu. “I want you to come with me more than anything.”

  “Hey.” He pauses, waiting for me to look at him. “You’ll never have to go through anything else alone. I’m here and not going anywhere.”

  I’d say thank you, but the words don’t seem adequate enough for how I feel. I’ve never truly had someone I could depend on who didn’t let me down. Lucio’s only been in my life a short time, but I can’t imagine ever being alone again.

  22

  Lucio

  “Sal,” I say, shaking his hand as we walk into his office.

  “Looking good, man.” Sal takes a step back and stares at me. “It must be because of this beautiful lady.”

  Delilah blushes and smiles, but when Sal reaches out and sweeps his finger down Lulu’s pudgy cheek, she laughs.

  “Of course, I’m talking about you, Ms. Miles, but I know Lucio’s fondness for little Lulu too.” He motions toward the small table near the window. “Sit, please.”

  “Thank you for taking this case so quickly.” Delilah walks at my side, holding my hand. I pull out the chair for her, being a gentleman, and wait for her to sit before I take the seat next to her.

  “Anything Lucio ever needs, I’m always there for him.”

  Delilah looks at me and places her hand over mine. “I don’t know what I did to deserve him.”

  “I think you have it backward, sweetheart. I’m the lucky one here.”

  Sal’s watching me with a funny look. We go way back, and he knows my past better than anyone. Neither of us is innocent. We did some pretty dumb shit as kids, but somehow, he went to law school and passed the bar even though I never would’ve guessed he was smart enough. I guess he hid his intelligence and learned to fit in, because on the South Side, in our neighborhood, muscles beat out smarts every day of the week.

  “Did you have any trouble with Mr. Jones?” Delilah asks as she turns to face Sal.

  “None.” Sal shakes his head. “I called him, and he came into the office the same day to sign the paperwork.”

  “Not surprising. The bastard.” Delilah whispers the last part and covers her mouth, trying to hide her disgust.

  “He understood that he’d lose if the case was brought in front of a judge. He abandoned you and your daughter.” Sal slides a manila folder in front of Delilah, and she takes it. “He may have been able to get supervised visitation, but he’d have to start paying child support immediately.”

  “He’s too cheap to part with his money. Even for his daughter.” Her hand’s lying on top of the folder with her and Lulu’s names written in black ink on the front. “So, it’s done?” she asks.

  “You just need to sign the paperwork too, and I’ll file it with the court.”

  She peels back the cover and studies the first page before flipping to the end where Dwight has already signed.

  Sal sets a pen down in front of her. “Do you need a moment alone?” he asks.

  “No,” she says, waving her hand before snatching the pen off the table. “There’s no sadness in my heart. No regret about doing this. He doesn’t deserve to be her father even if it’s only on paper.” Delilah scribbles her name next to Dwight’s, almost stabbing the dot over the “i” in her last name. She drops the pen and pushes the entire folder back toward Sal. “How long until it’s final?”

  “The courts are slow and backlogged, but it should only take a few weeks.”

  “Perfect.”

  I turn to Delilah and grab her hand. “I want to ask you something,” I say, and her eyes widen. “Not that.”

  I wasn’t too smooth with that sentence. If I were going to ask her to marry me, it sure as hell wouldn’t be in Sal’s office.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” she says quickly.

  “I love Lulu.”

  “She adores you.”

  “What do you think if I…” God, I’m about to say words I thought would never come out of my mouth, and my stomach is knotting and my pulse quickens. “What do you think if I adopt Lulu?”

  Delilah only blinks as her lips part, and she stares at me. I’m not sure she quite heard me right because she doesn’t say anything right away. Her lips move, but no words come out.

  “She needs a daddy, sweetheart. I want to be that for her. I love her like she’s my own and never want her to think she wasn’t wanted.”

  “Wait.” Delilah turns a little more in her chair, and I can already see the tears forming in her eyes. “Y
ou want to adopt her?” she repeats like she really didn’t believe the words I just said.

  “Yes.” I nod, squeezing her fingers between mine. “More than anything in the world.”

  “You want to be her father?” A tear runs down Delilah’s cheek as she blinks. “Like, forever?”

  “It usually works that way.”

  I know this is a huge step and she might tell me I’m completely insane and refuse to let me adopt Lulu, but I have to try.

  “I had a long talk with my ma. She agrees with me on this. We all want Lulu to be part of our family forever.”

  “I don’t know what to say,” she whispers, and more tears start to fall.

  I brush away the tears with the back of my hand before resting my palm against her cheek, cradling her face. “I’ve never loved anyone like I love you, Delilah. But Lulu, she has me wrapped around her little finger. I want her to be mine. If you say no, I’ll understand, but I…”

  I don’t get the next words out before Delilah’s mouth is on me. Her hands come to my face, and she peppers me with kisses. The tears haven’t stopped. She’s crying harder than before, but she’s happy.

  “Yes!” she exclaims, causing Lulu to jump in my arms and scream for a moment.

  “You sure?” I ask between kisses.

  “You’re already an amazing father to her, Lucio. Better than my own ever was to me, and more of a man than Dwight will ever be. Lulu would be lucky to have such a wonderful man as her daddy.”

  “Sal,” I say, peering over at him without turning. Delilah’s still attached to my face, kissing me a dozen times. “Draw up the papers.”

  Sal nods and claps his hands loudly, and Lulu cries this time, startled by all the excitement in the room.

  Delilah takes her from my arms and hugs her tightly. “You have a daddy now,” she tells her, and I almost choke up.

  “As soon as this form is accepted by the court, I’ll start official adoption proceedings.” He nods and is all smiles. “One more thing,” Sal says and pulls another folder off his desk. “Lucio told me about your father, and as a personal favor, I sent him a letter to restore the money he removed from your account.”