by Chelle Bliss
If Gigi wasn’t scarred for life, I sure as fuck was.
It Takes a Village
Suzy
For years, Mrs. Gallo has been teaching me to cook. No matter how hard she tried and how much I practiced, nothing ever turned out the same way as hers. The night before the party, the girls decided to come over and help cook. Probably because they wanted to make sure everything would be edible for the guests.
The men promised to stay out of our hair and keep themselves busy. Not only did my brothers-in-law show up, but so did Morgan, Sam, and Frisco. They were going to discuss “man things,” whatever that meant. We were just happy they were going to stay out of our way while we cooked.
“How’s it going with Frisco around here all the time?” Mia asked while stirring together the dressing ingredients for the biggest bowl of macaroni salad I’d ever seen.
“Fine. He helps with the babies sometimes, but he mostly stays outside.”
“Yeah, Morgan too. Even at the clinic, he’s outside or in the waiting room. He has to be bored to death.”
“Right?” I asked as I uncorked another bottle of wine. “Hopefully, this ends soon so everyone can get back to their lives.”
“I kind of like it,” Izzy announced, grabbing the bottle from my hands.
I nudged her with my hip and took the bottle back. “That’s because they aren’t with you all day.” I filled my glass and handed it back to her. “James just comes home early from work. It’s different for you.”
“You’ve met James, right? Nothing about that man is easy.”
“It’s not a hardship when you have to spend more time with your husband.” Max rolled her eyes, pausing for a minute from chopping the cabbage for the homemade coleslaw.
“Um,” Izzy mumbled and raised her wineglass toward Max. “It’s James. It’s always a hardship.”
Max’s gaze flickered toward Izzy. “You married him, girl.”
Izzy’s lips pinched together when she crossed her arms in front of her chest and held the glass of wine near her lips. “He’s entirely too serious about this whole situation.”
“Rebel,” I muttered under my breath.
Izzy squeezed her eyes shut. “What’s your point?”
“The man did kidnap you and then—” I couldn’t finish the statement. I didn’t want to either. We all knew what happened to him. After they found him with Izzy, no one ever saw him again.
“I’d never let that happen again. Nothing is going to happen to any of us.” Izzy glanced around the room at each of us, her gaze bouncing from person to person.
“Sure. You’re right.” Angel nodded, giving Izzy a fake smile.
“You know, I’m the only one here who hasn’t been attacked by some crazy ass coming after our men,” I shook my head and grimaced. “Correction.” I swallowed at the memory. “I was never attacked by a crazy girl or for revenge. Derek was just a douche who didn’t realize that no meant no and then there was the guy at the Neon Cowboy.” My voice trailed off and I shivered.
Izzy tomahawk-chopped a carrot and seemed to enjoy it. “Fuckin’ prick should’ve lost his pecker.”
“Angel, Mia, and Izzy are the ones who have already gone through shit for their guys,” Max stated before she started to peel the carrots for the slaw.
“So that means we’re good. Once a lifetime is enough. It’s someone else’s turn this time.” Izzy took a sip of her wine with shaky hands before she picked up the knife again.
I placed my hand over hers. “Just relax a minute. We don’t need any fingers inside the macaroni salad, Iz.”
She nodded and cupped the wine in both hands. “I just can’t believe we’re going through this shit again. I thought everything was over with.”
“I’m sure Thomas, James, and the rest of the guys will get it sorted soon. No one likes living like this,” Angel added when she took a seat next to Max at the table. “They work night and day at trying to track them down. Everyone wants it over, especially Thomas, James, and Sam.”
“Do they have a plan?” Mia asked before dumping the pasta into the mayonnaise mixture she had finished stirring.
Angel pushed her red hair behind her shoulders and grinned. “They do. They don’t share anything with me, but I still hear their conversations.”
Max placed the peeler on the table and smiled at Angel. “You mean you eavesdrop.”
Angel shrugged. “Same thing.”
Everyone laughed.
“So what’s their plan?” Mia asked.
“I don’t think we’ll have another issue with them again.”
I swallowed, almost choking, because I knew what that meant. “That’s illegal.”
Izzy smacked my arm. “You’re such a goody-two-shoes. Do you think the people after them would stop to think if something is illegal, or would they just kill anyone without even a thought?”
“I know.” My hand stroked my throat as I tried to smooth down whatever had gotten lodged. “I just don’t like the sound of it.”
“It’s them or us, Suzy. I rather it be any one of us who comes out alive.”
“Who needs help in here?” James asked when he walked into the kitchen. Every set of eyes turned toward him.
“We’re good,” Izzy said and waved the knife in his direction.
“Hey, sugar,” Joe said, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
I tipped my head back and rested it on his chest. “Hey, baby. You guys done?”
“Yeah.” His hold tightened and he nuzzled his face into my neck. “We thought we’d help so everyone can get the kids and give my parents some time to rest.”
“Oh, please,” Max said and pulled the jar of mayo in front of her. “They’re happy with the babies there. Your ma is in her glory.”
The front door opened and closed before Thomas, Mike, and Anthony appeared in the kitchen. “Who needs help?” Anthony asked and shoved his phone in his back pocket. “Kids are good. I just texted Ma.”
“See?” Max smiled and jutted her chin out.
“What still needs to be done?” Thomas asked after he gave Angel a kiss.
“What did you guys decide?” Mia asked Mike after she wiped her mayo-covered hands on her apron.
“Nothing to worry your pretty little head about, babe.” Mike touched her cheek and cradled her face in his hands.
She punched him straight in the gut, but he didn’t even flinch. “Don’t treat me like I’m a little girl.” He kissed her lips, but she didn’t close her eyes or kiss him back.
Mike just shook his head and sighed. “We talked about how to handle security at the party tomorrow. That’s all, Mia. Everyone will be in one spot, and so we need to keep everybody safe.”
“We could move the party inside,” I offered because I hadn’t thought about how vulnerable it would make us to even have the party.
“No. We’re having the party. We have it covered.” Joe turned me in his arms. “No one wants us to change our lives because someone might be after one of us.”
I stared up into his beautiful baby blues. “But there’s no better reason, babe. Plus, we already changed our lives. I do have Frisco following me around all the time. Remember?”
“I do.” His fingers rested under my chin before he leaned forward. “I don’t like another man around you all the time. It’s my job to protect you.”
“I can protect myself.” I grinned.
“Not funny, Suzy.”
I pouted and rolled my eyes. “Well, why did you teach me to shoot if you don’t want me to use it?”
“It’s for when I can’t be here, princess.”
“Frisco,” I added and stood on my tiptoes, pretending I was going to kiss his lips. “He’s with me when you’re not.”
“Don’t get used to him being here. Soon this will be over, and he’ll be gone.”
“I kind of like having him around all day,” I teased, which earned me a pinch on the ass. I yelped, reaching back to smooth the spot. “You’re the only man I want
here all the time.”
“You two are making me ill,” Izzy said from across the room, throwing a piece of celery that hit me in the cheek.
I glared at her, picking the celery piece from my hair and throwing it back at her. “Says the girl who wears a leash.”
“Fuck,” Joe muttered and rubbed his face.
“You’re just jealous.” Izzy stuck her tongue out at me and laughed.
“I kind of am.”
“You’re all dirty whores,” Max added and wiped her hands on a towel. “Coleslaw is done.”
“Macaroni salad too.” Mia rolled out the tinfoil and placed it over the bowl before setting it in the fridge. “I think everything is done, actually.”
I couldn’t help but stare at them all. My family. Years ago, before I met Joe, I’d felt so lonely. I had a sister and parents, but I’d never been as close to them as I was to the people in this room. I never would’ve imagined I could have this in my life.
“Come on, baby. You can blow me on the way to get the kid,” Mike said, untying Mia’s apron before tossing it on the counter.
She peered up at him. “Why don’t you eat me and I’ll drive?”
He rubbed his chin and thought about it for a second. “Impossible.”
Mia’s eyes flicked upward. “Clearly, God is a man.”
Mike leaned forward and invaded her personal space. “I’ll make it worth your while when we get home.” Mike’s eyebrow rose.
Mia crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I want two.”
“Two? Isn’t that a bit greedy?”
Mia tapped her foot and glared at him.
“All right. All right. Two it is.”
“Good,” she said and pulled him by the shirt. “Let’s go, big boy. You’re going to have a busy night.”
“Two what?” Angel asked after the front door closed without even a good-bye.
I shrugged. “Whatever it is, I think I want two too.”
“Everyone out,” Joe said, waving his hands.
“Now?” Anthony asked and looked around the room.
“My woman wants two, and I plan to give them to her.”
“Two what?” I asked and turned to face him.
“Anything you want, sugar.”
“Hmm,” I rubbed my chin and thought carefully about my answer.
“We’re out.” James slapped Joe on the shoulder before smacking Izzy’s ass. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you blow me too.”
“Oh, fuck you. You’re not the boss of me, ol’ man.” Izzy laughed and walked toward the door quicker than usual.
“Want to repeat that?” James stalked toward her and picked up the pace.
“You can spank me later.” Izzy stopped briefly and wiggled her ass.
“Why couldn’t she be born a man?” Joe’s mouth turned downward.
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “The world couldn’t handle another male Gallo.”
“See you tomorrow,” Angel said as she walked past us.
“We’re out.” Thomas followed behind her, taking a second to wave at us before heading for the door.
“Have fun, you two,” Max said before the door closed.
We were alone. The girls were asleep. Most of the food was done for tomorrow, and the night was still young. “What do you want to do now?” I asked, burying my face in his shirt and moving my hands down to cover his ass.
He scooped me into his arms, and my legs wrapped around his waist. I yelped when the cold of the wooden table touched my butt. “I have a few ideas,” he said against my lips.
His hands slid up my thighs and under my dress. “I do love that you never seem to wear panties anymore.”
I nipped his lip, grabbing his bottom one between my teeth before soothing it with my tongue. “I was hoping the night would end like this.” My face heated, but it wasn’t from embarrassment.
Joe’s hands slid the tiny straps of my sundress down my shoulder, letting them rest around my elbows and exposing my breasts. His eyes sparkled and he licked his lips before leaning forward and taking one in his mouth.
My head fell backward, the sensation so strong that my eyes rolled back too. The grip I had on his biceps kept me upright while he moved between my breasts, taking his time with each one.
“Joe,” I moaned and wanted more. Needed it more than air.
His hands rested on my back. “Lie back,” he whispered against my nipple, sending an entirely different sensation through my body.
Using his hands, he helped lower my back to the table before getting on his knees. “I knew I liked this table for a reason.”
His hands looped around my legs and he dragged me forward. Before I could say anything, he put my knees on his shoulders and touched me with his mouth.
Anything that I was about to say vanished. The only thing I could think about was the feel of his tongue on me. Slowly, he kissed my flesh, teasing me without touching the spot I craved.
My fingers tangled in his dark locks and I pulled him closer, smashing myself against his face. “Just a little to the—”
Before I finished my sentence, he covered me with his mouth and shut me up with a simple flick. My entire body lurched forward and moved toward him. “Greedy pussy,” he muttered and I almost swallowed my tongue.
Intercourse was amazing, but there was nothing better than the feel of his mouth on me. The way he made love to my body, surrounded me with his warmth. I could lie here all night and let him worship my body this way.
His fingers stroked my opening while he sucked on my clit. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, he pushed two inside and I almost came.
As they glided in and out through my wetness, my legs tightened and my knees pressed against the sides of his head. I didn’t want him to move or for the feeling to end. He didn’t protest, but he became more determined. Licking the spot in the way I liked it most.
Within minutes, sweat covered my body and my fingernails dug into the tabletop so hard it became painful. My ankles locked, pulling him in farther and probably suffocating him in the process.
My back arched, my breathing hitched, and I saw stars. When my body ultimately flattened and I sucked in air as if I were the one being suffocated, my legs finally released their hold on him. He backed away, licking his lips with a very satisfied smile.
“So…” I gasped for air. “…good.”
“I’m not done yet, sugar,” he said, grabbing my body and flipping me onto my belly.
I was too weak to protest. Too spent from coming to even care.
The familiar sound of a zipper opening filled the room. “Let’s go for number two.” He pushed inside of me just as my hands found the other side of the table, holding on to brace myself.
“I love your cock,” I said without hesitation. Even though I still didn’t swear too much in everyday life, I always did when we had sex. He liked it, and if I were being honest with myself, I did too.
“You want my cock inside of you?” He thrust deeper, grunting as he did.
“Deeper. Fuck me harder.” I smiled, catching our reflection in the window. His hand wrapped around my ponytail, pulling me against him as he pummeled me. “Just like that. More.”
His right hand gripped my hip, his fingers digging into my skin so roughly I’d probably bruise. I bit my lip, trying to stop myself from crying out from the pleasure. Because if Gigi woke up right now, neither of us would be happy.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the window. Watching him as he fucked me had to be, hands down, one of the sexiest things I’d ever seen. Seeing other people was a secret thrill I realized after being at the club, but being in on the act and watching it took it to another level.
Feeling the familiar build inside me, I stood on my tiptoes and pushed back, meeting him thrust for thrust. He grunted, releasing my hair and resting his hand on my shoulder. He held me against him as his body bumped into mine, driving his cock deeper inside of me.
My body tightened and I couldn
’t hold out, letting myself spiral straight into orgasm number two. My mouth fell open, but no air entered my lungs as I watched him, transfixed as he followed me into bliss before collapsing onto my back.
“Daddy,” Gigi said from behind us. “Where’s Mommy?”
I almost died of embarrassment.
Joe stilled. “Go back to bed, Gig. Mommy will be there in a minute.”
She’d probably be scarred for life.
“Fuck,” I whispered.
“I can see Mommy’s feet. Is she okay?”
I peered around Joe and saw Gigi in her Frozen pajamas holding her favorite teddy bear and rubbing her eyes. “I’ll be right there, baby. Go upstairs. Daddy was just helping me.” I swallowed, panicking and dying a bit inside.
“I was helping your mom get the knot out of her hair.”
“Oh, okay,” she mumbled before turning around and heading toward the stairs.
My face met the table harder than I had planned. “Damn it.” I wanted to hide and never have to discuss this moment ever again. “What a nightmare.”
“It’s no big deal, sugar.”
“You can go to the school and explain it when she tells her teacher about what she saw.”
Joe laughed before pulling out of me. “I’m sure the teacher will understand. Shit happens.”
“Well, the principal already thinks we’re depraved.” I pushed myself off the table and adjusted my dress.
“She needs to get fucked.”
“Probably, but it doesn’t make it any easier.” I blew out a breath and glanced at the ceiling before heading toward Gigi, hopefully, not to explain what she just witnessed.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back against his chest. “I’ll handle the principal. You handle the kid.”
“Pussy,” I whispered when I collided with his chest, and I didn’t feel a bit dirty using the colorful language.
He laughed and rubbed his semi-erect dick against my belly. “Keep talking like that and we’re going for three.”
“That’s the last taste you’re getting until you get snipped.” I touched his face, running my fingers down his stubble.
“Why do you have to refer to it as snipped?”
“Just get it done.”
