Page 38 of Without Me (Men of Inked 5)
Well, she had that shit right. She’d get exactly what she wanted, but only after I had a few mind-blowing orgasms. Even though I hated shopping, I felt completely okay with it as I stood in Nordstrom.
“Would you like me to start a dressing room?” the salesman asked Max.
I stood there with my arm outstretched as I held at least ten hangers of clothes that didn’t look comfortable.
“Yes please.” She took the hangers from my arms and handed them to the man before he disappeared.
“Got enough?” I asked, hoping that her answer would be yes.
“Nope. Only a few more things.”
I sighed and followed her to the next rack that held Armani suits. “What do I need a suit for?”
She paid no attention to me as she looked through the jackets.
“Do you just want to torture me?” I whined.
“It’s for the rehearsal dinner.”
She pulled the wedding card and she knew damn well I wouldn’t argue. “Okay,” I answered and felt completely pussy-whipped. “Can I wear a fedora?”
She stopped dead and gawked at me. “You can’t be serious.”
I nodded with my mouth set in a firm line. “Dead serious, woman.”
“No hats.”
“I heard they’re in style.”
“Where? In the Rolling Stone?”
“I think I look good in hats.”
“This is my show, buddy. I say no hats. Especially for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Wedding?”
“No,” she snapped.
“Bossy.”
“Cocky.”
“Hey, Max, if you’re really good, we can christen that dressing room with all my cockiness.”
She laid her hand on my chest and brought her lips within an inch of mine. “You are not going to derail today with sex.”
“Think of it as an accessory.”
“It’s not happening.”
“Killjoy.”
“I am, and that’s why you love me.” She gave me a quick peck before turning her attention back to the rack of suits that cost more than I’d spent on my entire wardrobe to date.
“Yeah, that must be it. It wouldn’t have anything to do with your amazing body and tight pussy. It was entirely your sparkling personality that made me fall in love.”
“Anthony.”
I could see her smile from the side profile as I watched her in her glory. “You owe me big for today.”
“You owe me big for being your wife.”
“Anal, baby.” I laughed as she hit me on the chest.
I couldn’t be a happier man.
This magnificent creature before me was going to be mine. Even with my bad sense of style—her words, not mine—and my checkered past, she still loved me. On paper we didn’t work. White boy with tattoos and a total asshole and a black girl with a chip on her shoulder.
Hell, sometimes I wondered how we got to the point where she was my fiancée. But when my assholishness met her feisty attitude, everything clicked together.
Honestly, I was drawn to her since she was the only female who hadn’t thrown themselves at me. I had to work for her love. Shit, I had to work just to get her name.
I felt completely at peace and excited to see what the future held for us. I felt like I was starting life over again. Now I looked forward to each day with an open heart and a good woman by my side.
Maxine Washington was mine, along with an Armani suit and about twenty other pieces of clothing by people I’d never heard of. My life overfloweth.
18
Celebrate Good Times
“We’re so sad you couldn’t make it to girls’ night out last week,” Izzy told Max as we slid into the booth along the back wall.
Max smiled at Izzy. “Yeah?”
“It wasn’t the same without you,” Suzy added, sitting in a chair across from Izzy.
After Max couldn’t make it to girls’ night out because of some work event, which I found a way to skip, we decided to get together as a group. Everyone came. Max’s brother brought Brenda and all the Gallos, including James. My parents agreed to watch Gigi for the night so we could have a celebration.
On one side of the table sat Izzy, James, Denzel, Brenda, Max, and myself. In the chairs across from us were Mike, Mia, Thomas, Angel, Suzy, and Joe. Malia and Nita took opposite ends of the table for “maximum view,” as they liked to call it.
“I’m just glad Suzy could make it out again,” Max said as she brushed Suzy’s long blond hair away from her shoulder.
Max had grown close to the girls over the last months or so. They rallied around her through text messages, phone calls, and lunch while we were waiting for her results and even afterward. I could never thank them enough for everything they did to make her feel welcome and like a member of the family, especially after the results were given to us.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I swear that baby is going to be the death of me.”
“Sugar, you’re the best mother in the world,” Joe said before giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Enough of me whining, we’re here to celebrate. Champagne?” Suzy asked with raised eyebrows.
“Yes!” I said as I slammed my open palm down on the table. “Wait. Can you drink while breastfeeding?”
She laughed and shook her head. “Technically no, but I have a stock pile of breast milk saved for occasions just like this.”
“Really?” Mike asked as he blanched. “That’s just so…”
“Responsible,” Mia added before he could finish his statement.
“How does that work exactly?” I asked, trying to visualize how the milk goes from breast to bottle. “I mean, do you milk yourself by hand?”
“Oh, Jesus,” Mia said, slapping her forehead as everyone groaned.
“You are not that dense.” Thomas shook his head.
“Yo!” I yelled, pointing at myself. “I know nothing about babies. Women, yes. Breasts, yes. Milking, um, no.”
“It’s okay, Anthony.” Suzy laughed, reaching across Max to touch my hand. “There’s a machine that pumps the milk out.”
I scratched my chin, trying to picture it. “Does it look like the breast pumps I can get at Todd Couples Superstore? You know those ones you can use,” I said as I pretended to attach them to my chest, “to get your kink on while you’re eating—” A hard slap to the back of my head stopped me. I glared at Joe, knowing exactly where that hand came from.
“Just stop.”
“You’ve turned into a prude fucker, Joe,” I spat.
“Yep, they’re almost exactly like that,” Suzy replied as she swatted Joe’s arm. “Be nice to him.”
“Why?” he growled, peering down at her. “He says dumb shit.”
“He’s curious, baby.” Suzy patted his arm before looking over at me. “They aren’t as fun as the ones you’re talking about, though, Anthony. Your brother can attest to that.” Suzy broke into laughter.
“I don’t want to know, Suzy,” I said as I blanched. “I like to think of you as an angel.” I smiled as she blushed.
“What a crock of horseshit,” Izzy declared. “Suzy is one of the dirtiest bitches out there.”
“Am not,” Suzy said.
“Are too,” Mia agreed, and threw a sugar packet at Suzy.
“Izzy, shall we discuss your necklace?” Suzy asked as she raised one eyebrow and gave Izzy a cocky grin.
“No!” Izzy snapped with wide eyes.
“What’s she talking about?” Thomas asked, looking between James and Izzy.
“Nothing,” Izzy said without giving James a chance to respond.
“I’m not stupid. I know James too well,” Thomas said as he mouthed “we’re going to talk later” to James, who gave him a nod.
“Why do I always think I’m missing something?” I asked Max.
“It’s okay, babe. I’ll tell you about it later,” she whispered, and kissed my lips.
