Without Me (2 page)

When I glanced at Kitty, she was grinning and giving me the “I told ya so” look. For fuck’s sake, Candy had ruined any headway I’d made.

“You’re a total asshole, Anthony Gallo. Your voice sounded like shit tonight. I’m going to find someone with a dick bigger than a hot dog. You suck,” she hissed before she stormed off.

At that point, Kitty broke into hysterics. She covered her face with her hands and laughed and laughed.

“Hardy, har, har, Kitty,” I said, joining in on the laughter.

It was my curse in life that shit happened at the most inopportune time. Candy was the perfect case in point.

“She proved my point perfectly. You
are
an asshole.” She chuckled harder, enjoying herself and my misery.

“You’re wrong about me. I’ve been a jerk, but if I were a true asshole, I would’ve gone with Candy and left you here at the bar.”

Her laughter faltered at my response. In the old days, or maybe yesterday, I would’ve walked off with Candy. I would’ve taken her backstage, let her suck me off, and walked away a happy man.

“Well, you should’ve gone with her. She seems like a sure thing. I’m just trying to get through the next ten minutes and then I’m out. Forever.” She smiled, wiping the tears that had formed in her eyes.

“You’ll change your mind, Kitty Cat.” I smiled, moving the stool closer to her and sitting. “So, tell me why you’re so cold?”

“I’m not cold,” she said as she squared her shoulders in a defensive posture.

“Yes, you are. Why do you hate me so much?”

“I told you already. I’ve known too many men like you.”

“Maybe I’m different. Maybe I want to know you. You may be the one who changes my view on women.”

“That’s never going to happen. I’m not
the one.
” She shook her head and let her body relax.

“Kitty, throw me a bone here, woman. I’ve never had to try so hard before. Really, why do you hate me?”

“I don’t hate you. I just don’t have time for you, Tony.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re too busy with your career to fit me in?”

“I don’t have time in my life in general to fit you in. I don’t need the complication in my life. I have enough shit to deal with to listen to your bullshit for more than ten minutes. Life is too short to waste on relationships and men.”

“Whoa. Wait a minute. I never said anything about a relationship. Maybe we can be friends?”

“Not going to happen.”

“Why not?” I asked. I mean, what the fuck? Why couldn’t we be friends? In my version of friendship, I’d have her out of her panties, which I was sure were lace, in less than thirty minutes.

“I have enough friends. I don’t need more.”

“Everybody could use more friends.”

“I’m sure Candy could use one right now,” she sneered.

“Fuck Candy.”

“You have.” She burst into laughter again.

“Smartass,” I growled.

I brushed my fingertips down the top of her arm. Her skin did feel like silk. My eyes hadn’t betrayed me. Now that my hands were satisfied, I wanted to run my tongue along it and see if it tasted as I had imagined. It had to. It fucking had to.

“What are you doing?” she asked as she looked down at my hand, which was still touching hers as goose bumps covered her skin.

“Confirming something.”

“And that would be?”

“Seeing if you felt it too.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

As my hand moved back up her arm, I grazed her breast. She sucked in a breath. I had her. She could deny it all she wanted, but she wanted me. All the sass and bullshit coming out of her mouth was just talk. Her body couldn’t hide what she truly felt.

“Kitty,” I whispered, moving my face closer to hers. “Tell me you don’t feel it.”

“I don’t,” she replied, her eyes growing wider the closer I got.

“You don’t?” I asked as I hovered over her lips.

“I don’t.”

I gave her a quick kiss.

“And this?” I asked as I gave her another peck. “Or that?”

The third time I placed my lips on hers, I kept them there. Her breathing changed as her mouth molded to mine. After sliding my hand up her arm, I held her neck and swiped my thumb along her jaw line.

The taste of the alcohol on her lips mixed with her gloss made my mouth water. Maybe it was all in my head, but I wanted her more than I had ever wanted another thing in my life. I licked at the seam of her lips as she kissed me, begging for entrance. Surprisingly, she accepted, parting her lips and allowing entry.

The tiny victory made me happy. Out of all of my previous conquests, none of them had given me a greater sense of satisfaction than that moment with Kitty.

When she finally touched me, resting her hand on my forearm, I felt the spark ignite something inside me. The kiss had sizzled, but another connection, her reciprocating my touch, caused a detonation of tiny shocks across my entire body.

I had to have her.

I wouldn’t accept no for an answer.

Nothing would make me stop until I had her at least once.

As she squeezed my arm, my cock roared to life. The ache grew unbearable with each swipe of my tongue and her grip on my arm. When I finally pulled my mouth away from hers, she whispered, “Fuck.”

My work here was done. Even though she thought I was an asshole, she felt it too. She couldn’t deny it any longer. Her mouth could move, but she’d be feeding me lines of bullshit.

“You felt it.” I smiled, keeping my hand on her neck.

She didn’t try to detach herself from me as her eyes fluttered open and she looked at me—really looked at me. For the first time tonight, her eyes were soft.

“I can’t,” she replied, and averted her eyes.

“Kitty, you can’t say that after what you just felt, what I just felt.” I shook my head, tightening my grip on her neck. “I’ve never experienced that before with anyone. You can’t shut me out.”

Her hand moved away from my arm like I had just burned her. “I just can’t.” She pushed on my chest with both hands, trying to put distance between us.

“Why not?” I asked, ready to argue the point. I wasn’t going to allow her to give up that easily.

“Let me go,” she demanded, shoving me away.

“Kitty,” I begged, trying to keep our connection. “Please.”

“Get your hands off my damn sister!” a deep voice yelled from behind her.

I froze and peered over her shoulder. Fuck. Just what I didn’t need. A brother. A big brother. A brother brother. Not like “hey, man, this is my brother,” but “hey, this is my big-ass brother and he’s going to kick your white-boy ass.”

Goddamn it.

“I’m not going to say it again. Get your hands off Maxine. She asked you nicely to let her go, but I’m not going to be so damn kind.”

“Maxine?” I asked, finally learning her name, although it wasn’t the way I had wanted to hear it.

“Please let me go,” she insisted with tears in her eyes.

I stared at her, not liking that I had caused her distress. “Okay, man, but only because she asked and not you.” I released my hand, letting her move away.

She scurried out of my reach.

“Let’s get you home, Max,” he said to her.

Max. She had a tough name. It fit her perfectly. This couldn’t be the end. I didn’t want it to be. There was no way in hell I’d let her out of here without at least getting her phone number.

“Max,” I said, holding out my hand to her. “See me again?”

Before she could answer, her brother stepped between us. He was at least six inches taller than I was. He was a beast. He’d give any of my brothers a run for their money, but I’d never been a pussy. I never backed down from a fight. Hell, I’d thrown punches over small shit. Max was worth the risk.

“She doesn’t want anything to do with you,” he stated as he stared down at me.

“I think she can answer for herself,” I replied, moving into his personal space.

“Denzel,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. “Let’s just go.”

“Wait!” I yelled, not ready to say goodbye.

“Come on, Max. This fool isn’t worth your time and I don’t feel like spending the night in jail
again
for assault.”

Fuck me.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a Gallo. Although I wanted to fight him just to show that I was worthy, I knew it wasn’t the way. If some dickhead was fucking with Izzy, getting in a fistfight with any of my brothers wasn’t the way to win her heart. I couldn’t let my temper and need for her cloud my judgment.

“I’m ready,” she said as she reached for her purse.

I clenched my hands at my sides, and it took everything in me not to reach out to her.

Without another word, Max and Denzel turned and headed for the door.

“Turn and look at me,” I repeated over and over as I watched her stroll toward the exit. I held my breath, waiting for it.

Before she disappeared through the doorway, she turned and gave me one quick glance before vanishing in the shadow of her brother.

I sucked in a breath, feeling like I’d been hit by a ton of bricks. Never in my life had I experienced something so powerful. To have it ripped away from me so fast and without any warning hurt like hell.

This wasn’t the end.

It couldn’t be.

I wouldn’t give up on finding her again.

I needed to know her.

I craved her.

The feel of her skin, the way her mouth tasted—they’d left me wanting more. And I never gave up on something I wanted. Not without a fight.

I
spent
the next two Friday nights at the Ritz hoping to run into Max. Instead, I ran into Candy.

Again, I explained to her that I wasn’t interested. If Maxine walked in and saw me with Candy, everything would be shot to hell. Candy was a persistent little thing, but I did my best to rid myself of her.

On the third Friday night, I finished my drink and headed for the door. It was another night wasted, ending in failure. Tucking my hands in my pockets, I walked down the sidewalk toward the parking garage. Ybor City was busier than normal tonight. People lined the streets, filling the tiny café tables outside. The lights over the street twinkled, and there was energy to the area I’d often missed after a night of playing a gig. Usually, by the time I walked out of the Ritz, the only thing I cared about was getting home. I didn’t stop to take in my surroundings.

As I walked by the Corona King, something made me stop. When I turned toward the tables, I saw her.

Maxine was sitting toward the back, near the doors, nursing a beer. She didn’t see me as she was typing on her phone, oblivious to the world.

Staying out of her line of sight, I walked the outside edge of the tables and headed straight for her. It might have been my only chance to talk to her again. I wasn’t going to let it slip past me.

She didn’t notice my approach or that I stood behind her, watching her movements. Tonight, she wasn’t wearing a T-shirt—she had opted for jeans, heels, and a white off-the-shoulder top with lace sleeves. Her black, pin-straight hair was pulled back into a low ponytail that trailed down her back. She simply looked stunning, more beautiful than I remembered.

“Is this seat taken?”

Her body stilled, the furious typing on her screen ceasing. “It’s taken,” she replied without even a glance.

“What about the other two chairs at the table?” I wouldn’t give up that easily. I knew stubborn women, and eventually, I could wear away their steely veneer.

“Those are too.” She started to type on her phone again, pretending I wasn’t there.

“When your friends get here, I’ll get up,” I said as I pulled out the chair and made myself comfortable.

“For the love of God,” she muttered, closing her eyes as she set the phone on the table.

“I happened to be walking by and saw you sitting here alone. I had to stop and say hello. It would be rude of me not to.” I relaxed back in the chair, resting my elbow on the arm.

It took everything in me not to place a kiss on her luscious lips. Instead, I ran my finger across mine, trying to soothe the ache I felt.

“Did you just get done singing?” she asked, staring straight ahead. She still hadn’t looked at me. All progress I’d made the first night had vanished.

Shit.

“You noticed me,” I whispered, thrusting out my chest.

“What?” she asked, tearing at the label on her beer.

“You noticed me singing.”

“How could I not? You were screeching like a howler monkey.” She rolled her eyes.

“You’re a horrible liar, Max.” I loved the sound of her name. Although “Kitty Cat” would always hold a special place in my heart, Max sounded badass, and she was that and more.

I knew it.

One look at her and I had known she was the most interesting woman in the world. If nothing else, I needed to get to know her. I wouldn’t rest until I did.

“What was your name again?” she asked as she balled up the paper she’d torn off her beer bottle with her fingertips.

Normally, I’d have been wounded by a woman forgetting my name, but I wasn’t. She knew my name. I knew she did. She was fucking with me, pretending I wasn’t important enough to remember. But her body had once again betrayed her. As soon as she’d heard my voice, she’d frozen. Whether she admitted it or not, she remembered me.

“Why do you have to lie, Max? You know exactly who I am.” I dropped my hand from my face and drifted forward in the chair. Resting my hand on the table, I moved my fingers within centimeters of hers.

“I remember you’re an asshole.” She shrugged as she looked down. Even with her face partially hidden, I could see her smirk.

“See? You do remember me.” I chuckled, sliding my fingers closer to hers.

“Barely,” she lied. Then she lifted her head, giving her drink her full attention.

“Do you want another one?” I asked, noticing that her drink was almost gone.

“I’m good. I was just about to leave.”

“But I thought you had friends coming.”

“I do, but we’re going to go somewhere else.”

“Can I come?” I asked, knowing she’d say no, but I wouldn’t let her off the hook.

“No.”

“Can I get you a drink?” the waitress asked from the other side of the table.

“I’ll take whatever she’s having, and she’ll have another too,” I said, keeping my eyes locked on Max.

“I don’t want another drink,” she replied, finally bringing her eyes to mine.

“She’ll take another,” I said as I glanced at the waitress and nodded.

“Two drinks coming right up,” she said as she rocked on her feet before walking away.

“Anthony, listen—”

“You do remember me,” I interrupted her.

“Ugh,” she whispered, and blew out a puff of air. “I’m sure you’re not a total tool all the time, but I really don’t have time for you tonight.”

“Tomorrow, then.”

“Busy too.”

“I can wait.”

“I don’t have time for you ever.” She stared at me without blinking.

“You’re an amazing actress. Did you ever think about being in a movie?”

“What?” she asked as her face became distorted.

“You say things you don’t mean and make them very convincing. If I didn’t know how your mouth tasted and how your breathing changed as I touched you, I may have believed you.”

“Stop,” she pleaded, holding up her hand. “I can’t, Anthony.”

“Are you married?” I asked, looking at her hands but seeing nothing that resembled a wedding ring.

“No, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested.”

“I beg to differ.”

“You can beg all you want. The answer is still no.”

Before I could respond, the waitress set the beers on the table and asked if we wanted anything else. We both shooed her away, ready to duke it out. I needed to change her mind—or at least show her that she could try to deny what she felt but it was very much real.

“Max, who’s this?” a female voice asked behind Max.

Fuck. I guessed that part of her previous statement wasn’t a lie. She wasn’t going to be alone tonight, but I was all about crashing a party.

“No one important,” she sassed.

I jumped up from my seat, holding my hand out to the beautiful female across the table. “I’m Anthony, Max’s friend.”

She placed her palm in mine and fluttered her eyes as she soaked me in. “Hmmm. I’m Renita, but my friends call me Nita.”

I took the opportunity to lean forward and place a kiss on the top of her hand. “Nita, it’s great to finally meet a friend of Max’s.”

“Likewise. Max, where you been hiding this hunk?” Nita asked as she stared at me and licked her lips.

At least one female at the table didn’t have a problem showing exactly how they felt.

“Nita, I don’t know the man. He’s crazy. I told him I’m not interested.”

Nita sat down, resting her face in her palm. “This is going to be fun.” She batted her eyelashes.

“For the love of God,” Max whispered.

“Max likes to pretend we don’t know each other. But I know the feel of her pulse underneath my fingertips when I’m kissing her.” I smiled, glancing over at Max before turning my attention back to Nita.

Nita’s mouth gaped. “Fuck. That’s one of the sexiest things I’ve ever heard.”

“You need to get out more, Nita,” Max snapped, grabbing her beer and taking a drink.

“What can I get you to drink, Nita?” I had a feeling that, if I won her friends over, maybe—just maybe—I’d find an inroad to Max.

“Yes, I’d love a sangria.” She smiled as she stared at me.

“Coming right up. I’ll be right back,” I said as I pushed the chair back and left them behind.

I kept my eyes glued to the windows, watching them to make sure they didn’t vanish as I ordered Nita’s drink. When I returned to the table, they both stopped talking and stared at me.

“Miss me?” I asked as I set the drink in front of Nita.

“Yes.” Nita smiled and batted her eyelashes again.

Max coughed, and something like “traitor” left her mouth.

“So, what’s the plan tonight?” I asked, curious at what my evening would entail. When I’d thought all hope was lost, I’d stumbled upon her and found a new sense of purpose.

“Drinks and dancing,” Nita replied as she sipped her sangria.

“I’m tired. I think I want to just go home,” Max whined, twirling the beer in her hands.

“Don’t be such a pussy, Max,” Nita teased, glaring at Max.

“You’re both assholes.”

“She’s just a grouchy fuck. Don’t mind her. She’s been—”

“I’m just tired,” Max blurted out.

I stroked my chin, wondering what I’d missed. There was something Max clearly didn’t want me to know.

“She’s been what?” I asked.

“Nothing,” Nita said with wide eyes. Then she gulped her sangria and glanced away from me. “Is Malia coming?” she asked over the rim of her glass.

Max shrugged. “She’s supposed to be here already, but that girl is always late.”

“It’s fashionable to be late, and you know her, always being trendy,” Nita replied, still not making eye contact with me.

“Once she gets here, we’ll head to the club,” Max said before lifting the beer to her lips.

I wanted to be the bottle, feeling the softness of her lips as she pressed them to me. Reaching under the table, I had to adjust myself to not draw attention to the growing problem in my pants.

“Where are we headed?” I asked, feeling more hopeful with each passing moment.

“We’re going to Liquid, but you’re not,” Max replied, giving me a cold stare.

“Why not?” Whether she liked it or not, I was fucking going. There was no way I’d let her out of my sight now that I’d found her again.

Nita started to giggle, and Max laughed.

“What?”

“You don’t want to go there,” Nita answered, covering her mouth with her hand. “Unless you’re man enough to handle it.”

“I’m man enough to handle anything, Nita.” I smiled, puffing out my chest.

“It’s a gay bar.” Her entire face lit up as the corners of her mouth reached for her eyes.

Damn, she was beautiful—especially when she smiled.

“So?” I asked. I had always been comfortable in my sexuality. Men, especially gay ones, didn’t scare me. I had gay, straight, and bisexual friends—and a few I couldn’t classify.

“We wouldn’t want to threaten your manhood,” Max answered through her giggling.

“Kitty Cat, other men don’t threaten me.”

“What if they try to hit on you?” Nita asked, raising her eyebrow as her laughter died.

“I’m not worried about it, Nita. I can handle myself in any situation.”

“Somehow, I believe you,” she replied.

“Anthony, I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come,” Max stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Are you worried more men will hit on me than you, Max?” I asked playfully.

“We go to the gay bar so men
won’t
hit on us, Anthony. So no, I’m not worried.” Max smiled, thinking she had one-upped me.

“I’ll never understand women,” I mumbled, a little louder than I had intended.

Nita propped her hands on the table. “It’s like this, Anth. Can I call you Anth?” she asked, pausing for a second before continuing. “We go there because we don’t have to worry about being hit on. It’s nice to be able to drink with our friends and dance without having to worry about guys with grabby hands.”

“Yeah, you don’t need to worry about that at Liquid,” Max agreed.

I understood the logic, but that didn’t mean I agreed with it. Even in gay bars, there were men who went both ways. They weren’t as safe from “grabby” hands as they thought.

“I think Nita and Malia would rather have a girls-only night.” Max nodded toward Nita, giving her a death glare.

Nita waved her hand at Max and turned her attention toward me. “Malia and I would love for you to come.”

“Would you now?” I asked, raising my eyebrow and loving the playful nature of Nita.

“Uh huh,” she murmured as she came closer. “Max would never admit it, but she wants you to come too.” Then she lost it, bursting out into laughter as Max hit her in the arm.

“Shut the fuck up, Nita. I most certainly do not want him to come.” Max crossed her arms again as she slouched and stared at her legs.

“Looks like I’m getting here at the perfect time,” a woman said as she walked up to the empty chair.

“Please save me, Malia,” Max said as she stared up at the leggy female to my left.

“I’m Anthony,” I said as I hopped up from my seat and offered my hand.

Malia stepped back and looked me up and down. I felt her eyes appraising me with each passing sweep. “I don’t know who you are, but I’d sure like to find out more.” She slid her hand into mine.

“Any friend of Max’s is a friend of mine,” I said as I kissed her velvety skin and peered down at her.

“Fuck. I’ve already made it to ‘friends’ territory?” she asked as she glanced up at me.

“Max got me first. I’m hers and hers alone, ladies. Unless she wants to share.” I grinned, waiting for Max to chime in.

“Max?” Malia asked with a hopeful tone.

“You can have him,” Max shot back.

“She’s playing hard to get,” I responded, letting go of Malia’s hand and glancing at Max. “I’ve always loved a good chase.”

“It’s not a chase when I’m not running.”

“Girl, what is wrong with you? This fine-ass man wants to get to know you and you’re being rude,” Malia said as she sat down. “I need a drink to get through this night, I think. Ma’am.” She waved her hand at the waitress leaving the next table. “Vodka on the rocks, stat.”

“There’s nothing wrong with me, Malia. I just don’t have time to deal with a boy.”

“
Man
,” I said as I lifted my beer to my lips.

“But he’s a fine-looking man, Max. How could you say no to that?” Nita waved her hand in my direction, motioning up and down. “I mean, hell, I’d jump on him in a hot minute.”