2
Madilynn
That's my boss?I couldn't believe that tall, handsome man with the thick waves of black hair and dark, sultry eyes was the one I was going to be working for. He was my definition of sexy, with his wide shoulders and built body that wasn't hidden even underneath the dark, tailored suit that he wore.
Even after he'd left the office, I spent a minute staring at the door. How was I supposed to work and not get distracted with him around? He was hot as hell and I wasn't immune to that or the way he growled when Kevin stared at me a little too long.
I'd never really dated before. Mostly, I just didn't have the time, not when I was trying to keep a roof over my head and send money to my sister to help her take care of my nephew. No one knew why I was so desperate for a job, but my friend was close to Kevin, and she had pulled the strings to get me hired as a waitress.
Finally, I roused myself and stepped out of my clothes. For a moment, I had a crazy desire to take my time and get caught by Nico. I could already imagine the look that would cross his face and the way he'd grab me if he saw me undressed.
I shivered.What the hell am I thinking about?I'd never even slept with anyone before and I was having the dirtiest thoughts about Nico. I quickly snatched up a few packages and finally found my size before I redressed in the dark uniform that I'd been given.
I pulled my hair up into a tight ponytail and brushed the wisps that escaped away from my face. I had to stay focused on my job and what I needed to do. Daydreaming about a man that probably had so much money he didn't know what to do with it, wasn't going to do anything for me. He wouldn't want to deal with someone who barely had ten bucks to her name and more debt than a little. Not even I wanted to be in the situation that I was in.
"Madilynn, are you finished in there?" Nico asked from outside the door.
"Yes," I said quickly and collected up my clothes before I stuffed them into my bag. "You can come in."
The door opened and he ambled back through before he settled in behind his desk once more. I stole glances at him while he looked over my papers and then nodded. Everything was in order and my stomach was nervous all over again and not just because I was staring at his gorgeous face.
"So, I take it you have experience?" He asked as he glanced up at me.
"Yes," I nodded. "I've had a ton of jobs since I was a teenager. Waitressing is probably what I do best at this point. Besides, anything you guys do differently, I can learn." I stopped talking as I realized the desperate edge to my voice. "Do you think I don't have enough experience?"
"I was only curious," Nico said as he stood up and waved a hand to the door. "After you. I'll show you where you need to get started. I'm sure Kevin's buried by now."
"Thank you," I smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm excited to get started."
Having work again meant that I could do so much more in my life, especially working in a place likeAllora. It was more high class than any place I'd worked at before, but I knew how to adapt to situations quickly.
Nico showed me around the restaurant, and I was even more astonished than the first time since I’d only sat outside on the patio to fill out the application and do the interview. The kitchen was state of the art, with chrome everywhere and huge, new stoves. The dining room was even more impressive, the cream and red colors low key and romantic.
"This place is amazing," I breathed as I glanced around. "Did you design all of this yourself?"
"I did," he said as I saw the smile that touched his lips and I almost swooned. "This has been a dream of mine for years and now it's one of six that I have in the area."
"You have five more?" I asked surprised. "That's impressive. You don't even look that old."
Nico let out a chuckle. "I'm not! Do you think I have to be an old man to be successful?"
I grinned. "Hey, you could be fifty and just look incredibly good." I laughed and then quickly realized the words that had spilled from my mouth. "I mean, you know, uh..."
I can't believe I just said that out loud.I wanted to smack my hand against my forehead, but the way Nico grinned at me almost made it worth it. I had a feeling I was going to keep saying crazy things around him. How could I not, when he looked so amazing?
"This is Robin," he said as he introduced me to the head waitress, and she smiled at me. "She'll show you the ropes and make sure that you're doing what you need to get by. If you need me, don't hesitate to find me."
The way he spoke, sultry and low, made my heart race. I imagined him speaking to me in that low voice, his lips right against my ear and his teeth grazing my flesh. I shivered and promptly nodded at him since I couldn't seem to form words anymore. Nico smiled and walked off to speak to someone that looked almost like him, at another table.
"He must like you," Robin mused.
I jolted. "Why do you say that?"
"I don't think I've seen Mr. Rossi smile so much the whole time I've been here, and it's been three years since I joined up with him. That's a good sign."
I smiled. "Good. I need this job. Is he always so nice?"
"To his employees? As long as you work hard and don't do anything stupid, yes. If you fuck up, he'll yell at you for sure, but he won't fire you or anything unless you're just doing the same things over and over again. He pays well, he's good to us and that's why we're loyal to him," she said as she ticked the reasons off on her fingers. "I think you'll like it here."
"I think I will, too," I said as I watched Nico. "Who's that?" I nodded at the man. "He looks just like Nico."
"Oh, that's Marco. That's his brother and his wife," she smiled.
"No wonder they look so much alike," I mused, as I watched the woman with him chuckle and rub a hand over her round belly.
"Too bad he’s so strict about dating in the workplace. None of us are allowed to do that,” she said, matter of factly. “Let's get to work before we're caught slacking," Robin said as she nudged me in the arm. "I'll show you everything you need to know, so don't worry about a thing, dear."
I smiled at the woman and nodded. The main thing I needed to worry about was working hard and getting paid. There was no way I had time to stare at Nico or daydream about him. If he wouldn’t even let his employees date, I doubt he’d allow an exception for me.