3
Nico
I wanted her. It was ridiculous how many damn times I could think that as I sat at the bar going over the books, supposedly, but watching as she sent that dazzling smile to each customer. I knew it was part of the job, but every man that returned that smile inspired images of violence in my mind.
Don't touch what's mine!I wanted to make sure all of them knew that she was strictly off-limits. My employees knew that because of the rules, but the customers didn't, and I knew by how attractive she was, that she would draw their eyes.
I'm about to break my own rules.That couldn't be helped though. I didn't tell Madilynn to walk through my office door, looking like heaven in that light blue shirt and that golden blonde hair. It was impossible to even look away.
Madilynn glanced up and our eyes met. The customer service smile was gone and replaced with a softened smiled just for me. It was damn near impossible for me not to get up and grab her into my arms, but I resisted and forced myself to focus on work.
"That's it, boss," Kevin said as he sat a stack of menus on the bar, making me jump a little since I'd been buried in my work, trying to avoid looking at Madilynn. "Do you need me to do anything else?"
I shook my head. "Good work today. I'll lock up if everything's clean already."
"Everything's done," he nodded. "I think Madi's just waiting on a ride to go home."
I nodded. "Go ahead then," I said as I stood up from the barstool and followed behind him to the doors. I let him out and locked them back behind him before I glanced over at Madi standing against the wall and glancing at her phone.
"Is someone coming to pick you up?" I asked as my eyes swept up and down her body. "Yeah," she sighed. "Or at least they're supposed to. I missed the last bus, but my friend doesn't work far from here. Once he finishes up his shift he should be heading over to grab me."
Just hearing that it was a guy and that he would grab her, even if that wasn't the way she meant it, infuriated me. She was still dressed in her work uniform and she looked tired after her first hectic night. I quickly decided that I wasn't going to let another guy have time with her.
"Did you get your things out of my office?" I asked her.
Her eyes widened. "I forgot! Thank you for reminding me. I would have forgotten my head at this point, I'm so tired." She pushed herself up and yawned before she blinked. "Sorry. I didn't sleep well last night," she said as she followed me to the office.
"Were you nervous?" I asked as I stepped out of the way to let her into the office first.
She nodded. "Yeah, I was. I needed a job and it seemed like I was never going to find one. I'm glad it finally happened."
I looked at her curiously. "Are you having financial trouble?"
Madi glanced away. "No, I'm okay. I'm grateful for the job, that's all," she smiled and picked up her bag before she slid it over her shoulder.
"I'll give you a ride home," I said as I grabbed my keys.
"You don't have to do that," she said quickly. "If I can't get a ride, I'll just walk home. It's not extremely far. I'm sure I could make it."
"I'm not letting you walk home in the dark when I have a perfectly good car that you can ride in," I said firmly. "And I'm not taking no for an answer. When you work for me, you're taken care of."
Madi smiled at me and finally, she nodded. "Itwouldbe nice to have a ride instead of having to push my body anymore for the night. I appreciate it."
I relaxed more and smiled back at her. "Of course. As I said, when you work for me, I'll make sure you're taken care of."
I watched the blush that climbed up her cheeks and I knew my words had some kind of effect on her. I smirked and she turned an even deeper shade of red.That's so fucking innocent.I hadn't met a woman like that in my life, the way she blushed at even those simple words. I wanted to show her a lot more than that.
She followed behind me as I set the alarm and locked up the restaurant. I would be back again the next day and she would be there as well. I would make sure she was always there at the same time that I was.
We climbed into my car and she snuggled against the seat happily. I saw the relief that washed over her face when she was able to get off of her feet.She's hiding how much pain she's actually in.
"Madi," I said as I started the car and it roared to life before I pulled out of the empty parking lot. "Did you get to eat today?"
She glanced over at me. "Honestly?" She asked and I nodded in return. "No. I was too nervous all day, and I didn't get to sit down for a break tonight because it was so busy. I was helping Robin." She yawned, and I heard the deep grumble as her stomach growled. She clapped a hand over it. "God, excuse me!" She said. "I'm hungrier than I thought."
"We'll get some food on the way," I said as I tried to think of where to go.
"No, that's okay," she said quickly. "I have food at home I can make."