5
Nico
Madi was intriguing. I watched her every day at the restaurant as she worked hard and never stopped smiling. There was no doubt in my mind that she was struggling, but she still came to work every day with a smile on her face. Usually, I didn't stay atAlloraevery day, but with Madi there I wasn't going to leave her alone.
Sunday came around faster than expected. My heart hammered away in my chest and that was a new feeling. Since when did I behave like a teenage schoolboy over a woman? It was crazy, but I couldn't deny that it was there. Madi did something to me that was impossible to describe.
I buttoned up the black shirt I'd picked out, and left the first two buttons open before I rolled up my sleeves. I'd heard the way she gasped when I rolled them up last time and I wondered if she even heard herself do it. It still made me chuckle and I wanted to see her drool over me like that all the time.
I'd gone all out for meeting up with her and wondered if I went overboard. The neat black slacks, the red roses that I'd picked up, the expensive cologne I'd sprayed, it was my way of making sure she was driven crazy every time she looked at me. I didn't have far to go based on the way she swooned when she saw me, but I wanted to make sure it was inescapable.
Even as I approached her door, something smelled amazing. I raised a hand and knocked, excited to see her in something other than her work uniform. When she opened the door, I was blown away.
"You're right on time. Dinner's just about ready, come on in," she smiled as she stepped out of the way.
I'd already learned Madi's favorite color was blue. She wore it all the time, whether on jewelry or hair ties, and it was all over her place. I wasn't surprised she chose blue to wear for our dinner, but I was stunned at how she looked in it.
Madilynn's hair was down for only the second time since we'd met, and it flowed over her shoulders in soft curls. She'd chosen a blue dress that hugged her curves and displayed her cleavage. She had even picked out heels and they only accentuated her body more.
"You look amazing," I said as I walked inside and handed the flowers to her. "You said you liked roses."
She smiled. "Hey, you remembered that," she pressed them to her nose and inhaled slowly. "Thank you. I'll put them in some water. You can sit down at the table."
I settled into my seat and watched as she moved around the kitchen. The flowers were put in an empty vase and she fixed up two plates. I watched her grab a bottle of wine and she tried to open it before she narrowed her eyes and tried harder.
I stood up and chuckled. "Let me do it. You cooked all of this for us, I can handle a wine bottle," I said as I took the opener and opened it with ease. I took down two glasses and filled them with a hearty amount before I carried the glasses, and then the bottle of wine, over to the table.
"Thank you," she smiled up at me as she sat down at the table. "I overheard you saying you liked seafood at the restaurant," she said as a blush crept up her cheeks.
"I do," I said as I sat down and glanced at the plate. Scallops, pasta, and toasted bread gave off the best aroma, and I glanced up at her. "I had no idea you could cook like this."
Madi popped a bit of pasta into her mouth and grinned before she tossed me a wink. "It's a secret," she chuckled and shook her head. "I don't usually have time to cook anymore, but I did it a lot when my sister and I were growing up. She's younger than me."
"You didn't have parents that cooked for you?" I asked curiously as I tasted the scallops and hummed. "Delicious." I glanced up when Madi stayed quiet and raised a brow as I watched her squirm.
"Would you rather not talk about it?" I asked.
"Normally, I don't," she said slowly, "but it's okay. My parents weren't around much. Both of them were pretty heavy drug users and they didn't have time for me and my sister. So, I took care of us. I still do."
"That's horrible," I said as I frowned. "Where are they now? Where's your sister?"
She shrugged. "I have no idea where my parents went. I ended up leaving when I was sixteen and took my sister with me to an aunt's house. My sister is back home in Oregon with my nephew. She tries to work hard, but it's a lot to do by herself."
I nodded and sipped from my wine glass. "I have brothers, too. I know what it's like to want to protect them and look out for each other. That never goes away."
Madilynn smiled. "I saw your brother at the restaurant when I first started."
"Marco," he chuckled. "Yeah, we still hang around each other fairly often. I'm going to be an uncle soon, too, and that kid is going to be spoiled."
"I can already see that," Madi grinned as she rested her chin in her palm. "Just from the way you helped me out that first night. I hate that I ever need help, but it was really sweet that you went out of your way like that."
I waved a hand. "It was nothing. When I see someone like you that works hard and is independent, it makes me want to help out. Besides, when you smile, it's a pretty nice reward," I grinned.
"Don't make me blush anymore," she groaned as she picked up her wine glass and tried to hide behind it. "I'm going to stay red all night."
"I don't see that as a problem. I'm sure I can find other ways to make you even redder," I winked and popped a piece of scallop into my mouth.
Madilynn groaned harder and I loved the way she shifted and squirmed in her seat. "It's not like I'd know anything about that," she said as she cleared her throat and glanced at the floor. "I've never done...any of that."
I raised a brow. "You're telling me you're still a virgin?"
She pressed her hands to her cheeks. "I said way too much," she shook her head. "I'm a huge lightweight and I should have eaten more. Sorry if I crossed a line."
I shrugged. "It’s no big deal."
I was happy to hear that she was untouched. She was going to be mine completely and that just made me want her even more. I wanted to grab her right then and there and the way her eyes roamed my body, I could tell she wanted the same thing, but we still had to work together.
"I'll grab dessert," she said quickly and stood up to dash to the kitchen.
I have to get out of here soon or I'm going to say “fuck all the lines” and break my own rules.At the same time, I couldn't bring myself to leave. It wasn't a crime that I wanted her and, if I had to break the rules that I created in the first place, then fuck it. I was going to have her.