Vote Then Read: Volume I

by Carly Phillips

  “When someone pointed you out as the winner of a date with me, my breath caught in my throat. Mentally I already had us in every sexual position possible, my lips on every inch of your skin as I buried myself inside of you over and over again.”

  She flushes and looks away, but I use my other hand to rest under her chin, bringing her eyes back on me.

  “But it’s these last few weeks…the beauty inside of you that has drawn me to you even more. I know I ridiculed you for being a people pleaser, but I was wrong. You genuinely care for people and how they’re feeling. The way you bring water for the crew. Tell someone to take a break when you noticed they’re bagged. The fact you know more than me about the guys I’ve been working side by side with for years. You remember their wives and kids names and ask how their little league game went the day before. How you trust me and you see the person I am inside of me. Madison, you’ve come to consume my thoughts, my heart, hell my life in a matter of weeks.”

  She smiles, beams really, her cheek leaning into the palm of my hand, the strands of her hair tickling my forearm. I lean over the center console, pressing my lips to hers. As much as I want to deepen our kiss, her stomach growls from hunger, so I pull away with a chuckle.

  “Too many interruptions.” She fists my shirt and pulls me closer, our lips colliding, our tongues each trying to claim dominance.

  I want to slide my seat back, pull her over onto my lap, kiss her neck and nibble on her earlobe. I’d do just about anything to feel her heart beating against my chest. Who am I kidding? I want to take her home and lock her in my room for an eternity.

  Slowing our kiss, our chests both heave for a breath and I rest my forehead on hers. “I’m going to feed you and then take you to your place before we lose control.”

  I want nothing more than to bury myself deep inside her, but I don’t want to screw this up by pushing her too fast.

  She giggles. “Who said I wanted to go home?” She climbs out of the truck before I have a chance to open the door, rounding the front and waiting for me.

  I hop out of the driver’s side, adjust my half-erect dick and quickly grab her hand when I reach her. “You’re going to have to learn to wait for me to open the door for you.”

  She places a hand on my bicep and leans her head on my shoulder. “Oh, Mauro, I enjoy chivalry, but I don’t need help in and out of the car.”

  “It’s not about you needing help, it’s gentlemanly.”

  “Well, when we go on a real date, I promise to wait.”

  I stop us before entering the rotating door to the place. “I wanted to ask you. Will you go out with me on Thursday? Me, you, and a fancy restaurant?”

  Her eyes light up and she smiles so wide it encompasses her entire face. “I’d love to.”

  We head inside where I buy her a hot dog and fries. We talk a bit about everything including what it was like for me to grow up in a large Italian family and how much they mean to me. She actually seems excited when I talk about our Sunday dinners.

  With any luck, she’ll find out soon enough that they’re much more than spaghetti and meatballs.

  22

  Madison

  “Wear this. No this.” Vanessa’s throwing clothes out of her closet. “Do you want my fake eyelashes? I have the perfect shade of nude lipstick that will pull all the shades of your coloring out.”

  “She doesn’t need all this shit. Mauro’s already smitten with her.” Lauren smiles at me through the mirror of Vanessa’s vanity.

  “Smitten?” I ask and she shrugs.

  “I have to admit, I gave him a green check mark after his speech the other night.” Lauren sits on the bed, leaning against the headboard pretending to relax, but I can tell her eyes are secretly taking in Vanessa’s space, looking for clues.

  “What speech?” Vanessa comes back out of her closet holding a simple pink dress with a beaded belt and neckline. I like that it flares at the waist so it will hide my thighs.

  I stand up and grab it.

  “Well, if you didn’t have to run off to a mystery location you would’ve been here to hear it. He basically declared that he’d take her off our hands.”

  I roll my eyes.

  A purse hits my head. I turn and stare back at the culprit, Lauren.

  “It’s true, Maddie, he likes you. So, don’t go all glam for him. Just be yourself.”

  Lauren will forever be the ‘I am who I am and if you don’t like it then so be it’ kinda girl. She could feel sexy in a tracksuit, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with putting in a little effort and I can’t wait to see Mauro’s eyes when he sees me out of my overalls and baseball cap.

  “Thank you, but I want to dress up to feel sexy for him.” I take a seat on the bed. Vanessa stands on the other side, after months of being absent, she’s really here, present in this moment with us. “I’m not worried about not being good enough for him.”

  Lauren purses her lips and crosses her arms over her chest.

  “Okay, not like I once was. But this dress and that makeup will show everyone that I belong with him.”

  Lauren stares at me for a moment and Vanessa’s hand lands on my thigh. “You don’t need other people to think you belong with him. You’re more than worthy of Mauro. You know that, right Mad?”

  Vanessa glances at Lauren, the two of them on the same line of thinking.

  “I do.”

  Lauren slides up to me and wraps the three of us in a hug. “Close your eyes, Madison,” she whispers.

  “No. Not tonight, Lauren.” I try to get out of their circle of truth, but they tighten their hold.

  “Close them,” Vanessa orders.

  I do as they say, my heart pounding, waiting for what they’re going to tell me.

  “You are perfect. You have no reason to feel insecure when you’re with him.” Lauren speaks first.

  “You’re gorgeous. Though I do wish you’d wear a tighter dress and show off that ass.”

  The three of us laugh at Vanessa’s comment.

  I love these girls.

  They release me from their hold and my gaze veers to the clock on Vanessa’s nightstand.

  Shit, it’s almost time for him to pick me up.

  I collapse on the mattress, my hand on my stomach. “I can’t believe I’m going out with Mauro Bianco and it’s not some sick joke. Pinch me, girls.” I hold out my arms.

  They both grab pillows and smack me on the head.

  “Hey,” I say, standing up.

  “It’s not a dream and he should be the one pinching himself.” Lauren smiles and Vanessa takes the dress off the hanger.

  “Come on, let’s get you ready. He’ll be here soon.” Vanessa holds it out for me.

  I take a deep breath and grab it from her hands.

  Unlike when I was sixteen, or our time at the café, this date feels like it means something and I’m surprised to find that anticipation and excitement are at the forefront of my emotions, not anxiety or nerves.

  That has to mean something good, right?

  23

  Mauro

  “You need to leave.” I grab one of Luca’s friends by the shoulders and push him toward the door. “Luca, the gang needs to leave.”

  Cristian comes in fresh off shift, his uniform still on.

  “Shit the cops are here.” Luca pretends to weave like he’s about to run.

  Cristian tosses his keys on the side table. “Funny asshole. I’m beat.”

  “Great, then get changed and head to Mom’s. I need the apartment tonight.” I grab the empty beer bottles off the coffee table.

  “Hell no. I want my bed.” He walks down the hall.

  “All of you.” I circle my finger to the guys. “Out.” I point to the door.

  Luca laughs. “Are you bringing a girl home?”

  I give him my fuck off expression. It’s one he knows well by now.

  “Go ahead, guys. We’ll have to watch the fight at the bar,” Luca says to his pack of followers.
/>   His friends whine and complain in response, but I don’t give one shit.

  “Here’s an idea, why don’t all of you get your own apartments.” I toss the beer bottles and put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Seriously, Cristian usually does all this shit. He plans the night before I’m taking Madison out to act like a slob.

  One of Luca’s friends flips me off and the other one makes a comment about how I used to be fun and then they shut the door behind themselves.

  “I’m not joking, Luca, this has got to stop. This place is not a frat house.”

  “I agree.” Cristian reappears in a pair of athletic pants and a t-shirt that says, I’m no hero, but I’ve walked beside a few. He buries his head in the fridge, pulling out a Vitamin water. “I’m done with this shit. You made a huge-ass mess last night.”

  Luca holds up his hands in the air. “What is this ‘pick on Luca day?’”

  Cristian blows out an exasperated breath. “This is ‘stop using our damn apartment’ day. We kicked you out because of your parties, why are you bringing them to us?”

  “Jeez, can’t a guy miss his brothers.” He flops down on the couch and props his feet up on the table. “Let’s talk about Mauro wanting the apartment to himself. Do I hear bells?” He inches his head toward the window like an idiot.

  I smack him on the back of the head as I pass.

  He holds it like I really hurt him. “Hey, that spot is exclusive for Ma.” He rubs at it like the baby brother he is.

  “Is all this for Maddie?” Cristian peers into the brown paper bag with a box of condoms in it that I left on the counter.

  I walk over and snatch it away. “Just go so I can set up, shower and get ready for her.”

  “Oh, are you doing the deed tonight? Man, you move fast,” Luca says, who’s now relaxed with his hands behind his head and his feet on our coffee table.

  “Right. Should I use your timetable? Wait two grinding songs and four shots?”

  Cristian smiles over his bottle. “So, things are good if you’re going to this much trouble.” He checks out the apartment. It’s cleaner than I’ve ever made it.

  Luca jumps over the back of the couch. “Oh, I bet he’s planning some kinky—” I run over, but Luca gets the fridge open before I can. “Someone’s planning on making breakfast in the morning. Cut up fruit, eggs, bacon. I think those are bells I’m hearing.”

  I shut the fridge door. “Stop with the wedding bells shit.”

  He claps me on the shoulder. “It’s not wedding bells, it’s warning bells. They’re trying to warn you this path you’re headed down is the wrong way.”

  “Stop being such a commitment-phobe.” Cristian hits Luca in the head with the top of the bottle.

  “I am not. I’m a realist. One who says I’m much too young and much too attractive to settle down with one woman yet.”

  Cristian rolls his eyes. “Whatever. Anyway, you’re really going to sleep with Madison tonight?” he asks me.

  I look around and glance at my watch. “Did I just warp back to two thousand and eight where I would actually discuss my sex life with you?” I deadpan.

  The two of them share a look and shrug.

  A smile forms on Cristian’s face. “That means he’s serious about her.” He gulps down the rest of his water.

  “None of your fucking business. Now leave so I can set up.”

  “Where are you taking her for dinner?” Luca leans back, snagging a chip before I can take the bag away.

  “Eddie V’s.”

  “Pulling out the big guns.” Luca chomps down on his chip. “You’re willing to max out your credit card for her. Mama’s going to be so proud when you pop the question.” He claps me on the shoulder and steps closer to Cristian. “I’m just going to head over here because I don’t want whatever you caught rubbing off on me.”

  “You’re an asshole.”

  Cristian glances at Luca and then to me. “I think it’s awesome. I’ll go pack a bag and get out of your way.”

  “Seriously, you’re not going to give him hell for this?” Luca calls out to Cristian’s back. “You guys should thank your stars that Ma and Pa had me because otherwise your lives would be boring as hell.”

  “You do know you were a mistake, right?” Cristian calls down the hall.

  Luca’s face pales slightly, Cristian having hit his Achille’s heel.

  This is really a topic no one knows the answer to for sure because my parents would never admit it, but who plans to have three kids back to back? I’ll let you ponder that for a minute while I razz my brother.

  “I was not. If anyone was, you were.” He points to Cristian’s bedroom.

  “Keep telling yourself that,” I say.

  “Either that or you were so ugly, Mom and Dad didn’t want to take any more chances,” Cristian says, popping his head out from his bedroom door.

  Luca narrows his eyes. “Mama loves me the most anyways.”

  “Everyone knows I’m her favorite. Firstborn.” I thumb at myself.

  “I’m the baby. I’m the favorite. She hugs me tighter.”

  “Whatever, I’m the one who goes over there and checks on her all the time,” Cristian says. “I go to the deli almost every day for lunch.”

  “Sorry, but I’m not sitting on my ass in a car my entire shift. I’m busy saving lives, not ruining people’s days.”

  I purse my lips because Luca’s got a point, but Cristian is doing me a solid by leaving so willingly so I don’t say that out loud.

  “You know who her favorite will be?” I say instead.

  They both stare over at me.

  “The one who gives her the first grandchild.” I hold up my brown paper bag. “I’m a lot closer than either of you, so feel free to invest in a plaque with my name on it.”

  “Shit, you’re going to make Luca take a redeye to Vegas and marry the first girl who says she’s ovulating.” Cristian laughs as he comes back down the hall, swinging his duffle bag over his shoulder.

  “Fuck that. You can have the title then.” Luca grabs his coat off the back of the couch. Standing by the door he pretends to rub his eyes. “It’s just so hard, our boy is growing up.” He opens the door, smiles and leaves.

  “He’s so competitive, I hope he doesn’t take it as a challenge,” I say.

  We both laugh. I don’t think either of us will be surprised if in nine months the first Bianco grandchild to be introduced to the world belongs to Luca.

  “Let’s hope it’s the first time he can let a challenge go.” Cristian’s eyes find the bag in my hands. “I’ll leave you to it. I’m on shift tomorrow so I won’t be home until dinner. If for some reason you need more time, text me.”

  “Nah, I’m sure we’ll be heading to the house in the morning. Thanks for staying with Mom and Dad for the night. I owe you one.”

  He heads to the front door. “Who said I’m staying at their house?” He waggles his eyebrows.

  I tilt my head in confusion, I didn’t think he was seeing anyone. “Then I don’t owe you one.”

  He laughs and leaves but before the door can shut I hear him say hello to Mrs. Peterson. He just got stuck in that hallway for at least fifteen minutes.

  Not wasting any time, I get everything set up for when I bring Madison back here tonight, then quickly shower and get ready.

  This is the first time I’ve been really nervous for a date. This revelation should probably concern me, but instead it makes the smile on my face grow wider.

  And just like that, I realize that I’m all in.

  24

  Madison

  The doorbell rings and the inside of my stomach feels like a bunch of monkeys climbing around a jungle gym.

  Lauren and Vanessa each smile at me from where they sit on the bed.

  “Do you want me to do the whole I answer and we make him wait thing?” Lauren slides off the mattress to stand.

  “No, but thanks for the offer.”

  I leave Vanessa’s room, descending the
stairs while staring at the outline of Mauro in the small window next to the door.

  “Stop staring you two. Go do something.”

  I don’t turn around, but I don’t have to in order to know that they don’t move from their positions at the top of the stairs.

  When I open the door, I almost can’t believe what’s waiting there for me.

  Mauro’s hair is gelled into a tousle of loose waves. He wears a pair of dark jeans, a light sweater, and a jacket over top. Delectable doesn’t even do him justice.

  His gaze slowly roams up and down my body, his smile growing as his attention travels past the hem of my dress to my exposed legs. When he meets my eyes again, a calmness settles over me.

  “You look breathtaking, Madison.” He steps up, wrapping his arm around my back, pressing his lips to mine. “I want you to know that you absolutely take my breath away.”

  The scent of his cologne that I’ve only had the pleasure of smelling that one night at the game café, sends a zing of awareness to my lady parts and I clench my thighs.

  “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

  He smiles, not releasing me. “Thank you.” He kisses my temple and his fingers run up and down my spine before settling on the small of my back.

  We take each other’s presence in for another moment until we head down my walkway to his truck. As promised, I wait for him to open up my door. When he slides in the driver’s side he leans over and kisses me, teasing me with a swipe of his tongue. “I’m not sure I’m going to make it through dinner.”

  “We can skip dinner if you prefer.” I wink, teasing him because I’m more than ready to feel him between my legs.

  “Nope. I’m feeding you first. You’re going to need your energy for what I have in mind.”

  All the papers and empty cups that usually fill Mauro’s car are gone and the warm sensation in my chest reappears over the fact that he cleaned his truck for me.

  “Where are we headed?” I ask once he’s driving downtown.