by Piper Rayne
Seems like a waste of a question to me. Obviously, it was a coincidence. But I’m happy that’s what she asked because it could have been so much worse.
“Yes.” He gives a sharp nod of his head.
“Question two. You’re not using her to screw her over in the future, are you?”
“No.”
“Question three—”
“No, Lauren that’s it.” I hold my hand out for Mauro to take. He doesn’t accept it.
“It’s fine. I’ll answer as many questions as you want.” He sits up, resting his forearms on his thighs. “But before you ask, I’ll just save us each a bit of time.”
Lauren sits back, crossing her arms over her chest in a way that suggests he’ll never win her over, but she’ll let him try and fail.
“First off, thank you for bidding on me at the bachelor auction. Though our first date didn’t go as well as I’d have hoped, it put Madison on my radar. The property thing was a complete coincidence, but I’d like to think it was fate stepping in. Now, she told me what an asshole I was in high school. Don’t worry, I’m still trying to figure out how I could have possibly forgotten the first time I kissed her.”
Lauren’s eyebrows scrunch and she glances my way.
Shut up, Mauro.
“But I plan on making that up to her. I like Madison. A helluva lot more than a friend. This is new to both of us and we have to tread carefully with the business partnership and all, but I guarantee you, my intentions are pure.” He leans back into the chair, his hand out for me to take it. “Any more questions?”
“Just one.” She holds up her finger. “What the hell is he talking about a kiss in high school?” She glares my way.
“Nothing.”
Now both of them are looking at me. I throw my hands up in the air.
“That night of the bonfire when I drove him home…”
Please don’t make me retell this story.
Her eyes narrow. I silently slice my finger across my throat. She takes my hint and gives me a quick nod.
“Oh, that time when Mauro was drunk and all over you because he wanted you so bad? I completely forgot about that time,” she says.
Be jealous girls, she’s all mine.
The light in Mauro’s eyes dims again with that pitiful puppy look, staring up at me.
“She’s kidding, Mauro.” I place my hand on his arm.
Jeez does he do push-ups every night?
Lauren shakes her head and Mauro shifts his attention to her. The two share a look of ‘she’s way too nice.’
“What? You love me just the way I am.” I stand, looking at Lauren, whose eyes move to Mauro.
My cheeks flush because now Mauro took that as I think he loves me.
Lauren busts out laughing.
“Go you two. Try to screw the niceness out of her will you, Mauro?” She grabs the remote and the television lights up.
Even Mauro’s red now. Lauren has that effect on people.
“You’d rather sit at home and watch television than go out with my brother?” Mauro asks, grabbing my hand in his to lead us out of the room.
“Yes.” She points to Mauro. “And what does that say about your brother?”
Mauro chuckles. “So, I have your permission to take Madison out to dinner, Warden Hunt?” He raises our hands.
“I suppose so. But, if you screw her any other way then doggie style, missionary, or reverse cowgirl, then I suggest you walk around with a jock cup permanently in place because I’ll be coming for you.”
Mauro gives me a look like ‘is she fucking serious?’
“You’ve been warned,” I whisper.
“Night Lauren,” he says and I give her a quick wave too which she responds with two thumbs up and a million dollar smile behind his back.
I try to ignore the warm feeling in my chest once we’re back outside and he’s leading me to his truck.
I’m going out with Mauro Bianco, someone pinch me.
He opens his car door and I slide in. “Tough girl. But I like it that she’s around to look out for you.”
The door shuts and I watch him round the front of his truck.
Okay, I’ll admit, I pinched myself. I had to see if this was real or not.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mauro
“I’m sorry about Lauren,” Madison mumbles when I climb into the driver’s seat.
I wait to start the truck, my hand gripping hers first. “I would’ve answered as many questions as she had. I understand her concern, and I meant what I said, I’m glad she’s there to protect you.”
When I think she’s appeased, I insert the keys in the ignition and start the engine.
“Now, where do you want to eat?” I ask.
Pulling away from the curb, Madison waves to her neighbors standing on their porch watching a little girl and boy jump in puddles on the sidewalk.
“That’s the ADA I was telling you about, Reed Warner,” she says as the kids wave and scream Maddie’s name when we drive away.
“Oh yeah, and that’s his family?”
She nods. “Well, his fiancée and her daughter. The little boy is around a lot so I’m not really sure if he’s just a friend or a relation. They’re cute though, right?”
The look of longing on her face says she wants what they have. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t either, but wanting and getting are two different things.
“Very cute.”
She settles in the seat, crossing her legs. “I’m not really dressed for a nice dinner, so how about Portillos?”
“Sure.” I flick on my turn signal.
Once we have a destination, silence looms in the car.
“What about you? Do you want a family? I mean, I’m not implying…”
I laugh and she stops her rambling. Reaching over, I grip her hand again, entwining our fingers like the real couple we’re becoming.
“I’m Italian, I’m not really sure I have a choice if I want a family.” I chuckle and give her hand a squeeze. “My ma is already down all our throats for grandchildren. The Catholic guilt might crush Cristian, but not me or Luca. We’ll take that step when we’re ready.”
My words are the truth, but I’m failing to mention one thing. That trusting someone is hard for me and after Jenna, even harder. Since that’s a key component of promising yourself to someone forever, I’m not sure when I’ll be ready for that huge step.
“I’d rather have that than your parents just assuming you’ll never get married or have kids. My mom thinks my independence scares off men. My dad still sees me as the ugly duckling I was in high school.”
“Don’t say that about yourself.” I let her hand go so I can put my signal on and turn a corner.
Agitation bursts through me hot and angry. We sit in silence for a minute before we pull into the parking lot of Portillos and I slam the truck into park, turning to face her.
“Beauty isn’t just something you find on the outside. Besides, you weren’t that bad in high school.”
She raises her eyebrows at me in challenge.
“Listen, the inside of someone can make them ugly, too. Someone can be attractive and present themselves with a perfect bow on top, but if when you get to know them, they’re mean and callous with your heart, you no longer see their beauty. I understand that you have your hang-ups from high school, but I noticed you the night of the auction. I’m going to lay myself on the line here.” I inhale a deep breath and squeeze the steering wheel in my hands.
“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.
Chapter Twenty-Two
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?
Chapter Twenty-Three
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.”
