by L. P. Dover
While here, my phone feels heavy in my pocket. I pull it out and look at the black screen. If I turn it on, I could end up sitting here for hours returning messages. If I don’t, I can’t look on social media for any information on Maddy—not that I should use the internet to find out more about her. I have a feeling if I ask her anything, she’ll give me the answers. Still, I’m curious.
Once my phone is on, I wait as my messages load, each one giving me anxiety. I’m about to clear the screen away when my phone rings. I groan at the name but press the button to answer and bring the device to my ear.
“What part of I’m off the grid wasn’t clear?”
She laughs. “I believe you should answer the phone like this: hello, my dutiful assistant what can I do for you today?”
I sigh. She’s right. “I’m sorry, Brenda. What can I do for you today . . .You know since I’m your boss and all?”
“That’s more like it. How’s Chicago?”
“It’s good,” I pause and look out over the boardwalk. “Actually, I really missed it here.”
“And the woman?”
“Her name is Madeline and she’s doing very well for herself.”
“Don’t get attached. You’re there for work.”
I sigh again. “Right, don’t remind me. Is my itinerary in my email?”
“Of course, I am rather efficient at my job you know.”
“Yes, I know.” She is. I’ve never had to ask her twice for anything. Except, not to call me. “Anyway, back to being off the grid.”
“Eh, I don’t count.”
“No, I suppose you don’t, but I’m going to keep my phone off. I don’t want to be disturbed.”
Brenda sighs and then laughs. “You know that’s not possible. You’re there to do a job and I have yet to see the report I’m waiting for.”
“I sent one in last night.”
“Not the one you agreed to do.”
“It’s complicated,” I tell her.
“Life’s complicated, Adam.” Brenda tells me goodbye and then hangs up before I can formulate a response. I’m grateful for my assistant, but there are times when I wish she sucked at her job because then mine would be easier.
I arrive at Maddy’s Tavern an hour before we are set to have dinner. I’m anxious to see her, to just spend time with her. I never thought I’d feel this way about someone from my past, but for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about her. Even when I went back to my hotel, after Brenda kindly reminded me that I had work to do while I was here, I couldn’t get Maddy off my mind.
The hostess remembers me from the other night and smiles when I walk in. I tell her I’d like to sit at the bar, and I make my way over. There’s a Cubs game on the TV, but the volume is low, and the subtitles are on. I remind myself that while Maddy has called her restaurant a tavern, it’s not in the traditional sense, which I think makes it all the more appealing.
“What can I get you?” The bartender sets down a coaster with the restaurant’s logo on it.
“I’ll have water,” I tell him. He nods and fills up a glass, setting it in front of me.
“Can I get you anything? Would you like to see the menu?”
“No thanks, I’m meeting someone for dinner in an hour.” The bartender looks at the clock and then back at me, and I nod. “I know, it’s almost closing time. I’m meeting Maddy,” I tell him but then realize I should’ve kept my mouth shut. She probably doesn’t want her employees knowing she has a date.
Wait, is this a date?
Now, I’m second-guessing myself. We are two friends, former lovers, who are having a nice meal together. I watch the bartender, like a hawk, waiting for him to rat me out to Maddy. I fully expect him to go out back and tell her I’m here. I’m not sure how many minutes pass by, but he never leaves the area and works the entire time, cleaning, restocking, and making sure the bar looks perfect.
I’m there for thirty minutes when Maddy walks out. She’s not wearing her chef’s jacket, but a dark purple sweater, which if I’m being honest is slightly see through, and a black skirt that stops at her knees. As quickly as possible, I slide off the bar chair and greet her with a kiss on her cheek. I may also linger there longer than socially acceptable.
“Good evening,” I say to her when I pull away. “You look—”
“Tired, beat up, exhausted?”
“Beautiful.”
Maddy blushes and turns her head slightly in embarrassment, reminding me she had a hard time taking a compliment when we were together. She reaches for my hand and pulls us away from the bar. I follow her to the back corner of the restaurant where there’s a small table, already set for two. It’s then, that I realize, I’d follow this woman anywhere she wanted me to go. This thought causes me to stop abruptly. My hand falls from hers. Maddy turns and looks at me from over her shoulder.
“Is everything okay?”
It takes me a moment, but I finally nod. “Everything is . . . perfect.”
I sidestep and pull out her chair, then sit across from her. I don’t even know why I do this, but I put my forearm on the table and leave my hand there, palm up, in hopes she’ll hold my hand. She sees it and smiles, and then it’s like time stood still or moved slower than a snail’s paces. Maddy gently places her hand in mine and squeezes.
“I wanted to thank you for being so amenable to my schedule,” she starts. “Since I opened the restaurant . . . well, you know.”
“I can’t say that I’m sorry you haven’t been dating. When I came in last night, that was my biggest fear, to find out you were married or had a boyfriend.”
Maddy blushes again but this time I reach across the table and slowly drag my fingers down her soft cheek. She leans into my touch, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’m so happy I saw the listing in our alumni magazine about your restaurant, Madeline.”
“Me too,” she whispers while staring straight into my eyes. I can’t tear myself away. I don’t want to. Even when our food comes, I’m still matching her gaze and our hands are still connected. This is the most alive I have felt in a long time.
I don’t know who parts first, but we finally turn our attention toward dinner. She’s made us miso-glazed lobster tails and sesame bok choy.
“You remembered,” I say to her as I survey the plate.
“It’s kind of hard to forget when you asked me to find a way to make you a lobster sandwich every time, I saw you. I’m sure it’s not as fresh as what you can get on the coast, but I have a decent vendor here who pays top dollar for overnight shipments. I was pretty lucky when I called him after breakfast.”
“So, this wasn’t the special?”
Maddy shakes her head slowly. “Just ours.”
Her thoughtfulness brings a smile to my face. Before I can dig in, I ask her, “Tomorrow, I know you have a booth at the Taste of Chicago, but I was wondering if you’d like to walk around with me, sample some foods? I understand if you’re busy.”
She smiles and shrugs her shoulders slightly, making me believe she can’t or won’t be able to. “I’d be delighted to join you.”
“It’s a date,” I reply.
“A date.”
“Without a doubt, Maddy. Tomorrow and every day after. I’m going to woo you.” I wink and dig into my lobster.
Five
Madeline
“Dinner was amazing, Maddy. Thank you for tonight.”
“You’re welcome. Now you get to work it off.” His eyes widen and I laugh. “Not in that way.” Even though the thought has crossed my mind to work off dinner in a more physical capacity. I nod down at the dirty dishes on our table. “You’re going to help me wash the dishes.”
Adam gives me that smirk of his. “Well, damn.” Then he winks. “Just kidding. Although I do remember our first night together. It was supposed to be a one-night stand, but it didn’t exactly work out like that.”
I snort and grab my plate. “Those were my wild days.”
Adam nods. “Same. I’d give a
nything to go back to that time.”
So would I, but within reason. Adam walks with me to the kitchen. “I’m past the reckless stage, but I would like to feel carefree again. Everything was new and fun back then. Now, I have my restaurant and responsibilities. I can’t mess that up.”
We set our dishes in the sink and he gets the soapy water ready. “I understand.” He starts on the dishes, but then stops and glances around at the kitchen. “Don’t you have to get ready for the Taste of Chicago tomorrow?” Now it’s my turn to smirk. I walk over to one of my refrigerators and open the door so he can see inside. There are stacks of hand-pressed mini hamburger patties, along with bowls of my Green Mountain salad, and tiny plastic bowls filled with Camryn’s homemade peach cobbler and chocolate mousse. His eyes widen. “Wow. You are prepared.”
“Been working on it all day in between customers,” I reply.
“What all are you making?”
I shut the refrigerator doors. “Well, for tomorrow we’re going to have mini hamburger and crab sliders, green mountain salad, the balsamic glazed pork chops you had the other night, and for dessert, we’re having Camryn’s homemade peach cobbler and chocolate mousse.” I glance over at the clock and groan. “We’re all meeting here at five in the morning.”
Adam cringes. “Yikes. Then, I won’t keep you long.” He finishes up the dishes and sets them on the drying rack. “What about the pulled pork contest? Are you still going to enter?”
With a big smile, I march over to another one of my refrigerators and open the door. I have all of my pork butts covered with aluminum foil, but they’re all in there, seasoned up and ready to go. “I am,” I say, waving my hand at all the meat. “Noah and I are going to start cooking it tomorrow.”
Adam dries off his hands and walks over. “How do you think you’ll do?”
I shrug. “Who knows? I’m up against a lot of people. If I can place in the top five, I’ll be happy.”
His blue eyes bore into mine. “I have faith in you.” He cups my cheek and my breath hitches. When his lips touch mine, I melt into him. The fire I once felt for him comes back with a vengeance. I open my mouth further, inviting him in. His tongue caresses mine and I moan.
He breaks away first and rests his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry. Got a little carried away.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper breathlessly. “I’m not complaining.”
His eyes twinkle. “How about I walk you home? I know it’s not far. Just down the hallway and up the stairs.”
Giggling, I slide out of his hold. “Sounds good to me.” He follows me out of the kitchen and down the hallway to the door at the end. Once I have the door unlocked, we take the stairs to the top. The closer we get, the more I don’t want him to leave.
We stop at my door and Adam wraps his arms around my waist; it feels good being touched. “I just want you to know that I’ve really enjoyed my time with you. I don’t want it to end.”
“But it has to, right?” I say, looking away.
He takes my chin and turns me toward him. “No, it doesn’t.”
My heart skips a beat. “What do you mean?”
His gaze drops down my lips. “I mean, I don’t have to leave right away. What would you say if I stay in Chicago for a while? I can work anywhere as long as I have my computer.”
“Really?” I can’t even pretend to hide my excitement. “You would do that?”
He looks right into my eyes. “For you I would. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”
“I don’t know what to say other than I’d love for you to stay.” The way he smiles makes everything inside of me tighten.
“That’s all I wanted to hear.” He leans down and kisses me one more time. “Goodnight, Maddy. I know you need your rest. You have a busy day tomorrow.” Turning on his heel, he heads for the stairs. “Wait,” I call out. He glances back at me, brows furrowed. I point at my door. “Would you like to come inside for a few minutes? We never got to eat dessert. I have some strawberries and homemade whipped cream in the fridge.”
Grinning, he comes back toward me. “I can’t say no to that.”
I open the door and wave for him to go inside. What am I doing? Do I really want things to go further? Yes. Oh, yes, I certainly do. Adam stops in the kitchen and looks around, smiling as he takes in all of my stainless-steel appliances. “Your kitchen is immaculate.”
“What can I say? I’m a chef. The kitchen has to be perfect.” Opening the refrigerator, I pull out the strawberries along with the bowl of whipped cream and set them on the table.
Adam joins me. “Do you add a dash of lime juice to your whipped cream?” he asks, studying me curiously.
I grab a spoon out of the silverware drawer and scoop him out some. “You tell me. I didn’t know you were a connoisseur of whipped cream.” He opens his mouth and I slowly slide the spoon inside. He closes his lips and moans when he swallows.
“That’s really good. It has just the right amount of sweetness.”
“Thanks,” I say, grinning with pride. “I like to think I’m good at what I do.”
Adam takes a strawberry and dips it in the cream. “You’ve definitely impressed me.” He rubs the strawberry against my lips, coating them with whipped cream. Before I can lick it off, he does it for me and pops the strawberry in his mouth.
“That strawberry was supposed to be mine.”
His eyes darken with need. “Oh yeah? I’ll just have to get you another one.” He backs me up against the table and presses his body into mine as he reaches for another one. My heart thumps wildly in my chest as he brings it to my lips. “Open up,” he murmurs, watching my mouth intently.
I do as he says and after I eat it, his lips descend on mine. My whole body ignites with need. Sliding up on the table, I spread my legs and pull him closer.
A low growl erupts in his chest and he presses against me. “You’re killing me. Why did you have to wear a skirt?”
I bite his lip. “Easy access.”
He chuckles. “You’ve said that to me before.”
I remember. I wore skirts a lot around him. It didn’t matter where we were, we always found a way of getting a quickie in if the need arose. Those days were exhilarating and exciting. It’s intoxicating to feel that way again.
Adam slides my skirt up to my waist and pushes into me. I’m dying to feel him inside of me. “Are we going to do it on the table?”
He shakes his head, smirking devilishly. “Not tonight. No, right now, it’s time for my appetizer. Tomorrow, I’ll enjoy the main course.”
His hands snake up my waist to the hem of my sweater. He lifts it off and unclasps my bra, tossing them both to the floor. Dipping his finger in the whipped cream, he traces it over my nipples. I wait in anticipation for his tongue to lick it off. The second he traces his tongue over my breasts, I suck in a breath. My toes curl and I moan. His teeth nips my sensitive flesh and all I want to do is beg for more.
“That feels so good,” I moan.
He ravages my nipples and I’m so close to losing control, especially with the way he pushes his hips into mine, his cock straining against his pants. The friction against my clit is too much to handle.
Adam chuckles and pulls back just as my orgasm starts to build. Keeping his eyes on mine, he scoots me further onto the table and lifts my legs onto his shoulders. He pushes my underwear to the side and buries his face into my center. My body clenches as he licks my clit and fucks me with his tongue. My orgasm builds again, and I slam my hands on the table, biting my lip to keep from screaming.
He groans and picks up his pace. “You taste so damn good. I’m not stopping until you come.”
“Oh, my God,” I cry out, clenching the sides of the table. My release comes swiftly, and I scream out his name. When everything subsides, he swipes his tongue over my clit one more time.
He stands above me and smiles. “Now that was the most amazing appetizer I’ve ever had.” Taking my hand, he helps me up. “I should prob
ably go. You need your rest.”
I shake my head. “I think I need something else.”
Adam picks up my sweater off the floor and winks. “Tomorrow.” He kisses me on the cheek and smiles at me one more time before walking out the door. Tomorrow it is then. Holy hell, I can’t wait to finish what we started.
The sun has only been up for a short while, and my thoughts keep straying to Adam. I would’ve given anything to have him stay with me last night, but if he did, I’d be exhausted right now, and I know I need all the energy I can muster to get through the day. My staff and I are busy setting up our booth for the Taste of Chicago and it’s already getting hot. In just a couple of hours, the streets will be swarming with people. One year, the event had around three million visitors. I’ve always attended the event, but this is my first year as a vendor. Once we’re done setting up, I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Until then, it’s go time. I can’t rest until I know everything is perfect.
“How did your date go last night?” Camryn asks, trying her best not to give me that I know what you did last night grin. Little does she know that did not happen. Although, I am running off of little sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, my thoughts strayed to Adam.
“My date went great,” I say, smoothing out the tablecloth on our showcase table. “And we only ate and talked. Afterwards, he helped me clean and get things ready for today.” It’s the truth. I only left out the oral sex on the kitchen table part.
Camryn giggles. “Did you kiss?”
I roll my eyes. “Maybe.”
“But you wanted more, am I right?”
“Wanted more of what?” Katy asks, waggling her eyebrows as she comes up to join me. She runs her hands over the part of the tablecloth I already smoothed out. “I was hoping you’d call to dish about Adam.” She moves in closer, keeping her voice low. “Please tell me you got some sexy time in?”
