Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Dallas
Princess.
I was a damn mess. But calling her princess had slipped out so naturally. Easily.
Between the red lace I wanted to peel off her hips with my teeth and the nipple piercings I wanted to suck and tease, it was a miracle I was able to keep my cock from going full mast in my jeans.
Truthfully, I’d expected her to kick me out after I called her princess. But now we were standing in line at the cafe and I was all too eager to know more about her.
I’d been thinking about Madi all week. Even while keeping myself busy. I’d tried reading books, working on my own car restoration project at the house, and going on runs in the morning—but since meeting her, I couldn’t get her out of my head.
The work week had flown by because I’d been so preoccupied by my thoughts. I’d given her a couple calls from my work phone and left a voicemail about her car, but when I didn’t hear back, I’d assumed she was avoiding me.
Which would have been valid.
Standing near her, sparks skated across my skin. The desire to touch her, kiss her, to know her was all consuming. I wanted to learn everything I could about the stranger who’d rolled into our town.
I shoved my hands in my pockets. It was the only way to curb the temptation to grip the curves of her hips. I rocked on my heels. “What’s your coffee order?” I asked.
She was really damn cute when she blushed. All the freckles dusting her nose lit up. “I like it sweet.”
The corner of my mouth tugged. “I bet you do.”
A hint of a smile played on her plush lips. My gaze lingered on them a little too long, just as they had earlier on her tank top.
Nipple piercings.
I had so many questions for her and selfishly wanted to know the story behind those.
Madi glanced up at the menu and hummed. “Anything with chocolate or caramel. I’ll trust your judgement since this place is local.”
Chocolate or caramel. Sweet. “Got it. Any allergies I should know about?”
Why did I feel like we were negotiating a kink scene?
“Nope.” She wrinkled her nose. “Just an intense hatred for bugs.”
A deep chuckle left me. “Good thing there are no bugs here.”
The door to the shop opened, a few people crowding in. Instinctively, I gently took Madi’s wrist and tugged her closer to me so they could slip by us.
Her hand settled on my chest. Her palm was warm. Hot, even. With the way her fingers splayed, I could feel every part of her.
My cock lurched in response. Fuck. I had to get myself under control, otherwise I was going to end up begging her to come back to my place to let me get a taste of her. But, I didn’t want something fast. I didn’t want just a one night stand.
Whatever chemistry I felt with her was more than something quick.
Keep your blood in your brain. “What about lunch? See anything on the menu you like?” I finally got out.
“You?” She breathed out. “Is that on the menu?”
She went very still as if she hadn’t meant to say that, and fucking hell, I was a goner. The control was loosening with each passing second. What if we skipped lunch?
A low laugh rumbled in my chest. “Madi, I’m about this close to hauling you out of this place and straight to my bed like some sort of caveman.”
Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. “Why not?”
My eyes dropped down. Her lip bite was cute.
Every reasonable thought flew out the window.
I could take her back to my place. I could lay her down on my kitchen counter like a feast and taste her cunt like the sweetest nectarine.
I could find out exactly what it would feel like for her long legs to wrap around my waist and for my cock to fill her with every inch.
For her to shatter around me as I pounded into her, for her nails to rake down my back and her teeth to sink into my skin.
But, we were standing in line around people that knew me. The small town gossip mill was already turning over the big city artist visiting us. And here I was with my arms damn near around her, my cock threatening to strain against my jeans.
If we walked out together now, everyone would know. And while I wasn’t against it, I didn’t want to be interrogated by my siblings about what I was doing with the new artist. I also didn’t want her to deal with any of that either.
“Because I’m a gentleman,” I finally said. Was I actually? Because all I could think about right now was what she’d look like beneath me begging for me to make her come again. “And I want to know more about you before I have my way with you.”
Madi snorted. “Okay, sir. Have your way with me. We’ll see.” She pulled her wrist free of my grip with a smirk and put a couple inches between us as she glanced up at the menu.
Which was for the best.
Because the dominant part of me, the part of me I wrangled with every fucking day, wanted to yank her back against me and promise to fuck the sass out of her later.
But I was a patient man.
Madi decided on her lunch. “Avocado toast. I’m a basic bitch at the end of the day.”
She kept making me laugh. Fuck, I wanted to hold her. “Do you want to go pick us out a table?”
Madi nodded, her eyes slowly moving around the cafe. She was seeing it now. The way the entire room was sneaking glances at us. “Everyone is watching us,” she whispered. “I feel like I’m in a horror movie.”
“They’re all nosy,” I whispered back. “And you’re beautiful. So of course they’re staring.”
“I think they’re staring because of you. How about I grab a table outside so we have some privacy?”
“Perfect,” I agreed. “I’ll be out in a few minutes, princess.”
Madi took one more look around and then headed straight for the door. My eyes trailed from the counter at the cafe to out the window. She picked out a table with an umbrella, but the sun still found her. I would have too, if I were a ray of light.
“Oh, hi Mr. Whynot. How are you? How’s your friend? What’s her name?”
Internally, I died. I was at that age now where all the teens called me Mr., and it made me want to rebel and claim I was still young and hip and with the times. I sighed as I looked up at Tabby.
“Why are you being so nosy?” I asked.
Tabby’s braces beamed. “Everyone is. I’ve already heard whispers that she’s reclusive. That the city artist showed up and has just been staying at the hotel.”
“Reclusive,” I growled. “That’s absolutely . . . You know what, never mind. Two avocado toasts, a cappuccino, and whatever the sweetest coffee drink you have.”
Tabby’s eyes lit up. “I know just the thing.”
“Great. Thanks.”
I paid quickly and moved out of the way of other folks in line, avoiding all eye contact. I really wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone but Madi. And who the fuck had called her reclusive?
I massaged my temples at the thought of anyone saying random shit about her. Gossip was by far my least favorite thing about Whynot. Everyone needed fucking hobbies.
My gaze moved back to her. I was completely out of practice when it came to flirting, and the last time I’d kissed someone . . .
Well, I wasn’t sure I could count that. It’d been a mistake. At least, it was a mistake according to June, who said it was “driven by New Year’s Eve drinking and seeing our friends in love.”
Except neither one of us had been drinking that night. And I’d definitely been thinking about kissing her for the last few years. Wanting her even though she always pushed everyone away. Keeping track of all the people she’d dated.
Fuck. I needed to put her out of my mind.
The cafe was always quick, even on Sundays. I smiled as Tabby put a tray down with our food and coffee.
“Here you go, Mr. Whynot. The coffee is a caramel apple butter latte.”
“Thanks, Tabby.”
She glanced past me at Madi and beamed as if she’d just received the biggest secret in the world. “Good luck on your date. She’s so pretty.”
The teens were menaces here. I didn’t correct her assumption, though. Instead I picked up the tray with our food and coffees, grabbed silverware, and took it outside.
“Two avocado toasts,” I said as I sat down. “Because I, too, am a basic bitch.”
Madi’s laugh was musical. She picked her latte up and we rearranged things on the table. I turned and leaned back, sliding the tray into a bin next to the door.
“This looks good,” she said. “What did you get me?”
“It is a caramel apple butter latte. I’ve been assured by Tabby, the teen who made me feel ancient just now, that it is very sweet. She also said you’re pretty, so I have a feeling she’s right about things.”
Madi lit up. “A wise one, I see.”
“Extremely.”
I watched as she lifted the orange mug and took a sip. She let out a soft sigh, the caramel drizzle sticking to her upper lip. She swiped it away with her tongue and my imagination went haywire.
“This is delicious.” Her lashes cast shadows down her cheeks, her bright blue eyes raising to meet mine. “Is there something on my face?”
My heart skipped a beat. “I think I just like looking at you.”
Silence settled between the two of us. Once again, I wondered if I’d overstepped.
“I like you,” I finally said. “I know we just met. I know saying anything like this is unreasonably fast, but I am attracted to you in a way that feels like a planet caught in gravity’s pull.
I really like being around you. But I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to pressure you into anything more. ”
“I don’t feel pressure.” There was a seed of hesitation in her voice. “I want you too, if I’m being honest. I keep telling myself to flirt with you and be brave, but . . .”
“But?”
“I’m not brave,” she whispered. “I’m not good at flirting. I’m not even cool.”
I leaned back in my chair. I was shocked she’d even say that about herself. “I know we’ve just met, but I think I have to disagree with you on all counts.”
“It’s complicated, though,” she said. “And I want . . .”
“What do you want?”
Madi pressed her lips together, but then met my gaze. “I want sex. I want kinky, really fucking good, mind-numbing sex.”