Chapter 7 #3
“I only know the names of drinks because Zoe has told me. I’m not a big drinker and if I do drink, I don’t want to taste the alcohol, so I do a mixed drink or a Moscato.”
“Good to know. I would like to get you something one of these nights, maybe we eat in. Have picnic in your living room.”
“Oh, that would be nice. Come, I’ll make you a plate. You must be hungry.”
They sat down at her table and talked into the night. She shared with him that she made the final round in her master’s final and showed him some of the designs she was working on for the club. She told him she hadn’t picked a final design yet, but when she did she would show it to him.
He told her of his time in college and some of the things he, Enzo, Lucca, and Gabe used to get up to.
Could she trust him enough to tell him that Enzo had confronted her outside the office.
“I forgot to ask, but no one knows our deal right?”
“No. Why?”
“Because Enzo was outside your office when I left after our…talk.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing, just asked me what we had been doing with the door locked and I said nothing. He made some remark that he tried to get in, but that we didn’t hear him while we were doing nothing.”
“Yeah, he knows. Only my cousins. They found out when they came up to the office after you had left.”
“How?” She knew the color had drained from her face.
“They came in after you left and I was cleaning up. Gabe smelled the sex in the air,” he rushed to say as if he wanted to reassure her.
Madison was confused, and it must have shown on her face.
“There is a distinct smell when people have sex that comes from the body fluids.”
Now her face heated, and she was sure it darkened in color. Could he tell she was blushing?
“But it will go no further. It was only by chance they found out, and I trust them to not tell.” Concern flashed across his face.
“What’s the matter? You look upset.”
“Oh, nothing. It’s some business stuff I have to do.”
“I wanted to ask you, aren’t you guys young to own il Signore?
“It’s a family business.”
“Your mom is ok with the club rules?”
Dante choked on a piece of chicken.
Madison got up to pat him on the back. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah, it just went down the wrong pipe. I think.” He patted his chest with his fist. “I know you mentioned things concerning the law. Have you had a run in with some criminals?’
“No. I’ve never met someone who doesn’t follow the law, at least not that I know of. I would never associate with someone like that. Why?” Was he going to tell her he was in the mob?
“I was just curious I guess.”
She couldn’t interpret the look that crossed his face.
Maybe he wasn’t in the mob, but they paid protection money to them and that’s why it was said to be owned by the mob.
She had read things like this in books. She hadn’t slept with a mobster.
Only someone who paid them to keep his business running.
“What things do you like to do?”
****
Dante should have been grateful for the change in topics. But the acid in his stomach roiled for two reasons. There was no way he could have a future with Madison, unless he got out of the business before she found out.
Dante shouldn’t have been surprised that Madison wanted to know what he did. She was like every other woman. Interested in the man’s job and not in the man. “I have several business and investment properties. I also invest for myself and others.”
“Oh, that’s nice. But I meant what you like to do besides work. Like for fun?”
He couldn’t believe it. He had misjudged her.
She wanted to get to know him. The man behind the numbers.
Most of the time when they got together any conversation they had was fast and turned into sex.
He couldn’t keep his hands off of her, and she was so responsive to his touch.
With her on her period, things had slowed down and they were able to get to know each other outside the bedroom.
“And don’t tell me work. I want to know besides work. Even if you’re not doing it, what else do you like doing?”
“You know that’s a tricky question. No one’s ever asked me that since I was a kid. I’ve always been known as the numbers guy and nothing else.”
“But there is more to you than that.” She stated it like fact.
“True. I like basketball, to watch and to play. I would play pickup games with my cousins, but we haven’t done that in a while.”
“My brother was a pro basketball player, so I understand the rules and such.”
Was that the guy she was seeing? Her brother? Dante was impressed and relieved. Maybe they could see a game together. He had season tickets he hadn’t been using.
“What else? Who else is Dante?”
“I like to fix things and work with my hands. I’m pretty handy around the house and renovated my place on my own.
” He would have to bring her to his place.
He didn’t know where that had come from.
He had never brought a girl to his place.
Monica had been to his old place, but his renovated place was for him only.
He hadn’t planned to share it with someone, but he wanted to share it with Madison and see what she thought of the things he had done.
“Wow. That is pretty cool. I know enough renovation stuff to get by. I’d love to see it.”
“And I’d love to show it to you.” And he did, it wasn’t a lie.
“What else makes Dante tick?”
“I’m a movie man. I like to watch the Oscar picks ahead of the Oscars.”
“That’s interesting. I’m not a movie girl.”
“Maybe you haven’t found the right movies yet.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I like to read history and autobiographies of people.”
“What’s your favorite time period?”
“I love it all, but I guess I gravitate to the Renaissance period. I’m also a pretty decent cook and enjoy food. I guess you could call me a foodie.”
“Oh my gosh. Me too. When I have time, I love going to the farmer’s market to get fresh ingredients and try my hand at something new. My goal after fashion week is over is to take a cookbook and cook everything in it and document it on a blog or something.”
“That sounds interesting. I would join you.”
Madison elbowed him. “Sounds like a plan. Anything else I should know?”
“I like a neat space, tailored clothes, and even though I’m a businessman, I still feel like I’m playing dress up when I wear a suit.”
“You look good in a suit.” Her phone dinged. “Oh wow, it’s late. That’s my birth control alarm. Be right back.”
Madison got up and padded to her bedroom. Dante helped clean up the table while she was away. He stored the leftover food and put the dishes in the sink. He had the water on when she came back out.
“Oh you don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind.” He wanted to stay over. It had been a great time, and the truth was he enjoyed Madison’s company. He also loved waking up to her. The days they were apart, he missed her. And that was dangerous. He should go.
“Do you want to stay? I know it’s late. Not sure if you had other plans.”
“I’d love to stay. Nothing else I’d want to be doing.
” He dried his hands and reached for hers.
They walked hand in hand to the bedroom and it was right.
She went into the bathroom to change clothes, she slept in a scrap of lace and fabric masquerading as a night dress when they were together.
He got undressed and left his boxer briefs on.
When he stayed the night, he slept naked. Hell, he pulled them off and got into bed. Madison wouldn’t mind. He just wanted to be close to her. As close as he could be. She came out in her signature lingerie, this one emerald green. It highlighted the brown in her eyes.
“Ready for bed?” She looked at him already under the covers. He had been at home in her place in the short few weeks they had been together.
“Waiting for you.” What would she do when she saw he was nude like usual? He would cover up if she wanted. He never wanted to make her uncomfortable.
She climbed in, glanced down and then laid down in the bed with her back to him.
She moved back until her hips were in the cradle of his thighs and he laid his arm over her.
This was the normal way they slept together.
He pushed his leg between hers, for the final movement that made up their sleep routine. It kept them interlocked together.
“Good night, Dante.”
“Good night, Madison.” He kissed her shoulder and closed his eyes, comforted by their routine.
They had moved past just sex and into a friend relationship.
It had been nice sharing together and learning more of what made Madison tick and even himself.
It had been a good night, and he couldn’t wait to see what else was in store for them.
He fell asleep thinking that he wanted this to be a real relationship, and that was dangerous. He didn’t do relationships.