Maddox Read online

  I gasped in shock. Holy heck, is he here?

  My heart was hammering as I stood from the couch, wariness and excitement coursing through me in equal measure. I looked down at my outfit and groaned in dismay. Dressed in sleep shorts and a baggy sweatshirt with my long dark hair thrown up in a haphazard bun was hardly how I’d envisioned seeing Maddox again.

  I opened the door, finding an impossibly gorgeous Maddox on the other side. Dressed in a white tee, leather cut, and jeans that molded to his powerful thighs, he was every bit as breathtaking as I remembered. Hell, he was more so. He lifted a brow, offering an impish grin. “Hi.”

  “Um, hi,” I stammered, pushing my glasses up my nose. “What are you doing here?”

  “Brought dinner.” He held up a paper bag, striding into the apartment with a confidence that suggested he’d done it a hundred times rather than never. The already small space felt more so with him in it. “Got tired of you dodgin’ me, sweets,” he said simply.

  He’d wanted to get together many times in the previous weeks and I’d declined each time. “But my uncle…,” I protested as he unloaded cartons onto the counter.

  He paused, stepping into my space so that I had to tilt my head up to look at him. “I parked a few blocks over. No one saw me come in. I was careful,” he assured me quietly. “The fact you’re so scared of him doesn’t sit well, babe.”

  “I’d be an idiot not to be afraid of him,” I replied matter-of-factly. “Especially now,” I muttered.

  Since our first meeting, I’d shared whatever tidbits of information I’d overheard from my uncle with Maddox, and by extension, his club. Despite the danger, the opportunity for vengeance no matter how small was too enticing to pass up.

  His jaw clenched. “I don’t like you putting yourself at risk. The information you’ve shared has been helpful, but we can get by without it.”

  It was a conversation we’d had more than once over the past few weeks. “You know how I feel about this,” I argued.

  He cupped my neck, his callused hand warm on my skin. “I do know how you feel, I just don’t know why.”

  “Are we having a date or getting into the gory details of my past?” I tried to quip, though it came out forced.

  He eyed me steadily. “We can do both.”

  I shook my head. I wasn’t ready to open those wounds. “Not tonight.”

  He sighed, biting back frustration, and after a tense moment nodded in agreement.

  “What’d you bring me?” I asked, desperate to lighten the mood.

  To my great relief, he grinned. “Chinese.”

  I was touched by his thoughtfulness. I’d told him the night before how much I’d been craving it. “Potstickers?”

  He scoffed as if I was crazy to ask. “Of course.”

  I grinned. “Thank you.”

  He pulled me in for a hug, which immediately became my new favorite thing. His arms were strong, his body hard pressed to mine, and yet I’d never felt so comfortable or secure. He smelled delicious, like soap and leather, and I had to fight the urge to audibly breathe him in.

  We stood embracing in my kitchen for several moments before he kissed the top of my head and let me go. “Let’s get you fed.”

  My mouth was watering for another reason altogether as I nodded.

  We ate on the couch since I didn’t have a dining table—or chairs. He didn’t seem to mind as we dug into the copious amount of food he’d brought.

  When I couldn’t eat another bite, I leaned back against the couch with a satisfied groan. “That was good. I’m stuffed. Should I be embarrassed that I think I ate more than you?”

  He chuckled. “Not at all. I’m glad you have an appetite. And some curves,” he noted, his heated gaze sweeping over me.

  I fought the urge to squirm, his words making my heart pound.

  He pushed his plate back, leaning back on the arm of the couch while I did the same on the opposite side. After a moment of hesitation, I stretched my legs out toward him and fought a shiver as his large hand cupped my bare calf, his thumb stroking over my skin.

  “Did your mom try that muffin recipe I sent you?” I asked curiously. From our conversations, I knew he and his family were close and that his mom couldn’t cook to save her life. I’d put together a simple recipe to try to help.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, though I don’t think the result was the same as when you make them. Unless you make charred cement balls of dough,” he added.

  “But I added step-by-step instructions,” I replied in confusion.

  “Baby, my mom burns toast,” he explained patiently. “I’ll bring you up once some of the heat dies down, and you can show her how to make them in person. She’d love that.”

  I shifted my gaze away from his. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

  “Why are you changing the subject?” he pressed. We hadn’t known each other long, but somehow he could already read me like a book.

  I sighed. “Because I think you’re living in a fantasy, Maddox. Your family, your club would never trust me. And my uncle would probably kill you,” I added, sharing my greatest fear about us spending time together.

  He squeezed my calf. “I can take care of myself. And my family and club will understand.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “Oh yeah? So they know about me?” I challenged.

  “They don’t. But not because of what you’re thinkin’,” he was quick to add when I bristled. “I trust my club but I don’t want it getting out that you’re helping with the Rossi shit,” he explained. “Protecting you is my top priority.”

  “I’m a Rossi, Maddox.” I stated the obvious. “You can’t forget that.”

  “I haven’t forgotten,” he assured me calmly. “It’s also just a name—it doesn’t have to define you.”

  I pulled my legs away from him, rising from the couch in agitation. Emotion clogged my throat, tears stinging my eyes as I picked up our dirty plates, needing some space. I made my way to the kitchen and scrubbed at the dishes with unnecessary vigor.

  It was only a moment before two strong arms appeared on either side of me, his hands braced on the counter effectively caging me in. He reached over, turning the faucet off. “I hit a nerve,” he remarked quietly.

  I nodded.

  “You want to tell me why?”

  I looked down at the suds swirling in the sink, debating how to answer him. The truth was, no one had wanted to get to know me in so long—no one had tried to be close. It was almost a foreign concept to me. “I’m not trying to play games or be deliberately cold,” I explained quietly. “But trust isn’t an easy thing for me and we don’t know each other very well.”

  “I haven’t earned it,” he surmised, more to himself than to me.

  “I’m not a prize,” I argued.

  He turned me gently so that my back was to the counter, still caged within his arms. He was impossibly close as he peered down at me. “Yeah, sweets. You are.”

  “Sweets, baby, wake up.” Maddox’s deep voice came to me through a dream.

  “Hmm?” I mumbled, wondering why my bed was so hard and smelled so darn good. Then I realized with a jolt that I’d fallen asleep on top of Maddox on the couch. I struggled to get up, but his strong arms held me in place.

  “Wait, stay just a minute longer,” he coaxed, pulling me back down toward him.

  I complied, reveling in the feeling of his hands stroking my hair and down my back. “Sorry I fell asleep on you.”

  “You can fall asleep on top of me anytime,” he replied, sounding sincere. “I should go soon though. I assume you have to be up soon.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Nearly four.”

  I was shocked how well I’d slept and how peaceful my dreams had been. “I do have to get ready soon. Luckily my commute is pretty good,” I quipped.

  “I like your place,” he noted for the first time.

  I nodded against his chest. “It’s small but cozy. It was the first place my grandpare
nts lived together, so it has a lot of sentimental meaning. It was just an empty space below for the years it took them to build out the bakery.”

  “It’s amazing it’s been in business so long,” he commented, continuing to stroke my hair soothingly.

  “It is. That’s why I feel so determined to keep it going. But I’m not sure how successful I’ll be with the competition and my uncle’s goons scaring everyone away.”

  He tensed under me. “You neglected to mention that part.”

  “I said he comes in,” I answered defensively.

  “Yeah, but not that he scares everyone.”

  I leaned back, peering down through the dim light at him, his image slightly blurry without my glasses. “Maddox, if my uncle is nearby—he’s scaring someone. It’s just how he operates. He gets off on it.”

  He reached up, cupping my face tenderly. “I’m gonna take care of it, baby. Do you hear me?”

  I sat up, so distracted I almost didn’t realize I was straddling him. “These are my problems. I don’t doubt your club is tough, but my uncle is powerful and pure evil. You should stay out of his way,” I advised.

  He sat up too, gripping my thighs with his powerful hands. “I need you to listen to me here because this is really fucking important,” he growled. “This was my problem before I even knew you. He’s tryin’ to run shit through my town that my club wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Drugs and pussy mainly. We’re not havin’ that. And even if that weren’t true, I’m not the type of man who sits back and let’s an asshole like him threaten good people, especially someone I care about. So just get that shit outta your head. I want to get to know you better. I want to spend time with you, and if he’s getting in the way of that then he needs to be dealt with. End of. Do you get me?”

  His face was inches from mine, his hands at my waist. “I get you.”

  Something shifted between us then as an awareness of how intimate our position was took hold. His eyes heated as his gaze locked on to where I straddled him, his tongue wetting his bottom lip in the most sensual move I’d ever seen.

  When my hips shifted of their own accord, it seemed to be the invitation he needed. With a low groan he took my mouth in a soul-searing kiss. His hands moved to my head, raking into my hair, gripping the thick strands as though his life depended on it as he pulled me closer.

  His lush lips caressed mine, his tongue seducing my mouth as he laid claim to me. I’d never been kissed like that, not even close. My entire body was on fire for him—my heart beating out of my chest as I gripped his shoulders in a bid to bring him closer.

  Finally, when I thought I’d explode with lust, he pulled back, pressing his forehead to mine, his breathing as ragged as mine.

  “You’re so fucking delicious,” he growled. “I bet every part of you tastes so good. Which is why I should go.”

  “What?” I stammered in confusion, trying to break through my fog of lust.

  He squeezed my hips. “I didn’t come here to fuck you, baby. And even if I did, I don’t have the time to do it properly. You have to go to work and I should get gone before your uncle or any of his men are nearby. So I’m gonna force myself to leave.”

  “Oh.” I bit my lip in consternation. I’d never wanted to have sex more in my life and was debating the merits of an attempted seduction.

  He smiled at me tenderly, as though reading my mind. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful.”

  I blushed and moved off his lap reluctantly.

  He stood, pulling me up with him and into his arms. “When can I see you again?”

  “Um, I don’t know,” I replied, still feeling slightly frazzled. “I think you fried my brain.”

  He chuckled, swooping in to kiss me gently. “Feelin’ is definitely mutual, babe. How about we settle for soon? I’ll call you later.”

  “Okay,” I agreed, a little sad watching him put his cut back on and gather his keys. Despite everything he’d said, I still doubted this could ultimately work. My uncle had a habit of ruining my life. I knew in my gut he’d do it again.

  As though picking up on my mood he stepped closer, cupping my face gently. “I’ll sneak over here in the middle of the night if that’s what it takes, baby,” he assured me. “We’ll figure this out. Okay?”

  “Okay.” I accepted the chaste kisses he placed on my lips and forehead. “Drive safe.”

  “I will.” He stepped away, and with one last heart-stopping grin, opened the door and stepped through it.

  The lightness in my step and elation in my chest were brand-new as I locked the door behind him. A grain of hope took root despite so many years of learned suspicion.

  Had I known that cunning eyes watched Maddox depart my building, that hope would have dissolved, obliterated by fear.

  Chapter 5

  FRANCESCA

  I had just opened the following day when my uncle and Bruno sauntered in.

  My uncle’s cold eyes assessed me in that calculating way of his, as though I’d affronted him and awaited his judgment. He lived for the fear he instilled in others. Being his niece had done nothing to shield me from that; if anything it had made me more of a target.

  “Francesca,” he greeted. “Two cappuccinos and some of those cannoli,” he ordered, gesturing to the display where I’d just put out a fresh batch. He never paid for anything.

  “Sure,” I agreed, fighting a shiver as Bruno watched me.

  Once I served them, they usually left me alone at least.

  My phone pinged with a text from Maddox just as I returned to the counter after serving my uncle and Bruno. The two men sat talking quietly, plotting as usual.

  I want to see you. Tomorrow night. Dinner?

  Despite the stress my uncle always caused me, I grinned at my phone.

  Okay.

  You willing to drive a bit? Figure we can meet outside of town. It’d be safer. Wish like hell I could pick you up instead.

  Despite my reservations, I wanted to see him again. Badly.

  Okay.

  He shared the name of a restaurant closer to Reno. I’d have to leave soon after closing to get there on time.

  Drive safely, sweets.

  I had to fight another grin, not wanting my uncle to catch on to my state of mind. He preferred me miserable. Always had.

  I heard them mention Hawthorne and tried to be casual as I listened in to them discuss something about a drop that night. Wanting to relay the information to Maddox, I cleaned tables close by and refilled their water more than once.

  After two cappuccinos and another pastry to support their ever-growing waist lines, they left.

  I breathed a sigh of relief at finally being left to complete my workday in peace. I picked up my phone, wanting to text Maddox with the information I’d learned as soon as possible.

  My uncle said something about a drop tonight in Hawthorne

  Baby, don’t fucking risk yourself with this shit

  My cheeks grew hot at feeling reprimanded when I was only trying to help. As though he sensed my reaction, my phone started to ring in my hand, Maddox’s name flashing on the screen. I ignored it, placing it on the counter instead.

  I rolled my eyes when it only started ringing again and again. The man was relentless.

  “Hello?” I answered finally, knowing he wouldn’t give up until I did.

  “Baby.” The endearment was nearly a growl. “You can’t know….” He took a breath as though to calm himself. “You mean a hell of a lot to me. I know it’s early. Maybe that scares you. But you know what? Right now, I don’t fucking care. I know you’re trying to help. You have helped. But the idea of you being in the same room as that asshole makes me way fucking worried. But you listening in on him? That scares the shit out of me.”

  “I’m being careful,” I murmured, my annoyance softened by his clear concern for me. “I want to help, Mad. I need to,” I insisted.

  “We’ll talk about it later,” he replied.

  “It was some sort of junkyard, it
sounded like,” I added, still wanting him to have the information.

  “I’ll look into it,” he sighed in resignation. “I can’t fucking wait to see you tomorrow.”

  “You’re very sweary today,” I noted with a smile.

  “I’m always sweary, baby.” He chuckled. “Go get off your feet for a bit if you can. I’ll call you later.”

  “Okay,” I agreed quietly. I’d gotten so used to his nightly calls. Even if they were only for a minute or two or if we’d already talked that day, he made sure he called before I went to bed. Luckily for me, tonight I’d be saying good night with the intent to see him tomorrow.

  I couldn’t wait.

  ****

  The next day was uneventful but painfully slow as I awaited my date with Maddox with a mixture of anxiety and elation.

  It seemed an eternity before I flipped the sign to closed and dashed upstairs to get ready. I hadn’t been on a proper date since high school and the fact it was with Maddox, who incited feelings in me I’d never known before, meant that I was something beyond thrilled.

  I had very little to choose from wardrobe-wise; money was tight and a typical week for me consisted of work and not much else. After some digging I found the only little black dress I owned, bought for my nonna’s funeral. Its unflattering fit and the feelings it evoked had me tossing it aside, instead settling on my dark denim jeans and a green blouse I hadn’t worn in ages.

  After I’d showered and dressed, I left my thick, dark hair down, allowing it to fall in its typical waves down my back. I put in my contacts, which I rarely wore, before swiping some mascara over my long lashes, highlighting my brown eyes. I swiped some gloss on my full lips and after a quick spritz of perfume I was ready to go.

  I cranked the stereo in car, feeling more carefree and excited than I had in ages. I didn’t mind that it was a long drive, that I’d get home well after my typical bedtime and be exhausted the next day. For the first time in ages I felt like the twenty-three-year-old that I was, excited for a date with a gorgeous man.

  When I pulled into the parking lot a few hours later, my heart thundered at the sight of Maddox leaning against his bike, his muscular arms crossed. The fact that he was waiting for me was a heady thought.