Chapter 3

MADDIE

My mind tells me to leave, to find employment elsewhere. If they chose me to be part of Bistro Italiano, I shouldn’t have a problem getting a job someplace else, right? So why am I still standing in front of this man? This gorgeous Italian who seems to look directly into me? He isn’t like any of the guys back home. He is clean cut, the blackest of hair slicked back to show his dark features. His eyes are penetrating, his jaw chiseled and strong, flawless dark skin, his lips. I force myself to pay attention to his words and wonder if this is honestly something I should be doing. I feel so out of my league.

That woman he was with is not his girlfriend, so what? He randomly sleeps with women for the hell of it? Where is the love? Where is the romance? Is chivalry really dead? I’m thinking it was never discovered in New York.

I convince myself to give this a chance, trying to prove to my boss and to myself that I can try something before walking away from it. I can do this, I just need to keep my mind focused on my career and not on Rocco Santoro.

“I’d like you to meet my colleague, co-owner of the business and older sister,” he says. “This is Joanne Santoro. Joanne, this is Maddie Levere. She will be starting tomorrow.”

I realize it is the first time he takes his eyes off me since we have officially met. Deep down, I feel a sense of abandonment. It is something I had never felt before. What is it? Why do I feel the need to have his attention? I force my hand out and smile.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” I say. “I like to put a face with a voice.”

“Yes. We have spoken over the phone several times. Welcome to Bistro Italiano.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll be starting tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

“I look forward to seeing what you have to offer. You’ll have to pardon the many changes that will be going on here. We will be revamping the look as well as the staff.”

“That’s not a problem.”

“I’ll start you off at the salary we had discussed and review in three months. Does that sound fair?”

“Absolutely. Thank you, again, for this opportunity. I am looking forward to it.”

“We have strict rules here as well. They are set in place so we continue to run a successful business and take care of our customers. The best advertising is word of mouth and with so many high-end restaurants to compete with in Manhattan, we have to stay on top of our game.”

“I completely understand.”

“So, as with most places of employment, if you are late more than three times without sufficient notice, you are fired. If you screw up a dish more than three times a month, you are fired. There will be no relationships within the company.” She glances at Rocco before continuing. “This includes heavy petting and casual sex.”

It’s my turn to glance at Rocco. Did that apply to everyone?

“Some of these rules are fairly new, but will be adhered to. Here is an employee handbook,” she says, handing me a thin booklet. “Inside are other health and safety regulations, contact information, benefits and other information. Do you have any questions?”

“No, ma’am.”

“One other thing. If you want to work here, don’t call me ma’am. Call me Joanne, please, and welcome on board.”

“Thank you, Joanne.” I smile at her.

***

It was a good meeting, I think to myself. I turn on the water in my new tub and wait for the warmth to infuse with the cold. Joanne is so nice. I pull up my top over my head and look at my image in the mirror. I’m not so sure about the waitresses. It worries me as I wonder if it will be a game to try to win over their friendship. I couldn’t imagine working in an environment where everyone hated or was jealous over someone else. I pull off my skirt and let it drop over my top.

My thoughts then go to Rocco again. He was all I could think about on the way home. What I saw in his office and how he spoke to me afterwards have stayed with me. I think he could see straight inside of me.

“Rocco,” I whisper, watching my lips in the mirror. They stay parted. My fingertips glide down my neck as I imagine his face, his hands, his body in my mind. I bet you get lots of women, don’t you Rocco? I glide my hand over my bra, my nipple taut and sensitive. I bet they swoon over you and fall at your feet, don’t they?

My finger slides into my bra and over my nipple causing a sensation to radiate through my chest. I take off my bra and panties, discarding them in the same pile and step into the steaming water as it cascades from the large shower head. The water causes a goosebump effect all over my skin and I let a small steady stream that has escaped the natural flow to run over teasingly my nipple. I bring my hand to my breast and roll my nipple between my fingers causing electricity to flow through me.

A fresh bar of soap fills my senses as I run it underneath the water and then glide it across my stomach. “Rocco,” I say again, closing my eyes. I push the soap between my legs, allowing it to slide back and forth causing the thoughts and sensations from my body to target directly between my legs. The soap falls from my hand, clunking into the tub.

I run my hand down to where the soap had been, my fingers sliding between the slick folds of my pussy. I imagine Rocco behind me, directing my hand where he wants it to go. I imagine his mouth on my neck, the same way I saw him do with Tasha. I imagine him inside me, fucking me like I saw him fucking Tasha. My breathing is ragged and my fingers move faster.

Make love to me, Rocco. My other hand is busy, I push my fingers inside me, my thumb circling around my clit, arousal heightening as my imagination runs wild. I’m sitting on him in his desk chair, riding him slowly at first. He turns me around, pushing me over his desk and grabbing my hair.

“This is how bad I want you, Maddie,” he growls, fucking me until he comes. The thought brings my orgasm to the edge until it spills over and makes my body spasm.

“Oh, God.” I pick up the soap and finish bathing, feeling the heat in my cheeks and wondering why I find such a man so irresistible.