Chapter 18

MADDIE

I watch the officers put Nancy into the back of the police car, relief flowing over me.

“It’s over,” I say out loud.

“I was sort of hoping it was just getting started.”

I spin around to Rocco’s voice behind me. I feel light on my feet as his smile broadens.

“So, I take it you believe me now?”

“I do. And I’m so sorry for doubting you.” He puts his arms around me and pulls me closer. I glance at Joanne and try to pull away.

“Joanne is right there,” I whisper.

“Yes, she is. Don’t worry. I told her about us.”

“You did?”

“Maddie, I don’t want any more secrets. Do you know what I do want?”

“What?”

“You, in my life. If that means not being in business with Joanne any longer, so be it. I’ll find another restaurant to take over.”

He kisses me deeply and it feels like the first time. No secrets, no worries, no pressure.

“I have to say,” Joanne interrupts as she walks closer. “I have my doubts about this.”

“The restaurant?”

“Yes, the restaurant. And whether this whole thing is even going to work or not.”

“Joanne, I…”

“But,” she interrupts again, holding up her hand. “I’m willing to give it a chance if you are.”

Rocco smiles, “Of course I am. I have always been behind you.”

“What do you say?” she asks, looking at me.

“You want me to stay on with you, Joanne?” I feel a sense of belonging return.

“I do. And if you want a part of it, I will give you the chance to invest as well.”

“I don’t know what to say. The only problem is my father’s money is still gone.”

“They will get it all back,” she says with confidence. “Give them time.”

“Come on.” Rocco links his arm in mine. “Let’s celebrate.”

“You two go ahead. I have some things I need to attend to. I’ll talk to you later.” Joanne smiles at me, pats Rocco on his shoulder and walks away.

“I have a bottle of wine at my place, perfect for the occasion,” Rocco says, a sly grin on his lips.

***

Alone with Rocco in his apartment causes a reaction deep inside my gut. I sit on his couch and watch as he opens the wine he promised. He pours two goblets half full of the beautiful burgundy liquid and hands one to me.

“Here is to new beginnings and a wonderful relationship.” He clinks my glass and before I take a sip, he stops me. He takes a drink, his eyes glued to mine. He leans into me and presses his lips to mine. A hint of the sweet smell of wine tickles my nose. I want more of him and as if he senses that, he deepens his kiss, teasing my bottom lip with his tongue before sliding into my mouth. The sweet taste of wine spreads across my tongue like wild fire and intoxicates me. When he leans back, I keep my eyes closed as I savor the moment, a smile taking over my lips.

“I have to say, that has to be the best tasting wine I have ever had.” I open my eyes and sip from my own glass.

“There is much more where that came from, my sweet.”

I set down my glass, my stomach forming a knot so tight, it’s impossible to ignore. My nerves start to work on my thoughts. Will this finally be it? Will I finally let my virginity go? What will Rocco think of me?

I watch as he gets up from the couch, his glass in hand. He disappears into another room and moments later I hear a sweet bluesy song fill the room from small speakers in each corner. I smile and sip my wine.

“Dance with me, Maddie” he says, his hand stretched out. Without another thought, I put my hand in his and we are dancing slowly, very closely and intimately. His warm breath is on my cheek, his arms hold me close as our bodies sway side to side. I can’t remember ever being this intimate with a man.

Rocco kisses my neck and I close my eyes. My arms are around his neck and I pull his body closer breathing in his warmth and closeness. I can feel his hands moving up and down my body as the music fades out and a new song begins.

I feel my shirt being lifted from my waist and my breathing catches as the air hits my bare stomach. I lift my arms as he pulls it up over my head and discards it onto the floor. His mouth covers mine and he deepens his kiss. My thoughts scramble in my head and all I can do is want him. He wraps his hands around my wrists and pins them behind me with one hand and the feeling of submission slams into me. His kiss gets deeper and my breathing gets shaky. He pulls my head back and moves his mouth to the tender skin on my collarbone before moving downward until I can feel the heat of his breath through the thin lace of my bra. My nipples respond and harden at the feeling of his teeth moving across them. When my bra falls away from my breasts I open my mouth to gasp for more air.

His hands are on me, his mouth consumes my nipple, his body is pressed against mine. I feel my skirt fall from my waist and before I step out of it he is scooping me up and carrying me out of the living room and into his bedroom.

“Please, Maddie. Do not deny me. Let me make you mine. Let me be your first and only lover and I will be yours forever.”

He lays me gently on the bed and stands over me, looking at me with desire in his eyes. I can only nod. My body is on fire. My chest rises and falls hard with each breath. He unbuttons his shirt as he watches me, with just my panties on. His chest is broad, defined. I reach my hand up and I trace the grooves between his muscles with my fingertips. I pull myself up and sit on the edge of the bed in front of him, my hands working at the buckle on his belt. He looks at me, watching as I pull them down from his waist. As I hook my fingers into the sides of his boxer briefs and pull them down, I hear his breath catch just before his cock springs out.

He lowers himself on top of me, pushing me onto the bed and crushing me with his body. He parts my legs with his and presses himself into me causing my arousal to ignite with a blast of heated desire for him to be inside me. I stop him only to remove my panties and I lie back, waiting. Rocco does nothing but look at my naked body, I move my hands to run them over his body, but he pushes my hands away, pinning them above my head.

“Don’t move them,” he growls into my ear.

His eyes lock with mine and I nod slightly. He kisses my chin and slides his body down until I feel the heat from his mouth through my panties. I can barely compose myself at this point, breathing so hard I feel dizzy. When I look down at him, I see him cover me with his mouth, his tongue doing things to me that felt so good my body aches for more. I feel my arousal heighten, my body responding to him and grinding against his hand.

“Rocco,” I whisper.

“Shh,” he says, laying on me again. He kisses me hard, his tongue penetrating my mouth. “Do you want me to fuck you, Maddie?”

“Yes,” I breathe.

“Do you want me to make love to you?”

I nod profusely, pushing myself into the hardness I feel pressing back.

He leans up and looks at me. I feel the weight of him lift off me and his hand moves between us. He partially presses his weight back down on me and feeds his hands into mine, pinning them to the bed. His eyes lock onto mine and he gives me a lingering kiss before looking at me again. I feel him press into me, opening me up slowly. I feel my heart pounding through my chest and a growing pain inside me as he pushes deeper. The pain mixes with the need for him and I push my body forward, feeling a sharp pain inside me. He stops but doesn’t pull back.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I say breathlessly. “Don’t stop, please.”

He slowly pushes into me, stretching me around him until he is fully inside me. He stops and kisses me passionately. He slowly pulls himself out and enters me again. The feeling increases my arousal, my desire, my need for him and I feel my muscles begin to tense. He pulls himself out and pushes back into me and repeats the motion over and over. He moves a little faster as he buries his head into the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply and growling as he pushes in. I feel the tension in his body. I feel the waves intensify in mine. My breathing is labored and my fingers are intertwined with his. I never want it to end, until it does.

I slam my eyes closed and waves of electric pleasure slam into me, drowning me. He pulls out one last time and lets forth this guttural groan from deep in his throat as he pushes into me and stiffens his body around me, exploding inside me. His body jerks and presses deeper inside me before he rolls over, breathing hard.

He rolls to his side and props his head up with his hand, his other hand caressing my stomach.

“Are you okay? I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

I merely smile at him and bite my lip. “I want to do it again.”

I roll over to him, giggling and rolling my body onto his.

“I knew I loved you for a reason,” he says teasing me. He covers my mouth with his and I can feel the arousal begin all over again.