Page 15 of Access

“Thank you. I’m terribly late,” she said, prepared to state how her best friend’s bridal shower was happening in just a bit and she was supposed to be picking up the cake and meeting the girls at the restaurant, but she absentmindedly trailed off as her eyes noticed Paco’s ears were each filled with two-carats of shimmery elegance.

He raised an adorable eyebrow. “You said I could have them.”

The lobby seemed to arrive in seconds, and opened behind the security desk. “I’ll drive,” Paco said, leading her to a back garage. She was in too much of a hurry to realize the magnitude of the car they’d gotten into, but quickly recognized the tell-tale image of a charging bull on the steering wheel. The growl of the Lamborghini seemed loud enough to wake the city, leaving Madison awe-struck at the power reverberating through. They raced out into the morning streets of New York on a newly bustling Saturday morning.

Paco noticed Madison nervously clutching the seat and slowed down just a bit. “Hey, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If you’re in a car with me, consider yourself safe. Cars are my passion. I like my cars like I like my men. Fast, powerful, and great looking wet.”

“Paco, I’m sorry to ask, but do you mind if we drop by—”

“A bakery for Sheila’s cake, and then to the restaurant for the bridal shower? I got you, girl. Cake’s already been delivered, with flowers and a gift basket of Moet, custom chocolates, two Broadway tickets, and a card from you. We’ll be at the restaurant in about fifteen minutes. You’ll be right on time.”

Madison just stared at him, visibly shocked.

He looked back. “Too much? I can keep the tickets if it would make you more comfortable.” He chuckled, and she nervously followed suit at his absurd display of selflessness.

“I’m seriously afraid to ask how you know all that.”

“I never reveal my sources,” he said while bringing a single pointed finger to his lips as if to say sh, indicating the true secret to his success. “Let me ask you something. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your every wish granted, and every desire anticipated? Well, Miss Madison, you’re about to find out.”

Dozens of questions popped through her head. But timing was everything, and Paco pulled to the curb of the restaurant not a moment too soon. With a gaggle of Madison’s friends casually waiting outside, she realized what this must look like. Their mouths had dropped, and their expressions were wide-eyed and staring. She struggled to figure out how to open the door, when it opened for her.

Madison stepped out sheepishly, and Paco took her hand to help her while slipping an access card into it. “There’s a message on your phone with my number. Text me when you’re ready to leave.” And before any of her girlfriends could swarm him, he peeled away, with the roaring engine reverberating off the city buildings.

They swarmed Madison instead, hitting her with a barrage of questions as they entered the restaurant. Madison assured them. “It’s not like that. He’s just a friend from work and, trust me, I’m not his type. And before you start on your next level inquisition, neither are any of you. Let’s get set up!”

Leading the girls into one of the private rooms, they found it filled with gorgeous flower arrangements, a table for gifts, a champagne station, and appetizers. “Oh my gosh, I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help. It looks amazing!”

“Hellloooo, we just walked in with you.” “We didn’t do this.” “Maybe we have the wrong room.” The ladies murmured, keeping their voices low so as to not disturb the stunning space.

Madison looked around and quickly noticed the “Congratulations, Sheila” sign on the table. She knew who the culprit behind this over-the-top display had to be, but protectively went into stealth mode. Nothing helped a covert operation like a full-on booze distraction. Grabbing a glass of bubbly from the champagne station and a knife, she started clinking the glass.

“Well, someone put a whole lotta effort into what will be an amazing shower. Please grab a glass,” she said as Sheila walked in. “Make sure Sheila gets one, because we’re toasting the most gorgeous and amazing bride to be! To Sheila!” She held her glass high in the air. The clinking resounded, and the room filled with loud murmuring, joyous laughter, and more corks being popped with such an oh-so-happy sound. As the food arrived, Madison was ready to dive into the feast and another glass. Bullet dodged.

With the brunch in full swing, she heard a faint text chime. She checked her phone, seeing two text messages from different numbers.

UNKNOWN, received an hour ago: Text me back when you’re ready to be picked up. P.

UNKNOWN, received 1 minute ago: Need you. Go to the room next door.

Madison slipped out of the room. Approaching the room next door, she postured for a knock when the door swung open. “Alex!” It was all she could say before he whisked her into the room and pulled her into an eager kiss. He released with a loud exhale, leaning his forehead into hers.

“I missed you.” He kissed her again, smoothing his hand over her cheek. “How’s the party? Is everything acceptable?”

“I think you know acceptable is not exactly the right term.” He moved his head away. A sudden furrow of his brow appeared. Had he overstepped?

Melting into a smile, she caressed his face, “No, it’s not acceptable, because it’s remarkable beyond belief. But, how did you know?” Although he’d usually kept people wondering, Madison wasn’t any other person. He sensed she might be a little concerned and wanted to avoid suspicion.

“When I moved your purse to the table, your phone slipped out. A text was on the screen confirming this morning’s party of twenty at Le Reve’s. I didn’t want to wake you, but I didn’t want something missed on account of me. I called the restaurant, and made sure you were taken care of. Is that, um, suitable?”

Madison kissed him with a full embrace. The soft sincerity of her touch as she caressed his face and kissed him said more than words. She didn’t have her guard up with him. There was no pretense. She played no games. Even if he’d done nothing for her event, he knew her reaction would have been the same. Her elation was all for him, and he cherished it.

In his charming, schoolboy way he answered his own question. “So, I take it that’s a yes.”

She kissed him again, a little slower this time. The warmth of her kiss and the heat of her breath melded with the smell of her skin and perfume. Her body against his was all too much. Against the slight fabric of her gown, his rigid hardness pushed against her, refusing to be ignored. She welcomed it.

“I’m dying to have your beautiful mouth around me,” he said, brushing his knuckles against her full bottom lip. His need for approval shone through his glance.

“Yes,” she whispered, enjoying the feel of his fingers on her swelling lips. Her warm breath crossed his hand. He locked the door and led her to a wingback chair in the corner of the room. She helped undo his belt and trousers, and they slipped with his boxers to his ankles. He sat. She knelt before him reverently, and he pulled her into a kiss, plunging his tongue through her lips, priming her mouth for much more ahead. His hands moved from her jaw to her neck.

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