Chapter 67: The Visit
Zack and I make our way to the kitchen. We make a good team, I'll admit it, but not to him, not yet. We get out our staples and start on a huge breakfast. Since our group is still slowly waking up, we make food for the crew first. Ryan and Jake take it to the dining hall for them.
Our guests and we will eat in the huge dining room. We usually just eat in the large open eat-in kitchen, but there are too many of us. Bart and Kiki are bringing Tina. She camped out with Kiki last night. We get the table set and clean up our mess just as everyone is making it to the kitchen. Lynn smiles, “I see why the sprayer is your go-to date.”
I laugh. “It just shows that I know what's good between my legs.” I grin and wink. “Now I've been between yours, too.”
Hunter scratches his chin. “What did I miss? Obviously, it was something I'd have paid to see.”
Levi shakes his head. “Maddie carved her name into the shower sprayer in the main bathroom.”
I nodded. “It deserved to be claimed. It's the best, most dependable date ever.”
“Holy shit!” Tina exclaims.
Kiki laughs as she wipes tears from the corners of her eyes. “That's priceless.”
Randy sighs as he looks over at the men. “Well, I pity you guys.”
“Oh, you boys have no clue what we ladies get up to when you're gone or asleep,” I tease.
Beth yells, “Amen!”
Lynn nods. “Oh, so true!”
“Plus, they don't need pity, Randy. They'd be lost without all of this awesomeness, and they know it,” I add.
“Now she sounds like you, Levi,” Max says.
“Put a lid on it, Max,” Levi growls.
“Boys play nice,” Lynn warns.
I laugh. “Always the peacemaker.”
“Always trouble,” she retorts.
“I'm the yin to your yang,” I quip.
Levi and Zack exchange a look. “You boys are in so much trouble,” Kiki says.
“There are two of them now, and they're both actual royalty. We are so screwed. Have mercy, sugar,” Jake begs.
I blew him a kiss. “Aw, Jakey, you know you're my favorite.”
Kiki teases, “And you all thought me and Bart were bad influences on Maddie, you ain't seen nothing yet.”
Zack shakes his head. “Madison, whatever you two are planning, you'd best think first about what you're getting yourself into.”
I laugh. “Oh, I have, my bountiful Bossman.”
Zack sighs. “Christ, this is going to be a long day.”
I laugh. “And it's just getting started.”
Jake asks, “Are you rethinking things there, Boss?”
Reed chuckles. “The Duchess might be more than you can handle.”
Zack laughs. “Maybe so, but I like a challenge.”
“Oh, we will see if you can rise to it later,” I reply with a smirk as I take my plate to the kitchen.
Luther chuckles. “Oh, you guys are so screwed.”
“Actually, they probably won't be. She wasn't called the Mistress of Desire for nothing,” Hunter points out.
“Because she always leaves them wanting,” Lynn explains.
“She's my hero,” Beth cheers.
Cameron yells, “Nooooo!”
Kiki giggles. “Welcome to the dark side, Beth.”
“Maddie!” I hear Zack yell my name. I'm guessing he's worried now, as he should be. I'm going to be me. If he wants to stick around, if not, I'll carry on as I always have. Maybe a bit sadder, but I'll live, after all, I'm used to being alone. “What are you up to?”
“It's a surprise,” I reply.
“Maddie,” Zack insists.
“Nothing intentionally bad. I hope you'll like it, actually,” I say.
“Why?” he asks.
“Because I'm done with it all. I'm me, and I'll do as I please,” I explain.
He pulls me close and looks in my eyes. “Have I ever forced anything other than to get you protection?”
“No.”
“Do I limit your communications or wardrobe?” Zack asks.
“No.”
“Do you think I ever will?”
“No.”
“Then what is going on?” he asks. I look down, and he tilts my chin so we lock eyes. “Tell me.”
“There's a part of me that I keep hidden,” I reply.
“Like your ferocious, maniacal persona you adapt to when you seek information at all costs?” he asks.
“Yes.”
He kisses my forehead. “Well, I didn't fear that, so I won't fear this.”
“We will see,” I say with a sigh.
He takes my head in his huge hands. “Maddie, I love you, and it's not just words.”
“l…” He kisses me deeply before I can finish my sentence. His lips claim mine as if to devour me. His hands slide into my hair and tug lightly. His tongue dances with mine. I'm placed on the counter. I give in to the power he has over me. He's intoxicating. He's easy to get lost in, and it's dangerous for my heart.