by Mia Madison
Table of Contents
Raquel’s Epilogue
Raquel
Kenny
About the Author
Let Me Taste You
Mia Madison
Contents
1. Raquel
2. Kenny
3. Raquel
4. Kenny
5. Raquel
6. Kenny
7. Raquel
8. Kenny
9. Raquel
10. Kenny
11. Raquel
12. Kenny
13. Raquel
14. Kenny
15. Raquel
16. Kenny
17. Raquel’s Epilogue
About the Author
Copyright © 2017 by Mia Madison
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
Raquel
“You can’t be serious.” I clicked again. I knew Snapchat would reveal that I was watching his snap again and again, but I didn’t care. “You can’t be fucking serious.”
This wasn’t happening.
No. This was happening.
My date two hours late. He wasn’t sick. He wasn’t involved in a terrible accident. He wasn’t on a hijacked plane, or caught up in anything that would acceptably justify why he wasn’t sitting across the table from me right now.
He was already out on a date—yes, wining and dining another woman.
I couldn’t see her face. I couldn’t see who she was, but what I could see, I could imagine her to be pretty. From the neck down, she was buxom and well dressed. Her nails were painted with a nude manicure, and used proper silverware.
Bastard.
He chased me. He pursued me. He even texted me not to forget this evening. And then he did this?
I had been waiting here, at this table, for over two hours, certain, completely certain he would show up. My waiter had shown impeccable patience as I promised he would come.
Sorry. He’s just a little late. Ten minutes more. Oh, yes. He’s just texted me. It’s traffic. He’ll be here in just another fifteen…
Well, it was a full one hundred twenty minutes—and some—later. He wasn’t here. He was across town somewhere, giving someone else the attention he promised me.
I’d never felt so crushed and low in my life. Fire spread throughout my cheeks. I raised my third glass of wine to my lips, sipping to prevent myself from cracking. My waiter stood across the room, keeping an eye out in case circumstances changed.
I feverishly refreshed Snapchat, checking to see if anything had changed. This time, the girl’s face was shown. She was indeed gorgeous, black hair and blue eyes with lips to piss off Kylie Jenner.
She leaned into him in the video, winking and kissing him on the cheek. #Bae and heart-eyed emojis were plastered all over the snap. I took a screenshot.
As if I weren’t crushed enough, I heard a giggle that tickled my ears. She sounded cute, light, and bubbly, like a woman in love. I turned to see who the happy hussy was. The fantasy of throwing my drink in her face would bring me joy.
But what would you know? Jackass was here. They were sitting on the far side of this section of the restaurant. She was the giggler. They were smiling, laughing, and dining together.
The jackass, Alex, pestered me for months, and I mean months. He was cute and fit, but I declined his advances. I could tell he wasn’t serious, and I didn’t play with my heart.
Alex wouldn’t take no for an answer. He pursued until I gave in. We exchanged text messages, FaceTime’d, sent Snapchats, and talked on the phone for weeks leading up to this night…
Only for him to stand me up on the very night he spoke up for weeks.
My heart crushed as I looked at them, and as I replayed the broken record of promises he made. (“I’m not that kind of guy.” “I’m really digging you.” “I can see something with you.” “Damn, I can’t wait to take you out and show you how wonderful I am.”)
What a freaking jerk.
He wanted me to see this, him with other women. Save for being the biggest moron on the planet, he had to. There wasn’t any way he hadn’t done this on purpose. It took everything in me not to go over there—and I do mean everything I had.
I pulled out my phone and took a video of them, and a couple of pictures, then shot them over to my best friend, Dilayla. I told her not to call me. I knew as soon as I finished this wine and did the walk of shame out of this restaurant, I would break down. I needed that moment to let it out. Especially since I couldn’t let my rage unfurl in the form of red wine over her cream top.
The waiter brought their plates over. I’d never wanted to smash a handful of garlic mashed potatoes in someone’s face so badly. Had someone ever died by way of mashed potato suffocation? No? Okay, well believe me, I would have started the trend.
“Hello, ma’am?” The manager approached. “We have guests who need this table. If you’re not going to place your entree order, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to move to the bar.”
Shame smeared my features as I accepted the truth. My time was up, and I would have to accept my fate. The lovely dinner date I’d been promised was all a sham.
“No problem.”
I felt all eyes on me as I reached for my card. I planned to pay for these expensive drinks, and then slink off to my car, walking with the perfect blend of dignified speed. Friday night here was a hot spot for couples. I didn’t need to be seen leaving alone.
While not the nicest, this restaurant was one of the fancier places in Miami. I went all out for tonight. I had worn my new DvF wrap dress, my hair was flat ironed into sheer silkiness, and my face was beat to the gods with the newest Pat McGrath. Not to toot my own horn, but I looked good. Damn good.
“Oh no, I feel bad for her. Her date must have stood her up.”
My face burned as I handed over my card. I was destined to date men who stood me up for women who had no clue how to whisper.
As the waiter walked away to handle the bill, I turned and met her sympathetic eyes.
“I’m sorry. You’re way too pretty for that. Curse that jerk out if he even tries to text you.”
There was so much sympathy in her voice. I almost felt bad for my fantasy of fucking up her outfit with my drink. It registered a striking contrast against the shock in Alex’s face. Our eyes locked when he realized who I was.
I hoped he could see my rage in the telepathic message of smashing his face into those garlic mashed potatoes. I regret no part of that desire.
When the waiter returned with the checkbook, I signed and got up to leave. Adjusting myself with a newfound need to assert my sex appeal, I nodded in thanks to Jackass’ lovely date. I strolled towards the exit when a tall gentleman approached.
“Sweetheart, we haven’t even ordered and you’re leaving already? I knew you were shy, but damn, love, you look too good to be nervous.”
What?
He grabbed my hand, kissed it, and winked. Then he nodded to the confused waiter. “I’m ready, man. I was a little late. Go ahead and seat us.”
Kenny
Her beautiful brown eyes looked at me with shock. She didn’t know who I was. But that didn’t matter. All she needed to know—at least for now—was that I was the guy willing to be the guy she was waiting on.
My friends, Dom and Nick, walked past the restaurant with me when I noticed her in the window. She was seated, dressed and pretty, waiting for someone to show up. Whoever he was, was a lucky bastard, and I couldn’t stop looking at her, so I told the guys to stop here for a drink.
It was easy to get what I wanted when the first round was on me. Besides, we were only going to the strip club tonight, and since it was only six p.m., we weren’t missing anything. None of the dancers would really put on a show until later that evening.
Creep life took strategy. I had to know how and where to place myself so I could spy with ease. The guys had no idea I was scoping anyone, until they saw the corner I found at the bar. It was in the corner, with close range to the entrance, the restrooms, and direct vision of the beauty. Some guys were sitting there, but they agreed to move for a hundred dollars each. Easy peasy.
“Damn, she’s bad,” Nick said. He licked his lips, and rubbed his hands.
“Nah, man. That’s me.” I said. “She’s why I’m here.”
“No doubt, man. I’ll fall back.”
“Appreciate it.”
“Meh,” Dom cut in. “She’s a little high-maintenance looking.”
“High maintenance isn’t a bad thing,” Nick said. “You just like ‘em ugly.”
“They’re not ugly,” Dom asserted. “They’re just more of a five to six, maybe seven, on the hot scale. But they’re easier to deal with, down to Earth, and will do anything in bed. I don’t like pillow princesses.”
Laughter erupted among us. I shook my head. Nick, Dom, and I were like brothers, but Dom’s taste in women couldn’t be further from the opposite of those of Nick and me.
Nick and I eyed the gorgeous brunette. She seemed to be half-black or Latina. Whatever she was, she was hot as fuck. She had gorgeous pouty lips, deep brown eyes, and that smoky makeup girls loved to wear. Her soft-pink wrap dress was accented with signature Valentino heels—the ones with the gold studs my sister loved to buy—and her thick dark locks spilled down her back.
She looked frustrated, checking her phone every so often. Her scowl spread over her face as she read something in her phone, but regardless of this, she was breathtaking.
But then I saw the unthinkable. She turned her phone toward another couple in that section. Once she took pictures, I figured she was a private investigator. That quickly dissipated when her face turned bright red when the couple she watched interacted with her. The lady looked sweet, but the guy looked like he’d seen a ghost.
Bingo.
He double booked his dates with multiple women and fucked around, standing up one right in front of the other.
They were both beautiful, but he was an idiot. The one he passed up was obviously hotter. Shit was insane.
The brunette’s pretty little nostrils flared as she paid the bill. She wasn’t on a date, ‘cuz the assrag she was waiting on had been across from her the entire time.
Aww damn. I was a sucker for a pretty face with class. She was too damn sexy and sophisticated to pass up, and I could see the tears threatening to spill over that stunning face. She would probably wait until she was in her Uber first.
Not if I could help it.
She was wide open, all mine for the taking. Even if it led to nothing, I just wanted to see her smile. I couldn’t be a man if I didn’t at least try. For some reason, I decided that would make my night more than a pair of stripper titties in my face.
I made my plan. When she turned her head to sign the check, I looked at the jerk. He was still shaken, but he did his best to play normal. I would swoop in and make my move, right in front of his face.
“Aye, if I’m not back in fifteen, go ahead with your night, fellas.” I peeled off a few hundreds and passed it over to Dom and Nick.
“Bet.” Dom greedily pocketed the cash.
“Go ahead and shoot your shot, man.” Nick and I pounded fists in solidarity. “I’ll watch.”
She placed her checkbook on the table, adjusted her dress, and walked towards the exit.
“Sweetheart, we haven’t even ordered. You’re leaving already? I knew you were shy, but damn, love, you look too good to be nervous.”
She looked at me like I was crazy. (I was, sue me.) I winked, and kissed her hand.
“I’m ready, man. I was a little late. Go ahead and seat us.”
The waiter looked just as confused as she, but the look I shot him forced him to make haste.
“Ah, yes.” He escorted us back to the table she was at. I assisted her back into her seat, and sat directly across from her.
My eyes were directly aligned to look straight at the assrag. He swallowed and averted his gaze.
His girlfriend gave me a petulant look.
“You’re lucky. You almost lost a good thing. That girl has no business being left to wait on you like this on a Friday night!”
“Oh, you have no idea. I’m luckier than you’d imagine. Trust me, darling, I’ve no plans on ever letting this happen again.”
I nodded in kind to the woman, and smirked at the dude. It pleased me to watch the color drain from his face. I’d gone in for the kill, called him on his bullshit. His woman was the only one clueless of the situation. Ignorance was indeed bliss.
As the waiter put the breadbasket down, I informed him to refund her tab, and put it on my ticket. She was very still and quiet as we looked over our menus.
“How was your day, love?”
“It was… okay. Full of surprises. I didn’t know if you’d make it.”
Her warm brown eyes looked into me, and I could see the shyness and desire conflict with each other as she attempted to get comfortable.
“What about your day?” she said.
“Oh, it’s just getting better and better by the moment, love. My friends and I were discussing business. We closed a deal, came out tonight to celebrate, and then the most amazing thing happened…”
I trailed off and smiled at her. She waited expectantly for me to finish. I leaned in and smiled. “I met this gorgeous woman. She makes my heart melt. And she’s having dinner with me right now.”
Her eyes glittered in delight, and that’s when I could see her begin to relax. I didn’t take her resistance personal; I think any sane, beautiful woman would have her guard up after the experience she’d just had. Well, that and the fact that a stranger swooped in to save her.
The waiter returned with another glass of wine for the lady, and a gin and tonic for me. We ordered. I went for the classic surf and turf—steak and lobster were my favorite. I looked at her, expecting to her to order something cute and bourgeois, a Nicoise salad, but she surprised me.
“That sounds, lovely.” She smiled in agreement and closed the menu. “I’ll have the same. Medium-well, please. Thank you.”
“I love a woman who eats,” I remarked, nodding in approval.
She batted her eyes in response. “Listen, I love food, and I love to work out. I won’t pick delicately at a meal and feel self-conscious because you’re watching.”
She giggled, and I held her in my gaze.
“Watching a woman eat is one of the most sensual experiences on Earth,” I replied. “I wouldn’t dream of denying you—or myself—the pleasure of watching you relish every single bite. Tonight is yours.”
Her cheeks deepened in color, but passion flashed in her eyes. I could tell she wanted to jump across the table and fuck me for dessert, but was too classy to actually do such a thing.
I loved a woman like that. Open and sensitive to the call of the wild, primal enough to give a visceral signal, but classy enough to contain herself. Women who were uninhibited yet strategic, those women turned me on…
“So, if I may ask, what kind
of business deal is it?” she asked, bringing the glass to her lips. She wrapped her bottom lip around the glass lip so slow, I was left spellbound. Then she coughed, bringing me to attention.
“Excuse me, love. I was temporarily distracted.” I backed up and blinked a bit. “It’s a real estate partnership. We’re building a parking lot downtown.”
“Oh, that’s so cool,” she mused. “I’m interested in real estate myself.”
“Are you getting your license?”
“Eh, no.” She leaned back and wrinkled her nose. She shook her head in negation. “I—I’m not interested in being a sales agent. I want to be an investor.”
Words failed me. She was young and stunning, and she didn’t want to be a real estate agent, like most women I met. She had plans on getting her hands dirty, going where the real money was.
Shock must have registered on my face because she returned my look with a weird one.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I shook my head. “Forgive me for being a dunce. You just become more and more enchanting with every moment that passes. What kind of investing do you want to do?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve seen something about flipping homes, but I don’t know how to calculate value metrics on homes or anything like that. There’s also property management. There’s so many options, and I don’t know where to start.”
“There are,” I said. “It all depends on what you want to try first.”
Playful anxiousness coated her features as she dug her manicured fingers into her scalp. Shaking her head, she replied. “There’s too many options. And I’m scared to mess up. I just know I need to do something. I was meant to do more than just pay bills and die.”
“Indeed. Don’t worry. Take your time, just don’t take too long. There’s money to be made.”
“How long have you been into real estate?”
“I’ve been involved throughout my career. I ramped it up within the past five years, you know because of retirement and all.”