2 Good

by Celya Bowers

  “Actually, yes. I didn’t figure you had much in the way of spices and whatnot. Anything you don’t need I’ll take home.” She opened the back door of the SUV to retrieve the packages, but Aidan stopped her.

  “I’ll get them. Why don’t you go into the house and take a seat? I’ll drop these in the kitchen and join you in a bit.” He reached inside the car and grabbed the bags, discreetly watching the sway of her hips as she walked into his house. He tried to shake the image from his brain, but it was too late. It was already burned there.

  He took the bags into the kitchen and deposited the perishable items in the refrigerator, then joined Madisyn in the living room. She was flipping through his college football magazine. He wasn’t surprised, knowing that she was a sports junkie. “You go to high school games?”

  She placed the magazine on the table. “Sometimes. My oldest brother, Michael, is a high school coach. Last year his team went to state.”

  “Wait, is your brother Michael O’Riley? Coach of the Baldwin High Tigers, who won the state championship for the fifth consecutive season?”

  Madisyn smiled with pride. “Yeah, he’s been at that school since he graduated from North Texas State. That was the first time I’d ever seen him cry, outside the birth of my nephew.”

  Aidan knew the feeling, since the Cowboys had won the last Superbowl, the first in ten years. He, too, had shed a few tears in the locker room away from the news cameras. “Those are some emotional moments,” he explained. “I thought women like to see men cry.”

  “Well, yeah,” Madisyn agreed. “But we don’t want a crybaby, either.”

  Aidan laughed. “My manhood is still intact.”

  “Definitely,” Madisyn said. “Ready to start cooking?”

  Aidan hoped so. “Yeah, I think I’m ready.” He stood and reached out to help Madisyn up. “Are you ready?”

  After she was upright, she nodded. “Lead me to the kitchen.”

  Aidan believed in taking any opportunity with Madisyn he could get. He grabbed her hand in his and led her into the kitchen.

  “Oh, my God!” Madisyn walked further inside the room. Never in her limited experience had she seen such a spacious kitchen. It had every appliance she could ever wish for. They had an unused look. A large stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator sat in the corner. A six-burner convection oven, also stainless steel, waited to be used. What took her breath away was the island in the center of the room. It was the one she’d dreamed of. It even had the little sink to wash your hands! “Aidan, this is freaking great!”

  “I love to hear women say that.” He stood next to her. “Maybe not in the kitchen, though.”

  Madisyn laughed nervously. Was he really flirting with her? “Well, in this case, I’d be correct. The other I have no idea.” She walked to the large refrigerator. She was surprised to see it well-stocked. She pulled out the ingredients they’d need. He’d left the non-perishable items in the bag sitting on the marble counter. She caressed the counter. It felt wonderful. “This is so smooth, Aidan.”

  “Again, words I hear in other rooms in the house,” he said.

  Madisyn knew he was teasing, trying to relax the tense atmosphere. For that she was very grateful. “Is that all you guys think about?”

  “Probably.” He washed his hands in the sink and dried them with a nearby paper towel. “I guess you women never talk about such things.”

  Madisyn’s eyes were riveted on the sexy picture in front of her. “Huh?” How could something so mundane as hand washing seem so sensual? “I’m sorry. What?” She shook her head. The image of his large hands rubbing against each other covered in soap was too erotic for words. And it was doing crazy things to her body. “Why don’t we start making the recipe?”

  Aidan stared at her blankly. “You mean, scallops with coleslaw is a real dish?”

  “Actually it’s called scallops with cilantro sauce and Asian slaw. It’s really easy. You’ll see.”

  “I just bet.” Aidan didn’t sound like he believed her. “What’s first?”

  She reached for the containers of conveniently chopped carrots, radishes, apples. “First thing we need is a large bowl to mix this in.” She glanced around the room, then at him, waiting for him to spring into action. But he just stood there.

  He looked down at the floor, before raising his glance to meet hers. “I have a confession to make. My mom flew down and shopped for me, so I don’t know where anything is because she put everything away. So feel free to search.”

  She gave him ten cool points for confessing. Then she began her search. Might as well locate everything first. She found a large silver bowl, a very expensive skillet, and a beautiful red colander. She also located a thick cutting board and some knives. “Okay, Aidan, first thing you should know is that I am a tactile teacher. I believe you have to touch the food before you can fix it. Now this recipe calls for most of the ingredients to be sliced julienne style. You know, cut like shoestring potatoes.”

  “I’m aware of what the term means,” he said.

  “Sorry. I’m usually teaching this to young children at my church. No offense intended.”

  “It’s me. I’m a little touchy, I guess.” He picked up the knife and looked at her. “Now what?”

  Madisyn cleared her throat. “Well,” she reached for the bowl, “first we add the carrots, radishes, apples, and scallions. I went to a specialty store near my house, and so everything is already cut up.”

  He did as she directed, then also added the vinegar, sugar and salt to the mix.

  “We have to let it set for fifteen minutes,” Madisyn said, removing the scallops from their container. “The muscle has already been removed from these, but I would still rinse them, then pat them dry.”

  As he did what she said, he studied her. “So how long have you been giving cooking lessons at the church?”

  “Probably about ten years. I’m kind of a self-taught gourmet cook and I love to fix elaborate meals, so I started doing it to occupy my time at first.” She tossed the mixture around in the bowl.

  “Why did you need to occupy your time?” He leaned against the counter, watching her.

  She could laugh about it now, but back then she’d been an emotional mess. “I found out something awful about my boyfriend.”

  “What?”

  She dug into the other bag for the cilantro, lime juice, chiles, fish sauce and oil. She lined them up for him to use. “Oh, I found out he was playing me. He just wanted me to fund his artwork. He pretended to like me when he preferred men instead.”

  “Oh, Madisyn, I’m sorry.” He reached out to touch her, but pulled back at the last minute. “I know how devastating something like that can be.”

  She shrugged, not wanting him to know how much his words affected her. “Hey, it was over ten years ago. So I got my heart broken, but it was a lesson well learned. The first of many lessons, as it turned out.”

  “I’m glad you had something to occupy your time. I hope you didn’t blame yourself.” He glanced at the recipe she’d printed out for him and carefully measured the ingredients and added them to the mixture.

  She inhaled the aroma in the kitchen. Now it finally smelled like a home. “No, I didn’t blame myself. It just made me more aware of how easily men can manipulate women. I mean, if I hadn’t come over unannounced, I wouldn’t ever have known.”

  “Oh, so you did a drop in?”

  “Yep.”

  “So what after that?”

  Madisyn stared at him. “What do you mean?”

  Aidan stepped toward her. “I mean, what happened after that guy? You have this wall around you that I can’t seem to penetrate.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” And she actually didn’t. All they were doing was a little harmless flirting, right?

  “Well, I’ll just have to show you.” He closed the distance between them in two strides, took her in his strong arms and said, “As you can see, I’m a tactile kind of man.” His lip
s moved toward hers slowly, purposefully, and landed on their target. To say he kissed her was an understatement. He devoured her lips, forcing them apart, letting his tongue do all his talking for him. And right now he was doing a whole lot of talking. When they finally separated, Madisyn couldn’t breathe, let alone think of what the next step could possibly be.

  Aidan held her close. “I hope my message got through the brick wall.”

  She could still taste him on her tongue, smell him in her nostrils, and wanted him after just one heart-stopping kiss. “Oh, yeah.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Madisyn and Aidan stood facing each other, panting and staring into each other’s eyes in the large kitchen. Madisyn was more confused than ever. “Do you want to continue the lesson, Aidan?” She leaned against the counter for support.

  He nodded. “Look, Madisyn, I do want the cooking lessons.”

  “But?”

  “If you’re looking for an apology for the kiss, it’s not going to happen. Madisyn, can’t you tell I’m attracted to you?”

  This was all happening too fast for Madisyn to keep up with. “No, actually, I can’t. Why would you be, anyway? I think this is a little much if you just want to make sure I keep volunteering.”

  Aidan sighed. “Madisyn, stop and calm down. Yes, I’m attracted to you because you’re passionate about Mature Alliance, and you know football stats like crazy and not just mine. You’re a beautiful, smart and vibrant woman, Madisyn. How could I not be attracted to you?”

  She looked him up and down. “Because you look like that.”

  It was Aidan’s turn to look confused. “Okay, explain. You’re not attracted to me because of the way I look?”

  “Well, it’s kind of hard to put into words,” Madisyn lied. It wasn’t hard because she knew was attracted to him. She was just trying to fight it.

  He moved closer to her again. “I’m listening.”

  Now she’d done it. Aidan stood before her with a scowl on his face. Madisyn took a deep breath and decided if he wanted to know the truth, then that was what he going to get. “Well, Aidan, you’re a professional football player and I know you’re used to a certain type of woman. I don’t think I can be that woman.”

  “What kind of woman do you think I’m looking for?”

  Madisyn shrugged, stepping back from his closeness. His cologne was driving her nuts. “You know, like those girls at the party. Like my friend Keisha.”

  He moved closer to her and put his arms around her, drawing her as close to his body as humanly possible. “Madisyn, you’re the kind of woman I want. End of discussion.” He tilted her chin upwards toward him and kissed her.

  “But,” Madisyn murmured against his lips.

  “No more talk,” he whispered as he kissed her again. And again.

  Madisyn gave up her fight and kissed him back. This time when they finally came up from air, Aidan didn’t give her time to voice her apprehensions. He took her hand and led her to the breakfast table and pulled out a chair for her. “Sit down, Madisyn.”

  After she obliged him, he sat next to her. “Aidan, are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, Madisyn, I’m quite sure. I do want everything to remain as it is. I’m not looking for a wife. Just a good friend, and I feel we can have that.”

  “This is not some kind of booty call thing, is it? ’Cause I can save you a lot of time. I’m not into that.”

  “No, Madisyn. I’m attracted to you and want to see where our friendship will go. Are you game?”

  She was more than game. “Aidan, I don’t want to become a public spectacle. People will think that’s why I’m at the charity.” She didn’t want to compromise the charity and all Aidan had worked so hard for.

  “So you don’t mind pursuing a friendship as long as you can remain private? What about when we go out on a date?”

  “Aidan, let’s take it one step at a time. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the kisses. Can’t we take it slow to make sure this is something we both want before we alert the public that we’re dating?”

  He nodded. “Okay, slow it is, but I want you to know this right now. At some point we’re going to go out and people will see us together. When, I’m leaving up to you.” He took a deep breath. “Are you sure about your answer?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “As long as we take it slow.”

  Aidan looked across the table at Madisyn. She was beautiful when she was flustered. Slow. Sure, he could take it slow. He’d just have to learn to like cold showers. “Agreed. How about we finish the lesson?”

  She rose from her chair and pretended to smooth the wrinkles out of her tank top. Unfortunately that little move made Aidan focus on her full breasts. Slow was going to be very difficult.

  “Sure,” she said. “Do you still want to go to the movies?” She gazed up at him, then walked back to the island where they were preparing the food. “You said no one would see us. How is that possible?”

  Aidan knew pursuing Madisyn would be an uphill battle and she was proving him correct. “It’s in this subdivision, Madisyn. We can even walk to it, if you want. Remember when Harry let you inside the gate?”

  “Yes.”

  “To the left is a gourmet grocery store and next to it is the movie theatre. I can call ahead and book all of it, if that will make you feel better. Usually, I just sit at the back and no one bothers me.”

  She started preparing the scallops for the skillet. After she seared them on each side, she took them out and placed them on a plate. She motioned for him to join her at the counter. When he did, she handed him a plate.

  “Put some of the Asian slaw on a plate with some scallops on top.”

  Aidan followed instructions and had to admit to himself that the dish looked pretty good. The taste would be the true test. He hoped the dish tasted as good as Madisyn’s lips. “Do you want to go to the movies?”

  She picked up a gold-tipped fork and tasted the scallops. “These are wonderful.” She took a bite of the Asian slaw. “Delicious. You promise to be a gentleman?”

  “Of course.” Taking a cue from Madisyn, he picked up the fork and speared a scallop and some coleslaw on a fork and tasted it. It was delicious. The dish could rival food from his favorite restaurant.

  “Then, no.” She tasted the food again, this time taking a bigger portion in her mouth. “If I wanted to go to the movies with a gentleman, I’d ask my father.”

  Aidan was certainly at a loss for words and was getting ready to ask her what the heck was going on when he noticed the smile on her face. She’d baited him. “Oh. You got jokes. I’m goin’ to have to stay on my toes with you. This is amazing, and to think I made it,” he said proudly.

  “Yes, you did. I told you this was an easy dish to make.”

  Aidan smiled at her. She made cooking enjoyable and she still hadn’t given him an answer about the movie. “So what about later? I’ll be the perfect gentleman, promise.”

  She studied him with those green eyes for an eternity before she said, “Of course I want to go to the movies with the perfect gentleman. I didn’t think they made those anymore.” She finished eating her portion of their lesson. “That was really good. I’d forgotten how good this dish is. You’d better finish yours before I forget I’m a guest in your house and eat the rest of it.”

  Aidan laughed. This woman was definitely different from the rest of the women he’d dated in the past. She didn’t try to hide her hearty appetite. “I guess I made a really good meal, huh?”

  Madisyn nodded. “I really love any seafood dish.”

  “Well, that’s good to know.”

  * * *

  Later Saturday afternoon, Keisha paced her tiny bedroom in her childhood home wondering where her friend was. It wasn’t like Maddie to miss girly day. They both looked forward to getting pampered, and it just wasn’t the same without Maddie there. She’d always been the buffer between Keisha and Chayla. Chayla was too good for Keisha’s taste. She was constantly babbling about t
hose godawful kids or her clingy husband.

  Maddie usually confided to Keisha about anything going on her life, but this time Madisyn was keeping something from her. And Keisha didn’t like it.

  Keisha dialed a number on her cell phone. “Hey, where’s Maddie?”

  “I don’t know. You’re supposed to keep up with her and help me get back with her. My job is hanging by a thread.”

  “Look, Darnell, I didn’t tell you to have a sleepover.”

  He took a deep breath. “Why did you tell her, anyway? That was our secret,” Darnell said. “You cost me over fifty dollars in flowers and candy and she still kicked me to the curb.”

  Keisha sighed. Typical Darnell. Everything was just about him. “One, I didn’t tell her, and two, you shouldn’t have let that girl sleep over. I can’t believe you did something so stupid with a tramp.”

  “I know you ain’t jealous. I thought Maddie was your girl?”

  “When the occasion calls for it, she is.”

  * * *

  Madisyn was floating on air by the time she reached her parents’ that evening. As usual her mother was out with her friends, leaving Madisyn’s father on his own. He was sitting in his favorite chair reading the sports section of the newspaper when she located him.

  “Hey, baby girl.” He rose from his chair and gave Madisyn a hug. “You look wonderful today. Who’s got you smiling like this?”

  She knew she probably wore a stupid grin of happiness on her face, and not even her father’s meddling could ruin her good mood. “Nobody, Daddy. I’m just happy to see my father.” She sat on the sofa. “What’s for dinner?”

  “You know very well I grilled steaks. As I do most Saturday afternoons, weather permitting. So who’s got you smiling as big as Texas?”

  Madisyn was at a crossroad. If she didn’t tell her father something, he would needle her until she blabbed everything, just as he had when she was a teenager. Some things never changed. She couldn’t hide anything from her father. He’d give her the look and she would sing like a canary. “It’s someone I met recently. We had lunch together. Don’t worry, it wasn’t Darnell.”