The Do Over (27 page)

Beep, beep, beep, beep
. I rolled over, lying on a cool spot on the bed, and grabbed my phone off the nightstand. It was five o'clock in the fucking morning.
What the hell possessed me to drink this part of the Madison-Stuart-Castrate-Rick Kool-Aid?
Yeah, I knew why I was doing this. My head crashed back against the pillow. I ran my hand along the empty stretch of bed. It was to have those damned brown eyes and sweet ass next to me. My mornings should include a wake-me-up quickie, not some godforsaken run. My dick agreed with me.

I dreamed of the day when I'd actually wake up with Daniela instead of thinking about her. I'd lost track of how many times I'd fucking jerked off to the memory of Daniela's damn body—her mouth, her tits, and her sweet pussy—trembling under mine as she came. Right now, I wanted to slide my dick into her mouth. She'd always given the most amazing head.
Damn it.
I needed to fuck her and fuck her hard.

I slid my hand under the covers.
Shit.
My dick was fucking hard. I closed my eyes as I stroked myself. I pictured her on her knees, looking at my dick with her wild eyes, as she pulled her hair back before she licked her lips and lowered them over me.
What is it about the fucking way she licked her lips?
I rocked my hips as I gripped my dick tighter, sliding my hand—

Beep, beep, beep, beep
.
Fuck.
I hated Madison more than I'd ever hated anyone in my life. Before I could get back to my fantasy, my phone rang.
What the fuck?
My dick was throbbing, my phone was ringing, and I was pissed.

"You better have a fucking good reason for calling me right now," I said, answering her damned call.

"Good morning. I love you, too. Now, tell me, were you raised by wolves or something? Manners go a long way. When someone who's helping you calls in the morning, you say
good morning
."

"
Good morning
. I hate you," I said, my voice thick with sleep and frustration. I sat up on the edge of the bed in my darkened room. Bending over, I rubbed my free hand across my eyes. "You're fucking lucky I even answered the phone."

"Hmmm, you stopped to answer the phone," she said, sounding satisfied and maybe a little victorious.

How does she know?

"Babe, I don't have to do
any
of this. You can go back to sleep or jerk off in bed, the shower, or wherever the hell you want. I think we both agree that your dick doesn't belong in your hand. I can hang up and go on with my life. I don't need to carry your sorry ass around, trying to help you with your goals. I'm focused. Are you? You have twenty minutes to get over here, or I'm leaving without you."

"Maddy, babe, take it down a notch. I just fucking woke up. Cut me a little slack." I stretched and felt my dick. "Trust me, if you were here right now, we wouldn't be having this conversation. When my eyes are fully opened and I'm not half-comatose with a throbbing dick in my hand, then I'll be focused."

"Take a cold shower. The clock is ticking." She hung up.

I just looked at my phone. I hoped Daniela would appreciate the lengths I was going to for her.

After a quick cold shower and a short drive later, I pulled up to Madison's building as she was walking out. She climbed into the car, threw her bag in the backseat, and didn't say a word as she crossed her arms over her sports bra.

"Um,
good morning
," I said sarcastically. "Look who was raised by wolves."

She glanced at me with a deadly look and then looked straight ahead. "Consider yourself fortunate that I like you. If not, I wouldn't bother with your bullshit."

I shook my head. Madison took mood swings to the next level.

I nudged her. "I'm one lucky bastard that you like me. I consider myself honored and privileged to be a student of the Madison Stuart School of Etiquette. You're my guru, and I seek your wisdom. Please bestow the secrets of happiness upon me, so that I might win the heart of the woman I love."

She lowered the sunglasses that were resting on top of her head. "That's better. You
should
bestow the respect I deserve upon me. Now, let's go. We have a lot to do. From now on, go to sleep earlier. Next time, I want you waiting for me. I don't want to have to call you. Do you hear me?"

This was an attitude that Madison could carry being fully clothed with her hair falling softly on the sides of her face. I was sure that when she was naked, she probably whipped men into complete submission. Now, showing off that hot, sexy body of hers in a ponytail, sports bra, and tiny shorts, Madison had to work on being convincing.

"Are you always this high-maintenance?"

She shifted in her seat as she raised her eyebrow. "Did you ever see the movie
The Karate Kid
? Not the Jaden Smith version. The original one with Mr. Miyagi?"

"Don't tell me that part of your plan involves me waxing your car and painting a fence."

"Rick, please."

She reached over and grabbed the hand I had resting on the gearshift. Turning it over, she traced her finger along my palm. I glanced into her eyes for a brief moment and grinned.

Looking down, she said, "I know these pretty hands of yours have never seen a day of hard work. There are certain lessons you need to learn in life, especially when it comes to women. By the time you graduate, I will have broken you of your selfish ways." Dropping my hand, she straightened her shoulders as she rested in the seat.

I looked over at her. "Can I have one selfish thing?"

When she cocked her head in my direction. I couldn't help but smile. I liked her little sadistic attitude. It was becoming of her. "I hate waking up at five fucking o'clock in the morning to that damn beeping sound. I need a wake-up call. Since you're up, and apparently a morning person, call me. Deal?"

"You can always change your ringtone, but
whatever
. I'm reasonable. I'll call. You
better
have a major attitude adjustment and say good morning."

Madison had kicked my ass on the run, not that I let on. Although I gave Madison a hard time, at the end of the day, the woman came through for me. She had even brought an extra bottle of water for me. These little things made me feel like a selfish piece of shit. I needed to do something nice for her to say thank you. My mother had raised me well, contrary to what Madison believed.

On the drive back to her apartment, we discussed the next step, which included more morning runs and cutting out processed foods.
What the fuck?
Although I couldn't figure out Madison's method or her madness, so far, it was working.

I showered, shaved, and pulled out my Dolce & Gabbana martini wool and silk charcoal suit, white Kiton button-down shirt, and my favorite Hugo Boss black loafers. I'd decided to skip the tie today. Looking in the mirror, I squeezed a little gel in my hands and ran them through my hair. I looked and felt like a million bucks.
Maddy might be right about this morning-run bullshit.

When I got in the car, I called Jorge. He was the florist my family had been using for years.

"Jorge,
buenos dias
." I made sure to say good morning.
Madison would be so proud.
"It's Rick Marin. I need an arrangement. Something that says
thank you.
"

"
Buenos dias, Señor Marin
. Is this personal or business?"

"A little of both, but keep it simple. The card should read, 'Maddy, let me thank you properly. Dinner at Perricone's. I'll pick you up at seven. Rick.' Deliver it to Madison Stuart at Martini Bar on Brickell before noon."

When my phone buzzes a couple hours later, I see I have a text from Madison.

Maddy: I see you're learning some manners. Thank you for the flowers.

Rick: I learn from the best.

Maddy: Working late tonight.

Rick: You have to eat.

Maddy: Short notice. Another time.

Rick: I'll bring it to you. Tell me what you want, or I'm ordering for you.

Maddy: Surprise me.

I ordered the Fiocchi Gorgonzola for Maddy and a medium-rare filet mignon with a marinated portobello mushroom for me. When I told them to deliver it at seven, the idiot on the phone gave me a hard time about the delivery. I knew they offered the service because I'd ordered from them often and had it delivered to my apartment. Apparently, if they had to cross the fucking street, it was an issue.
Do they fucking expect me to shell out eighty bucks and carry the damned food myself?
The service in this town was horrible. After I talked to the manager, the problem was solved.

I pulled into the valet at Martini Bar early. As usual, I figured I'd have a drink to relax while she made me wait. When I went up to the bar, asshole Bruce smirked at me.
What the fuck is his problem?

"Hello, Bruce. I'll have a—"

He turned around and walked away before I could order. Again, this was another example of the horrible service in this town. I pulled out my phone and sent Maddy a text.

Rick: I'm here. You need to fire Bruce.

Maddy: You're early.

Rick: Couldn't stay away.

Maddy: Stop with the bullshit. I'm not Daniela.

Rick: I'm practicing.

Maddy: Fuck you.

Rick: You'd love that, wouldn't you?

Maddy: In your dreams.

Rick: And you'd love it.

Bruce returned with a bottled water. "Madison says that you can only have water. If you have a problem with that, take it up with her."

I hoped he wasn't expecting a tip.

Rick: Water?

Maddy: Good for you.

Rick: Fire Bruce.

Maddy: He follows orders. He stays. You can go.

Rick: You're hot when you get feisty.

I sat down on the stool and just stared at the bottle. Bruce didn't even bring me a Perrier or Pellegrino. No, he brought me a plastic nondescript bottle. If the cap weren't sealed, I'd have put money on him just filling it with tap water and charging me for a bottle.

Madison was out of control. I'd let her have this because I was a dick to her today, but I had to somehow put a stop to her need for leading me around like I was on some fucking leash.

I took a swig of my
water.
Looking to my right, I saw Chris walk into the bar with none other than my best friend, Liam.
Motherfucker.
I wondered what that fucking boy scout was doing out on a Tuesday night. Chris saw me through the crowd and headed in my direction.

"Hey, how's it going?" I said as Chris and I shook hands. Then, I shook Liam's. As we walked over to an empty table, I asked, "What brings you boys out tonight?"

"Lucas, here, is going to read me the riot act about respecting his privacy and not talking about his sex life," Chris said.