Fucking hell. I've been lying here for hours now, and I still can't get to sleep.

Thoughts of that fiery red head, and visions of her moving to the music on the table, her body arching as it rolled, keep popping up. Speaking of things popping up, I'm hard as a fucking board and have been half the bloody day. It's like a direct switch down town every time I think about her. I've already helped myself out a few times, thinking about the way she moves, her long hair wrapped tightly around my hand, those full lips parting in ecstasy... Fuck this, I think reaching down under the covers and grasping myself. I continue my train of thought. Imagining it's her hand wrapped around me instead of my own, her perfect body pressed snuggly against mine, or her riding me with her head thrown back in absolute pleasure.

I sigh. I'm still semi hard even after I come.

What the hell? What is it about this chick?

I stare at the ceiling, knowing that I'm never getting to sleep tonight.
  
      

As predicted I'm completely stuffed while I shuffle around the small kitchen at work fixing my third coffee of the morning. At this rate I'm going to be more than 80% coffee by the end of the day. I can hear my secretary hanging around just outside the door, hovering, but choose to ignore her until she pops her head in for the fourth time.

"Is there something I can help you with Anna?" I say, not even turning and still focusing on stirring my cup of caffeine.

"Well, I just wanted to remind you that you have a meeting in five minutes, another at midday, and two this afternoon. Are you sure you don't want me to help you with that?"

She goes to step forward and take my mug, before I fan her away.

"I'm perfectly capable of making my own coffee, thank you. And I completely forgot about the meetings, so thank you for reminding me."

I turn and find Anna staring at me, with an eyebrow raised.

"You wash that spoon after you've finished stirring." She points a finger right at me for a moment, before turning away and walking back to her desk.

I look down at said spoon and thinking about telling her where she can put it, when I remember the last time I sassed her, and how she neglected to tell me my calendar for the rest of the week.

"Yes ma'am." I grin back at her.

When she sticks up a finger and flips me off without even halting her steps, I let out a hearty chuckle. She was the smartest hire I ever made. She's older than the usual secretaries I've had in the past, but it has also lead me to less trouble since I hired her. Not to mention she is unbelievable at her job.

I wash the damn spoon, then take a long sip of my coffee and head off to the first of many meetings today. It's good to be the boss, but these meetings are hell to sit through some days. The first meeting is all numbers and where the company is going. Mind numbingly boring and harder to pay attention to when you've had zero fucking sleep. The second is solely focused on our current project and the expansion on a small kitchen on the second floor. By the third of the day my brain is done with work, and wondered back to a certain red head. I nod along with the portly man in front of me as I pull my phone out, keeping it under the table as I shoot Vince a text with one word.

"Beer?"

The reply is instant, as obviously his day is about exciting as mine.

"McGinney's pub, 7:30pm, game is on."

I smile at his short hand, and somehow the rest of the day doesn't seem so bad. I can't get out of the building fast enough, and reach the pub just before kick off.

I love this place. It's poked in a small corner, and it's the kind of place that you wouldn't know it was there unless you were really looking for it. The outside is somewhat rundown with only a small dingy sign, hanging with a dim light, but it's the inside that feels welcoming and homely. The walls are littered with every kind of sports paraphernalia you can think of, from large championship matches to the smaller community ones. Whereas four televisions are spaced throughout the room, keeping every fan happy as each display a different sport on it. A dark wooden bar runs along the entire wall, and liquor bottles line the shelves behind it in a matching shelving unit. I spot Vince on a bar stool, completely focused on the football telly, and head over. His greeting is ever so warm when he sees me.

"Hey man, just in time. Shit, you look like crap."

"I'm trying out the 'no sleep look', thought I was nailing it." I groan out, raising my hand and turning to signal Doug for a beer.

Doug nods and brings one over, sliding a coaster under it as he sets it down in front of me. Vince and I have been coming here for so many years, that I've even lost count, and Doug just runs a tab while we're here that we settle on the way out. I take a long swig of my beer as Vince chuckles at me.

"Man she really screwed you up, hey?"

"You have no idea. I can't stop fucking thinking about her. I didn't fucking sleep at all last night, just kept thinking about that body, that smile..." I trail off as I take another swig of beer, my mind whirling for a moment, before continuing. "And it's not only her looks man. She was smart... witty, and one hell of a dancer."

Pictures of the red head's grin as she flushed and giggled at me just run threw my mind on repeat.

"Yet, you still didn't get her name?"

Vince raises an eyebrow at me, and I nod. I've been kicking myself about that all day.

"Yeah I know, I'm a dumb ass. She distracted me by throwing my ass out." I grumble, as Vince's head goes back while another deep laugh rumbles out of him.

"I still can't believe she threw you out naked. That's gold man."

I glare at him and take another swig of my beer.

"So who's playing tonight?"

My attempt to change the subject is met with more laughter. Jerk.

"Oh man, before I forget, Nora wants to do a wedding party brunch thing on Saturday. Something about everyone meeting each other, and little celebration of the engagement.. I don't know I just nodded, and agreed."

Now it's my turn to laugh.

"Good man, already nodding and agreeing."

"Also, Nora wanted me to tell you to not to hit on, take home, or sleep with any of the bridesmaids, friends or family."

He stares at me for a moment.

"Dude I'm not that bad.." I mock horror.

Alright, I have a bit of a reputation, and have climbed my share of fire escapes, but I also don't make promises, and have never kicked anyone out naked.

Damn, red headed beauty.

".. Ok, ok, hands to myself, I promise."

We watch the rest of the game, before Nora rings and Vince heads out, but not before giving me the details for Saturday. I pay up our tab and jump in my car to head back to my apartment. It takes everything in me not to turn the car around, rock up at her place, and come across as super stalker.

I am many things, many, many things, but I am not a stalker.

Damn this girl is really in my head.

Letting out a groan, I keep the car pointed towards my place with an iron grip on the steering wheel, and decide I need an ice shower when I get home.

  
        
The next day flashes past in a blur, as I'm barely paying attention to anything going on at work. Meetings, stern faces of the billing department, endless phone calls with contractors. Before I know it, I'm sitting in the lobby of this fancy hotel that Nora's picked for her brunch. Trying to prepare myself for the onslaught of information Nora is going to throw at us all, and the high possibility of a pie chart outlining our duties. Although, I do have to admit that the place is pretty nice, but seems a little over the top for a simple meet and greet. Vince's relaxing in the chair next to me and checks his watch for the fourth time in five minutes, just as his brother tries to hide his smile.

"I'm sure they're on their way, man."

I chuckle under my breath, while Vince groans at me.

"Her sister is always late. Nora thought picking her up would help, but they're still running late. It really is an amazing talent of hers."

I laugh thinking about Nora, the punctual, in control woman, having a sister that sounds like the complete opposite. I'm about to point this out when Nora hurries through the door, closely followed by two others.

"I'm so sorry we're late babe.."

She leans over and hugs Vince, before turning to face Vince's brother, Tom, and me.

".. Hey guys, I want you to meet my best friend Amy, and my sister Maddy.."

The rest of Nora's voice trails off as I lay eyes on her sister, my entire world halting for a moment. Holy shit! The face that hasn't left my mind in days stands in front of me. A smug grin spreads across my face, with finally having a name to the beauty that has kept me awake the last two nights, and consumed my thoughts. Maddy looks over to us with a light smile, but stops dead when she sees me. Her lips part as her eyes go wide, her chest rising sharply as her tongue darts out to lick her lips. Oh damn woman, fuck me. I stand up and move towards Maddy on autopilot, my grin getting wider by the second. Before I can say anything she slightly shakes her head and sticks her hand out in an offer of a handshake.

"Hey, I'm Maddy."

I try not to laugh as I take her hand, and pull it a little so she steps in closer towards me. Inhaling a little deeper at the fragrance coming from her when it hits my senses. So, that's how she wants to play it.

"Hey, I'm Aiden." I say looking into those brilliant blue eyes.

Nora groans next to me and thumps me hard on the arm.

"Keep it in your pants Aiden."

I can't help but let out a huge laugh as Maddy's cheeks turn slightly pink. The flush igniting something in me. Oh, this brunch just got so much better all of a sudden.

As we head in to find our table, I take the moment to watch Maddy. She moves with such energy, and her face is so animated as she talks. The fiery hair I've spent a shameful amount of time fantasizing about being wrapped around my hand, is tied up and set in soft waves, gently travelling down her shoulders and back. She glances over at me, completely catching me eyeing her and scrunches up her face to quickly glare, before turning back and continuing her conversation with Nora and Amy. It makes her look adorable, and I only just turn my head in time to hide my chuckle.

When we arrive at our seats, I childishly plant myself so I'm across from Maddy and she has no choice but to look at me if she even so much as glances at the table. The fact that she completely pretends to ignore my presence and stays talking to Nora as she sits down, drives me fucking nuts. The waiter appears out of thin air and asks for our drinks order. I watch as Maddy studies the menu, little smiles tugging at her lips as she quietly reads. Her silence is nagging at me, and I ask before I think better of it, rolling her name along my tongue with a little extra edge.

"So, what will it be Maddy?"

Maddy nips her lip before smiling sweetly at me as orders a Mimosa, the same as the rest of the girls. My brain barely hears her words as my eyebrows shoot up and my throat becomes fucking dry watching her bite her lip like that. Shit man, keep it together. Nora's hands loudly clasp together, starling us out of our stare, and she launches in full steam about how excited she is with what her and Vince have planned already. I look over at Vince who smiles tightly, if not strained, at everyone while she talks, before shrugging at me when I catch his eye. I grin, shaking my head. Smile and nod indeed. In reality though, he would find a way to give her more than the world if she ever asked. My eyes slide to Maddy as I listen to Nora go on about flowers in some sort of arrangement and find she's studying me, her eyes dragging ever so slowly down. Taking in every detail that she can possibly see of me above the table. Her eyes lingering on the first few buttons that are undone on my shirt, before hovering on my jawline. Those brilliant blue eyes dart away as soon as they rise to mine, that slight blush flushing her cheeks. A smug grin spreads across my face as I nod along to Nora, utterly consumed with her sisters reaction and not listening to a fucking word she's saying.
   
   
      

As the brunch goes on, I find out what Maddy actually does for work and find it highly interesting that she, in fact, works from home most days and has no set hours.

"Wow, how liberating for you that you don't ever have that 'I have to be at work in an hour', rushing around fear." I pipe up, quirking an eyebrow at her after this rather interesting fact is shared.

"It is, isn't it?"

She smiles sweetly back at me, meeting me with no sign of sweat. A pure and an innocent face, the complete opposite of what I think she is as I smirk right back at her. Oh this woman is the devil. The brunch starts to turn into late snacks that we drag out, and when it begins bordering on afternoon drinks, Nora stands up.

"Oh, I am so full. We should probably head off babe, but I'm so glad you could all do this today. I think it's really good for everyone to get to know each other so well."

"I think we know all kinds of things about one another now." I grin at Maddy, who only glares at me again.

Taking the cue, we all stand and start saying our farewells. I say goodbye to everyone, except Maddy, for this ain't anywhere near over yet. Silently sliding up behind her, I bend my head low to whisper in her ear.

"It was lovely seeing you again, Maddy."

I catch the goosebumps prick up and run across her bare skin where my breath brushes her neck. Fuck me, that's a bit hot. Maddy turns and looks up at me, with those damn eyes that are mesmerizing.

"It was good to see you to, Aiden. I guess I'll see you around."

And with that, she spins suddenly and steps to walk away from me. Oh no you don't. My hand flies out and gently holds her elbow, pulling her lightly back against my chest. My eyes fly up and track everyone else who seem to have finished hugging and started towards the exit.

"One drink with me. You owe me that much.."

Maddy turns her head slightly and I can see she's mulling it over.

".. Or do I need to remind you, that you threw me out naked holding my clothes a few days ago."

She stifles a laugh, before her face attempts to turn serious.

"One drink. And it's my pick."

Letting go of her arm, I extend my other in a gentlemanly fashion so she can lead the way.

  
    
     
I have to stop myself laughing when we pull up at the place she's directed me to. It must be a favourite of hers, like her version of McGinney's. My suspicions are confirmed when we walk in and the same bartender fondly gives Maddy a big smile and a nod. We walk up to the bar and take a seat. Before I can ask what she wants, a bright blue drink is placed in front of Maddy.

"Dare I ask what you have concocted this evening, Mateo?"

She eyes the drink cautiously while the bartender, Mateo, grins and winks.

"Surprise beautiful, but I'm warning you now, I'm cutting you off for the night after three."

Maddy's eyes go wide as she stares down at the apparently lethal drink. Damn, what the hell is in that thing? She takes a hesitant sip, and my eyes are glued to her as she closes her own to savour the taste, before letting out a moan. I keep my mouth closed and my tongue in my mouth but barely as, fucking hell, that's the hottest thing I have ever seen. Far better than anything I've dreamed up to date.

"You're a true artist Mateo." Maddy grins up at him.

Mateo throws his head back and laughs, before he turns and nods to me. I attempt words and amazingly get out something coherent, surprising myself as my brain has officially left the building.

"Ahh, beer, mate. Your choice.."

Maddy takes another long sip and leisurely licks her lips. Damn, she's going to kill me before the end of the night. I clear my throat and fidget on the seat, that I swear is narrower than when I sat down, as Mateo slides my drink over.

".. So you come here often then?"

Maddy's face lights up as she turns to me and grins.

"Just a bit. It's between my place and Nora's and they make these amazing drinks. Not that I'm an alcoholic or that I often drink to much. I'm more of a happy occasional drinker. Crap, I'm rambling." She looks at me for a moment, and bites her lip before continuing "I am sorry about the other morning. I may have panicked a bit... and I'm sorry for the, ahh, abrupt ending."

I just sit there and blink for a second trying to catch up.

"You are almost forgiven, although I think you may owe your neighbour an apology as I may have given her an eyeful when she was getting her morning paper."

Laughter bursts so suddenly from her, that she even throws her head back and slaps her hand on the bar.

"Noooo.." She chokes out when she recovers slightly. ".. You flashed Mrs Schaffer?"

I take a long sip of my beer, before opening my mouth to reply.

"I did indeed."

She bursts out laughing again and I can't help but laugh too. Her sound is so light and contagious, not to mention her whole face brightens up when she laughs. She is stunningly beautiful.

"Oh, I'm even more sorry now."

She has tears in her eyes from laughing so hard, as she reaches over for her glass and takes another long sip. The drink is almost empty already. Damn, girl can drink.

"Well, I can think of a few ways you could make it up to me."

I can't help myself and add in a wink, watching as Maddy eyes me for a moment, before giggling.

"Oh, I bet you can."

I watch her sitting there, and the way her eyes crinkle slightly when she smiles.

"So, you're Nora's little sister."

"And you're the.. ahhh.. best mate I've heard so much about."

She playfully winks at me, and I still a little. Oh crap, what has she heard? I clear my throat slightly, trying to not act guilty of anything until I hear what she knows.

"All good things, I hope?"

Maddy's eyes twinkle as she tries not to snigger. That's not an encouraging sign.

"Well, it depends on you're opinion of good. I may have heard a story, or two, about leaving through a window.." She stops for a minute and eyes me. She's trying so hard not to grin. ".. And that time they lost you while drinking, and you turned up a couple of hours later, drenched, missing a shoe, and in a hula skirt."

I laugh so hard it almost hurts. Not my finest moment, and I still have no idea where the hula skirt came from. I wave my hands in front of me.

"So have heard a few stories then.."

I stop waving my hands and lean in closer to her, determined to risk it. She