"So what do you want to do for breakfast?" I call over my shoulder as I walk out her room.

As soon as I turn from her, my eyes go wide and I blow out a long silent breath. Holy fucking shit. Maddy being that close just fried something in my brain. The feeling of her body pressed close to mine, the way she smells so damn fucking good all the time, and the way she just reacts to me is incredible.

What the hell am I even doing? I never have breakfast with chicks. Usually I can't get out the door fast enough but this girl, all I want to do spend more time with her. She's incredibly addictive. I touch her and she reacts instantly to me. God, that shower was fucking unbelievable. I was actually nervous as hell going in there, thinking she was going to throw my ass out again, but it was bloody worth the risk.

Maddy follows me into the kitchen and I know her eyes are cautiously watching me. I find a stool and sit myself down, as she walks around me and stands the other side of the kitchen island. A smile plays at her lips as she observes me. Crossing my arms, I lean onto the island and watch her. Both of us waiting for the other to make the first move. Her hair's darker after being wet from the shower, and I find my eyes noting the little cupcake printed scrunchie she's pulled it up with. The ponytail uneven in her hurry to pull her hair up. Maddy's caves first and she breaks out into a laugh.

"So what are you feeling like? I'm not a chef, so better pick sweet."

She says pointing a finger in my direction before walking off to the fridge. She's fucking adorable when she does that. I can't hide the grin that spreads across my face.

"Whatever's going is good with me."

"Good, pancakes it is." Comes a voice from behind the fridge door.

I watch as she gathers various ingredients and utensils, then starts mixing. I couldn't look away if I tried. She's so focused on what she's doing, her face changing with intense concentration, and the little smiles that break out as she works away. You can tell she really loves food.

"So you got roped into making food for Nora's party?"

Maddy stops working and looks up at me for the first time in a few minutes.

"So it seems, although I swear she ran out of favours a while ago. Negotiations were had though, and I managed to get it down to a few things that I love to make, so shouldn't be too bad to do... Oh, can you keep whipping this while I grab the pan out to start cooking?"

She slides a bowl over with a whisk poking out and I just stare it for a moment.

I do not cook.

Ok, that's a bit of a lie, I can definitely cook a few things, but I don't recall ever whipping anything before in my life. But seriously how hard could this be? Hesitantly, I pick up the whisk and start moving the cream thing she's made around in the bowl.

"You're going to have to move that a lot quicker, or we're going to be here all day." Maddy calls out from the stove.

I swallow and move the whisk faster. I'm so focused on trying to not look like an idiot, that I don't even notice Maddy move. Something brushes my forearm and she suddenly leans in close over my arm to look at the bowl I have in front of me.

"It seems you have no idea what you're doing, hey?"

She's so close to me that when I turn to her, she's only inches away from my face.

"That would be a no."

When she giggles back at me, I honestly loose my breath.

"Well you want to beat the shit out of it, that's the only way its going to puff up and get stiff."

Well fuck me. I'm suddenly so fucking hard, and my jeans feel seriously strained. The woman just told me to beat the shit out of something for it to puff up and get stiff.

Maddy's eyes spring wide, and she starts to blush as it occurs to her how that came out. I lean in so my lips are a almost brushing hers.

"I think I can manage that, but I would be very open to you showing me how you would do it."

She turns an even brighter colour, before suddenly straightening up, her lips slowly turning into a wicked smile.

"Oh I am an expert, but sadly I'm needed over by the stove to cook, so you'll never know."

Maddy turns and I swear she sways her hips a little more as she walks.

If the whisk wasn't metal, I would have snapped it in two after watching that show. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this woman is the devil and I fucking love it. I force myself to stay where I am. I know she's baiting me and it's taking every piece of self restraint I have not to abandon the bowl and walk over there. Ignoring the situation going on down south, I do what Maddy says, I beat the absolute shit out of the thing.

    
     
       
     
I'm actually pretty proud of my efforts when the cream mixture puffs up, and walk over to the stove to show Maddy. I'm about to set the bowl down when she abruptly spins around, holding a spatula. As her chest grazes mine, I see her take in a sharp breath and hear a small gasp. Maddy raises her eyes to meet mine, and I can help but smile at her. She's so fucking beautiful and that look she's giving me is so innocent, yet I can see the same things in her eyes that I know are in mine. Lust, need and desire.

"Puffed and stiff." I grin at her, nodding to the bowl.

I watch as eyes flick a lot lower than the bowl, and linger there for a second before returning to mine.

"Oh fuck this." I growl.

My arm slides around her waist as my mouth crashes into hers, claiming her with all consuming need. She tastes so sweet, it's fucking addictive. She's just like a drug I know I shouldn't be taking, shouldn't be enjoying this much, but I just go back for more and more. She pushes back and it sets all my nerve endings on fire to know that she wants me just as much as I want her. I lift one of her legs and wrap it around my waist, at the same time I dig my hips into her so she can feel exactly what it is she does to me. I can feel her groan into my mouth and it's the greatest sound I have ever heard. I drop my mouth to her neck, licking and nipping my way down it, desperate to have just one more taste of her. Her head falls back briefly before she suddenly stiffens in my arms, and my shoulder is whacked with a spatula.

"I smell something burning."

"Oh holy hell woman, you're going to kill me." I grind out.

Maddy twists out of my grip, turning back to the stove and a now burnt looking pancake is flipped out onto a different plate.

"Crap, I hate burning things." She mumbles.

My hands find the bench either side of her and rest there while she continues to pop in another batch of pancakes to cook. She turns her head and smiles sweetly over her shoulder, as I raise an eyebrow at her and wait.

Like I said, she's the damn devil.

   
     
   
     
Maddy finishes up cooking, ignoring me while I cage her in, but I don't make it easy on her. Dipping my head, I graze my chin along her shoulder, barely touching her, and watch as light goosebumps prickle up on her skin. I smile against her skin while I watch, before using my teeth and nipping gently at her neck. My enjoyment grows as my eyes travel to her chest, and find it falling unsteadily. She places the last pancakes onto the pile she's cooked, and turns to face me.

"All ready."

I hold my ground not moving, my face inches from her own.

"Oh for the love of.." She mumbles before grabbing my neck, pulling me in. Her lips meet mine in a soft, tender kiss that sucks the very air from my lungs. It's short and brief, but fuck me if it's not just as hot.

".. There, can we eat now?"

She smiles sweetly at me when she pulls away, and I stand there, staring dumbly back at her. She keeps finding new ways to floor me. Picking up the plate, Maddy lets out a laugh, before ducking my arm and setting the steaming pile of pancakes down on the kitchen island.

"Don't forget your stiff whipped cream." She giggles.

Damn, woman. I couldn't possibly get any harder.

Groaning, I grab the bowl and add it to the island with everything else. It isn't until I sit down that I notice that there are actually two stacks of pancakes, and one appears to be a different colour.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but pancakes aren't usually red?"

Maddy laughs and points a fork at me.

"Usually not, unless they're Red Velvet ones. Thought I'd tick two things off at once, and get a head start on today's blog."

I nod, grabbing a fork and trying to stab one of the red ones for my plate. Maddy smacks my hand and pulls the plate just out of reach.

"They're for later, Mr." She winks at me.

Laughing, I stab a pancake from the other plate, and grab the whipped cream and berries she's chopped, and pile my plate up. The first bite is heavenly. I don't know what the hell she did, but everything tastes absolutely fucking delicious.

"This is amazing. I could get use to this.."

I mumble my words out between bites, and see Maddy blush before quickly lowering her head to her plate.

".. So how did you get started with your baking blog?"

Maddy takes her time answering and I watch a little too closely as her tongue slowly darts out as she licks a small drop of cream off her lip.

"I've always loved baking. I find calmness in it. No matter what I'm doing, whether it's just mixing, or piping details on creations, it's my happy place. My nanna and I used to bake every weekend when I was little. She taught me how to do basically everything I know. I had everything, the apron, the miniature set of baking utensils and the hat.."

She pauses and I return the smile when she grins at me. I've seen first hand what she looks like when she mixes ingredients and I really could watch that everyday and be a damn happy man. Shit, what is she doing to me?

".. My favourite was, and well still is, these jam sandwich cookies she always made. Oh my gosh, they're soft, and buttery, and the homemade jam just gives them something else entirely. I had to wait untill I was 18 before she gave me the recipe, and even then I had to win it in a game of cards.."

She laughs as my eyebrows fly up and I pause eating for a moment.

".. Incredible poker player.." Maddy winks at me answering my unspoken question. ".. She's a very interesting lady."

"She sounds like she certainly is." I say chuckling.

"Anyway, my Nan caught on early that I love a challenge too, and has always encouraged me to aim high. She was my tasting board as I started experimenting with flavours and combinations when I got older, and my voice of knowledge when I had questions. There is nothing she doesn't know about baking. A few years ago I started sharing snap shots of my creations online and the blog just kinda built from there."

She takes another bite of her pancake before continuing. "The fan base expanded, and then when a couple of sponsors signed on a little while later I was contacted by Sweet Treats magazine to do a little trial column. They liked me.." She grins proudly at me. ".. I was able to quit the coffee shop job I hated, and well sucked at, and do this a little more full time. The rest is kinda history."

"What's next the next step for the forbidden plate?" I nod towards the Red Velvet pancakes.

"Oh, ahhh, some photos, and a write up with a recipe so people can recreate it, and then the eating. I like to do themes, and this week's is Everything Red Velvet."

My brain ticks for a moment, as we continue to eat.

"Wait, did you do a donut theme?, I remember a few weeks ago Vince being really paranoid that something was going on with Nora cos she disappeared for a week to stay with her sister. Something about donuts being involved with mumbled."

Throwing her head back, Maddy cracks up laughing.

"Oh my gosh, she basically camped out here. The woman loves her donuts. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they made an appearance at the wedding."

We finish up eating, and I grab the plates before she can and walk them to the sink.

"So what are you making for this party? And ahh when is it?"

Maddy just laughs at me. "Surprised 'Mr organized' hasn't told you yet. It's next Friday night... I know, super quick, but they are nothing if not weirdly organized.." Maddy says as a plate slips out my hand mid wash and I look at her stunned. Wow that was fast, didn't they only just get engaged?

".. So I'm making cookies, brownies, cupcakes, mini cakes and cheesecakes, cream puffs and berry tarts."

"Damn, Nora got you good."

I dry my hands and turn to find Maddy watching me, a glint in her eyes and a grin across her face. Oh, what is this devil woman thinking now?

"You know I could use some help."

Maddy raises a finger to tap her chin, and steps closer to me.

"You've seen my kitchen skills, I'm not sure if trusting me with baking utensils is a good idea."

She continues to walk closer to me while I talk, stopping right before she's touching me.

"It's really very easy. A bit of flour, a bit of chocolate......"

The sound of her voice drops off as my eyes watch her hand trail down from her chin to her chest, along the V-line of her t-shirt, stopping just above her breasts. It's such a natural gesture, the way her hand turns and stays there, that I'm not even sure she knows she's doing it, but the sight of it is driving me insane. I can feel my breathing pick up, and my throat feels like a desert with how dry it's suddenly got.

"I can help." I choke out. I'm real bloody smooth right now.

She steps again and her hands find my chest as she pushes me backwards. The woman gives me whiplash, and I may think about it more, but her hands on me unhinges and drives me nuts. She smells so bloody good. My hands find her hips and hold her against me while we move backwards together.

"I'm very grateful for your help.."

A wall hits my back, and my mouth is on hers. Greedily diving in to take what I can get. One of her hands threads through my hair and pulls it slightly, edging me closer to her, which drives me even more fucking mad. I can feel her other hand fumbling next to me, searching along the wall for something. Maddy pulls away, her chest heaving as heavy as mine.

".. But, right now I'm running late for Brent, and he really hates it when I'm late."

With one step back, I'm suddenly standing in the damn hallway again. Maddy's giggles are the last thing I hear as the door closes in front of me.

How in the world does she keep doing that? And who the fuck is Brent? More importantly why do I want punch him hard in the face?

Shaking my head I can't do anything but smile. I'm not even mad she's kicked me out for a second time, at least I have my clothes this time. My hand pats my pocket, thinking the jokes on her, and thankful that I pinched her phone while she was distracted mixing and got her number. I wasn't making that mistake twice, she's not getting away from me that easily. As I head towards the stairs, Mrs Schaffer's door opens and a head peeps out. She chuckles lightly when she sees me.

"Back for more, are we?"

"I couldn't keep away if I tried."

And strangely, I mean every bloody word of it.

  
      
    
    
My phone buzzes and rings when the moment my feet hit the pavement, and I give it half a glance before I answer.

"Hey man, what's up?"

Vince's voice comes through my phone in a rush, his words half mingling together in his rush to get them out.

"You free Friday night? Good. Nora has gone full steam ahead and organized an engagement party with everyone."

I almost say I already know but catch myself just in time. Shit that was close.

"She doesn't waste any time does she." I laugh out instead.

"That she does not.." Vince laughs back at me. ".. But, that's what I love about her too."

"No worries man, I'll be there."

I stare at my phone a moment after I hang up, then look back up at Maddy's apartment, before hopping in my car. I'm dying to know who the fuck Brent is. I want to stay and wait in my car, watching to see where she's going but force myself to start the car and pull away. My hands gripping the steering wheel tighter than really necessary. I manage to make it back to my place before I snap and grab my phone to text Maddy. Stuff it.

'Who the fuck is Brent?' I hit send, then just stare at my phone pathetically waiting for her reply.

It takes her a moment, and unsurprisingly she's confused at a random number texting her.

"And, this would be?"

"The man you just threw out practically panting for you. Now, who is Brent???"

I can picture Maddy smirking that mischievous smile of hers as she replies.

"Aiden??? Lol how did you get my number?"

Frustration washes over me as she avoids the question yet again. I flick the camera over and take a snap of myself raising an eyebrow unimpressed, before adding the words "I took it" above it.

Emotions I'm not use to feeling over a woman flood through me at the picture she sends back. Saying it pisses me off would be severely understating it. She's barely wearing anything, standing in what looks like a gym. She looks stunning as usual, but it's the guy behind her that makes me bloody mad. The camera is pointed in a way that it shows the lack of gym wear she's wearing, and a guy standing very close behind her, his head resting on her shoulder as they smile brightly up at the camera. His arms are wrapped snuggly around her, with his hands brushing her bare midriff. I'm far from the jealous type, but damn if I'm not angry as fuck at this Brent guy touching her. I have it so bad for this chick, if I'm not careful she is going to be my downfall. Reining in the anger I feel, I try to calmly text back.

"He looks nice."

"Thanks, his husband thinks so."

My eyes just blink at my phone. Wait, what?