Page 15 of My Virgin Puck
- CHAPTER SIX -
Madison
I stumble out of the taxi and pull my dress from the jam of the door. With a quick wave, the taxi is steaming up the cold, dark street, leaving me standing directly outside the venue of my date with Mason. I pull my coat around me as a bitter whipping wind flashes across my body.
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
My hands tremble and shake. I could blame the numbing cold night, but I’d be lying. I’ve already had two glasses of Chardonnay, just to calm the nerves.
A date with Mason Miller?
Fuck.
Bright lights guide me towards the front door of The Steaming Joe. Mason has sorted everything out for our date, even down to organising the taxi to pick me up right as the clock hit seven. So now that I’m pulling the door to the busy daytime café open, I’m wondering if this is all some cruel trick.
“Hello?” I call out to a silent and empty café.
It’s weird. Very, very odd.
I’ve been in this café before. Hell, everyone in Vancouver has been here. It’s popular for a reason, and my reason is the Passionfruit Cheesecake they serve with a healthy dollop of whipped cream.
“Madison!” A cheery voice calls from behind the counter at the front of the room. A young girl with chapped, glossy lips parades across the wooden floor. She’s wearing the famous green apron with the café’s logo front and centre. “I’m Ellie. I’ll be your waitress tonight. Follow me, if you are ready?”
Ellie flashes a bright smile and I’m sure I recognise her from the hockey club. I’ve seen her somewhere before, and something tells me she’s the bubbly girl who’s involved with Miles Johnson, the captain of the team.
She guides my coat from around my shoulders and hangs it on a rack behind us. Leading the way across towards a table in a dim corner, I see her belly popping and wonder how far along she is.
It’s all quickly forgotten the second I reach the corner where a table is elegantly set out. A candle flickers in the centre and when Ellie pulls a chair out for me, I settle down behind two dining settings laid out on opposite sides of the table.
“Ellie! Where are you? Is everything read-”
A deep voice breaks the awkward silence and my neck snaps around to see Mason, his gripping eyes wide and alert. Ellie flaps a napkin over my lap and spins to smile at Mason. He looks panicked, like he’s been rushing around all afternoon. His cheeks are flushed and glowing pink, but the crisp white shirt with black bowtie is making my cheeks colour in exactly the same way.
“Oh, you’re here,” Mason says, his back straightening. I smile and his eyes run over my body, taking in my bright red dress and sparkling diamond necklace. “Wow. Wow. You look…”
Ellie steps back and Mason doesn’t waste any time covering the space she’s left. A soothing scent of peppermint and oak drenches me and Mason leans down and grabs my hand. He guides me to my feet and I feel like I’m riding a wave of his cologne.
“You look beautiful,” Mason says, pulling my hand to his lips and laying the softest kiss. “I hope the ride in was ok.”
My chest is pounding, my heart racing. I’m still coming to terms with how fucking handsome this man is, and, I’m on a freaking date with him!
“Perfect,” I say, my voice nothing more than a whisper.
A moment passes and we’re just standing there, staring deep into each others eyes. I hear Ellie fumbling around in her apron, and suddenly soft music begins playing around the café. Mason smiles and I notice the tiny crinkles in the corners of his eyes, showing his wisdom and maturity.
Mason’s hand holds mine and I feel like we’re swaying to the music as we stand. Ellie clears her throat and mumbles something about ‘giving us space’, but neither of us flinches.
“Your dress is beautiful,” Mason says, his breath heating the tip of my nose.
He slides in closer and we’re holding each other. I feel a deep flutter inside my body. My hand grips his waist, I’m shaking but I know I’ve never wanted anything more than this moment.
Mason’s other hand pulls me closer, his firm chest pressing against me. He’s a giant of a man, towering a head above me. The hand enclosing mine is so big it’s hiding my sweaty palms. A gentle pressure in the centre of my back is pulling me closer into him and heating my entire body.
I’ve never felt more wanted.
“Our meal should be ready soon,” Mason whispers, his husky voice vibrating against my chest with every word making my nipples prickle. “Would you like to start with some wine?”
“Th-that sounds perfect,” I say, not wanting to let go.