Taste of Love - By Stephanie Nicole Page 0,31

busy tonight," Austin reminded her, rushing around her and packing the food up.

"Remind me tomorrow to talk to you about a big, fat raise," she told him with a huge smile, as she watched him transfer the covered trays of food to the catering van waiting outside the back door. She noted how late it was, and realized she needed to get back home to wait for Thomas.

"I'm not kidding about that raise either!" She yelled, so that Austin heard her. He smiled and told her to have fun, but she had already disappeared around the corner.

She arrived home only a few minutes before Thomas knocked on her door. It was just enough time to touch up her makeup and hair, and not appear out of breath.

When she opened the door Thomas stood there, looking just as handsome as she remembered. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Sure am. Let's go." She grabbed her evening bag and locked the door to her apartment. She noticed that Thomas didn't ogle her, even though her dress dropped dangerously low, and for that, she was grateful. He never failed to look her in the eyes, and she was glad that he wasn't all about staring at her chest.

As they pulled up to Bunny's house, Madison's breath hitched. She had thought Sasha's house was nice, but it was a shack compared to the miracle that stood before her. She tried not to let her awe show too much, as she didn't want to offend Thomas, but this house was a masterpiece that put Sasha's mansion to shame.

She took his arm as he helped her out of the car, and followed him up the steps to the massive double antique wooden doors. The carvings on the door were so intricate, she could have stood there for hours marveling over them. Instead, the doors were promptly opened by a butler, and she and Thomas were ushered in to the reception area.

Bunny noticed them immediately and went up to give Madison an air kiss on each cheek. "Darling, you look gorgeous! And the appetizers are wonderful. Thank you so much for the extras. I was so surprised!"

Madison laughed. "You're welcome. It was the least I could do after all the help you've given me."

Bunny waved off her thanks, as if it was no trouble at all. "You kids go on into the ballroom and get something to eat and drink."

But before they could walk away, Bunny took Madison's arm and whispered in her ear, "Cameron's in there, and I know he wants to see you." Seeing her eye brows raise and her cheeks blush, Bunny smiled with satisfaction. So there was something going on between Madison and her son! She knew it!

The mere mention of Cameron's name sent a shiver through Madison, but she knew that it was foolish to feel that way. He was a rock star, after all, and women came and went all the time. Besides, now that her restaurant had taken off like a rocket, there was no way she'd have time to date anyway.

If the mention of his name sent a shiver through her, she should have known that seeing him would do something more. The moment she walked into the ballroom, her eyes immediately found his. There was some kind of pull there, something that she couldn't explain.

She felt the hand on her arm tighten, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked to her left and realized that Thomas had caught her staring and was now casting Cameron a look of his own, and there was no infatuation involved there.

"Thomas, how about we head to the bar for some drinks?" Madison asked with a smile, trying to ease the tension that had just appeared.

"Fine," he said, tight-lipped, then headed towards the bar, guiding her with a possessive hand to the small of her back.

"Here's to tonight," she toasted, clinking her champagne glass against Thomas's, and draining the bubbly in one swallow.

Here's to tonight, she thought again, as her eyes found Cameron once more. And what an interesting night it'll be.

Chapter Nine

Bunny's party was interesting for Madison, to say the least. She was having a great time meeting people and dancing with Thomas, but one small thing bothered her. Any time that Cameron got close to them, Thomas would pull Madison in the opposite direction, saying he saw someone she had to meet. And of course, there would always be someone to introduce her to,