“If you want, I can leave so that you can?—”
“No. No. You don’t have to do that.” I throw my hands up, chuckling nervously. “You weren’t interrupting anything, I promise. I was, uh… trying to grab something and fell on top of him.” I flash a smile in her direction, but she doesn’t look convinced.
Maddox leans into me, whispering, “I bet you enjoyed being on top of me, didn’t you, Monroe?”
“Please.Nothing involvingyouis enjoyable.” I roll my eyes at him, but my core starts throbbing madly as memories of how good he used to make me feel surge through me.
It doesn’t help that he’s wearing those damn grey sweatpants that do nothing to hide the outline of his thick cock.
His lips curl into a sly smile whens he catches where my eyes have landed. “Your jeans are still unbuttoned, by the way.”
Heat flushes my cheeks and I quickly button them up, hoping his mom doesn’t notice.
I’ve made a complete and total fool out of myself this weekend. I have to get out of here. I have to get away fromhim.
“Um, I should really get going. Can you give me a ride home?”
“Uh, yeah, sure,” Maddox says, his tone laced with a tinge of disappointment.
Izumi pouts, looking at me with sad eyes. “Do you have to go now? I made some tonkotsu ramen. There’s enough for all of us.”
My mouth waters at the thought of my taste buds being blessed with her ramen. There’s no way I can say no to her. There are a lot of good Japanese restaurants in San Francisco, but none come close to being as phenomenal as Izumi’s. She’s a Michelin-starred chef, after all.
I pass by her restaurant every day on the way home from work, and I always contemplate getting dinner from there, but I didn’t want to run the risk of bumping into Maddox.
Oh, what the hell. Sharing one meal with my ex and his mom can’t hurt, right?
“I am pretty hungry,” I reply with a smile. “And yourramen is exactly what I need.” My eyes flick to Maddox. “Do you mind?”
A crooked smile ghosts his lips as he shakes his head. “Not at all.”
“Perfect!” she beams. “Masashi, go show her to the dining room, then come back and help me prepare.”
Following Maddox down the hall, I trail behind him as he leads me to the dining room. I pause as we enter, captivated by its beauty.
It’s a traditional Japanese dining room with shoji screens and tatami mats on top of the wood flooring. There is a low table in the middle, surrounded by floor mats. With natural lighting streaming in and the presence of bamboo trees, the space carries an effortless sense of tranquility.
I’m sure sitting on the floor to eat isn’t comfortable for someone as tall as Maddox, but his culture has always been important to him.
“You still like your ramen with an extra boiled egg?” Maddox asks.
I settle down on the cushion. “Yes, that would be great. Thank you.”
He gives me a quick smile before walking back to the kitchen.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see a new text from Mazi.
Mazi
Bitch, are you alive???
Barely. I feel like shit
Mazi
I’m so sorry!!!
I should’ve never left you. I honestly thought you were vibing with Austin.
