Taste of Love by Stephanie Nicole Page B

off with Thomas to get a drink from the bar. As they were waiting, Madison heard a woman behind her raving about the Lobster Dainties. It sent a warm tingle to her ego and made her smile. Thomas handed her a glass of champagne, and led her through the room to mingle with the guests.
    About an hour into the party, Madison and Thomas were leaving the dance floor when she looked up and locked eyes with the last person she would have expected to see there. "Excuse me for a minute," she said to Thomas, and walked in the direction she had just seen him.
    Seeing her coming towards him, he met her half way, then leaned down and kissed her cheek. "How're you feeling?" Cameron asked.
    "Much better, thanks. How've you been?" she asked him, feeling like it had been weeks since they last saw each other, rather than just a few days.
    "I'm good." He lifted her hand over her head and twirled her around. "You look phenomenal."
    The look he was giving her added to her dizziness. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."
    "You can thank Mother for that. As if I was still five, she picked this out for me," he told her with a shake of his head.
    "Well, she did great." Madison told him, just happy to be in his presence.
    "Darling, I turned to speak with someone, and you left me," a blonde woman pouted as she came up to Cameron.
    Cameron jumped and turned around to see his date. His eyes darted back and forth between Madison and Lynda. "Uh, Madison, this is my date, Lynda. Lynda, Madison."
    "Nice to meet you," Lynda told Madison without emotion, letting her know that it wasn't quite as nice to meet her as she said.
    "I'm sure," Madison quipped back. "Well, I have to run, I'm sure Thomas is looking for me. Nice seeing you."
    She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her arm.
    "Thomas?" Cameron questioned.
    "Yes, Thomas Winters. My date for the night." She gave him a winning smile, then shrugged out of his grip and walked away.
    Cameron stood there and watched Madison disappear into the crowd, only to appear a few minutes later with Thomas on the dance floor. He shook his head, and realized there was nothing he could do about it as he returned to his own date. They were friends, and he had no claim on her, just as she had no claim on him. That was how it needed to remain.

Chapter Eight

    M adison excused herself from Thomas after getting directions to the powder room. With the door in sight, she thought she heard her name and turned to see who called her. A genuine smile graced her face. "Well hello, Bunny. I haven't seen you all night."
    "Hello dear. You look absolutely gorgeous! I bet you've been beating the suitors off with a stick all night," Bunny teased.
    "Not quite," Madison laughed. "But I've had a lot of fun."
    "Just wait until next week. Nothing compares to a Bunny Rome party," she announced.
    "I'm really looking forward to it," she told her. "But if you'll excuse me?" She motioned to the bathroom that was just ahead of her.
    "Of course, darling," Bunny told her, and patted her arm as she took her leave.
    As she was returning, Madison took a right when she should have taken a left, but luckily found an empty balcony. The view was amazing; it overlooked an impressive garden that was well-lit in all the right places, drawing focus to some amazing rose bushes. There was also a pretty little gazebo with flowered vines growing up the sides. A little further down a path bordered by flowers sat an intricately carved bench with an arched trellis over it. Even though it was dark, she could appreciate the beauty of what was in front of her. Some peace and quiet was exactly what she needed, because the champagne and dancing were really starting to get to her.
    "I thought I'd find you out here." Madison turned with a smile at the sound of his voice.
    "Hi, Cameron. Having fun?" she asked. "I'm surprised Lynda isn't chasing after you."
    "You're not the only one." He rolled his eyes. "If I'd known that you were going to attend, I'd have asked you