“Helios, get up!” Madison whispered urgently.
“I’m already up,” he hummed as his hand moved from her waist and began to descend.
Madison moaned as he began touching her, sending shivers across her now extremely hot body. He began pressing soft kisses along her neck as his adept fingers worked her into a frenzy.
“Ohhh, God...” Madison moaned breathlessly. She was feeling lost in the sensation as he continued his ministrations, making her body soar. “Helios, baby, you need to get dressed. My grandmother is in the bathroom. That gives us maybe 10 minutes.”
“I can easily take care of you in 10 minutes, baby,” he mumbled, pulling her earlobe in his mouth while his fingers worked quickly, making her arch and buck against him.
“Helios...” she stuttered, torn between desire and fear.
The logical side of her brain finally took over and she knew she needed to stop him. She reluctantly placed her hand over his, halting his movement. Andrew groaned against her neck but he knew that she was right. He sighed and removed his grasp from her, sliding out of the bed. He found his jeans on the ground and pulled them on, bypassing his underwear. Madison cocked her brow at him and smiled before she started biting on her bottom lip. Andrew liked the look of want on her face as he sauntered over to her, leaving the buttons of his jeans undone, and running his hand over the hair that was showing. Madison’s mouth watered at the sight of him.
“Do you like this?” he said leaning in close to her mouth, replacing his hand with hers.
“As a matter of fact, I do, you sexy thing!” she said as she tugged on his hair causing him to yelp. “Maybe you should go commando all the time, it’s pretty hot,” she said, kissing his now parted lips.
She moved her hand inside his jeans further and felt him stir. With a loud groan, he pushed her back on the bed and immediately moved his hips against her but before they could take their affections any further they heard movement in the bathroom and he pulled away. He grinned down at her flushed face, running his hands through his hair. Madison blinked several times and tried to get her equilibrium back but Andrew was making her feel lightheaded. Andrew smirked mischievously as he ran his fingers along her lips and Madison immediately sucked them into her mouth. Now it was Andrew’s turn to try and get some form of control over his rapidly escalating desire. He sighed and pulled his fingers out of her mouth, stepping away from her and shaking his head slightly.
“You are naughty, Ms. Ellis,” he said with a husky breath.
“So are you, Mr. Harrison,” she replied, watching as he walked to where his shirt was.
Madison reluctantly got out of bed and slipped on her nightclothes, turning to watch him button his jeans and pull on his shirt.
“Do you want to come with me to town today? I need to see Mr. Bennett at ten.”
“Yeah,” she muttered distractedly.
He walked over to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. She smiled and then ushered him to the door. He leaned down and kissed her passionately, his tongue exploring and savoring her before she finally pushed him out of the house, hearing him chuckle as the door closed behind him. She was surprised that she was able to get Andrew out before her grandmother found him there. Normally, the amount of time her grans spent doing her crossword puzzle in the bathroom drove her nuts but today she realized what a blessing it was.
Madison walked into the kitchen and started a pot a coffee and then brought some eggs out of the refrigerator to make her grandmother scrambled eggs with toast. As Madison whisked the eggs and cream, she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. All she could see in her head was Andrew’s glorious mouth pleasuring her, the way his hair was a chaotic and wild mess when he woke, the way his face strained when he reached orgasm, the feel of...
“Good morning, Maddie,” her grandmother said, breaking her out of her lust filled daydream.
“Good morning, Grans,” Madison hummed, still smiling as she poured the eggs into the pan and started stirring them lazily.
“Well, don’t you look happy?” her grandmother said, eyeing her speculatively.
Madison turned to her with a smile. “It was a wonderful night. I... slept well,” she said, trying not to have a full on cheesy grin but it was pointless.
Her grandmother watched her for a moment and then went to sit down on the couch, flipping on the TV to the morning talk show while Madison continued to cook and remember gentle touches, waking with Andrew’s arms wrapped around her, the feel of his breath against her skin, and his succulent lips kissing her. She sighed as she realized that she was already falling hard for him, which probably wasn’t the best thing she could do, but the heart wants what it wants and sometimes you had no control over it.
~*~
Andrew strolled back to his aunt and uncle’s house with his hands in his pockets, smiling like a loon. It was definitely the right decision to go see her last night versus worrying himself to death. His first impulse was always to run. To leave before things got bad but he didn’t want to do that anymore, especially with Madison. She was like an anchor for him, grounding him to this earth.
I've seen what heroin can do.
He heard her words echo in his head and wondered what that meant. He would need to ask her. He ran his hand through his hair and down to his neck. He started reminiscing about everything that happened and felt a bit sick to his stomach. They hadn’t used a condom and he worried what that meant for them. He had been serious when he told her he hadn’t always been safe. Even though they had only had oral sex last night he still could have passed something to her, if he had something. He shook his head, wiping the negativity out of his head and decided that he would go to the doctor and make sure he was okay. He would not hurt Madison in any way, shape, or form.
By the time he got to his aunt and uncles house he was feeling giddy and happy again as he remembered how wonderful it had felt waking up in her arms. He knew, without a doubt, that it was something he wanted to do every morning. When he walked in the house, Aaron and Olivia were already in the kitchen drinking coffee. Olivia had a surprised look on her face. It was usually his pattern to wake when the house woke which, in their case, was usually early as Olivia always got up to have coffee with Aaron before he left for work. She had thought it was strange that Andrew wasn’t up with them but she never thought that he wasn’t home. Olivia glanced at her husband and could see that he was watching Andrew with a knowing smile.
“Everything alright, Andrew?” Aaron asked, but based on the joy reflected on Andrew’s face, he knew the answer already.
“It’s great. I took your advice,” Andrew replied, looking down at his feet, feeling slightly embarrassed. Andrew looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Aaron said with a smile.
“We talked and everything is okay. She is going to come into town with me today.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Aaron said, happy to see the carefree look on Andrew’s face.
“Auntie, does the clinic do...” He hesitated as his neck and cheeks began to heat up. “Does the clinic test for STD’s and stuff like that?”
Olivia glanced at him, horrified. “Are you okay? Are you having any symptoms, a rash, unusual discharge, any pain or discomfort?” She started firing off questions immediately.
“Oh God, no. I just... I have never been tested and...” He sighed. “I wasn’t always safe before I went to prison. I never shared needles but I rarely used a condom and, I don’t know, some of the girls I have been with...” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, knowing some of the girls were not very clean. “I just don’t want to take any chances with Madison’s health. I have heard that some things can be dormant for a long time. I want to make sure I’m okay.”
“Well, that’s very responsible of you, Andrew. The clinic does do testing. I’ll be on duty until 6:00 tonight so why don’t you come by around 3:00 and I’ll make sure you get in.”
“Really? Th
at would be wonderful.”
Andrew smiled at the two of them and headed back towards his bedroom. There was no point in him trying to go back to sleep only to have to get up an hour or so later, so he picked up his sketch pad and pencils and sat on his bed. He flipped to the page he had started yesterday, admiring what he had already drawn. He breathed in deeply as his fingers traced along the outline of her body and then back to her face.
“Whatever it takes, I won’t screw this up!”
14 DIVINE INTERVENTION
“Grans, I'm going into town with Andrew in a little bit. Is there anything you need from the store?” Madison asked as she was going through the cupboards, writing fervently on her list.
“No, nothing in particular,” she said, coming into the kitchen. “You are spending an awful lot of time with Andrew. Is this something serious?”
Madison turned to her and leaned against the counter. “Yeah, I guess it is. What’s the matter? You don’t like him?”
“Oh, I don’t really know him. I know his kin though and they are good people so I would imagine he is as well.”
Madison smiled, knowing she was right about that. Aaron and Olivia were probably two of the sweetest and most caring individuals she had ever met. She continued to write things down on her list, not wanting to forget anything.
“I’m just a little concerned.”
Madison turned to look at her, suddenly worried. “What are you concerned about, Grans?”
“Do you think it’s wise to attach so quickly to him? Don’t you plan on going back to New York in a few months?” Grandma Downing watched the blood drain from her granddaughter’s face. “I’m sorry, hon. I didn’t mean to upset you. I...” She sighed. “Oh, what do I know, Maddie? I’m just an old woman.” She chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood.
“You know a lot.” Madison could feel the tears pooling in her eyes.
Her grandmother pulled her into her arms and held her tightly. Madison’s mind was all over the place as various scenarios started floating through her brain. She began to question whether she was being selfish by starting a relationship when she had full intentions of leaving. But she already knew that she was falling in love with Andrew, what would she do in a few months’ time when she had to say goodbye to him? How would she be able to leave him? Could she leave him? Would he see her as just another person who let him down? Madison didn’t know the answers to those questions and that frightened her even more. Her heart ached as the magnitude of how much it would hurt if she left hit her square on.
“Madison, look at me, sweetheart,” Grandma Downing said tenderly. Madison looked at her with tears trailing down her cheeks.
“I think I’m already falling in love with him, Grans. I know it’s really soon but I...” Madison was unable to finish her thought as sorrow choked her words.
“Well then, love always seems to find a way.” She wiped under Madison’s eyes. “We get so few opportunities to find love, so the best thing I can tell you is to follow your heart,” she said cupping Madison’s face, “Wherever it may take you.”
Madison nodded and heard a knock on the door. She took a deep breath, wiped under her eyes, and then walked towards the door, stopping to look in the mirrored picture of William Shatner. She frowned when she realized her eyes were red and puffy. The knock came again and she fluffed her hair up and went to open the door. Andrew was standing there looking beautifully sexy in a pair of dark button fly jeans and a light grey button down shirt with the first couple of buttons undone, showing just enough chest hair to drive her insane.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said in that sultry voice that made Madison’s knees buckle.
“Hey there, sexy MF.”
He rolled his eyes and she grinned as she ran her fingertips down the buttons on his shirt. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. She held on to him for a moment, trying not to think about what her grandmother reminded her of. She couldn’t deal with that right now. She needed to focus on the present. She’d deal with the future later.
“Do you mind if we take my car? I need to go to the store while in town,” Madison asked, tugging on the top button on his jeans, wondering if he was going commando again.
“Only if you promise not to scare me with your driving.”
She scrunched her eyebrows at him and crossed her arms. He started to say something else but heard laughter in the background which distracted them both.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one she scares,” Grandma Downing interjected from the living room.
“Hey, I’m an excellent driver,” Madison said, sticking her bottom lip out into that pout that Andrew adored.
“Of course you are,” Andrew said, kissing the tip of her nose. “Let’s just say you could give Dale Earnhardt, Jr. a run for his money.”
“Who the hell is that?” Madison asked and then cringed, turning back to her grandmother who had a disapproving look on her face. “Sorry, Grans.”
“He’s a NASCAR driver,” Andrew said with a laugh. “Come on, we should go. I don’t want to be late for my meeting with Mr. Bennett.”
Madison nodded and walked over to give her grans a kiss on the cheek and snatched her keys, money, and list from the counter. And just to prove Andrew correct, Madison peeled out of the trailer park and punched it as she sped down the road towards town. She glanced over at Andrew and smirked as he held on tightly, his brows furrowed.
“Okay, I’m driving home,” Andrew said when they pulled up to the large office building.
“No way, baby,” Madison said running her hand along the dash lovingly. “Stella only purrs for me.”
“Stella?”
“You know, STELLA!” she said in her best Marlon Brando voice. When Andrew looked even more confused she offered, “A Streetcar Named Desire? Marlon Brando... Vivian Leigh... Kim Hunter... Karl Malden... Ringing any bells?”
“Never saw it.”
“Oh, Helios,” she said, shaking her head and making a tsk tsk sound. “I really need to enlighten you on cinematic perfection.”
Andrew laughed. “Come on, crazy woman, let’s go inside.”
The office building was very sleek and masculine with abstract art on the walls and dark mahogany tables and chairs. They both stopped abruptly as they took in their surroundings, both feeling a bit self-conscious. Andrew turned and looked at her, smiling as he squeezed her hand. She squeezed his hand in return and nodded as they continued towards the receptionist’s desk.
“I have an appointment with Mr. Bennett,” Andrew informed the receptionist who had a name plate that said her name was Mallory Gibbons.
Mallory looked up at him and parted her mouth slightly and then twisted her lips into a suggestive smile as her eyes moved over him, resting on his joined hand. She glanced up and saw that the woman his hand was joined with had a noticeable scowl on her face and her brow arched in defiance. Mallory offered her a smile that was not returned.
“Your name, sir?” she said, moving her attention back to Andrew.
“Andrew Harrison.”
She looked at her computer and saw his name. “Have a seat, Mr. Harrison. I will advise Mr. Bennett that you have arrived.”
Andrew smiled at Madison and led her to the chairs in the waiting room. Madison was annoyed and Andrew could sense it. He casually moved her hand to his lips, kissing it softly and looking up at her before slowly opening and closing his eyes. Madison could feel herself drawn to him, to his mouth, to the look in his eyes and the feel of his lips which were pressed against her knuckles. All annoyance was gone; he was hers and hers alone.
“Andrew, Madison...” Mr. Bennett said, walking into the waiting area.
Andrew and Madison rose and followed Mr. Bennett to his office. He motioned for them to sit, which they did. Madison glanced around the huge and prestigious office. She realized with certainty that Mr. Bennett was a powerful man. His office screamed it boldly. A huge desk and a high back leather chair sat before a large panoramic windo
w. She noticed only one picture on Mr. Bennett’s desk but it was facing him so she didn’t know what it was of. There were two very nice leather chairs facing the desk that she and Andrew were sitting on. Fine art accentuated the room. He had a whole wall of mahogany bookshelves with rows and rows of thick law books. Another wall housed certificates and honors and pictures with famous people. Andrew and Madison spent the next couple of hours in Mr. Bennett’s office. Madison mostly listened as Mr. Bennett asked questions and planned Andrew’s defense.
Mr. Bennett walked and talked with an air of confidence that made Madison believe that he could probably get a confessed murderer off. If she didn’t already respect him she certainly would have after that meeting. By the time they were walking out of his building and towards her car, they were both feeling hopeful as the odds of Andrew being convicted seemed to be dwindling.
“So where to now, Helios?” Madison asked, swinging their joined hands.
“Should we get lunch? I have a walk-in appointment at the clinic at three today.”
She turned to him, concerned. “Are you okay?”
He opened the door for her and then walked around, sliding onto the passenger seat.
“I assume I’m fine but I want to get tested. As I was walking home this morning I realized that I probably shouldn’t have let you... well, you know, we should have been more careful.”
He leaned over and kissed her softly.
“Well, I’m not sure you could have stopped me. I am pretty persistent when I want something,” she said with a smile before starting her car. “I wonder if I should get tested as well. We could do it together.”
He smiled and kissed her again, this time he traced her lips with his tongue and when they parted they kissed with the passion they were both becoming accustomed to. After a few moments, Madison stopped, leaving him breathless with his eyes still closed.
“Let’s go to Frosty Cone,” she said abruptly. “I have a serious craving for some chili cheese fries and a shake.”
Helios Awakened (The Helios Chronicles #1) Page 13