by A. L. Zaun
“And you?”
“Political science,” I answered without hesitation. “Ms. Francis Sanchez—or Franny to me. She was a horny bitch. Obviously, she couldn’t get enough of this body. I got an A in all my extra-credit assignments.” I laughed, swirling my wine. “My junior year was one of the best times in my private education.”
Her mouth dropped, and she laughed. Most women would be horrified—but not Madison. Neither one of us were saints. We didn’t pretend to be either.
Every time she drank, I filled her glass. Her eyes shifted to my hand, the bottle, and then her glass, but she had no idea how much wine she was drinking.
“I’m onto you, Marin,” she said, starting to slur a tiny bit. The sloppy wide smile on her face gave her away even more.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said mischievously as I twirled her hair with my finger. My eyes glanced down to her lips, and the only thing I wanted to taste was the wine from her mouth. Then, I suddenly blurted out, “Why is Mason such a prick?”
She rolled into my arms and relaxed against my body. “Are we playing twenty questions? Mason is a prick. I don’t know. He’s always had a chip on his shoulder.” She shrugged her shoulders. “He lived with my father. I lived with my grandparents. My mother bounced between the two places, depending on whether my father’s bed was occupied or not.”
I shook my head and went off on another tangent. “I chewed a new asshole in Estrella today. She won’t be talking shit about you ever again.” I polished off my glass and refilled. “Maybe I should have listened to you and let it go, but no fucking way. I won’t let anyone talk shit about you.”
She glanced up to me. Her head moved slowly. She was at least tipsy. I combed my fingers through her hair and pulled it to the side. Lowering my mouth to her silky skin, I ran my tongue along her shoulder and up her elongated neck. She whimpered softly as my hands ran down her arms, and I nipped her earlobe.
“Marin,” she said, running her hand along my neck, “I’ve slacked on my duties, and you’ve regressed. Starting immediately, we’re resuming our training. You didn’t think this through—as usual. What did this solve? Estrella now hates me more than she did before, and there’s a rift between the two of you. I told you to let it go. You need to trust me. Tomorrow, you’re apologizing to her. I don’t need you fighting my battles.”
“Actually, Maddy, you do.” I was officially buzzed. I cupped her face with my hands. “You think you can do things on your own, but you can’t. You think you’re alone, but you’re not. You think people can say shit, and it doesn’t hurt you, but it does. I’ve told you this before. You need to stop fighting me on this.”
“You’re good.” She chuckled. “You’ve managed to make this about me. You need to listen to me and trust me.”
She placed her glass down and turned to me. Her eyes were glassy, and her lips curled seductively. My eyes widened with desire, and I groaned. I was in heaven when she took the glass out of my hand and straddled me, sitting right on top of my very happy dick.
I had to focus on unbuttoning every single fucking tiny button on her blouse, and it became a difficult task to do while drunk. I preferred to rip it off, but this was a beautiful silk blouse that clung to her body perfectly, and she’d kill me. Every couple of seconds, I’d look up and catch her eyes staring at me tenderly.
“I’m very good, and you know it. You can’t get enough of me. You’ve wanted me since the first time you set eyes on me.”
She cupped my face and lowered her mouth over mine. “I did want to fuck you that first night.” She pulled back and looked at me seductively. “After that, I didn’t. You were too much of an asshole.”
I nipped along her collarbone and up her neck. “Liar.”
“Truth. You walked in, looking like a sad puppy dog. Bruce pegged you as the asshole you are, but I saw you as a challenge. There was something in your eyes. It wasn’t until I got to know you better that I understood.” She sighed, and her body slumped a little. “Misery loves company.”
I cradled her head in my hands and wove my fingers in her hair. Can I really make her happy? “Are you miserable, Maddy?”
“No,” she whispered, looking away. “I’m just broken.”
No, she’s just wasted. “You’re officially cut off,” I told her, tilting her face to look at me. “You’re not broken. You’re drunk.”
“You’re a dick.” She’d tried to insult me, but she was smiling. I fucking loved that smile, and I couldn’t get enough of it. “You should run for your life while you still have a chance, and yes, I’m broken. I’m a regular Humpty Dumpty. What kind of sane person sits on a dirty floor, waiting for an undetermined time frame?”
I started laughing, and then I kissed her gently. Her babbling and melodrama were endearing but depressing as shit. I thought I finally figured out her actual secret as to why she never drank. She let her emotions out like a waterfall. I sort of loved it, but I wasn’t used to it. And she would definitely kick my ass tomorrow morning for getting her wasted.
My hands pulled her closer to me, and her fingers worked their magic in my hair while I promised, “Babe, if you’re broken, I’ll fix you.” I had no idea how to do it, but I would do whatever it took.
Depleted, she placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I wish you could, but you can’t.” She ran her hands along my face. “I love you, Rick Marin. I never wanted to. I was supposed to be Team Rick until I wasn’t. Then, I fell in love with you, and my life has fallen apart.”
“I love you, too, Maddy. I hated you more than I thought humanly possible. You drive me to the point of insanity, but you’re not broken, babe.”
I would prove it to her if it were the last fucking thing I accomplished on this Earth. She meant more to me than anyone ever had, and I wouldn’t let her go about her life—our life—thinking she was fucking broken. It was not happening.
I brushed the hair out of her face. “I don’t want to fight with you,” I said softly. I kissed her, showing her I meant it. “We can figure something out. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
She gulped and looked away. “Bruce came to dinner with me tonight.”
Fuck, I hate when she does that shit—bringing up big things that needed to be discussed while she also rubbed her ass up against my rock-hard dick with her tits in my face. Her fingers were doing that shit she does at the back of my neck. I suddenly found myself at another crossroad. I wanted to take her to my room, but I wanted to talk about this and clear the shitty air we’d been breathing since she started this whole fucking argument. However, this was important stuff that should be discussed with sober heads and released tension. The best time seemed to be after sleeping for eight hours and going for our morning run.
Then, as if she hadn’t said anything at all, she pulled off my shirt, further solidifying the best course of action was to revisit this talk she’d brought up…tomorrow.
Her hands slowly traveled down my body, and she nipped along my chin. “I’m no good for you, Marin. I want you more than I can stand, but I’m only going to hurt you.”
She stood up and unclasped her bra. I reached up for her tits, squeezing them, and then I ran my thumbs over her nipples until they hardened. She mesmerized me with the way her body moved. Before I knew it, she had taken off her pants and panties, and she was standing before me with her hair hanging down on her shoulders in soft waves, licking her lip. Her body shouted, Fuck me, but her eyes told a different story. She was laying it all on the line here.
“I’m a big boy, Maddy.” I pulled her down and rolled her under me before crashing my mouth against hers. “You’re not going to hurt me,” I murmured against her lips, teasing them open.
She worked the buckle on my pants and slipped them off my body, her lips curling under my mouth, and she opened her mouth for me. Our tongues danced together, exploring each other. She tasted like wine and fucking perfection.
She giggled. “I agree, you’re a very big boy.” Then, s
he ran her fingers along my jaw. “I don’t like feeling weak and vulnerable,” she said quietly, looking off to the side.
My hands traveled along her stomach while she rubbed her smooth legs against mine.
“You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“I came here right after dinner. I didn’t know where else to go,” she babbled before pausing. “I sat on the floor outside of your door like a loser.” She sat up on her elbows.
I trailed kisses down her body then along her leg and on the inside of her knee. “You could have called me.”
“I panicked,” she panted.
I sat up and dragged her on top of me. Her legs wrapped around my back. Then, every cell in my body went into high alert, and I was shocked into sobriety. I held her face in my hands. “Did that motherfucker do something to you? Is that why you were waiting for me? Fuck, Maddy.”
“No,” she said immediately. “He was on his best behavior. The dinner was completely uneventful. It was boring in fact.” She looked at me with a sparkle in her eyes as her hands glided down my face. “I like your stubble.”
She was fucking everywhere, and I had no idea what the hell was going on. I had to fucking get her drunk—lightweight. Fuck, I’m drunk. “Why did you panic?”
She smiled and then laid her head on my chest. I could deal with this.
“Because you were right, and I was sure the world was coming to an end.” She ran her finger along the center cut of my abs. “I don’t trust Alex.”
Finally, she sees the light.
“He’s up to something. All my business associates and suppliers have linked him to me. It wouldn’t be a big deal in most cases, but he’s established himself on my reputation. He has his own name and clout, but he used me to break into the market. He wouldn’t sabotage me. He has too much to gain from this success. He’s effectively married us together professionally as long as I stay in Miami. I won’t be able to escape him.”
I had always hated that motherfucker, but now, I detested him even more. If anyone was going to marry Madison, It would be me. Fuck, that thought still makes me dizzy. But the more surreal part of it was how true it felt to me. I didn’t give a shit whether it was work or whatever. The motherfucker wasn’t going to be married to Madison in any way, shape, or form.
When I’m not fucking drunk and turned-on, I’ll beat the shit out of him.
I tightened my arms around her, and she looked up. Suddenly, a thought hit me.
“Then, it’s settled.” I kissed her like I meant it. “Maddy, let’s get out of here, out of Miami,” I said, excited and inspired. “My company has an opening in Atlanta. If I want the position, it’s mine. We can start fresh without all the bullshit and craziness. You can open up your own restaurant.”
This is so fucking genius. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it earlier. Maddy and me, alone together, would be fucking heaven.
Her hands held my face with disappointment in her eyes. “I can’t.”
I laid her back onto the couch. Determined and convinced, I’ll sell it to her. “Yes, you can, Maddy. You know I’m right.”
It made perfect sense. Earlier today, after I’d put Estrella in her place, I’d headed over to my parents’ house. Of course, news had traveled fast. Liz had begged for my forgiveness, and my mom had been on the phone, pacifying my sister, who had been convinced that her husband was having an affair. Less than twenty-four hours after celebrating my professional achievement, my dad had started in on me about coming to work with him. I’d fucking gotten it. It was that whole legacy shit Madison would talk about. She should have been Ernesto Marin’s daughter. It just wasn’t my dream or the path I wanted to take. The only escape from this would be to leave.
“Marin, you’re drunk,” she said, stroking my hair.
She could tell me no all she wanted. Her eyes told me she wanted to do this.
I lowered myself over her body. I was excited in every way possible. She spread her legs for me, and I nipped along her neck as my hands worked her tits.
“Liquid clarity,” I said.
She rubbed my sides with her legs, and her hands were in my hair.
“Think about it,” I told her. “In the morning when you wake up, you’ll agree I’m brilliant.”
She laughed and kissed my shoulder. “You’re an idiot,” she said lovingly. “A sweet and beautiful one. And if it were possible to love you more, I would right now. But you’re drunk, and I can’t.”
I popped my head up. “Fuck you. You make me sound like a puppy.” I rubbed my dick against her. “If I were completely drunk, you wouldn’t be feeling that.”
I used the tip of my dick to spread her wetness around her pussy. Her eyes fluttered, and she chewed her lip.
“But I’m not, so you can and will.” I groaned, sliding my dick inside her. I rocked back and forth, moaning at how perfect she was. “You feel so fucking amazing.” Being inside Maddy was the best feeling in the world.
“I love you, Marin. You need to know that,” she said in a breathy voice. Her hands ran along my back, and her body writhed under me.
“Then, say you’ll come away with me. Let’s do this, babe—me and you against the world,” I murmured as I increased the speed and intensity. Fuck, she feels so damn good. “You know you want to.”
Her lips curved slightly, and her eyes screamed, yes, but her lips were fucking rebellious. “I can’t. Just let it go, Marin. We have to stay here.” She reached for my hands and laced her fingers with mine. “Together.”
Panting and sweaty, I fucked her in a loving way. Her pussy clamped around my dick. She moaned and dug her nails into my hands. She lifted her face and lured my mouth over hers. Fuck, my balls tightened, and I thrust my dick inside her as the spasms took over me. We kissed like the lovers we were—hot, passionate, and breathless.
I pulled back, caressing her face. “I love you, Maddy.” My lip curled into a dimpled smile. “I know you think I’m an idiot, but I’m not. We can do this. Let’s go.” I teased her lips with my tongue. “Don’t fight me. You know I always get what I want.”
Her mouth opened for me, and she kissed me, pulling me in close to her. When she broke away, her eyes shifted to the side. “A part of me wants to, but I can’t.”
“Stop being difficult.” I ran my nose along her chin. “Do it for me.”
“I can’t.”
Nestling my head in her neck, I told her, “Give me one good reason why you can’t, and I’ll drop it.” I raised my hand and pointed my finger at her. “A good reason—not because I’m an idiot, we’ve only known each other for a few months, or I’m impulsive and haven’t thought anything through. None of that shit. Give me a good one.”
I was confident she couldn’t come up with one. She was just being difficult and resistant Maddy.
Her body curled into mine as her fingers softly tickled my arms. “I can’t leave him. I can’t do that again.”
I sighed, frustrated. “I said, a good reason. And him, who? Mark? Leave him, how? He’s in New York, and you’re in Miami. What difference does it make if you’re in Atlanta? You’d actually be closer.” I propped my head on my elbow. “I know you’re not talking about that motherfucker. You owe him no loyalty. He wants to destroy your life. So, once again, give me one good reason why we can’t just take off.”
Her eyes darted to the side as she tilted her head into her shoulder. When she glanced back at me, I saw it in her eyes—that same look, that same self-consciousness, that same hurt and pain she’d had last night when she confessed her secrets to me. I felt the bottom falling out as she gave me her final secret.
“I can’t leave my son.”
It’s not over. Their story is to be continued…
Acknowledgments
Writing this novel has been a labor of love. I certainly did everything I could to be true to Rick Marin and Madison Stuart, who have become like family to me. I am forever grateful to those two lunatics for creeping into my imagination and coming ali
ve through my words. They have kept me up late at night, driven me insane, and forced me to dig in deep and stay true to their story.
I offer my thanks…
To my son, Alberto—Thank you so much for being a trooper and for being satisfied with meals out of a Kraft Macaroni and Cheese box or the drive-thru at Pollo Tropical. You are the best son a mom can ask for, and I love you to pieces.
To my family—Thank you for your love and support. No one knows better my “Canal Vente-tres” pout or my love of soap operas, fairy tales, and happily ever afters. Thank you for buying my books even though you don’t read this genre and for having a genuine interest in my evolution as an author.
To Jennifer Rached—You listened to me talk about these characters every single day, helped me work out plot points, and kept me in check when I wanted to do something totally crazy—the readers should thank you for that, too. Thank you so much for your friendship, support, and daily question: “Did you finish that chapter?”
To Morgan Parker, the amazing and witty author of Textual Encounters I and II, Non-Fiction, and soon-to-be released Sick Days—Morgan, you came into my life at such an unexpected time, like a breath of fresh air, the wind beneath my wings, the water permeating the cells in my body and the plasma in my blood. Thank you for believing in me, calling me out on my bullshit, and telling me like it is. You are in many ways my Rick Marin.
To Megan Hand, the fabulous author of Bitter Angel—You are truly an angel and not a bitter one. Your timing has always been perfect. You’re so talented. Thank you so much for not only your friendship but for taking the time to read It’s Not Over with a scrutinizing eye—twice—and helping me take Rick and Maddy’s story to the next level.
To Trish Kuper, one of the few people to see me drink anything other than Diet Pepsi—Thank you for having a Pomegranate Margarita at Rosa Mexicano with me. Thank you so much for coming along the journey with me and for making the time to proofread It’s Not Over. I’m blessed to call you a friend.
To Laura Benson—Thank you so much for your friendship, support, and encouragement. You’re one of my biggest supporters, always believing in me and helping to keep my feet on the ground while reaching for the stars. Oh wait, that’s wrong. You’re always telling me to reach for those stars and not to settle for anything less while forcing my lead feet off the ground.