Nodding, she focused on the brick wall, refusing to look over the side of the stairs as they made it to the third-floor entrance. She rushed through the door, breathed a sigh of relief and that was the last breath she got before her lips were in a battle with his as he pressed her against the wall.
He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her breasts against his chest, thrusting his tongue in her welcoming, warm mouth. Her arms clutched his hair, pulling him down to hold him in place. The kiss was demanding and unyielding as his tongue invaded her mouth, searching every crevice, tangling with her tongue, dueling for dominance, before he pulled back slightly.
“You okay,” he asked.
“Mmmm,” she replied, her hands attempting to tug him back to her.
“Just wanted to take your mind off the stairs.”
Grinning against his lips, she said, “You succeeded, but now I want you to take my mind off of everything but your body.”
Grabbing her hands in one of his, he brought them over her head, causing her breasts to push out as her back bowed. Using his free hand to explore, he glided down her shoulder, over her breast, stopping to rub his thumb over her nipple, before making his way down to slide into her pants, cupping her mound.
Her groans were captured in his mouth, sending a direct signal to his cock, which was already at attention. He leaned his hard body in, touching every inch of the front of hers, chest to knees and, with his hips jutted forward, his cock pressed into her stomach.
Sliding his hand under her sweater, he continued his upward path, coming to rest on her breast. Teasing, alternating between feather soft touches and then pinching her nipples, he soon had her squirming against his body, begging not so silently.
“Please, I want to touch you too,” she rasped through kiss-swollen lips.
He let go of her hands and she immediately grabbed his face, holding him as she assaulted his lips again. Using his other hand under her ass, he lifted her easily, allowing her to wrap her legs around his waist. His swollen cock was now painfully pressing against her warm sex and he was desperate to rid them of the clothing that still separated their bodies.
Lifting his leg slightly so that she was seated on him, he jerked her sweater up and over her head. Raising her arms only long enough to have the sweater pass, she immediately reached back to him, clutching his shoulders as she pulled his head back to her chest.
He pulled the tops of her bra cups down with his teeth, freeing her breasts. With them at face level, he continued his assault with his mouth. Sucking first one nipple in and then moving to the other, he was aware of the movement of her crotch against his leg, trying to create the friction that she needed.
Lowering his leg, he set her feet back down on the floor, offering her support until her legs were steady before he reached behind him to grab his shirt. Pulling it over his head, he leaned forward, pressing her against the door once more, recapturing her mouth with his. This time, flesh against flesh, breasts against chest.
Their hands moved to each other’s pants at the same time, fingers tangling. He grunted and she took this to mean that he wanted her to stop so she slid her hands back to his shoulders as he deftly undid her jeans zipper and jerked them down her legs. As he did the same with his, she slid her pants down, snagging her panties as she went. Kicking off her boots as she divested herself of her bra, she was naked by the time he had a condom rolled on his cock.
Both stared unabashed at the beauty in front of them. He suddenly could not remember the features of any other woman he had been with before Maddie. Not their features, their faces, their shapes. All he could see in his mind was the perfection that was standing in front of him, staring at him with her warm, dark eyes. Eyes that were not just shining with lust, but something else…something intangible. Something he wanted to explore.
She stared at his cock, jutting out toward her. Watching it twitch, she grinned. “Seems like you’ve got something on your mind, cowboy.”
“Oh, yeah. I know exactly what I want.”
Picking her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist, this time her sex directly on his dick. Wanting to make sure she was ready, he slid his finger into her wet folds, moving it deeper and deeper, looking for just the right spot to make her scream. “Perfect. So fuckin’ perfect.”
Madelyn felt the pressure building, the coils tightening, and knew she was close. Hell, I could have come just dry humping his leg. About to crack a joke about her impatience, the feel of his fingers deep inside of her sex, tweaking just the right spot, jolted the words from her mind as sensations crashed over her.
Opening her mouth to beg for more, he bent his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth, biting down just enough to give a sharp pain then soothing it with his tongue. She felt her inner muscles clamping down on his fingers as the orgasm washed over her.
Zac looked at the beauty in his arms, her head thrown back against the door in ecstasy, eyes tightly shut, mouth open, the only sound emitted a sexy moan. That sound almost had him coming just with his cock pressed against her stomach.
Placing his aching cock at her entrance he rasped, “Ready, babe?” A nod was all the answer he received, but he wanted her eyes. “I want to see you,” he rasped, barely hanging on as she dipped her chin and graced him with her smile.
“I’m here,” Madelyn whispered, “and I want you…now.” She almost added the word ‘always’ but stopped herself. It was just as well, for within a second, her sex was impaled on his cock. Balls deep, he began thrusting, tossing all thoughts from her mind.
One hand under Madelyn’s ass for support, the other pressed against the door next to her head, Zac thrust, sliding in and out of her warm sex, the friction nearly taking him over the edge quickly. Forcing his mind to hold back, he wanted her to come again before he lost himself in her body.
Demanding, “Mouth,” he sealed his lips over hers when she brought her mouth back to his. Deep. Controlling. His tongue mimicking the movements of his cock.
Madelyn knew the pressure was building, soon to bring the most incredible euphoria. Feeling Zac’s hand move between them and tweak her clit sent her over the edge again, waves of pleasure shattering her into a million pieces. Shouting out his name, she thrust her head back against the door as her inner walls grabbed at his cock.
The feeling of his cock being milked by Madelyn’s muscles was all it took for Zac to lose control. His head reared back as he powered through his orgasm, continuing to thrust. Neck muscles straining, face red and tight, he emptied himself into her waiting body with such force, he hoped the condom held.
Lowering her body to the floor, he held her until her legs steadied underneath her. Keeping his large hands on her waist, he leaned over, looking into her eyes as they stared up at him. Grinning at the same time, he nuzzled her nose before sliding his mouth to her ear, whispering, “Ready for round two?”
Giggling, she darted around him, grabbing his hand in the process, running to his bed. He left her just long enough to head into the bathroom, with the explanation, “Gotta deal with this.”
As he stalked out of the bathroom, he observed her on her back, smiling up at him. Climbing into bed, he lay on his side next to her, exploring every delicious curve.
Thinking it would be hard to orgasm again so soon after what they had just done, Madelyn was surprised to feel the electric shock from her nipples to her womb and down to her sex.
Zac rolled another condom on before moving his finger through her slick folds, then lifted her on top, placing his engorged cock at her entrance.
He gently entered her, slowly, wanting to feel each delicious inch. She moaned at the fullness and the pressure that immediately began to build. With a final push, he was in all the way, pumping slowly.
“The last one was because all I could think about at the pub was getting in you, but now, this is more for you to have control.”
“I’m good,” she assured in a whisper and he began to begin move faster. The friction was soon sendin
g her over the edge again as the shock waves pulsated from her inner core outwards.
She grinned and, as her orgasm flooded her senses, she raised up and down, her hands on his chest, riding his cock. Her inner walls grabbed his dick and natural juices made the movement easier. Her breasts bounced in rhythm to her rocking and he palmed the full flesh, tweaking her nipples.
She lowered her face, whispering, “I want to be with you,” and he hesitated for a second, staring into her eyes before taking over, thrusting upward.
Lost in the emotion and the words, Zac felt his balls tighten and knew that he was close. Throwing his head back, he powered through his orgasm, pulsating deep inside as her channel tightened around him again.
She crashed on top of his sweaty body, both still shaking with the intensity of the moment. Neither spoke for several minutes, the emotions of what they were feeling overwhelming.
As they slowly recovered, the cool of the night finally penetrating the heat they had generated, he tucked her in tightly to his body, jerking the cover over them.
Madelyn lay with her head on Zac’s chest listening to his heartbeat, her fingers absently moving over his muscles. Gathering her courage, she said, “I didn’t see the best in my parents’ marriage. I didn’t think it was holding me back, but maybe it was. No matter what, though, I want you, I want the emotions…even the messy ones…with you.”
He lifted her chin with his knuckle, staring into her eyes. “Me too, Maddie. Everything…good, not good, messy, clean…you name it, I want it.”
She sucked in her lips but, no longer hesitating, told him what was on her mind. “I need to let you know that I’ve made a decision.” Seeing his rapt attention, she said, “I’m staying. I’m staying in Baytown.”
23
Madelyn stared out her living room window watching the moving truck David had arranged to come drive off with the antiques she had decided to auction. As the dust settled from its trek down the lane, she turned and cast her gaze around the almost empty room. Sucking in a deep breath, she moved easily about the room, her fingers trailing along the few pieces that she wanted to keep. Pieces that she remembered collecting with her dad when she was younger.
Alone, she walked into the kitchen and fixed a cup of tea. As the kettle heated, she viewed the empty counters and floor space, now void of the pieces that he had piled in here as well. Zac had wanted to be with her today but had training. The girls had all offered to come as well, but she politely turned away their offers of help, explaining she wanted to do it herself and then be alone with her memories for a while. They understood, but made her promise to meet them at Jillian’s coffee shop the next day.
So, now, she had plenty of time to breathe a little easier with the clutter gone from the rooms. To make more space for his antiques, he had gotten rid of some of the basic furniture, so it was now time to contact the thrift shop to come get what she was donating.
Once her tea had steeped, she carried the cup up to her bedroom, glad the stairs were now clear, the falling-hazard now diminished. Setting the cup on her night stand, she picked up the journal she had been reading, knowing she had a little time before she was expected at Tonya’s. She had read the entries that carried her through her high school year before spending the last few nights with Zac.
Flipping the pages, she settled on the bed, steeling herself to read more of her father’s thoughts.
Dear Maddie,
I write this with a heavy heart. I’m devastated that we will not be a family again. I’ve been sober for two years and believed your momma when she said we could be a family again. I did not fight the divorce at the time because I knew I had messed up. I drank, spent money I didn’t have, and was not a good husband, father, or provider. But, I always thought we would be together when I proved I was clean.
Today, she let me know that she got remarried. I wonder what is going through your mind. What your momma has told you about me.
I lost the chance with your momma, but it breaks my heart even more to think that I’ve lost the chance to be your father. Will he walk you down the aisle? Will he hold your babies? These are the thoughts that make me want to turn back to the bottle.
But I won’t. I call my AA sponsor and we talk. I attend the meetings and gain their support. I refuse to go back to what I was.
Your momma told me that you are very fragile and I should not contact you. She says that you have decided that her new husband is your father and I no longer have a place in your life. It breaks my heart to think that my past behavior has hurt you so much, but I’ll support her decision. One day, maybe when you are stronger, we can have that conversation, where I can tell you I’m sorry. But until then, I’ll keep my journal, writing as though you are here with me.
Love, Dad
Stunned, she stayed on the bed, her breath ragged as she stared at the words on the page. Rubbing the back of her neck, attempting to ease the tension, she wished she knew the truth…was this just her dad’s ramblings or had her mother really orchestrated the divide between her dad and her for all these years?
Arriving at Tonya Bayles’ front door, Madelyn reached for the doorbell, hesitating for a second, her nerves threatening to overtake her. Before she could change her mind, she pushed the button, hearing soft chimes ringing inside.
Tonya opened the door almost immediately, her smile warm and inviting. “Come in, come in.”
Entering, she noted the comfortable living room to the right and the dining room to the left in the traditional Colonial home. Tonya led the way to the living room, indicating she take a seat on the sofa. A teapot and two cups were sitting on the coffee table and she waited while Tonya poured the tea.
Her eyes drifted around the room to the many family photographs. Seeing Philip in his Baytown Boys baseball uniform, big smile on his face, she recognized Zac, Grant, Mitch, Aiden, Brogan, and Callan standing with him. Next to that picture was one of him in his military uniform with his arm around his sister. The mantle held the folded flag and her heart felt heavy as she thought of the loss of his life. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Bayles, for your loss.”
Tonya’s gaze followed Madelyn’s and she said, “Thank you, my dear. Time makes the tears come less often, but as a counselor, I’m sure you know that grief never leaves us. But please, call me Tonya.”
Smiling, she nodded. “I also recognize Sophia. How is she?”
A flash of pain shot through Tonya’s eyes, before she replied, “She’s fine. She lives in Tennessee since graduating from college.”
Licking her lips, she sipped her tea, feeling as though the subject of Sophia was difficult for Tonya. “I want to thank you for agreeing to meet with me today.”
Tonya settled back in her chair and smiled. “I have to confess when I got home and told my husband you wanted to meet, David warned me to be careful. He said that there were things that only your parents know…or knew, to give you the answers you were looking for.”
“But you will talk to me? At least, talk to me about them?”
Tonya nodded, setting her tea cup onto the table. “Yes.” Tilting her head to the side, she said, “Do you have specific questions for me?”
Shaking her head slowly, she replied, “Well, of course, I’d like to hear what your thoughts were about my mom and dad.” Her hand fluttered in the air and she shrugged, “Anything really.”
Tonya leaned back in her chair. “Well, I suppose I should start at the beginning. I met your mom when you and Sophia were in the same pre-school. Let’s see, that would make you about three years old.” Smiling at the memory, she said, “Sophia was painfully shy and you were also. The other kids were running around like crazy and the two of you stood to the side. I wanted to rush over but the teacher told us to just let you two have a chance to get used to everyone. Your mother and I ended up going to get coffee together. We did not know anything about each other, but we bonded over our fear that our daughters were going to hate us for leaving them at the pre-school. I even think a few tear
s were shed that morning…by us!”
Her smile wide, she continued, “When we got back three hours later, we found all the kids still running around and the two of you were off together playing in a corner. You hugged each other when it was time to leave and Gwen and I never worried after that. You two were inseparable and your mom and I began a friendship that meant a lot to me.”
She smiled in return and eagerly looked at the picture that Tonya handed to her, seeing two little pigtailed girls with their arms around each other.
“After that, of course, came school years. Sometimes you and Sophia were in the same class and others, you weren’t. But you stayed friends all through elementary school. I think it was middle school that the two of you began to drift apart slightly, which is normal.”
“That’s right,” she nodded. “I was in the band and started running track in seventh grade. I think I remember Sophia being in the horticulture club and even FFA.” Eyes wide, she exclaimed, “She had baby goats!”
Laughing, Tonya said, “Yes, yes. My parents had a small farm outside of town and they let her raise the baby goats.”
They sipped more tea, memories floating through the air like dust motes, bright in the sunlight before settling.
She looked up, seeing Tonya’s face pinch as though a memory came to her that was not so pleasant. Tonya’s eyes met hers and she sighed.
“And now for the not-so-good memories,” Tonya said, her voice laced with regret. “Gwen confided to me that your father was drinking more and more. I hurt for her and tried to offer a listening ear, but as the years rolled by, it became worse.”
“I remember the way things got worse,” she replied. “We didn’t take family trips anymore. We didn’t even go to the pier to watch the sunsets. I’d hear my parents arguing at night after Mom helped Dad up the stairs. And I remember hearing her crying about him losing his job. I know she took extra shifts at the pharmacy to make more money.”
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