by Ivy Jordan
I parked in the same spot I’d been in the previous night. My little black rental car was right below her window. In the daylight, it was hard to tell if lights were on or not. There were no shadows in the window like before, and I feared the possibility that she’d left, found a friend to take her in, protect her, and not lie to her like I had.
The round man with thin black hair that had let me inside the night before walked out of the front doors. I climbed out of my car, quickly greeting him as I walked towards the apartments. “Thank you again for your help last night,” I extended my hand.
The man shook my hand, a smile smeared all over his face. “Maddie is a good girl; we are all just glad to see that monster out of her life,” he said.
So am I.
He strolled on down the sidewalk, to where, I had no idea. To me, the man was my savior, a saint, and the only reason Maddie didn’t end up raped, or worse at the hands of the man who proclaimed to love her.
I went inside the building and started up the three flights of stairs to Maddie’s apartment. No wonder she was in such great shape; it was a long, upward walk to her apartment door. I chuckled to myself at the thought of all the hamburgers I’d eaten over the last several weeks, and how Maddie warned me they would make me sluggish and weak.
I made it to her door. I stood there in front of it, my hands frozen to my sides, and my breathing starting to calm from the climb. What was I going to say to her? What if she took her wallet and closed the door in my face? Beth was right; I needed a plan. I didn’t have one.
My right arm lifted, and my knuckles beat on her door with the same rapid pace as my heart. I couldn’t hear anything on the other side of the door, just silence. I knocked again, this time a little harder.
After a couple seconds, I heard someone inside. The peephole slid over, scraping against the metal of the door as I assumed she was getting her first peek at who stood at her front door.
“I have your wallet,” I said, holding up the designer wallet for her to see.
Chains unlatched, deadbolts unlocked, and then the door opened. My heart raced as her angelic face appeared. She didn’t have an expression, no fear, no anger, no excitement to see me: nothing.
“I wanted to give this to you,” I mumbled, holding her wallet in front of me. Her hands were trembling as she took the accessory I’d lied about being lost. “Can we talk?” I choked.
Her eyes were dark and cold, but she widened the door and let me inside. The hairs on the back of my neck stood stiff from nerves rolling through my body. I handed her the wallet, which she immediately started going through. She pulled out her license, her credit cards, all with the name Maddie Stewart, not Maddie Grubbs. “I’m sorry. I was trying to protect you,” I mumbled.
Her eyes lifted to mine, so wide, so beautiful, even though darkened by sadness, confusion, and what I feared may be hate. “I changed your name, your birthdate, everything so the hospital or police wouldn’t be able to identify you to Rob,” I explained.
“You tricked me to get me into bed,” she snapped, her eyes starting to well with tears.
“Maddie, I never meant to trick you. I swear to you my only intention was to protect you. When you were in that hospital bed, all I could think about was losing you. I’ve loved you my entire life, and when you came to Miami, I thought it was my chance to prove to you that you deserved better, to show you how you should’ve been treated,” I pleaded.
Her eyes softened and started to brighten as she let one solitary tear fall from her left eye down her cheek. “You could’ve told me,” she hissed.
“I should’ve. I thought you might forget him, about how he’d treated you. You were so frightened, so scared when you arrived, you fell into my arms sobbing. I knew what that man had done, what he was capable of doing if he found you. When you finally opened your eyes, I’d been there the entire time, and my heart had never felt lighter than it did at that moment,” I reasoned.
“You were my friend,” she gasped.
“I am your friend. I didn’t trick you into falling in love with me; you did that on your own. I’ve always loved you,” I said, reaching into my pocket for the ring I’d bought her in Miami. “Here, I wanted you to have this on your birthday.” I extended the small velvet box to her.
She held it in her hand, tears falling down her face freely now. “Today’s my birthday,” she sobbed. I nodded, fighting back my own tears. How could I have hurt this woman? I love her with everything inside of me, everything I have.
Her eyes lit up as she opened the box. The beautiful tanzanite ring stared her in the face. “This is the ring I tried on,” she gasped.
“Yes. You loved it, and I wanted you to have a ring that was meant for you, so you could get rid of the one you were wearing,” I said, glancing towards her finger where Rob’s ring no longer occupied her finger.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Nothing between us was a lie. Even though I did lie to you about some things, you and I were never a lie,” I said, hoping it was enough to soften the hate she must’ve had for me in my heart.
I started to leave, but my feet wouldn’t move. Her eyes were locked onto mine, and something inside of them told me the hate, if ever there was any, was gone. She reached for my hand, her skin so soft and smooth it made my entire body tingle from just that single touch. “I don’t like that you tricked me. But, I do appreciate you taking such good care of me, and…” her voice trailed off as she swallowed audibly. “I know my love for you is real,” she exhaled.
My heart jumped in my chest, and without planning, thinking, or any self-control, I pulled her into me, kissing her with the same passion I’d had the first time our lips ever met.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Maddie
All of the pain and anger I felt melted away in Isaac’s arms. I’d thought about him all night, about how close we were, about how he’d taken such good care of me, and how much I truly loved him. I knew he did things the wrong way, but I also knew he did them for the right reasons.
Our tongues entangled in a passionate embrace as his hands roamed up my body, sending arousing chills to my spine. He pulled away gently, letting his teeth slightly graze my bottom lip, tugging it delicately from my mouth. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t,” he stammered.
I giggled; watching him apologize for something I wanted as much as he did was amusing. “Don’t be sorry,” I replied, lifting to my tippy toes to reach his mouth with mine.
I knew I’d run to Miami for more than a safe haven to hide from Rob. I’d run to Isaac to profess my love for him. All those years I’d always dreamed of there being more, but the timing was never right. He was in the military, I was in college, he was with his first love, and I was with Rob. When I decided to leave, when Rob became violent, I knew there wasn’t anything for me in Portland anymore. The only one for me was Isaac, and that life would be in Miami.
His strong arms wrapped around me tightly and lifted me from the floor. He scooped me up, carrying me like a child as he made his way to my bedroom. My heart raced, and my body tingled as his soft lips pushed into mine. My arms loosely hung around his neck as my body melted into his.
One swift toss and I was on my mattress, my back bouncing as my eyes locked onto Isaac’s. He worked quickly removing his shorts and exposing the toned, tan flesh to my eyes. I watched as he kicked off his shoes, let out a squeal as he ripped his belt from the loops of his pants, and then gasped as he unleashed his hard cock. He didn’t fumble with the condom, but instead slid it on with such grace, such skill that my mouth watered.
His hands reached for me, gripping my hips and pulling me to the center of the bed as his eyes pierced into mine.
My body squirmed beneath him, loving every touch as he slowly pulled my tank top over my head. The loose sleep pants I wore didn’t put up a fight when he tugged at them, and the fact I hadn’t wore panties to bed left me instantly vulnerable to his disposition.
Isaac gripped my left leg,
holding it upward from the bed as his mouth pushed against my ankle. His kisses were soft and quick, like tickling butterflies on my skin. I gasped as his mouth traveled down my leg, to my knee, to my thigh, and then stopped at my center. His hot breath pushed the fine hairs on my pussy, tickling me as they swayed with his breathing.
My back arched, my ass lifted from the mattress, and I pushed myself into him, forcing his mouth to touch the soft, wanting flesh of my cunt.
Soft flicks of his tongue teased my plump lips, spreading them apart gently as he glided between them and into my tight hole. My hips rocked slowly with a steady motion as he lapped up my arousal. I reached down, gripping his head, running my fingers through his short hair, and guiding his rhythm.
A single finger teased my entrance, wiggling back and forth until it worked itself inside my body. I moaned approvingly as he fucked me slowly, letting his mouth move to my clit. It was swollen and sensitive as he sucked it between his lips. Gentle tugs pulled it from my body, massaging it with an intensity that was bringing me closer and closer to climax.
My moans grew louder as his pace picked up, and my hips continued to rock but lost their sense of rhythm as my orgasm approached. My eyes closed, my head fell back, and I let the waves of pleasure rush through my body. The sweet tension pulsated through me, releasing a wild rush of excitement with each throb, until finally, my body let go.
“I’ve missed you,” Isaac whispered, wiping the glaze of my arousal from his mouth. He slid up my body, slowly and carefully as his cock traced along my thigh before settling between my legs.
My pussy was still throbbing, causing Isaac’s cock to twitch with anticipation. Our eyes locked together, as if speaking to each other’s hearts. I gasped as he slid into me, spreading my hips for his girth. His motion was slow, steady, and perfectly synchronized to my throbs.
I let my fingers trace the muscles in his arms, and then slowly roll to his backside. His ass was hard and muscular; tensing as he thrust slowly into me, and feeling his muscles flex as he filled me with his large muscle was working up my excitement again quickly.
My mouth lifted to his neck, sucking the delicate skin near his ear. He growled with pleasure, pushing harder into me. My tongue rolled down his neck, my lips closing on his chin, and then working their way to his mouth. I could taste my own sweet arousal on his tongue as it rolled around mine. My arms wrapped around him tighter, pulling him into me so I could feel the weight of his body against mine.
His arms flexed, their muscles bulging as he worked to hold himself from collapsing into me, crushing me into the mattress.
Our hips rocked into each other, our rhythm perfectly synched and picking up pace at the same rate. My moans turned into gasps as he plunged deep into me. My body was filled, but hungry for more.
“I love you,” I whispered in Isaac’s ear, immediately causing him to pick up his pace.
His cock plunged deep into my body, creating friction against my G-spot with each thrust. My pussy started to throb again, and this time my orgasm wasted no time on climax. I clenched around him, my muscles gripping him and releasing him with sporadic motions.
A low growl rolled from his lips. As I looked up at him, his eyes closed, his lips parted, and his body tensed with pleasure. I pulled him into me, letting his weight crush me into the mattress for a moment before he rolled to his side, pulling me with him.
I loved being in Isaac’s arms. It was safe. I was safe.
“I truly love you, Maddie,” he whispered in my ear.
I exhaled, letting the breath I held in go, and feeling the sweet release of all my tension. “I love you too.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Isaac
Maddie was beautiful lying there on her bed. Her perfect silhouette displayed beneath the thin sheet left me breathless. Her long hair flowed from the pillow, and she looked so relaxed, so peaceful. “Are you going to be okay here alone for a while?” I asked, knowing she would be just fine. Maddie Stewart was a strong woman, able to overcome anything in her life, and she’d proven that many times.
“Of course,” she purred, rolling over to face me.
I hated to leave, but my phone had rung off the hook all morning, and Beth had sent several texts about a client that needed my help. I was going to have to go back to Miami soon, but I hated to leave Maddie.
I leaned down, kissing Maddie on the forehead, and then headed out of her apartment. Once I was in my rental car and on my way back to the hotel, I called Beth. “What’s going on?” I asked.
Her voice was exhausted as she let out a sigh. “It’s Mr. Gallo. He’s demanding our attention right away, meaning your attention rather. He says his fiancée is planning something this weekend, and he’s insistent that she’s up to no good,” she explained. “When are you coming back?” Beth asked.
I stammered at her question. I hadn’t thought about going back so soon. I wanted to stay, to work things out with Maddie a bit further, and possibly plan our future, if there was to be one. “I take it you need me back there right now?” I asked.
“I’m so sorry. I know you want to stay and win Maddie back, but this is important. If we can’t do this for him, he’ll take his business elsewhere. He was adamant about that,” she apologized.
“Maddie and I are actually doing very well; that’s why I’d hate to leave,” I growled. “I’ll book a flight. Tell him I’ll be there this evening,” I spat.
I pulled up to the hotel and went inside and gathered my belongings. At the front desk, I turned in my keys and paid the bill. My hand clenched around my phone, not sure if I wanted to book the flight before talking to Maddie.
No, I have to talk to her first.
Maddie opened the door to her apartment and let me back inside. My heart ached as she wrapped her arms around me and showered me with a welcoming kiss. “What’s wrong?” she asked, obviously noting my tension.
“I have to go back to Miami,” I complained.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. I couldn’t tell what emotion she was feeling. “When?” she asked.
“Now. I have to book the next available flight,” I informed her with disappointment in my voice.
Her eyes saddened, and her bottom lip pushed out. “I understand,” she said softly. I watched as she moved into the kitchen. “Are you hungry?” she asked. I was starving. “I ordered pizza from the place by my gym. I wanted to taste it one last time.”
“Last time?” I questioned.
“I decided I’m not staying in Portland. There’s nothing here for me,” she said so casually it killed my soul. Where was she going? “I want to start fresh,” she added.
The thought of Maddie starting out fresh meant that she was leaving me behind as well. She was leaving everything behind to start a new life. Fuck. I was losing her all over again, and this time, probably for good.
I noticed three large suitcases by the couch in the living room as I followed her from the kitchen. She set the pizza box on the table and pulled a large slice from the pie, handing it to me. “Try this; you’ll love it,” she insisted.
I took a bite, but it was hard to swallow. My throat was closing shut and my chest tightening. “It’s delicious,” I muttered as I swallowed hard to get the piece down my closing throat.
We sat and ate in silence, until I couldn’t take it any longer. “Maddie, I know you’ve been through a lot. But, I don’t know if moving away from everything you know, from everyone you know, is the best idea right now,” I pleaded.
“I don’t have anyone here in Portland. The friends I had from school I’ve drifted apart from thanks to Rob’s jealousy, and the ones from college are spread out all over the globe now, and I’m not close with any of them. There is nothing here for me,” she explained, smiling in my direction.
She looked happy about her decision. I sure the hell wasn’t. “I’m really not ready to lose you again. I love you, and I know if you gave us a chance, you’d see that we are perfect for each other. We were so happy
in Miami, you were so happy,” I continued to plead my case for her not to start completely fresh.
She didn’t speak, just smiled sweetly in my direction. I knew she didn’t want to hurt me. But this hurt like hell.
“You need to get your flight booked before it’s too late,” she insisted.
I watched her chewing on her pizza, her eyes bright and filled with excitement. She was happy. I couldn’t deny that. Maybe I was being selfish by trying to keep her to myself. She deserved to live her life, even if it wasn’t with me.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed, pulling my phone from my pocket.
My bag was already packed and loaded in my car. I knew when I came up here that I’d be leaving Maddie; I just didn’t imagine she’d be leaving as well, to only God knows where.
I scrolled through my phone until I found the airline’s number. I clicked the phone icon and waited as it rang. The message prompted me to push one for English, and then three to book a reservation. Finally, a woman answered, asking me how she could help.
“I need a ticket to Miami from Portland, today if possible,” I explained.
“There’s a flight leaving in two hours; can you make that?” she asked.
My eyes shifted to Maddie. Two hours didn’t give me much time to say goodbye, but I knew it was a long flight. If I left then, I’d arrive late that evening in Miami, giving me time to get briefed by Beth on what I needed to do for Mr. Gallo.
“Yes, that flight would be fine,” I said, the phone on speaker where Maddie could hear.
“How many tickets?” the woman asked.
“One,” I sighed.
“Two,” Maddie chimed in. “He needs two tickets.”
My heart jumped against my chest. Her eyes were wide and bright, and her smile smeared across her face so perfectly it took my breath away. “Two tickets,” I announced proudly.
The woman took my information and I quickly hung up. “Are you serious?” I asked Maddie, who was still smiling wide.