Madeline was fascinated by Belinda’s reaction, and she exchanged curious looks with Skye as Ria went to open the door.
“Hey, Fitz,” Ria said, waving him in. “What on earth happened?”
“I apparently got on her last nerve.” Fitz strolled inside in his worn trousers and army jacket, full beard, and generally unkempt appearance. He’d been hanging around Azalea for a few years now, doing odd jobs and not much else. No one knew where he came from or the life history that had led him there, but he was a fixture in town now. A rather eccentric one. “At least that’s what she told me in no uncertain terms.”
“What did you say to her?”
“I just suggested she relax a little and have a little fun.” His vivid blue eyes were intelligent and amused. “She’s always so uptight.”
“You didn’t actually say that she’s uptight, did you?” Madeline asked, choking a little at the blasé shamelessness of the man.
“Course I did. Never seen someone so uptight. Not sure what it would take to loosen her up a little.” He paused, his eyes twinkling at her. “Told her that too.”
“Oh come on, Fitz,” Ria groaned. “You knew perfectly well that would upset her. She already doesn’t like you. Why do you poke at her that way?”
“Well, someone has to. She’s way too used to people doing what she tells them.” He grinned endearingly at Ria. “You wanted me to fix your kitchen cabinet?”
“Yeah. The hinge broke. I’ll show you.”
Ria led the man into the kitchen while Madeline and Skye hid their giggles.
The good thing was that the distraction had successfully concluded the conversation about Madeline and her secret fling.
Hopefully it wouldn’t come up again.
AT SEVEN O’CLOCK THAT evening, Ken was sitting in his recliner with Marlowe on his lap, drinking a beer and restlessly flipping the channels in the hopes of finding something on television that would hold his interest.
He wanted to see Madeline. Or at least talk to her.
But he’d texted her this morning, making it clear he would be happy to get together with her anytime she wanted. He’d left the ball in her court, and he needed to keep it there. Anything more would be pushy, and he was determined not to do that.
Just because he was aching to see her, touch her, kiss her, bury himself in her, didn’t mean she wanted to see him.
They’d had sex yesterday. She probably wouldn’t want a repeat performance for at least a few more days. Maybe not even for a week.
Maybe not ever.
That thought made his heart sink, so he didn’t dwell on it. Marlowe evidently sensed his shift in mood because the dog stretched up high enough to give his chin a sympathetic lick.
He’d gone through all his channels at least three times without finding anything to watch for more than a few seconds when his phone buzzed. He grabbed it, his heart lurching when he saw that the text was from Madeline.
You doing anything?
He pushed Marlowe down enough to tap out a reply. Nothing.
He waited a few seconds after he’d sent the text. When there wasn’t an immediate reply, he couldn’t help but add, You want me to come over?
I wouldn’t say no.
The rush of relief and excitement he felt was almost embarrassing. He was like a teenage boy getting lucky. On my way.
I’m worried about everyone seeing your truck in my visitor spot.
He replied quickly. I’ll walk.
It was maybe a mile to her place. Hardly anything. And the truth was he’d walk ten times that distance if it meant he could see her tonight.
Marlowe wasn’t happy about being deserted for the evening, but Ken could hardly show up for sex with a fifty-pound dog in tow. So he got Marlowe settled for the night, locked up, and started walking toward downtown.
He’d taken a shower earlier in the evening in the hopes of Madeline wanting to see him, and he was wearing jeans and a gray Henley. He would have put something better on, but Madeline would think it was weird if he looked like he’d dressed up for her. This would have to do.
It didn’t take long for him to get to Madeline’s block. It was already dark, and most of the town had shut down. Anna’s was still open, but there was no one on the sidewalk as he strode quickly to the exterior door of her building and went in.
He climbed the stairs and knocked. Madeline answered almost immediately.
When she’d let him in and closed the door, she asked, “Did anyone see you?”
“Nope. Not a soul. I was careful.”
“Thank you.” She slanted him a quick look. “You don’t mind, do you? If we keep this secret?”
“I couldn’t care less about that,” he told her, speaking mostly the truth. “Whatever makes you comfortable is good with me.”
“Good. Thanks.” She gave him another shy, little look. She wore a silky blue bathrobe. It smelled like she’d recently gotten out of the shower. “Did you want something to drink? Or did you just want to...”
She trailed off, and it was enough for Ken. He stepped over and pulled her into a kiss.
It was just as hot and intoxicating as it had been yesterday. The kiss got deep quickly and soon turned into him carrying her over to her dark red couch. They tumbled onto it together, kissing until he’d gotten rid of her clothes.
He didn’t seem to have a lot of control today. He was hard almost immediately. But it didn’t seem to matter. She was just as eager as he was, rocking up into him and making pretty moans as he caressed her. In a matter of minutes, he was buried inside her, and her legs were wrapped high around his waist.
He took her hard and fast and deep until she came with a loud sob, completely genuine, completely uninhibited. Then he came too, even before he wanted to. He simply couldn’t resist the feel of her inner muscles clamping down around him.
They panted together, tangled up on the couch, until he had the ability to extricate himself and take care of the condom. They ended up in her bed, where they did it again, this time going slower, lasting longer.
Every time he made her come, he felt a thrill of awed surprise. He couldn’t believe she responded to him so easily, so authentically. And late in the night, after they’d both dozed off and recovered, he put her on her hands and knees and took her from behind until she was actually screaming.
He was pretty awed about that too.
He wanted to do it again and again, but eventually his body stopped cooperating. He lay in her bed exhausted, stroking her hair as she curled at his side.
It was a long time before he could focus enough to form words. “We’re pretty good together,” was what he said when he could speak.
She made a soft huff. Maybe amusement of the very dry kind. “Yeah.”
She felt thoughtful, serious, intelligent. Even lying naked in bed beside him. This observation made him murmur, “Bet you never thought a good ole boy like me could make you feel that way.”
She shifted her position, as if she were trying to peer at him in the dark. “I never thought anyone could.”
His chest expanded so much he could feel the satisfaction pushing out against his ribs. “Really? You never had sex like that before?”
“No. Never.” She paused. “Have you?”