What are the odds that I would see Maddie walking into that bar with Caroline, just as I was leaving a meeting with Jason? I’m glad they didn’t run into each other. The paperwork and legal mess trying to fold Maddie into the company like Jason wants is taking longer than expected.
He wanted to rush the paperwork so when he met her he could give her the world. His lawyer and I explained a few harsh truths to Jason over the last week and, finally, he agreed to slow down and let me take the lead.
There were some things that I discovered once I made a trip down to her hometown and had a meeting with her aunt and uncle. Lisa and Joe were very protective of Maddie but once I told them who I was and why I was disturbing their peaceful life, they reluctantly agreed to a talk to me.
During our conversation, Lisa was hesitant to speak with me about Sara and Jason or how she and Joe came to have Maddie. I gave her the version of the story I had heard from Jason and it was only then that Lisa began to talk. Sara was more aware about the threats against her and the baby than Jason or I even could contemplate. Her trip to see Jason when Maddie was an infant completely altered Sara’s path to reconciliation. Jason was flaunting beautiful women around the city, splashing his face across all the newspapers, and throwing extravagant parties, while Sara was struggling to come to terms with being a single mother.
It was only when Sara was so ill she knew the end was near did she try to reach out to Jason. Her hope was that Jason would be able to protect Maddie, but Jason was still dealing with enemies and threats. His actions that night are what had Maddie so broken and feeling unlovable. After listening to Lisa and Joe, I told them of my intentions with Maddie. Joe seemed to be on my side more than Lisa. It took him reminding her of their own love story for Lisa to agree that sometimes love at first sight exists. They made me promise to never hurt her. There may have been threats of physical violence to my person.
I had to fix this mess with her and Jason and I needed to make sure that I am the one she runs to when confronted with the truth, that may hurt her beyond reason, and pray that she is still by my side, holding my hand, when it is over.
I’m not giving up until I give her the family and love she deserves and I refused to live my life without her.
All I wanted to do when I sat down next to her was draw her into my arms and kiss her until she was breathless. I felt like I have loved this woman for my entire life, only she has no idea who I am. Fate was working on my side.
Our conversation allowed me to see Maddie deeper than the investigative reports and personal conversations would ever have allow. I was able to smell her perfume, with hints of gardenia and something that was fuzzing my brain with dopamine.
I could look into her blue eyes all day and get lost in the changing colors. Sometimes the color of the sky and other times, bordering on grey. They actually sparkled when she spoke and I was in awe at her beauty.
When I found out she was giving up her Friday so Caroline was safe on a date, I knew the truth she was about to face would make her stronger person. She would be able to help more people and lead a life that would have made Sara proud.
I caught myself starring at the hallway, almost willing her to reappear.
I wondered if she could feel the energy between us when I kissed her hand. Lightning is the only way to describe it. A sudden and sharp bolt of lightning that went straight to my heart.
I exhaled the breath I had been holding when I saw her and Caroline come walking down the hallway.
Coming up to get her coat, I glanced to see Caroline and her date walking out. I guessed they were headed to dinner or a movie. Fantastic! Now I would have some time to get to know Maddie without feeling like she had to be on alert for Caroline.
Even though Lisa and Joe explained how close those two really are, I was amazed the depth of love they expressed for each other.
“I took the liberty of having the bartender move your wine behind the counter when you got up so that it was safe to drink when you got back.” I motioned for the bartender to return the drink I’d had him safely tuck behind the bar.
Even though this is a nicer place, I didn’t want anyone to try and slip anything in her drink. I would do everything in my power to protect her from those who wish to bring harm upon her.
“I saw you leave and your drink has not been touched at all.” The bartender explains as he sets my drink back down in front of her.
She looks up at me with a bright smile.
“Thank you but I’m going to head home now. I’d like to settle my tab, please” she said to the bartender, setting her credit card down.
She looked flushed and almost nervous.
“You can’t stay for a little while? I saw that your friend and her date just left and I was hoping you would have time for another drink or maybe dinner.” I asked her, rushing the words out, trying to get her to stay.
“Not tonight, but I really appreciate the offer.” As she put her coat on and began to walk toward the exit.
“Do you believe in fate, Maddie?” I asked her retreating back.
“No, Lucas, I don’t believe in fate.” She said with a twinkle in her eye. “I believe that chance favors the prepared mind”
I stood shocked for a nanosecond before I responded. “I’ll remember that for our next meeting, Sweet Maddie”
I sat back down with a renewed purpose. I had to be prepared for Maddie. She has had a life of upheaval and I want to ensure that she doesn’t run from me.
Maddie doesn’t know it, but this evening just gave me everything I needed to make her mine.
It’d been two weeks since I ran into Maddie and this morning brought new excitement unlike I have ever had.
Today I was implementing the plan to make Maddie mine and to bring her back to her father and his business. I know she may fight me, but with her family on my side, I know I won’t fail.
First thing is to get Maddie out of the bar she is waiting tables at and into a job befitting her status and education.
Her degree will allow her flexibility to choose a career, but so far, she seems to be happy slinging drinks and just existing.
From the conversations I’ve had over the last few weeks, I found out that Maddie has always been extremely smart but has a fear of getting lost in corporate America. Of possibly losing herself in her job. She didn’t care if she struggled for money, as long as she found the job satisfying.
I’ve grown more and more in love with her and I can’t wait until she is around me, under me and on top of me. I groan out loud at the thought of her perfect skin, flushed with arousal, begging me to take her and give her pleasure. My mouth on her sweet center, feeling her writhe under my touch. I wonder if she likes slow and gentle or hard and rough? Will she beg for me, wanting me like I want her?
I’ve craved her taste and I haven’t kissed more than the back of her hand.
That is all about to change. Maddie is mine and I will do whatever I have to do to have her.
I have job offers that will get her into the company without her knowing she works for Jason. Lisa and Joe said it would be a fight with her, possibly resulting in her shutting everyone out, including them. The last thing I’d want is for Maddie to feel cornered or threatened.
Maddie had a version of the truth that she adopted when she was a little girl. Never wanting to talk about it, she carried guilt and shame deep in her soul.
She was unwilling to listen to Lisa and Joe when they tried to steer her closer toward the truth. In her mind, Jason cast her and Sara out when Sara was dying and Maddie cannot get past that.
I wonder what her recollection of that night is, all these years later. I’ve heard Jason’s side of the story and Lisa told me Sara’s side. Only little Maddie was there and her young mind may have twisted the facts or she may be missing key information to understand what really happened.
I looked at my watch, grinning to myself. The courier should be delivering the job packets to Maddie right about now.
I picked up my phone and called Jason “Good morning Jason. I wanted to give you an update on what will be happening today and how I hope to proceed.”
To say Jason was upset when I had told him my plan, not only to bring Maddie into his life, but to make her mine, would be an understatement. We had met last week and he had taken a swing at me after hearing my declaration for her. Luckily, he taught me to fight, so I saw him telegraphing his punch and was able to deflect.
“If I didn’t respect you so much, I would fire your ass, Lucas. I don’t want your plan to cost me my daughter, just so you can get your dick wet. She isn’t like the girls you regularly screw and I won’t allow you to cast her aside when you are done with her. This could completely destroy any relationship I may have with her in the future! If that happens, you are a dead man.” He growls into the phone.
I understood his anger and I’ve explained how I felt about her to him a few times, but I am sure he’s just fearful of both of us losing her. He has already let me know he thinks she and I would be great together but warned me she probably has her mother’s temper and will fight just to be difficult.
“Stop talking like that about her. I know she isn’t anything like the girls I used to mess around with. I will tell you one more time, she is everything to me. I fell in love with her the first moment I saw her picture and I would move heaven and earth to make her happy. I’ve spoken with her Aunt and Uncle and told them my intentions. They gave me their approval, Jason, and they are the ones who raised her.”
I knew that last part was a low blow but fuck him if her thinks I just want to screw her and leave.
“Fuck you, Lucas. I know what they have done for her. I just want her in my life. She hates me and I don’t blame her. It just hurts to know your own daughter thinks you are scum.” I heard a sniffle and he cleared his throat.
I felt like shit. This man gave me a home when my own mother couldn’t handle me, taught me to be a man and gave me the tools and education to live a very comfortable life.
“I’m sorry. I know how hard this is on you and I’m just as stressed as you are. But I have faith this will work. Her job offers are being dropped off as we speak, and you have provided many different options of work for her. From stressful to simple, now you just have to sit back and let her come to us. This will all work out, I promise you.”
“I trust you and I’m sorry too. I know you would never mistreat her. Hell, I have never seen you like this with any woman, let alone one who you have only talked to once. I just want to put this all behind us and so we can start fresh. There is so much I want to tell her. So many places I want her to visit. Hell, I want to give her the world if she will let me.”
“Between us and her family, she will have so much love she won’t know what to do. We just need to get her into the company so I can begin to unwind all the lies and confusion surrounding all of this.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best to be patient, but do not let this drag out too long. Lucas, or I will take over.” He admonished before hanging up the phone.
I looked down at the receiver with amusement. Just her presence at the edge of our lives was turning into an adventure. I can’t wait to see where it takes us.