Maddie's body hummed, euphoria radiating through every cell. Who knew sleep this good was even possible? A contented sigh fell from her own lips, the slight sound just enough to nudge her attention back from dreaming. Her eyes were about to flutter open when awareness of what had caused this transcendent state smacked her square in the face. She squeezed her eyes shut, careful not to make any sudden movements.
She had done it again…they had done it again. After she swore to herself she wouldn't, here she was tangled up naked in her 500 thread count Egyptian sheets with David Addison providing all the skin on skin body heat she could handle.
Dammit, how did I let him fast talk his way back into my bed this time? She distinctly remembered insisting he drop her off at the office and go back to his place…alone. Maddie fumed as she replayed the last few hours, determined to never let him suck her back in again.
"Welp, that case is a wrap. Ring the bell for another happy customer."
Maddie peered at David from the passenger seat. "I'm not sure the client would agree with you, considering he was led off in handcuffs."
"The police looked pretty happy anyway. Although you know, I'm starting to wonder if these guys don't want to get caught."
"What like they're trying to appease a nagging conscience or something? Yeah right."
"No, I think I'm onto something here. Think about it. Looking at the ratio of guilty clients who willingly enlist our services, I think we're missing out on a major advertising opportunity." David moved his hand slowly across the air, "Itching to do time but too shy to admit you did the crime? Call Blue Moon Investigations. We got you covered for all your confession anxiety needs…uproarious chase scene included for an additional fee."
The sideways smirk he threw in her direction coaxed a smile from her lips before she could stifle it.
"So, partner, since we've done our civic duty for the day, what do you say you and I grab some dinner?"
"Dinner?" she asked nervously.
"Yeah, dinner. It's this crazy thing people like to do where they eat a meal in between lunch and the next morning's breakfast. We could go out if you want to, although I can think of some advantages to eating in." His tongue ran across his lips.
"Oh…no, David. I've got paperwork I need to catch up on. Just drop me back at the office and you can take the car home."
"You want me to drop you back at the office at 7 o'clock so you can work alone all night?"
Maddie shuffled in her seat. Of course it was too much to hope that he would actually make this easy for her. "Yes, David, that's what I said, didn't I? Why is it so hard to understand that I want you to leave me alone." Her words had more of a bite to them than she had intended and the fall in David's face stabbed her with a pang of guilt.
She braced herself for his inevitable counter, but was met with silence instead. Although his jaw was squarely locked in place, he made the turn towards the office without so much as a retort. Good, maybe tonight was the first step in him accepting what she had already known…this "thing" they were in had gone way too far.
Fourteen nights…it had been fourteen nights since she and David nearly wrecked her house giving into every carnal instinct that had been bubbling under the surface for months. It was bad enough that she had been fighting more urges than usual in that department…damn hormones…but now after being with David, her sexual desire seemed to be stuck on hyperdrive. She found herself wrapped up with him every night since, and it bothered the hell out of her that it only made her crave him more.
She rationalized her reaction by reminding herself she was likely hitting her sexual peak and the past few years had been somewhat lacking in that activity. It didn't hurt that David was an incredible lover either…truthfully, she always had a feeling he would be. He delivered on every fantasy she ever had about him and then some. But this had gone on long enough. One night could be chalked up to the heat of the moment, one week a fling, but more than two weeks? It made her uneasy to think they were crossing into new territory here.
David thrived on whims and bad choices. He was accustomed to living his life with these types of sordid dalliances running in the background, but she wasn't about to lower herself to that standard. She wasn't some wishbone who would turn her brain off to succumb to her libido. This latest entanglement ended tonight. She had already come to rely on this man in too many ways as it was. She was perfectly capable of sleeping without him.
"I'm leaving you with the car." His voice was laced in annoyance but remained measured.
"You don't have to do that, David."
"It's fine. I'll call a cab when we get back to the office."
"Then what? You'll wait for it inside? That's not a good idea."
"What? Now I need to wait out on the street?!"
"No, I already told you, take the car!"
"This is crazy. You're really that afraid of being alone with me?"
"I am not! Besides, I've been alone with you most of the day working on this case, haven't I?"
"Yeah, but those were business hours. Maybe you're afraid if I hang around it's going to cross over into pleasure and we know how much you're opposed to the idea of pleasure".
The word dripped like warm honey from his lips and she immediately felt her body react. Ten minutes, she just needed to make it ten more minutes to the office. "You think you know me so well. I happen to find enjoyment in a lot of things: art, theatre, fine wine—"
"—I believe the word I used was pleasure."
Dammit, how did he seem to know that word coming from his mouth sent a vibration directly through her core? Even so, he was sorely mistaken if he thought it had the power to crack her resolve. Maddie cleared her throat, "Fine—pleasure—as I was saying I find pleasure in a lot of things, including silence." She shot him a look for emphasis. "Happy now?"
"As a clam." David turned on the radio and fixed his eyes to the road.
Mission accomplished, that wasn't so hard. Maddie breathed a sigh of relief. She and David were able to work a case and then go their separate ways. It may take a bit, but now that they gave into their curiosities surely this pull between them would fade away over time. They could even settle into a nice normal professional camaraderie.
Of course, it would likely take David a little longer to come around to that idea. He was probably stewing over the fact that his magic hold on her had worn off. Maddie glanced over at the driver seat only to find David playing bongos on the wheel to the beat of Bob Seger's Ramblin' Man. His head was even nodding back and forth to the rhythm. Was he humming?!
Boy, he sure seemed to get over the idea of sleeping without her tonight fast. "So, what do you think you'll do tonight?" He didn't look up from the road. "…David?"
"Hmm? Oh, are we talking now, Ms. Hayes? I thought you preferred I take on the silent chauffeur role?"
He was right, she did want to drive back in peace. So why did she suddenly have a burning need to know what he'd be doing after he drove away from her? "I'm sorry, I guess I was just wondering what you would be up to." Her eyelashes batted downward at the admission.
"You were, huh?" David gave her a sideways smirk.
"So…tell me, what do you have in mind for tonight?" She cursed herself for asking again, especially when she heard the hint of desperation in her voice.
"I'm not sure, the night could go a lot of ways. I haven't had too much time to go out lately, so maybe I'll see some old friends."
"Old friends?"
"Yeah, maybe."
The thought of every bar floozy in a ten mile radius hanging all over his well-toned arms made her teeth grind. It didn't help that she noticed the top buttons on his dress shirt were undone, his chest hair peaking out. He always looked so damned sexy at the end of the day. A few more buttons and some woman would have easy access to run her hands over his hard, warm chest. Maddie tried to ignore the voice in her head screaming that she didn't want anyone touching him like that but her.
"On second thought, I have been pretty bushed today, kinda sore too…although I can't imagine why." Blood rushed to Maddie's face at the memory of yesterday evening…him holding her up with one arm and bracing himself against the elevator wall with the other. "Think I may just go home and take a long, hot shower. You know, sort of just let the water run off my body. You ever do that, Maddie? Have one of those showers where you let the hot water kiss every inch of you?" His eyes trailed down her slowly, his unabashed gaze stirring every part of her in its path. "Mmm, I got to tell you, it feels so good."
"David," she said shakily.
"Yeah, that's probably what I'll do tonight."
Maddie swallowed hard, her mind racing with the image of joining him. His gorgeous body glistening in the steam, his strong hands caressing her breasts, dragging down her belly, sliding up her trembling thighs. Maddie willed herself to keep her breaths even. The scent of his cologne was suddenly driving her wild. How was it possible that she could practically feel the heat rolling off his body? She squeezed her legs close together to relieve the ache that was spreading.
"Well, we're here."
She was so distracted that she hadn't noticed the car pulling into their usual spot in the garage. They made it. This should be the easy part…so why the hell was she so nervous?
She stared down at her cuticles, earnestly avoiding turning her face to his. She was sure all it would take was one look and he would know every scandalous image playing in her mind.
"Keep the car, Maddie. I'll call a cab from the lobby and wait down there." He sounded as if he was completely resigned to the idea. She heard the car door close and immediately felt the loss of his presence. Here they were, ready to go their separate ways. Maybe she really would never spend another night with David Addison as her lover.
The tap on the driver's side window snapped her to attention. "Yo, Madd-aayy, this is the part where you actually get out of the car. I don't know if you noticed, but there's no drive up to the 20th floor, this is the best we can do."
She seemed to be frozen in place. David shook his head in a mix of confusion and frustration. He opened the door and plopped back down into the driver's seat. "You want to clue me in to what the problem is? Look, I already promised I'll stay far away from you in the lobby. Is that not good enough…you need me to give you a ten minute head start or something? For Christ's sake, what do you want from me, Maddie?!"
She lunged towards him, her hand at the back of his neck, urging him closer to her. Their lips crashed together. God, she wanted this. Her fingers flew to his shirt undoing the remaining buttons in the way. She needed to feel more of him. Maddie ran her hands across the newly exposed skin and her lips soon followed. The grunt it elicited from David's throat spurred her on, her hand seeking out his hardness. She wrapped her hand around him, applying pressure in the rhythm she knew he loved.
"Ahhh, Maddieeee." His fingers slid through her hair in that way that made her want to be his forever. He guided her face back up to his and kissed her so deeply it felt like her insides were melting into lava.
Maddie pulled back breathlessly. "I want you, David." She started to pull at his belt buckle.
"I want you too." He mumbled in between hungry kisses. "But…ahhh….hey, I was kind of liking the thought of that shower though. I'm sure you don't want to join me, unless you want to tell me I'm wrong about that." He gently tugged her hands away from their quest and kissed them.
His eyes were dark green and brimming with the question of a challenge he damn well knew she wasn't going to resist.
He continued, "I mean, just to be clear…if we did decide to go somewhere together tonight, I'd probably be too tired to leave, it may just end up that you're tucked in my arms until the morning…now, I know that's not what you want…is it?"
Her heartbeat was still pounding and her face flushed. "Take me home, David. Please, take me home…and stay."
His lips were warm and soft on hers this time. When he pulled back, he kissed her cheeks and smoothed his hands over her face. "Sounds like a good plan to me, Blondie."
Maddie found herself nuzzling up to him with her mouth on any available skin she could find during the all too long car ride back to her place. By the time they arrived, they couldn't make it past the living room. He made love to her on the couch. Her fingers dug into his back with such intensity she was certain he was going to wake up with bruises, but she couldn't help herself. She had never wanted to be closer to someone more in her entire life. She allowed him to consume her completely and she was rewarded with endless waves of ecstasy. Afterwards, he led her by the hand into the shower he promised, which nearly delivered more pleasure than she could bear. They both collapsed onto her bed and quickly drifted off to sleep, feeling fully satisfied.
As Maddie replayed the events of the evening, her face flushed in embarrassment. Oh no…it was her. She was the one who asked him…no, practically begged him to stay with her last night. All she had to do was get out of the car and she would have squashed this habit once and for all. Instead, here she was again, trying to find a way to extract herself from the situation without waking him. She needed time to think of a good excuse to get him to leave.
She peaked her eyes open the slightest bit. David's head must have made its way onto her pillow during the night, he was peacefully sleeping with his face turned towards her. It was just like him to invade every bit of space she once had to herself. If she wasn't careful, she'd get used to having him everywhere. Imagine…she and David sharing every moment together…it would be a train wreck waiting to happen.
Maddie slowly scooted to the side of the bed. If she could make her way out of his arms, she could think more clearly. He seemed to sense her attempt to shift and his arm unconsciously tightened around her waist, holding her in place. She wondered if he did this with all the women he bedded. Maybe he secretly hated sleeping alone. It was a sobering thought that amplified her doubts of this ever seriously working. She tried to wiggle out from his grasp and she heard his deep intake of breath.
His lips stirred against her shoulders, trailing kisses along the way. "Hey," he looked up at her with tousled hair and a sleepy grin.
Her heart tugged. "Hey," she whispered shyly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay. What are you doing up in the middle of the night?"
"Thinking."
"You mean overthinking?"
"Just trying to supplement for the company I keep."
David chuckled. "Come on, these hours were not made for thinking."
"Is that so?"
"Uh-huh, these right here, these are primo dreaming hours, designed for anything your heart desires." His fingers combed through her hair.
"And what about the real world?"
"We can worry about that later, although I for one don't think it's a bad place to be lately anyhow." She tensed and his eyes clouded with concern. "Come on, you've been saying you were tired all day. There's got to be something that can help you fall asleep."
"David," she warned.
"I'm not talking about that. Sheesh, such a dirty mind, Ms. Hayes. I don't know, didn't your mom ever sing you a song or read you a bedtime story? Isn't there one that always manages to send you right to dreamland?"
"Funny enough, the only thing that comes to mind is Elvis."
"Ahhh, dreaming of the King?"
"No, not really." She shook her head. "It's silly but now that you ask, I guess I fell asleep to his music more than anything when I was a kid." David tilted his head as if he was enthralled with any new pieces of information she was willing to share about her life. "Mom adored him. Daddy on the other hand did not. It didn't stop her from listening to his records until the vinyl wore out though." Maddie smiled at the memory. "There was one summer I swear I must have fallen asleep to the sound of that record playing in the other room every night."
An idea flashed across David's face. He excitedly swung his legs over the side of the bed and jogged out of the room. Maddie called after him as he flew down the stairs.
"David! What on earth are you doing? I'm not even sure I have that record now anyway. Come back to bed!" So much for trying to convince him to leave. She was begrudgingly aware that she already missed him lying beside her.
"Be back in a flash," he shouted. She heard him running back upstairs in no time. He hopped back under the covers and flashed her a million dollar smile. "I've got this covered." The corner of her eye spied the shiny harmonica in his hand.
"You carry that with you everywhere?" she smirked.
"You never know when you may need it for special occasions."
"Mmhhmm," she began to wonder just how many women he played this for in the moonlight. "And is this? Special, I mean."
David inhaled deeply, "Yeah…spending time with you like this…yeah, Maddie, it's special to me."
Her throat burned at the sincerity in his voice.
"Now, you just get comfy. Come on, scooch over here." She melted back into his side and rested her head on his shoulder. "That's it, you just relax and if you find those baby blues closing, let 'em. I'm not going anywhere."
He placed the harmonica to his lips and the first few notes of Can't Help Falling in Love floated through the air. He took his time and let the music breathe as though he was bearing his soul with every chord. Emotions she couldn't quite name washed over Maddie, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
He began to sing softly, "Like a river flows, surely to the sea, darling so it goes…some things are meant to be," before bringing the harmonica back up to finish the song.
By the time it was done, Maddie had burrowed into him even closer and her eyes were heavy. She felt his warm lips softly kiss her forehead and her heart fluttered. In the stillness of that moment, one truth became undeniably clear. This was so much worse than she thought…she was completely in love with David Addison and there wasn't a single thing she could do to ever change it. Tomorrow…I'll deal with it tomorrow, she told herself as she surrendered to sleep in his arms.
Story inspired by conversation in the wonderful Moonlighting - Facebook group.
Thank you so much for reading!