This does become kind of M-rated. Not bad but enough to give a warning.

Past and Present Lives

Chapter 3-Present Life

Getting Maddie set up wasn't as hard or expensive as Mike thought. He was just wanting to help her. Sure, there was attraction to her for him but there was no way Maddie reciprocated those feelings. He was just in it to help her get on her feet.

Part of it was guilt over Christine. He had failed as a husband and father. He didn't deserve a second chance. His wife and children were dead. But the guilt was more about how he knew when he left for the Arctic, that he would probably not remain faithful. He had. He had never slept with another woman and honestly; Maddie was the first woman he had even considered because of how like alike she was to Christine.

Now that he was retired, he was thinking more and more about dating. Christine's remains had been found two years before and she was gone. He still wore his wedding band, but it was more because he didn't know what else to do with it. His daughters' remains had been found near Christine's so that wasn't an option. He was truly alone.

Maddie was fun to talk to. She understood all the hang-ups about his career. She was facing the same issues. What to do next? She was young enough that she needed to work, whereas Mike could retire and had every intention of it. That night, he fixed some popcorn and settled on the couch near where she was sitting.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Mike asked.

"Probably putting in applications everywhere. I have no idea what I even want to do. I just knew I couldn't be in the Navy anymore." Maddie said.

"Take your time. Its nice having someone here to talk to." Mike answered.

"I know but I have to find something. I can't not pay rent or pull my load." Maddie said. She was sitting near enough that Mike tossed a piece of popcorn at her.

"Don't worry about all that. Find a job that is right for you, not just the job that hires you. I'm not in a hurry." Mike said. Maddie had found the piece of popcorn and ate it, then grabbed a handful of it.

"I really appreciate you taking me in. I wasn't sure what I was going to do." Maddie admitted. She had thanked him at least a dozen times. He wasn't even sure what came over him as he sat the bowl to the side and pulled her to him. He gave her a long and gentle kiss. She was shockingly receptive.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…" Mike started. Maddie shook her head at him before she kissed him. Before he knew what he was doing, his hand was wondering down her bare back and had unhooked her bra. "Are…do…you want this?" Mike asked, pausing for just a moment.

"Yes. I have for a while but couldn't." Maddie said. Mike nodded.

"Me too. But its been a long time for me. My wife…" Mike started and Maddie nodded.

"We can stop if you aren't ready." Maddie said as she straightened her shirt. The bra was still unhooked and Mike's eyes were wondering.

"I…think I am." Mike answered. Maddie nodded and Mike gently pulled the t-shirt over her head and threw the bra to the side. Maddie straddled him and he began exploring her body.

"My bedroom or yours?" Maddie asked after a few minutes.

"Mine." Mike answered. Maddie got up and he followed her into the room, giving them both time to take a second to think. "Please don't think I want this in exchange for you living here. I…have wanted it even before." Mike said. He knew he was botching it. Even though Maddie was bruised up, she was incredibly beautiful. He just didn't want to cause any undue pain.

"I know, Mike. Its okay. Now…let me?" Maddie suggested as she pushed Mike back on the bed.

"Its been a long time. It might not be very good." Mike admitted, almost ashamed of himself. He and Christine had had a very passionate marriage. But with Maddie, he felt almost too old. There was no way she would be interested in him. Somehow, the remainder of their clothes were being thrown off and Maddie was doing amazing things with her one good hand. "Let me? I don't want to hurt you." Mike suggested as he carefully laid Maddie on the bed.

"Please?" Maddie said as she pulled Mike onto the bed with her. Without much thought about birth control, Mike pushed into her and smiled as she moaned into his shoulder. Her fingernails had drug across his back and he thrust as hard and fast as he could.

It was kind of a lackluster performance but Maddie didn't seem to mind. Afterwards, she laid against Mike, absolutely exhausted. Mike trailed a hand down her side and pulled the blanket over the top of them.

"Sorry that wasn't…my best. I guess." Mike said.

"It was incredible. I can't wait for round two." Maddie said with a smile.

"You are all bruised up. It was irresponsible and insensitive of me." Mike remarked. Normally, he would have never taken advantage of any woman. But with Maddie, all those inhibitions seemed to disappear. As she laid against him and he felt her perfect nipples against his chest, he found himself wanting that second round she had mentioned.

"Mike…you want this. I'm here. Just lean into it and whatever comes of it will be." Maddie said as she straddled him and lowered herself down on top of him. It was his undoing. Casual sex had never been his thing, but with Maddie; it was casual and easy.

The sex was incredible but Mike found himself enjoying just having Maddie next to him in the bed. She drifted off to sleep about midnight and Mike spent time, studying her features. In appearance, she looked a lot like Christine had when she and Mike first started dating, but her personality was different. She was very upfront about what her desires and needs were. Christine had never been good at telling Mike what she needed or wanted out of her marriage.

Mike woke up to find Maddie sitting up, trying to button a shirt that she had apparently borrowed from Mike. It was incredibly sexy. The morning light was just beginning to stream into the windows and Mike smiled in appreciation.

"I'd much rather take it off of you but do you need help?" Mike asked as he sat up.

"I thought I would fix breakfast but now I'm not so sure about that." Maddie said.

"I am hungry. Let me help you." Mike said. He buttoned the shirt and then pulled on his own boxers.

"I think our clothes are scattered from the living room to here." Maddie remarked as she picked up her panties and put them on.

"How about we eat, clean up and then go from there?" Mike suggested. Now that the ice had been broken, all Mike could think about was having Maddie near.

"Sounds good." Maddie said. He followed her out into the living room and she laughed.

"We did make a mess." Maddie remarked. There was clothes everywhere and somehow the popcorn had been dumped all over the floor.

"It was fun though." Mike remarked. He handed her the broom and he grabbed the vacuum.

"Incredible." Maddie said before giving him a long kiss.

"Better stop that. I won't be able to stop myself and we'll just be hungrier." Mike warned.

"I am hungry." Maddie remarked. It made Mike laugh. After working together to clean everything up, they both showered and Mike fixed omelets. He was surprised that Maddie ate her's and part of Mike's. He still felt badly and felt like he had taken advantage of her. But it had felt so good. He just didn't deserve it after Christine dying the way she had.