Helios Awakened (The Helios Chronicles #1)

by Tawa M. Witko

  Madison had been impatiently waiting for Andrew. She had already cooked for her Grans and had cleaned the sparse trailer twice. She was restless, anxious to be alone with him, desperate to kiss him. She heard the distinct sound of his Harley approaching and sprung to her feet, snatching her money and ID off of the dresser. She pulled open her top drawer and took a deep breath, snatching a condom as well. Just in case!

  “Hello Mrs. Downing. My name is Andrew. Is Madison available?” Andrew asked politely to the older woman in front of him.

  “Come in, Andrew,” Grandma Downing said, looking at the man before her. “You can call me Grandma though, that is who I am.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he replied with a smile.

  She had only seen him from a distance but she knew his aunt and uncle. They were good people and she had little doubt in her mind that if Andrew was staying with them then he must be a decent human being as well. Olivia Montgomery would not allow riffraff to live with her.

  Madison smiled when she walked into the living room, seeing Andrew before her. She wanted to run up and kiss him but she held on to what little restraint she possessed to carry herself in a good way in her grandmother’s presence. Andrew looked at her and smiled as she approached him, taking her hand in his.

  “Grans, I won’t be gone long,” Madison finally said after pulling her eyes away from Andrew.

  “Alright Maddie, be careful,” she said to her granddaughter before eyeing Andrew. “You bring my granddaughter back in one piece, you hear me, Andrew.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Andrew said again, smiling widely.

  Madison grinned at her and then kissed her on the cheek. “Love you, Grans,” she said before walking out the door.

  “You’re really close to your grandmother, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. What about you? Are you close to your grandparents?”

  Andrew frowned. “I don’t remember them very well. We... moved a lot when I was younger. The last time I saw my grandma was when I was 5 or maybe 6. I don’t know. I was young.”

  Andrew got on the bike and motioned for Madison to get on behind him. He didn’t really want to talk about his family. He knew at some point he would need to but he didn’t want it to be today. Madison smiled at him, noting a hint of sadness before swinging her leg over the seat. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “Do you see that peg there? There’s one on each side. They're for your feet.”

  Madison looked down and saw what he was referring to, immediately lifting her feet on them.

  “Just move when I move, Madison. I won’t go too fast but I thought we could ride for a bit, if that’s okay.”

  “Of course, whatever you want to do,” Madison said wistfully.

  Andrew smiled at the innuendo. “Hold on tight.”

  Madison did just that. Her arms were wrapped around his waist just like she imagined the day they met. Andrew drove them out onto State Route 178, through Kern River Canyon, until he reached an isolated area just off the main road. It was a sparsely populated spot that Andrew liked to go to and sketch. He had actually sketched every part of this particular area, enjoying the colors present. He pulled his Harley into a secluded section near a tree and parked.

  “Wow, this is really pretty,” Madison said, looking out across the canyon.

  Madison got off the bike and walked a few steps away, admiring the view. The rich colors were beginning to fade in the summer sun but it was still breathtaking. Andrew smiled as he watched her walk a little bit away from the bike.

  “I like coming here. It’s really peaceful with very little traffic.”

  He leaned against his bike as he continued to watch her. She stopped walking and turned around so that she could look at him. She offered him a sly little smile before walking back to him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “I’m sorry you had to see me like that when we were at the lake. I shouldn’t have..." He closed his eyes and shook his head.

  “Andrew, what’s done is done.”

  He was hesitant, his brows furrowed as he looked at the ground in deep thought. Madison observed him, wondering what he could possibly be thinking that would cause the expression he currently wore.

  “Were you scared of me?” he finally asked as he looked up at her.

  Madison frowned. “Yes, a little bit.”

  Andrew took a deep breath and looked into the sun, the lines on his forehead bunched together. He was angry at himself for allowing his temper to escape. How could he expect people, especially someone he cared about, to see him differently if he still behaved in the same manner as before?

  “But it was only for a moment. I was more afraid that you were going to be sent back to prison, Helios,” Madison said, watching as a small smile crept across his face.

  “Why do you call me that?” he asked, smirking at her as he pulled a wild hair out of her face.

  “Because you’re like the sun, bright and beautiful, I can’t look at you for too long without feeling as if I am going to burst into flames, yet I can’t turn away either.”

  He breathed in deeply. That was not what he had expected her to say. He had expected to hear some silly answer, like all her other nicknames, but not something from the heart like that. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

  “I know Helios rode in a chariot drawn by horses on fire so I tried to envision your motorcycle as your modern day horse and well...”

  “Well what?”

  “Well, then I got this visual of Ghost Rider so, I don’t know. I might have to rethink that.”

  Andrew laughed heartedly. “Well, Nicolas Cage is pretty bad ass.”

  He pulled her close to him and then turned her around so she could see the scene before her. His arms were tight around her waist and Madison felt desire ignite within her. Her breath became more shallow and she was certain her heart was about to beat out of her chest. After a few moments, his voice floated into the air.

  “I have sketched this area so many times. I really like it,” he said resting his chin on the top of her head. “The colors, the way the wind moves the leaves, it feels... calm.”

  Madison smiled as she tried to focus on his description and not the feel of his body so close to hers.

  “You draw?” she finally choked out.

  “Yes. I have for a long time now.”

  “I would love to see what you’ve done. I mean, only if you want to,” Madison started back peddling a bit, not sure how comfortable he was about sharing his artwork.

  “I’ll show you sometime.” He held her even tighter.

  They stayed where they were for a long time, enjoying the serenity of the moment and the fact that they were able to be so close together. The normalcy of the situation was appealing. When Andrew suggested they go back, Madison was immensely sad and forlorn. Andrew had hesitantly released his hold on her, knowing they had been gone a while already. With deep trepidation, he threw his leg over the bike as she slid in behind him. For Madison, it felt as if this was all ending too soon. She wanted more, more time with him, more closeness, more everything. With a deep breath, she rested her forehead against his back and moved her fingers underneath the hem of his shirt.

  “Helios, don’t leave yet,” she whispered huskily.

  His skin was on fire and hearing her raspy voice, a voice filled with desire, made him stir uncomfortably in his jeans but he turned off the bike, not sure where she was going with this. Madison ran her fingers along his tight abdominal muscles, which were flexing underneath her touch. She allowed her fingers to slip underneath the waistband of his jeans, grazing the soft hair that was there as she heard his breath hitch. Emboldened, she unbuttoned his jeans and slipped her hand inside his boxers.

  “Madison,” he whimpered in protest.

  “It’s okay, Helios,” she whispered reassuringly. “Take your shirt off.”

  Andrew did what she asked, quickly pulling his shirt up and over his head and laying it on his handlebars. He sta
rted to get up, to face her, but she stopped him. Madison took a deep breath, trying to steady her mounting need as she scooted closer to him. She threw her legs over his thighs, pulling his legs a little further apart. Andrew was breathing heavily as he looked down, seeing her small hands working over him. He could feel his release at the precipice. It had been so long since he had been with someone he didn’t think he could prevent it from happening.

  “Oh God! Madison, you need to stop,” Andrew stuttered through raspy breaths.

  “It’s alright,” she whispered as she kissed him lightly on his back. “Let go.”

  Madison really wanted him but had figured, based on what she knew about him already, that it had been a long time since he had been with anyone. She thought she better let him get off first and then just pray to all the gods of the universe that he would have a quick rebound time. Andrew was truly magnificent. Her own body was aching with want and desire. As his breath became more erratic, she increased her ministrations. The sound of his whimpering made it increasingly difficult for her to control her own craving for him.

  “Madison...” he mumbled as he gripped the handlebars tightly.

  Her own breath was now labored as she continued to touch him, not stopping until his breathing had finally settled. Madison then rested her forehead against his back, trying to steady her racing heart as she laid soft and gentle kisses wherever her mouth could reach. She was lost in the feel of him until she heard something rip and then felt a cloth on her hands. He had apparently ripped the bottom of his shirt and was cleaning off her hands as well as himself. He stepped off of his bike and turned so they would be face to face.

  “That was...” He looked down, a smile creeping onto his face. He then looked into her extremely dark eyes and could see that she had enjoyed what she had done. “That was incredible.”

  He leaned into her, kissing her deeply. Andrew ran his hands underneath her top, feeling the smoothness of her skin. His fingers nimbly unsnapped her bra and continued to move up and down her back and then along her sides, barely grazing the outline of her breasts. He reached down to the hem of her shirt and stopped kissing her just long enough to pull her shirt up. She swallowed, looking into his eyes as she raised her arms so he could remove it fully. He set it on the handlebar, on top of his. He watched her a moment, breathing in deeply as he slipped her bra straps off of her shoulders and then laid it on top of her shirt.

  “You’re stunning, Madison.”

  His hands gently moved over her body, watching as her breasts moved slowly with each heavy breath she took. His heart was racing as he brought his hands under her and lifted her up so that her breasts were closer to him. He glanced at her smiling face as his mouth touched her skin, already pebbled from desire. Madison whimpered as she gripped his hair tightly. He shifted her slightly and wished he could use his hands to explore her body but he needed to hold her up and he didn’t think Madison would be removing her death grip from his hair anytime soon. After several minutes of worshipping her breasts, he lowered her down and kissed her intensely, his tongue invading her mouth with purpose.

  Madison’s grip in his hair continued to tighten as their kiss intensified. She needed him desperately; it was the only way to quench the fire within her. Her hands moved up and down his strong back, her short nails digging into his skin. She pulled away from their kiss and looked at him; his eyes were dark and feral as he laid her back on the seat.

  “I want you,” Madison said breathlessly as she brought her hands up, gripping the back of the seat.

  Andrew ran his hands over her breasts and then worked his way to her jeans. He unbuttoned them and slid the zipper down. Her breathing was already labored as he lifted her up slightly so he could remove them properly. She was lying back, completely exposed for him. He wanted her, as well, but didn’t have the foresight to bring a condom. He had never been tested for any diseases and would not expose her to something he could have contracted from his many encounters of reckless and unprotected sex.

  “You are so beautiful, Madison,” he said as he once again ran his hands over her body.

  Her eyes were closed tightly as her head lolled to the side. He ran his fingers all around her, memorizing what she looked like right now, laid out before him on his Harley. She arched her hips slightly, looking for him, needing him. He smiled. If he couldn’t have her today, he would at least make sure she was satisfied. Her body was beautifully arched above the seat as he touched her, watching as her face contorted and she let out several ragged breaths until she screamed out in pleasure. When her breathing settled and she opened her eyes, she saw him smiling down at her, the sun in the background haloed around him and in that moment he really did look like a Greek God, her very own Helios in the flesh.

  “That was the sexiest thing I have ever witnessed, Madison,” Andrew said, his voice low and seductive.

  Madison sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck, her mouth close to his. “I want to make love to you, Helios.”

  He swallowed and closed his eyes. “I... I have never been tested for anything and I wasn’t always responsible. I don't want to risk having sex with you without a condom. I didn’t anticipate this would happen so I...” Andrew continued to stutter as Madison smiled at him.

  She kissed him heatedly, to stop him from saying anything more. After a few moments, she slowed her kiss, laying soft pecks around his mouth. “I brought a condom.”

  He stopped her kisses and pulled her back slightly, a look of confusion and then joy passed across his face.

  “You brought a condom?” he asked with that knowing smirk that immediately set Madison’s heart ablaze.

  “Just in case,” Madison tried to say solidly but her voice came out rough and cracked.

  “Where is it?” he asked, unable to stop the grin on his face.

  “My jeans.”

  He reached behind him and grabbed them, digging in the pockets until he found the foil packet. He put the corner of it in his mouth as he placed her jeans back on the handlebars. When he turned back to her, she was looking at him with what he could only describe as sex eyes, dark and wanting. Unadulterated, raw need was flowing through him as he tore the corner of the packet open. The sexiest smile crept across Madison’s face as she snatched the condom out of his hands..

  “Let me,” she said saucily.

  It didn’t take long before they were deep in the throes of passion. Andrew lost himself in the sensations surging through him. She was exquisite and being connected to her in this way sent goose bumps all across his body. The summer sun was beating down on them as they moved in their own delicious rhythm, trying to hold off their orgasms for as long as they could, to hold on to this moment for as long as was humanly possible. They were both desperate to make this last. The summer heat and the energy flowing between them invigorated them both in ways neither had ever experienced with anyone else.

  “Andrew...” she rasped into his mouth as their lovemaking intensified.

  He pierced her mouth with his tongue, unable to get enough of her as his thrusts and her movements became more erratic. She knew that she could no longer hold off the inevitable and let herself go, letting his mouth capture her passionate screams. He broke their kiss momentarily, trying to catch his own breath as he panted and grunted, experiencing the most intense orgasm of his life.

  “Madison...” he whispered as his body slowly began to return to earth.

  She rested her head against his neck while his head lay on her shoulder. They were both breathing raggedly, their chests heaving against each other. This had been, without a doubt, the best sex Madison had ever experienced. And in her head she was already trying to figure out when and where they would be able to do it again. She kissed him lightly on the neck, feeling his whole body shiver and then his mouth was laying gentle kisses up her neck and over her jaw until he was once again latched onto her mouth, taking her breath away and making her body scream for more.

  12 AFTERMATH

  The
y were both breathing hard as their mouths continued to devour one another. Their intensity was indescribable and all consuming; something neither had ever felt with anyone else before, nor would feel again. After several minutes, their kiss eventually slowed as they laid gentle caresses against one another until finally their lips were merely touching as they breathed in each other’s breaths. They wanted to stay right where they were but, unfortunately, the sound of a car whizzing past let them both know that they were indeed out in the open. It was a stark reality that grounded them to the present and called for action.

  “As much as I don’t want to, we should leave,” Andrew said solemnly.

  Andrew reluctantly lifted Madison off of him, immediately feeling the loss of her warmth. He reached behind him and grabbed her clothes. When he handed them to her she had a serious pout on her face that he found extremely sexy. He smiled and ran his thumb along her bottom lip and leaned down to kiss her again.

  Madison hated the idea that they would need to leave, and when his mouth found hers again, she got lost in it. She ran her hands along his exposed back, pulling him close to her again. After several minutes, he leaned back and sighed. Madison smiled as she started running her hands along his well-defined chest, briefly making a pass across the tattoo over his heart. As she reached the center of it, she realized that the tattoo was covering up a heavily scarred area. He flinched slightly when she touched it but he let her continue her exploration.

  “Who designed your tattoos, Helios?” Madison asked curiously, although she had a sneaking suspicion that she already knew the answer to that question.

  “I did,” he said cautiously, unsure where she was going with this line of questioning.

  Madison nodded and traced along the outside spikes of the sun part of the tattoo, careful to avoid the scarred area in the center. She wasn’t sure what the scarring was from but it was obvious that Andrew didn’t like being touched there. This tattoo seemed lighter than his other ones and she wondered if it was the oldest.

  “Do they mean anything?” she finally whispered, barely audible.