by Ava Alexia
“Then inside we shall go,” Matt said.
Maddie walked between the two impressive men. They were quite similar in physique. Both were tall, slender and muscular. But that is where the similarities stopped. Whereas Whit had dark hair with blue eyes, Matt had very thick blond hair with dark grey eyes. Maddie could imagine his eyes changing color with his emotions. Matt was very tanned and he wore horseback riding breeches. Maddie made a mental note to ask him about his riding. They entered the house from a side door and Maddie was astounded. The room was empty of furniture but Maddie was enthralled by the woodwork and crown molding. Its craftsmanship was second to none. She slowly wandered about the room totally oblivious to Whit and Matt. She immediately began envisioning the pieces she would put in the room. She couldn’t wait to get started. She took a notepad from her purse and began making notes.
“She’s gorgeous. How did you get so lucky?” Matt asked.
“Sean asked the same thing. I guess it is fate,” Whit said.
“So you are serious about her?” Matt questioned.
“Very much. More than she knows I think,” Whit answered.
“Well, I couldn’t be happier for you. You deserve to have a good woman in your life,” Matt said. “What about Raquel?”
Whit looked sharply at Matt.
“What about her?” Whit asked.
“Rumor has it that she is on the warpath. Raquel does not handle rejection well, you know,” Matt said.
“Raquel has always known what our association amounted to. It has run its course and I have moved on. She needs to do the same,” Whit said tartly.
“I would guess that she has forgotten that tidbit,” Matt snickered.
“Well, she had better face reality for I’m not going to marry her,” Whit retorted.
Sean was suddenly serious.
“Will she try to get her father to force your hand?” Sean asked.
“Possibly. She implied as much,” Whit answered tautly.
“You know I would lend you the money if I had it to spare. But all of my capital is tied up in real estate projects right now,” Sean said in remorse.
“I know you would. Don’t worry about it, Sean. I will figure something out,” Whit replied.
“Well, be warned. It’s only a matter of time before she surmises where you are. She will come. You can bet your last nickel on it,” Sean cautioned.
“You’re right. And she will make as much trouble as she can. But it will not matter. She will not get what she wants,” Whit concluded.
“But when she’s done, will you get what you want?” Sean asked soberly.
Whit was saved from answering due to Maddie’s timely approach. She excitedly told them of her plans for the room. Sean was impressed with her concept.
“I’m as excited as you. Let me give you a tour of the house,” Matt said.
The three of them moved off into another room for the grand tour.
*****
Several days had past and Maddie was deep into the decorating of the Edelston house. So far had gone well and Maddie was pleased. One warm evening she sat in the garden on a stone bench before a gushing water fountain. It had been a long day and she’s wanted to unwind before supper. She stared at the splashing water as she organized her thoughts regarding the Edelston project. When Matt had given her and Whit an extensive tour of the house Maddie had caught her bearings. The intimidation she had felt upon seeing the house had gone and now all she felt was enthusiasm for her task. When she had returned to Whit’s house she immediately began making phone calls to art galleries and furnishing houses to find the perfect pieces. She could see the completed house in her mind’s eye and she was highly motivated to see it come to life. She had taken Whit’s advice and broken the house down into manageable sections. The architecture of each room gave her new ideas and added unique twists to the concepts she already had. What a grand showcase the house will be when she is finished. The Edelston house will be featured in every home furnishing magazine and television show there was. And her name will be synonymous with its décor. Maddie giggled delightedly at the thought of possibly getting her own television show on HGTV. That would be unreal. She stood and turned to go back to the house when she heard raised voices. She stood still and listened. She heard a female voice and Whit’s lower tones. The woman was extremely agitated as her voice was almost screeching. Maddie wondered who she was and why was she so angry. Although she could hear loud voices they were still indistinct. Maddie moved closer to the house to better hear.
“How dare you leave me hanging, as if I’m yesterday’s trash? Do you not know with whom you’re dealing?” the female yelled.
“I know exactly who and what you are, Raquel, and I want no part of you,” Whit snarled.
Maddie had never seen Whit angry. This was another side of him that was alien to her.
“You think to dismiss me without so much as a ‘by your leave’? I think not. Father will have plenty to say about this,” Raquel spat.
“I will deal with Howard in my own way. I will not be coerced into doing something that I detest because I owe him money. Find another man to manipulate,” Whit said coldly.
Maddie gasped. She had never thought that Whit would owe money to anyone. He seemed so powerful and financially secured. But how did he get there? Everybody had to start somewhere. Obviously he needed money at some point to build his empire; and this woman seemed to be connected to that money source. Maddie took another step forward and stepped on a small branch. It snapped loudly.
“Who is that? Who’s there?” Raquel asked sharply.
Maddie knew she had to step forward. She walked up the terrace stairs and entered the double doors.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I had been out in the gardens and was coming back to the house,” Maddie explained.
“And you decided to eavesdrop; you nosey tramp,” Raquel attacked.
Maddie gasped.
“Shut up, Raquel!” Whit ordered.
“Protective of your latest paramour I see. Well I could care less about her. Her days as your mistress are over,” Raquel said harshly. “Send her packing tonight. I’m quite possessive and I don’t share.”
Whit looked at her in outrage.
“Have you lost your mind? Get out!” Whit ordered.
Raquel slowly gathered her print silk scarf and draped it elegantly around her shoulders. She picked up her tan leather clutch and tucked it under her arm.
“I’ll go…for now. I have a few things to attend to before moving in,” she said in blasé fashion. She looked at Maddie pointedly. “Make sure you throw the trash out before I return.”
Whit took a step toward Raquel in anger.
“Whit! No,” Maddie forestalled him.
Raquel trilled her amusement.
“You would do well to listen to her, darling. I would not appreciate any bruises on my person and nor would Father,” Raquel smiled smugly.
Raquel exited the house leaving the door front door wide open. Whit crossed the foyer and slammed the door shut. The sound reverberated throughout the house. Whit was incensed and he literally shook with rage. Maddie never expected to see Whit in this state of mind. She was unsure of what to say or do.
“Whit?” she murmured.
The sound of her voice seemed to pull him back to the present. He crossed to her quickly and embraced her.
“Maddie, I’m sorry you had to experience that scene,” he said remorsefully.
“Who is she?” Maddie asked. She looked up at him.
Whit sighed deeply.
“Raquel Fleming. An old acquaintance. She and I hook up from time to time,” he answered.
“To have sex,” Maddie filled in the omission.
“Yes. Raquel showed up the night I canceled our dinner date. She wanted to continue our association but I told her it was over,” he said.
“I take it that didn’t sit well with her,” Maddie said dryly.
“It did not. She wa
nts me to marry her and has threatened to ruin me if I do not,” Whit said angrily.
“What? She’s ridiculous. She cannot force you into a marriage that you don’t want,” Maddie was aghast.
“She thinks she can and has no qualms about playing her trump card,” he said bitterly.
“Which is?”
“Having her father call in a debt that I owe him. Howard Fleming bankrolled my investment in a telecommunications business,” Whit said. “The company has turned around and is now earning a profit but not enough to repay the entire debt. I would have to liquidate all of my assets and sell my business to repay him.”
“No! Whit, there has to be another way. Surely you can raise the money without selling your company,” Maddie said.
“It’s not easy to come up with four hundred million dollars, Madison. I have considered a lot of options but none will suffice. I haven’t an answer at this point,” he sighed.
Maddie moved to him and stroked his arm.
“But you will. Give it a little more time. It will come,” she encouraged.
“I doubt if I have much more time. Howard has spoiled his daughter excessively. It is not likely that he will refuse her,” Whit muttered.
“My grandmother always told me that God is above the devil. God will see you through this crisis. Trust Him,” Maddie insisted.
He turned and clasped her shoulders.
“Thank you, Madison. What would I do without you?” he asked.
She smiled sassily.
“Keep up the good work and you’ll never have to find out,” she quipped.
He laughed.
“Easily done, my love,” he grinned.
He brought his head down to capture her mouth. They never made it to the bedroom as Whit lowered her to the carpeted floor and made wild love to her. Maddie engaged in their sexual play with unabashed wickedness. As she suckled his penis she kept thinking about the endearment he had used: ‘my love’. Was she really his love? He was certainly hers. Well, there was no time like the present to make sure that she was. Maddie was not one to sit back and hope for things to go her way. She was a proactive person and she would do whatever necessary to make sure that he loved her to distraction. And she would enjoy every minute of her campaign. She straddled his hips and slowly inserted him into her. Maddie rode him like there was no tomorrow and together they reached even more ecstatic heights.
*****
Raquel hid behind a stout tree and watched Maddie giving instructions to the workman on the Edelston property. The little red-haired witch thought she was all that and a Birkin handbag too. It galled Raquel to see Madison flitting about the place like she was important when she was nothing but a seaport whore. How dare she be ensconced in the home that should be hers? Well, she wouldn’t be there much longer. One phone call from her father and that bitch would be history. Raquel saw Whit come out of the house. She almost screamed in rage when she was him run up to that slut to twirl her around. It was nauseating to see him kiss her at length. Raquel wanted to vomit. She crept from her hiding place and once far enough away she ran to her jeep. Sitting in the vehicle she dialed her father’s number.
“Father,”
“Yes, my pet,” Howard greeted.
“You must come to Aruba immediately. It is time,” Raquel said breathlessly.
“You sound agitated, Raquel. Time for what?” he asked.
“Do not be obtuse, Father. You know of what I speak,” Raquel said in annoyance. “Whit is here in Aruba sleeping with a two bit whore. It is time for this nonsense to cease. You must come right away.”
Howard paused. Several seconds passed which only heightened Raquel’s agitation. She was ready to scream when he finally answered.
“I will be there,” Howard answered.
“When?” Raquel demanded.
“Soon. There are things that I must do prior to this unexpected trip. But I will be there,” he said.
“Whatever! Just get here,” Raquel snapped.
The phone went dead. Howard looked at his cell in irritation. Raquel will soon realize that she must be careful for what she asks.
*****
Whit had woken early and stood at the window gazing out at the ocean horizon. The sun was beginning to rise and the brilliant colors of yellow, orange and red lit the sky. It was a beautiful sight. Inevitably his thoughts turned to his dire problem. How could he pay his debt and keep his company intact as well? His current plan of repaying Howard was going well. He had estimated another two years and he would have paid his debt completely. Now Raquel had placed him in a position of pay now or suffer the consequences. Damn her! He had known that it wouldn’t take Raquel long to find him. She was like a hound that had sniffed his shirt. She thought she had the upper hand and had arrived to throw down the gauntlet. He just had to find a way to withstand the blow. He heard a movement from the bed. He turned to see Maddie repositioning herself. She had not wakened. He moved to the side of the bed and looked down upon her. She looked so beautiful as she slept peacefully. He smiled gently as he realized what she had brought into his life. Maddie filled the void in his existence. He had been restless and listless. He’d tried to fill it with work and making money but he hadn’t been able to erase the feeling of lack. He now knew that what he sought had been Maddie. Someone to make happy. Someone to love. Yes, he loved Madison and would give up everything he owned to keep her. She made him laugh. She brought out the silly side in him; for he did tend to be a bit too serious. And he could tell that she cared about him. She hadn’t said it but he knew that she was very fond of him. She wouldn’t be sleeping with him if she wasn’t. It would only be a matter of time before she said those three little words. He wanted to hear them from her lips for he was dying to say them to her. And he wouldn’t wait much longer to say them. She had his heart and she belonged to him. And he’d be damn if he allowed anyone to tear them apart. He leaned down and gently shook Maddie’s shoulder. She stirred and slowly opened her eyes; she rubbed the drowsiness from her bright green eyes.
“Good morning,” she yawned.
“Good morning, sleepy head. You must wake up. There is much to do today,” he said.
Maddie groaned and pulled the sheet over her head. He laughed and yanked the sheet off of her to expose her naked body.
“Whit!” she exclaimed as she scurried to pull the sheet about her.
He chuckled.
“I’ve seen you in all of your naked glory. You’re magnificent, darling,” he grinned.
Maddie narrowed her eyes at him and defiantly threw back the sheet.
“Fine!” she retorted. She leaned back on her elbows and bent a knee. She looked at him sexily. “Why must I get up at such an ungodly hour?”
Her sensuous pose filled Whit’s head with all manner of erotic ideas. And he doubted that he would leave the room without acting upon several of them. But he needed to tell her of his plans for the day first.
“I’ve arranged for us to go visit my mining investment on the nearby island of Jimaya,” he explained. “I want to check on the mining progress and I thought you would enjoy seeing the island.”
Maddie was excited. She sat up on her knees.
“I would love to. Thank you. I could use a break,” she said. “Besides the workers know what they are to do and I can’t do anything else until the new pieces arrive. So the timing is perfect.”
“Good,” he said.
Whit sat on the bed as Maddie was scrambling to get off of it. He caught her arm.
“We should get ready, Whit,” she said happily.
“We have time,” he murmured.
Maddie chuckled.
“For what exactly?” she joked.
“For this,” he muttered as he brought his mouth down upon hers.
Maddie fell onto her back as Whit climbed over her. She welcomed his attention as she always did. She couldn’t seem to get enough of him. She spread her legs and felt his cock move against her lusting need. She ached to feel him ins
ide of her. She grasped him and guided the growing sex into her hot, damp haven. She didn’t want a lot of foreplay; she just needed him. Whit seemed to sense her need and he was more than willing to oblige. He plunged into her with ferocity. He ached to be massaged and hugged by her vibrating muscles. She felt so good; he could stay inside of her forever and be content. Maddie clamped her legs around his waist and lifted her hips to slam him onto his side. He grinned. Their wild frolic had begun.
*****
Whit and Maddie sat in the helicopter and looked down at the stunning view of the Caribbean islands. Whit’s hand rested on Maddie’s thigh and he squeezed her leg and began to move upward. Maddie halted the movement.
“Stop that,” she said into her mouthpiece.
He looked at her and grinned.
“I can’t seem to help myself,” he laughed.
“Try,” she scolded.
“I shall but it will be in vain,” he joked. He looked out the window again and pointed. “There it is: Jimaya.”
Maddie leaned across his chest to better see. Whit caressed her back unthinkingly.
“It’s lovely. I can’t wait to see it up close,” she said eagerly.
The helicopter soon landed and an open jeep was waiting for them. They greeted the driver and were quickly on their way. Maddie looked at the lush scenery and was amazed at the multitude of exotic blooming flowers and plants. It was an exquisite oasis filled with extraordinary foliage and fruit. Maddie was dying to taste the ripe papaya hanging from the trees. It was only a twenty minute drive to the mining camp. Whit went into the office while Maddie watched the busy activity around her. Men hurried in and out of the shaft; some rolling wheel carts and others carrying large buckets. Maddie felt a sense of hushed excitement about the place. It heightened her own exhilaration. Something was happening. What was it? Whit came out of the shack that served as an office with a dark, short, slim man of Whit’s age. He was good-looking and appeared very pleased about something. They approached her.
“Maddie, meet Hugh Gloughton. Hugh, this is Madison McClain. She’s overseeing the Edelston project. She’s also my close friend,” Whit introduced them.
